Slow Cooker Maid Rites
This recipe puts a slow cooker spin on a classic Midwest favorite. Maid Rites are loose meat sandwiches that are a hearty and simple family favorite. And now they’re easy to make on any weeknight. Toss the ingredients in your slow cooker and let it handle the hard work while you get on with your day. It’s a reliable way to make sure dinner’s ready when you are.
Maid Rites hail from Iowa and have been served in small-town diners across the Midwest for nearly a century. I don’t remember them from my trip Iowa long ago, I ONLY remember the pork tenderloin sandwich from Red Lantern. I took that trip as a young child and I STILL remember those sandwiches.
These sandwiches are sometimes called loose meat sandwiches because the ground beef isn’t shaped into a patty. They’re served crumbled and seasoned, right on the bun. No sauce, no fuss, just meat and all that cooked in flavor.
Maid Rites are savory and lightly tangy with just a hint of sweetness. The seasoning is simple with onion and mustard giving the beef its familiar flavor. Serve these family favorite on soft burger buns with pickles for a classic diner-style sandwich at home.
When To Make These
Slow cooker sandwiches are perfect for busy days when you want something easy but filling. They’re especially good for family dinners or small gatherings when you don’t want to stand over the stove or cooking right up until the last minute.
Using the slow cooker means you’ve got dinner done while you’re enjoying your day. Just set it and forget it, then when dinnertime comes pile the meat high on buns.
What You Need To Make Slow Cooker Maid Rites
Planning ahead means dinner practically makes itself. Keep these ingredients in your kitchen so you’re always ready for an easy slow cooker meal. Need a meal planner and shopping list in one? Grab my FREE meal planner. Bonus? You can color it in if you like adult coloring sheets.
- onion
- lean ground beef
- rolled oats
- salt
- sugar
- mustard
- black pepper
- beef broth
- Worcestershire sauce
- buns
- pickles
Change These Up
Add a slice of cheese if you like your sandwiches melty. A sprinkle of red pepper flakes will bring a little heat without changing the classic flavor. Top with onion, ketchup or mustard as desired.
For the buns you can use any buns you have on hand or can buy. They all work. We really like full-size buns but slider buns work great too. And kids love sliders, Hawaiian roll sliders are really good!
Store The Leftovers
Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Pack extra portions in meal prep containers for easy lunches you can reheat throughout the week.
Slow Cooker Maid Rites
Ingredients
- ½ onion finely diced
- 2 lbs lean ground beef browned and drained
- ¼ cup rolled oats
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- Soft buns for serving
- Pickle slices for topping
Instructions
- In your slow cooker, combine the diced onion, cooked beef, oats, salt, sugar, mustard, pepper, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce
- Stir until everything is well combined
- Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours
- Spoon the warm, loose meat mixture onto fluffy buns
- Top with pickles and serve immediately
Video
Notes
- Rolled oats help absorb flavor and keep the mixture moist.
- These freeze well—just cool, portion into bags, and reheat later.
- Customize with cheese, mustard, or chopped onions for classic diner flair.
