Last Updated on October 6, 2023 by Carne Diem
Protein:
Origin: North America, American Midwest
Method: Stovetop, Dutch Oven
Jump to RecipeNu-Way Crumbly Burgers were a classic in Wichita, where I grew up. There were several locations of this local chain serving up these delicious loose meat sandwiches. Similar to Bierocks, it was not until I moved away from home that I realized that is was more of a regional specialty and not a dish commonly found everywhere. Thankfully these loose meat beef burgers are super easy to make and this Dutch oven recipe makes it easy to make the Nu Way crumbly burgers for a crowd.
Table of contents
Making Loose meat sandwiches for a crowd is super simple and this is one of our go to Dutch oven recipes for an easy campout meal with Scouts or even a family get together. The Crumbly burgers can be made ahead of time and the meat can be kept warm until everyone is ready to eat.
What is the difference between an Iowa Maid Rite and a Nu Way Crumbly Burger?
While they are more commonly known as Maid Rite sandwiches, these loose meat burgers are essentially the same thing. Both sandwiches are made with seasoned ground beef, that is simmered until cooked and served burger style with mustard and pickles. In Kansas you will more commonly hear then called Nu-Ways or crumbly burgers, while in Iowa they are known as Maid Rites. There are other regional names as well such as a Tavern Sandwich.
Making the Dutch Oven Loose Meat Sandwich
To make the Maid Rite Burgers you will need ground beef, mustard, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, paprika, salt, pepper, and a white onion.
Prep Your Ingredients
Prepare your ingredients by finely dicing the onion. We prefer a very fine dice for these Tavern sandwiches, but slice your onion according to your preference.
Cook the Ground Beef and Diced Onion
Start by cooking the ground beef and onion in the Dutch oven, over medium heat, for about 5 minutes. You want the beef just beginning to brown and the onion starting to soften. At this point you can drain any fat from the Dutch oven, if desired, or leave the meat undrained.
Add remaining ingredients and simmer
Next, add in the mustard, spices, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and beef broth. Stir until well combined and bring to a simmer. Simmer over a low heat, covered, for about 30 minutes then stir and partially cover and continue to simmer for about 30 more minutes, or until most of the liquid has been absorbed or evaporated.
Serving the Loose Meat Tavern Sandwiches
To serve your homemade Maid Rite sandwiches, spread yellow mustard on both sides of a burger bun and place 2 pickles (or more) on the bottom bun.
Top with the loose meat mixture and, if desired, top with a slice of cheddar or American cheese. Repeat with the remaining sandwiches and enjoy your Nu Way style crumbly burger.
What to Serve with Loose Meat Sandwiches
Nu-Way loose meat burgers are traditionally served with curly fries or onion rings and a frosty mug of root beer. If you really want to indulge, a root beer float is the way to go. In Iowa, you will typically see Maid Rite burgers served with fries, chips, or cheese curds.
When we make Maid Rite sandwiches at home, we typically serve them with our Always Crispy French Fries. They also go great with our Grilled Endive Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing, Smoked Au Gratin Potatoes, Simple Guinness Beer Bread, or a glass of Blueberry Moscow Mule.
For more of the best hamburger recipes, be sure to check out some of our favorites:
- Spicy Double Smash Burger on Texas Toast
- Brisket Burger Sliders with Horseradish Aioli
- Beef Tostada Burger with Bacon Patty
- Quick and Easy Burger Seasoning
- Stuffed Mexican Chorizo Burger
If you don't feel like cooking, then check out our list of Best Burgers in Kansas City.
What to do with leftovers
Leftover meat from the Nu-Way or Maid-Rite sandwiches should be refrigerated and should be consumed within 3 days. To reheat the meat, simply reheat it in a pan or skillet, adding a little water if it seems too dry.
Leftover meat also works well on nachos, as a cheeseburger pizza topping, or cheeseburger inspired tacos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both loose meat burgers are essentially the same thing. Both sandwiches are made with seasoned ground beef, that is simmered until cooked and served burger style with mustard and pickles. In Kansas you will more commonly hear then called Nu-Ways or crumbly burgers, while in Iowa they are known as Maid Rites. There are other regional names as well such as a Tavern Sandwich.
Both Maid-Rite and Sloppy Joe Sandwiches are loose meat sandwiches, but Sloppy Joes contain sauce, while Maid-Rite or Nu-Way style burgers are seasoned ground beef without sauce.
Both loose meat sandwiches are traditionally topped with mustard and pickles. The burgers do not traditionally have cheese but at some locations you can now order them that way.
The loose meat sandwiches typically take about 1 hour to make at home.
Thank you for taking the time to visit our blog. If you tried and enjoyed our recipe please share with others and please leave us a comment and review. We also love to see your pics so don’t forget to tag us @Carne_Diem_Culinary or #CarneDiemBlog. To be notified of future recipes please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest, or sign up for our e-mail notifications. Until next time, Carne Diem!
📖 Recipe
Dutch Oven Maid Rite: Iowa Style Loose Meat Sandwich
Equipment
- Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 2 Pounds Ground Beef
- 1 White Onion Finely diced
- 1 Cup Beef Broth
- 2 Tablespoons Yellow Mustard plus extra for serving
- 1 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- ¼ teaspoon Sweet Paprika
- 2 teaspoon Sugar
- 2 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 8 Hamburger Buns
- 8 Cheddar Cheese Slices optional
- 16 Pickles
Instructions
- Heat your Dutch oven over medium heat and add the ground beef and diced white onion. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, until the meat is just starting to brown. If desired, drain the fat, or you can leave it undrained.
- Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer, then cover the Dutch oven and cook for 30 minutes.
- Stir the meat mixture and continue to simmer, partially covered, for 30 minutes, or until most of the moisture has been absorbed or evaporated.
- Spread both hamburger buns with mustard, and top the bottom bun with a couple pickles. Top with the warm loose meat hamburger and then top with cheese. Eat while warm.
Linda
Reminds me of the loose meat sandwiches I used to get at Mugs Up in Missouri when I was growing up. Really enjoyed the recipe, it brought back some great memories.