Iowa Maid Rite - French Onion - Copycat
This recipe delivers a flavorful copycat of the classic Iowa Maid Rite sandwich, infused with rich French onion notes. Ground beef is finely crumbled and simmered in a savory blend of dry onion soup mix, condensed French onion soup, and beef consomme. The result is a deeply savory, loose meat filling, perfect for piling high on soft hamburger buns for a comforting and hearty meal reminiscent of the original.
Equipment
- 1 Large Pot or Dutch Oven For browning beef and simmering the meat mixture.
- 1 Wooden Spoon or Meat Chopper Essential for breaking up ground beef into fine crumbles.
- 1 Colander or Fine-Mesh Strainer For efficiently draining excess fat from the browned beef.
- 1 Ladle For serving the loose meat mixture onto hamburger buns.
- 1 Measuring Cups For accurate measurement of the condensed soups.
Ingredients
Main
- 4 pounds ground beef
- 1 envelope dry onion soup mix
- 1.5 cans condensed french onion soup
- 16 hamburger buns
- 1 can beef consomme
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, continuously breaking it into very fine crumbles as it cooks.
- Once the beef is fully browned and no pink remains, carefully drain off any excess fat using a colander or fine-mesh strainer. Return the beef to the pot.
- Add the dry onion soup mix, condensed French onion soup, and beef consomme to the browned ground beef in the pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the mixture simmer for at least 2 hours, or up to 2.5 hours, to allow the flavors to fully develop and meld. Stir periodically to prevent sticking.
- Taste the meat mixture and adjust seasoning if necessary; however, the soup mixes typically provide ample salt and savory depth.
- While the meat simmers towards the end of the cooking time, prepare the hamburger buns; you may lightly steam them or toast them briefly for a warm, soft texture.
- To serve, use a ladle to spoon generous portions of the hot Maid Rite mixture onto the prepared hamburger buns.
- Serve immediately, offering optional accompaniments such as diced white onion, pickles, or yellow mustard for guests to customize their sandwiches.
Notes
Achieving the signature 'loose meat' texture for Maid Rite is crucial; thoroughly brown and break down the ground beef into very fine crumbles. Draining excess fat after browning prevents a greasy sandwich and allows the soup base to infuse properly. The extended simmering time is key for the flavors to meld and deepen, transforming the soup bases into a rich, savory gravy that coats the meat. For serving, consider lightly steaming or toasting the hamburger buns to provide a warm, soft vessel that stands up to the moist filling. A classic Maid Rite is often served simply, but offer diced white onion, pickles, and yellow mustard on the side for guests to customize. For a richer flavor, a touch of Worcestershire sauce or a splash of red wine during simmering can elevate the complexity.