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One Pot Loose Meat Sandwich (Tavern Sandwich)

This recipe prepares classic loose meat sandwiches (Tavern style) in a single pot. Ground beef is cooked with finely chopped vegetables and simmered in a savory, slightly tangy sauce made with beef broth, mustard, vinegar, and Worcestershire, perfect for serving on soft buns.
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Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people
Calories 2732.5 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot or Skillet Sufficiently sized for browning meat and simmering
  • 1 Wooden Spoon or Spatula For breaking up meat and stirring
  • 1 Knife
  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 1 Measuring Cups and Spoons

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 2 pounds Ground beef
  • 2 tbsp Butter Unsalted
  • 1/2 cup Onion Finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup Green peppers Finely chopped
  • Salt To taste
  • Pepper To taste
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Ginger powder
  • 1 tbsp Brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp Vinegar
  • 1-2 tbsp Ketchup Optional
  • 1.5 cups Beef broth Low sodium

Instructions
 

  • Brown the ground beef in a large pot or skillet over medium heat, breaking it into very fine pieces as it cooks.
  • Drain off any excess fat.
  • Add the butter, finely chopped onion, and green peppers to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Stir in the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, ginger powder, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and vinegar.
  • Pour in the beef broth and add the ketchup, if using.
  • Season generously with salt and pepper.
  • Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low.
  • Cover and simmer for at least 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld and the liquid to reduce slightly.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  • Serve the hot loose meat mixture on soft hamburger buns.

Notes

Ensure the ground beef is well-browned and broken into very fine pieces, typical for this style of sandwich. Don't rush the simmering process; this allows the flavors to meld and the meat to tenderize. Adjust the amount of beef broth based on desired consistency – less for a drier mix, more for a saucier one. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and tang (vinegar/mustard) before serving. Classic toppings are simple: diced pickles, onions, mustard, or ketchup.