George & Mac have partnered with Martin’s Potato Rolls to bring you the easiest tailgating meal ever - the Iowa Loosemeat Sandwich!
The Loosemeat Sandwich
Makes 6 sandwiches
The Loosemeat Sandwich of Iowa is technically not a burger. It does however exhibit many burger-like characteristics so we consider it a member of the hamburger ‘family’. True to its name, the loosemeat sandwich is basically an unformed hamburger. It’s served on a bun with mustard and pickles, but the difference lies in the preparation of the beef. Instead of a standard patty, ground beef is crumbled and steamed with nothing but salt added. Much of the fat drains off and you are left with a lean pile of pebbled beef. Once married to a bun that has been doped with condiments, it becomes a sort of Sloppy Joe without the slop. It is a very straightforward sandwich—one where the flavor of beef shines.
Not surprisingly the Loosemeat, sometimes called a Maid-Rite or a Tavern, is the perfect tailgate food because you can prepare ahead at home and bring the goods to the stadium. We like to cook a big pile of chopped beef and reheat it in the lot. And serving time is lightening fast - your hungry group will be eating in less than a minute.
3 pounds fresh-ground prime chuck (preferably Schweid & Sons)
Kosher salt
water
many Martin’s Potato Rolls
Yellow mustard
Dill pickle chips
1. Preheat a seasoned cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the beef and, using a wooden spoon, crumble the beef as it cooks, as if you were preparing ground beef for tacos.
2. drain fat from pan
3. add salt to taste, stir, lower heat
4. open a few Martins Potato Rolls and place open side DOWN on top of the beef mixture to steam the buns for a minute or so.
5. remove buns from pan one at a time, give each a squirt of mustard and a few pickles, then scoop the crumbled beef onto the bun.
6. serve and eat! It’s that easy...