Stroganoff Loose Meat Sandwiches

With a skillet and just a handful of ingredients, Stroganoff Loose Meat Sandwiches are on the table in just a matter of minutes. These tavern burgers are chalked full of flavor in a simple beef stroganoff-inspired sauce.

Stroganoff Loose Meat Sandwich Recipe:

I am so excited to find a new recipe (in my Caterin to Charleston cookbook) to use ground beef from my freezer.  These easy loose meat sandwiches have just a few ingredients and are reminiscent of a stroganoff sauce with flavors coming from sour cream, dried parsley and Dijon mustard.

The original recipe, called James’ Island Hamburgers, consisted of making a patty and broiling.  I decided to take all the ingredients and make a loose meat slider instead which is much easier in my opinion.  All you really need is a large skillet to brown the ground beef and onions, and then all the other ingredients get mixed right in and simmered.

In less than a half hour, dinner is served.  Try serving loose meat sliders on a bun or as an open sandwich (without a top bun), or it makes a delicious baked potato topper.

Beef-Stroganoff inspired loose meat sandwiches include a simple sauce made of sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, dried parsley and water.  It’s a thin sauce that just sticks to the ground beef.  It’s simple with an unexpected pop of flavor that truly reminds me of a big bowl of beef stroganoff.

What is a loose meat sandwich?

A loose meat sandwich typically consists of a simply seasoned ground beef mixture served piled onto a bun. Loose meat sandwiches are also called tavern sandwiches or tavern burgers and are said to have originated in Iowa.

What’s the difference between a loose meat sandwich and a sloppy joe?

Sloppy Joes typically have a thicker, heavier sauce which is often tomato or ketchup based.  On the other hand, loose meat sandwiches are usually just crumbled ground beef, onions and other seasonings served on a bun.

How to Make Easy Loose Meat Sandwiches:

1. Brown ground beef with diced onions; drain excess grease if needed.
2. To the skillet, add Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, dried parsley, sour cream, salt and water.
3. Bring to a simmer for approximately 10 minutes, or until the flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly.
4. Serve on a bun, or as an open-faced sandwich.  Loose meat sandwich meat tastes great served over baked potatoes.

For the full tavern sandwich recipe and ingredient list, scroll to the bottom of this post.

Notes About Stroganoff Loose Meat Sandwiches:

• Chop up your ground beef in to small pieces.  Try a tool like this one.
• If you like your meat a little sloppier, add a bit more water at a time until you get it to your desired consistency.
• Chopped mushrooms would be an awesome addition to this stroganoff loose meat.
• Try serving the leftover tavern burgers over a baked potato.
• Substitute fresh parsley for dried, if desired.
• Use dried, chopped onion instead of fresh onion, if desired.

Different Versions of Sloppy Joes:

Classic Sloppy Joes

French Onion Joes

Easy Sloppy Joes

Frisco Melt Sloppy Joes

Linking up to Weekend Potluck.