Name: This 4-Ingredient, 25-Minute Dinner Is a Comforting Iowa Classic
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound 85% lean ground beef; 1 tablespoon dried minced onions; 1/2 cup chicken stock or broth; 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste; 4 hamburger buns; For serving (optional): mustard, dill pickle chips, finely chopped white onion, American cheese, and/or potato chips

Ingredients

4 serv.

1 pound 85% lean ground beef
1 tablespoon dried minced onions
1/2 cup chicken stock or broth
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
4 hamburger buns
For serving (optional): mustard, dill pickle chips, finely chopped white onion, American cheese, and/or potato chips

Instructions

Tap a step to mark it done

1 Heat a 10-inch cast iron or stainless steel skillet over medium-low heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the ground beef in 1- to 2-inch chunks. Cook, using a wooden spoon or spatula to break the meat into small pieces, until it is evenly crumbled and no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
2 Add the dried minced onion, salt, and pepper to the pan. Stir it well to combine, then shake the pan to distribute the meat evenly. Increase the heat to medium and cook undisturbed until the meat is well browned and has a crispy texture, 4 to 5 minutes. Keep an eye on it to be sure it doesn’t burn, but also leave it undisturbed for maximum browning.
3 Add the chicken stock to the pan and stir, scraping up any stuck-on browned bits. Cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes. This step is important and adds the signature flavor and texture of a loose-meat sandwich. Remove the pan from the heat.
4 Begin by adding mustard (and ketchup, if you must) to the top of each hamburger bun. If you want to add cheese, place a slice on the bottom bun. Top each sandwich with 1/4 of the meat filling (about 1/2 cup per sandwich). Use a serving spoon to press the meat down to hold it in place on the bun. Meat crumbles will fall off, and that is the beauty of the loose-meat sandwich. Top with pickles and onions, if desired, and serve immediately, preferably with potato chips. Any leftover meat can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days. To reheat, I like to microwave the meat in 30-second intervals, stirring between, until warmed through. Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!