Loose Meat Sandwich

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbground beef (80/20)$5.94
• 1 eachyellow onion, finely diced$0.69
• 1 cupbeef broth$0.37
• 2 tbspyellow mustard$0.23
• 1 tbspWorcestershire sauce$0.14
• 4 eachhamburger buns$2.13
• 0.5 cupdill pickle slices$1.37
• 1 tspkosher salt$0.01
• 0.5 tspblack pepper$0.05
• Total for 4 servings$10.93

Most of the cost is ground beef (80/20) ($5.94) and hamburger buns ($2.13). With oil, spices and staples already at home, the shop drops to about $10.18. Prices are estimated for the amount used, at average US grocery prices (November 2026).

Steps

1. Finely dice the yellow onion if not already prepared, and split open the hamburger buns.
2. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and yellow onion, breaking the meat into very small, fine crumbles with a spatula or wooden spoon, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until the beef is browned with no pink remaining (reaching 160°F/71°C) and the onion is translucent.
3. Drain off any excess grease from the pan if needed, then lower heat to medium. Stir in the beef broth, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, and black pepper, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet for 1 to 2 minutes until bubbling steadily.
4. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has mostly reduced and the meat is tender, moist, and glistening without being watery.
5. Heat a separate dry skillet over medium heat and toast the cut sides of the hamburger buns for 1 to 2 minutes until lightly golden and crisp.
6. Ladle the loose meat mixture evenly over the toasted bottom buns using a slotted spoon, top each mound with dill pickle slices, and cover with the top buns to serve.