She Strengthens

Rochester’s Signature Meat Sauce: A Garbage Plate Staple

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting Rochester, NY, you’re likely familiar with the iconic Nick Tahou’s garbage plate. This mouthwatering dish consists of two hot dogs, hamburgers, or cheeseburgers piled high with crispy fried potatoes, baked beans or macaroni salad, and topped with a generous helping of a rich, savory meat sauce.

The Perfect Combination

For many, the highlight of the garbage plate is the meat sauce, which adds a depth of flavor that elevates the entire dish. My personal favorite combination is two cheeseburgers, macaroni salad, and home fries, but this sauce is equally delicious on hot dogs or hamburgers. In fact, Nick Tahou himself once created a Western Omelette Garbage Plate for me in the early hours of the morning, leading me to believe that the meat sauce is the true star of the show.

A Taste of Rochester

This signature sauce is often referred to as “hot sauce” in Rochester, and its unique flavor profile has become synonymous with the city’s culinary scene. With a yield of enough sauce for 20 hot dogs, hamburgers, or 6 garbage plates, this recipe is perfect for feeding a crowd.

Easy to Make, Impossible to Resist

This meat sauce recipe is surprisingly easy to prepare, requiring just 20 minutes of active cooking time and a total of 1 hour 30 minutes from start to finish. With a difficulty level of “Easy,” this recipe is accessible to cooks of all skill levels.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• Salt to taste
• 1 clove garlic, diced or pressed through a garlic press

Preparing the Sauce

In a large skillet, sauté the chopped onion and garlic in oil until soft and fragrant. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a fork as it cooks to prevent clumping. Once the meat is browned, add the water, tomato paste, and brown sugar. Simmer for 10 minutes, then use an immersion blender to achieve a finer texture similar to triple ground beef. Continue to simmer for an additional hour, adding water as needed to maintain a rich, saucy consistency.

A Traditional Twist

While traditional recipes often call for triple ground beef, this recipe simplifies the process without sacrificing flavor. By using regular ground beef and an immersion blender, you can achieve a similar texture without the hassle of tracking down specialty ingredients.