What Is a Cannibal Sandwich? Here’s Your Answer
Updated: Mar. 20, 2019
It's popular in the Midwest—especially Wisconsin.
What is a cannibal sandwich? If you’re from the Midwest, you probably already know. The good news for the rest of you—it has nothing to do with snacking on your neighbor. Sometimes known as “tiger meat,” “steak tartare” or simply “raw beef and onions,” it’s an appetizer of raw, lean ground beef usually served on rye cocktail bread with sliced onions, salt and pepper.
While you’re at it, check out our best Wisconsin recipes.
Where Did the Sandwich Get Its Start?
Making cannibal sandwich is a long-held tradition at parties, especially holiday gatherings, in the Milwaukee area. So much so that cannibal sandwiches even rate a mention on the Wisconsin Historical Society website.
But beyond that, the history isn’t clear. There are several versions of the sandwich’s origins. Legends link it to the Tartars (Mongols) of Central Asia. Others say it was born in Germany or France. But in the early twentieth century, it was called steack à l’Americaine in France—so no one knows for sure.
It’s Not Just Beef
Outside of the Dairy State, you can still find a cannibal sandwich, though it’s most likely going to be called steak tartare. This dish is usually served on rye bread with onions, capers, pepper, Worcestershire sauce and other seasonings. It’s often topped with a raw egg yolk.
While the ground beef version is the most common, you can also find venison, lamb and bacon tartare. These dishes have surprising origins, too!
How to Play It Safe
The consumption of raw meat has its detractors. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have urged people to pass on raw meat dishes because of the danger of harmful bacteria.
In fact, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services has reported eight outbreaks in the state linked to the consumption of raw ground beef from 1986 to 2018.
The USDA says beef should be cooked to at least 145°F. Nevertheless, there are many people who swear they’ve been eating cannibal sandwiches for years with no ill effects. Just make sure you talk to your local butcher about the best cut of meat to buy!
Find more strange regional foods you’ve never heard of.
Meat Appetizers to Keep the Carnivores Happy
Tangy Barbecue Wings
I took these slow-cooked wings to work, and they vanished before I even got a bite! The tangy sauce is lip-smacking good. —Sherry Pitzer, Troy, Missouri
Smoky Bacon Wraps
These cute little sausage and bacon bites are finger-licking good. They have a sweet and salty taste that's fun for breakfast or as an appetizer. —Cara Flora, Kokomo, Indiana
Barbecued Meatballs
Grape jelly and chili sauce are the secrets that make these meatballs so fantastic. If I’m serving them at a party, I prepare the meatballs and sauce in advance and reheat them right before guests arrive. —Irma Schnuelle, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Spicy Butterscotch Wings
We love big-time-spicy chicken wings. I do a caramel sauce to balance the heat, but you could also glaze the wings with melted brown sugar. —Aaron Salazar, Westminster, Colorado
Miniature Corn Dogs
Fun-sized corn dogs add a little "wow" factor to any cookout or get-together. Kids and adults equally love them, so expect them to disappear fast. —Deb Perry, Bluffton, Indiana
Coconut Chicken and Shrimp
I was looking for a fun, easy weeknight dinner based on our favorite shrimp dish that was healthier than fast food. This has become a favorite! —Susan Seymour, Valatie, New York
Texas Taco Dip Platter
When I'm entertaining, this colorful dish is my top menu choice. My friends can't resist the hearty appetizer topped with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and olives. —Kathy Young, Weatherford, Texas
Bacon-Wrapped Sweet Potato Bites
After making little bacon-wrapped sausages for years, I needed a change! I had an extra sweet potato and half a package of bacon on hand, so I put on my thinking cap and came up with this treat. —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey
Cherry-Chicken Lettuce Wraps
I came up with this amazing recipe when I had a load of cherries on hand. My family polished them off fast, and asked for more. Luckily I had enough fruit to make them again the next day! —Melissa Barlow, Fruit Heights, Utah
Pork Satay
Cilantro layers on the freshness, while the sesame oil and Thai chili sauce add Asian flavors that pair perfectly with peanut butter. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Smoky Jalapenos
When I make these bacon-wrapped appetizers, there are no leftovers. They can also be made with mild banana peppers or yellow chili peppers. —Melinda Strable, Ankeny, Iowa
BBQ Chicken Bites
Chicken bites wrapped in bacon get a kick from Montreal seasoning and sweetness from barbecue sauce. We love the mix of textures. —Kathryn Dampier, Quail Valley, California
Cuban Sliders
These wonderful little rolls are baked until lightly toasted and the cheese melts. The leftover King's Hawaiian ham sliders keep really well in the fridge, and they make a lovely cold snack. Followers of my blog, houseofyumm.com, go nuts for these! —Serene Herrera, Dallas, Texas
Hearty Pork & Black Bean Nachos
My husband and I are both graduate students right now, so we don't have a lot of time to cook dinner. Our family loves coming home to this incredible nacho platter, and I love how easy it is to prepare. —Faith Stokes, Chickamauga, Georgia
Honey-Mustard Chicken Wings
For a change from spicy Buffalo sauce, try these sweet and sticky wings. There's a good chance they'll become your new favorite! —Susan Seymour, Valatie, New York
Mini Beef Tourtieres
Here's a twist on the traditional tourtiere recipe. Ground beef replaces pork, and cream cheese pastry takes the place of pie pastry. The filled mini cups make a melt-in-your-mouth addition to a buffet. —Cheryl Bruneau, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Mandarin Chicken Bites
Instead of a big Christmas meal, our family enjoys nibbling on an all-day appetizer buffet. Each year we present tempting new dishes alongside our favorites. This is one of those tried-and-true dishes that's a "must." —Susannah Yinger, Canal Winchester, Ohio
Sausage Wonton Cups
Here’s a tasty hot appetizer for all those parties that feature fun finger foods. I’ve made this recipe several times, and these bites always disappear so fast. It’s really easy. —Shirley Van Allen, High Point, North Carolina
Cheeseburger Mini Muffins
I invented these cute little muffins so I could enjoy the flavor of cheeseburgers without resorting to fast food. I often freeze a batch and reheat however many I need, including as appetizers. —Teresa Kraus, Cortez, Colorado
Bacon Roll-Ups
This family recipe dates back to the 1930s, when my grandmother started making her clever breakfast roll-ups. —Janet Abate, North Brunswick, New Jersey
Orange-Glazed Chicken & Chorizo Meatballs
These tasty southwestern meatballs warm up a buffet. I add pomegranate seeds, jalapeno pepper jelly and cilantro to make everything pop with color. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Ground Beef Snack Quiches
My husband, Cory, farms, so supper can sometimes be quite late. A hearty appetizer like these meaty mini quiches is a perfect way to start the meal. They taste super made with ground beef, but I sometimes substitute bacon, ham, ground pork or sausage. —Stacy Atkinson, Rugby, North Dakota
Pizza Roll-Ups
Since getting this recipe from our 4-H club, it's been a regular after-school snack. We like to dunk these bite-sized pizza treats, made with refrigerated crescent rolls, in spaghetti sauce. —Donna Klettke, Wheatland, Missouri
Sausage-Stuffed Jalapenos
If you like foods that pack a bit of a punch, you’ll love these jalapeno poppers filled with sausage and cheese. This is one of my favorite recipes for parties. —Rachel Oswald, Greenville, Michigan
Spicy Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dip
These fall-off-the-bone-tender wings have just the right amount of heat. The cool blue cheese dressing creates the perfect flavor combination for dipping. —Kevalyn Henderson, Hayward, Wisconsin
Aussie Sausage Rolls
I was born and raised in Australia, but moved to the U.S. when I got married. When I long for some Australian recipes, I bake up a batch of this sausage roll recipe and share them with neighbors or co-workers. —Melissa Landon, Port Charlotte, Florida
Ham Balls with Brown Sugar Glaze
These smoky-sweet meatballs are a Pennsylvania Dutch specialty. I like setting them out when folks come to visit. —Janet Zeger, Middletown, Pennsylvania
Ham-Spinach Crepe Cups
Using ingredients you likely already have on hand, these savory crepes will add fun to your celebration for mere pennies. Plus, by changing the filling to something sweet, such as berries and whipped cream you can create a great dessert. —Kathi Grenier, Auburn, Maine
Turkey Sliders with Sweet Potato "Buns"
In this healthier take on sliders, I sandwich a burger between roasty slices of sweet potato. My wife took one bite and approved these tasty little guys. —Guy Martino, Charleston, South Carolina
Turkey Bolognese Polenta Nests
This delicious appetizer combines two of my favorite foods, polenta and bolognese meat sauce, uniting them into one incredibly tasty bite! —Lidia Haddadian, Pasadena, California
Steak & Blue Cheese Bruschetta with Onion & Roasted Tomato Jam
An appetizer bursting with flavor from bleu cheese, caramelized onion, jam and balsamic vinegar—tasty bites that vanish in a hurry. —Debbie Reid, Clearwater, Florida
Turkey Sliders with Sesame Slaw
I'm a fan of sliders, especially if they are Asian inspired. Sweet Hawaiian rolls make these especially tasty. —Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
Festive Turkey Meatballs
Turkey gives a different twist to these slightly sweet and spicy meatballs. For the holidays, I serve them on a tray lined with parsley and garnished with red pepper or pimientos. —Audrey Thibodeau, Gilbert, Arizona
Smoked Gouda & Roast Beef Pinwheels
Our local deli makes terrific roast beef sandwiches. This pinwheel appetizer re-creates the taste. My family says the pinwheels have so many flavors for such a little treat. —Pamela Shank, Parkersburg, West Virginia
Buffalo Chicken Pockets
Here’s my idea of pub food made easy: biscuits flavored with Buffalo wing sauce and blue cheese. They're my Friday night favorite. —Maria Regakis, Saugus, Massachusetts
Spicy BBQ Chicken Wings
For zesty appetizers that win big every time, we glaze chicken wings with barbecue sauce, a little heat and a good team of spices. Whether you’re tailgating on the frozen tundra or watching the game from the comfort of your couch, these wings will keep you warm from the inside. —Audi Perry, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Meat Loaf Miniatures
My family and I can't get enough of these little meat loaf muffins topped with a sweet ketchup sauce. They are the perfect portion size. This recipe requires no chopping, so it's quick and easy to make a double batch and have extras for another day. I've given them to new moms, too. —Joyce Wegmann, Burlington, Iowa
Fried Chicken and Pulled Pork Cornbread Poppers
These fun little apps are an instant conversation starter wherever they're served. We love them on game day, but they'd be a hit at brunch, too. —Crystal Schlueter, Babbitt, Minnesota
Mini Crescent Burgers
A friend first brought these snacks to a Sunday school party. The original recipe called for pork sausage, but I substituted ground beef with taste-tempting results. —Pam Buhr, Mexico, Missouri
Cheddar-Bacon Dip
Both children and adults enjoy this dip. And I'm a fan because it's so quick and easy to prepare. I make it for special occasions…birthdays, Christmas parties and more. —Carol Werkman, Neerlandia, Alberta
Butter Chicken Meatballs
My husband and I love meatballs, and we love butter chicken. Before an appetizer party, we had the brilliant idea to combine these two loves, and the new creation got rave reviews! Want them as a main dish? Just serve with basmati rice. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta
Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
If you like spice, you'll love this slow-cooker Buffalo chicken dip. It's super cheesy, full of rich flavor and really has that Buffalo wing taste! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Mini Mac & Cheese Dogs
We wanted to get creative with hot dogs, so we made a mac-and-cheesy one. Pile on the extra cheese, relish and even bacon. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Sesame-Beef Pot Stickers
I enjoy having these potstickers as a late-night snack. They also work well as a quick appetizer for family parties. —Carolyn Turner, Reno, Nevada
Pork & Rice Meatballs
My appetizer meatballs combine two of my favorite Asian dishes —Chinese pork dumplings and steamed chicken balls. —Elizabeth Dumont, Madison, MS
Originally Published: February 01, 2019
