These 15 Canned Goods Are Actually Underrated
Canned foods are often seen as a necessity as opposed to a luxury store cupboard item. They preserve food and keep it in optimum condition for much longer.
It’s rare for anyone to consider canned products as delicious. They are ingredients in a meal, but it’s unlikely that they will ever be the centerpiece.
But, have you stopped to wonder if we should be making more of canned food? It may be surprising to learn that some products are seriously underrated and should potentially be promoted to the star of the dish. The foods we’ve included here have stood the test of many a meal, are easily found in any store, and are perfect for even the pickiest eaters.
1. Peas
For some consumers, the texture of canned peas can’t be beat. The soft taste is a better accompaniment to a main dish, and the good news is that it’s virtually impossible to overcook them.
Frozen and fresh peas have a place in grocery stores and some prefer these products. They can, however, offer a crunch that isn’t to everyone’s liking.
2. Rhubarb
Canned rhubarb is tasty, and it has another advantage over its fresh counterpart. When making a dessert such as a rhubarb crumble, it’s tough to get the right texture. Fresh rhubarb can often be hard and it ruins the dish.
The canned fruit is already soft and just needs heating through. It’s also available all year round, unlike the seasonal fresh rhubarb you find in the store.
3. Salmon
Salmon is seen as a luxury item, and the smoked variety can add unnecessary expense to your shopping bill. Whole salmon is even more costly, but there is little difference in taste between this and the tinned variety.
Most fish stores well in cans, and we’d be surprised if the majority of diners would pick fresh salmon from canned in a blind taste test. For a healthy ingredient at a lower cost, opting for canned salmon makes sense.
4. Condensed Milk
There’s nothing healthy about a can of condensed milk, but the extra calories will be worth it. This can be an addictive product and should be used sparingly. Once you enjoy the taste, it’s difficult to stay away!
I’ve found condensed milk to be especially useful in making ice cream. Along with the flavors of your choice, the consistency means that you don’t have to churn it. Simply whisk until it thickens and then pop it in the freezer.
5. Beans
Try naming a bean that isn’t better when eaten from the can. Hint: It’s not possible, so don’t bother trying. Baked, chili, refried; even lima beans are almost palatable when they come from the tin.
Canned foods are mainly intended to offer convenience, and it’s hard to imagine beans stored any other way. We take them for granted as a result, but the reality is that most are a tasty tinned product.
6. Chicken Soup
It’s the ultimate in comfort food, and a great pick-me-up when you’re unwell. Chicken soup’s healing qualities are legendary, but when you’re under the weather, you don’t want to spend time making it from scratch.
Canned chicken soup will do just fine, but we’d recommend buying the premium brands in this case. You want a thick broth with chunks of chicken, and you generally get what you pay for with this product.
7. Artichoke Hearts
Artichokes are a great source of fiber. The taste isn’t to everyone’s liking, but the nutty flavor means this vegetable has many fans around the world. Artichokes are gnarly, root vegetables, which are difficult to clean and prepare, so the canned options are a great alternative for many reasons.
All you need to do with tinned artichokes is to give them a good rinse, and they are ready to cook.
8. Corn
Corn also retains its fiber and other health benefits when canned. It’s quick and easy to prepare and is a tasty accompaniment to salads and sandwiches.
All you’re really missing out on is the experience of munching through hot, buttered corn on the cob. The canned version can never match that delight, but it’s a handy and delicious alternative when time is short.
9. Corned Beef
Here in the UK, corned beef in cans is a different product from the fresh meat you can buy in the US. It’s heavily processed, but it is delicious and versatile. Sandwiches and main meals such as corned beef hash can be made for a small cost.
The canned variety is also much nicer than sliced corned beef. The extra salt means this should considered as an occasional treat, but it’s a tasty and underrated canned product.
10. Mac & Cheese
Like chicken soup, mac & cheese is a great comfort food, but this will be a more controversial entry. Many will argue that it has to be made fresh, and most families will have a recipe that has been handed down through the generations.
It’s hard to argue with that, but why not give the canned version a try? It’s a convenience food, and if you’ve had a long day in the workplace and don’t want to cook, tinned mac & cheese ticks a lot of boxes.
11. Pineapple
Fresh pineapple is a delicious fruit, but getting past its tough casing is a labor-intensive process. It’s almost as if nature wants to keep it a secret and dissuade us from finding this incredible flavor.
If you’re short of time, or just a little lazy, canned pineapple is a good alternative. Look for the fruit in its own juice, and not in syrup, as you’ll enjoy a more authentic taste.
12. Coconut Milk
It’s such a versatile product and more families should keep a can of coconut milk in the store cupboard. Perfect in curries and other Asian dishes, you can also stir it into soups to add flavor and a silky texture.
Creamed coconut sticks are messier and there is more waste, so tinned is certainly best in this case. Coconut milk will also store for long periods of time, so it’s a great all-around staple.
13. Tomatoes
Having grown my own tomatoes for several years as part of a more frugal lifestyle, I’ve noticed that the store-bought varieties can’t compare in terms of taste. Out of season, I’ve switched to canned versions, and they’re a solid, underrated alternative.
Tinned tomatoes are also healthy, and like many of the products on this list, they are a good alternative to a perishable item with a short shelf life.
14. Meatballs
As a quick lunchtime snack, canned meatballs are tough to beat. OK, so you don’t want to read the list of ingredients, but the producer has seasoned the meat perfectly, and taken all the time and trouble out of preparing this dish.
We accept that there’s nothing to compare with making your own meatballs and burgers, but not everyone has the luxury of time. For a fast and tasty meal, canned is best in this case.
15. Lentils
If you have an extended period of time on your hands, you could take dried lentils, soak them, and continue with whatever recipe you have in mind. If, however, you are of the opinion that life is too short, you should purchase the tinned variety.
Each product here is partly underrated because of its time-saving properties, but lentils are the best example. Opinions will be divided, but we think there is little to choose between canned and dried lentils in terms of taste.
