Cooking With Canned Food | With 4 Easy Recipes

Canned food. You might love it, or you might hate it. But one thing’s for sure, there’s no denying that canned food is convenient. Cooking with canned food can be a fun and easy way to make quick, tasty meals.

I always keep a few cans of tuna, baked beans, and tomato & onions mix in my pantry so that I can whip up a simple meal in no time. Not only is cooking with canned food simple and affordable, but it’s also a great way to get more nutrients into your diet aka protein a la chickpeas.

Below are some of my favorite recipes for cooking with canned food. Enjoy!

What can you do with canned food?

Canned food often gets a bad rap – because they cost more than 50 cent (inside joke… moving on). People complain about the taste, the texture and the lack of nutrition. However, canned food can be a lifesaver in a pinch – excuse the pun. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy meal or you need to stock your pantry for an emergency, canned food can be a viable option. And with a little creativity, you can turn canned food into a delicious and wholesome meal.

One of the great things about canned food is that it’s shelf-stable. That means that you can buy it in bulk and not have to worry about it going bad. Plus, it’s usually cheaper than fresh or frozen food. And if you’re trying to eat healthy on a budget, canned food can be a good way to stretch your funds.

 Just be sure to check the labels carefully. Some canned foods are high in sodium or sugar but if you choose wisely, you can find canned foods that are both healthy and affordable. So next time you’re at the store, don’t write off the canned food section entirely. With a little bit of planning, you can turn those cans into a delicious and nutritious meal.

How long can canned food really last?

Canned food is an essential in many a pantry, but how long does it really last? With proper storage, most canned foods will be safe to eat for at least two years [2]. However, there are a few factors that can affect the shelf life of canned goods.

First, it’s important to make sure that the cans are stored in a cool, dry place. Exposure to extreme heat or cold can cause the metal to break down, potentially contaminating the food inside. Second, check for any signs of damage before opening a can with your Swiss knife (ha-ha not all of us are Rambo hence an old-fashioned can opener will do).

If the can is dented, rusted, or otherwise damaged, it’s best to err on the side of caution and throw it out. Finally, remember that once a can is open, the food inside should be eaten within a few days. Transfer any leftovers to a sealed container and store in the fridge.

With a little care and attention, canned food can be a great way to stock your pantry with long-lasting staples. Just be sure to check the expiration date before you open a can, and if in doubt, throw it out!

Easy canned food recipes

1. Spicy Black Bean and Corn Soup

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp. x olive oil
• 1 x onion, diced
• 3 x cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp x chili powder
• 1 x can (15 oz.) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 x cans (15 oz.) corn, drained
• 4 cups x chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 x can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Garnish with basil or parsley

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the chili powder and cook for 1 minute.
2. Add the black beans, corn, broth, and tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Season with salt and pepper to taste then serve hot.
4. Garnish with basil or parsley.

2. Chili

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp. x olive oil
• 1 x onion, diced
• 2 x cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound x ground beef
• 1 x cans (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1 x can (15 ounces) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 x can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tbsp. x chili powder
• 1 tsp x cumin
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat or use an instant pot.
2. Add the onion and garlic, caramelize, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the ground beef, be sure to use a fork to break it up properly and cook until browned, about 7 minutes.
4. Drain any excess fat.
5. Add the tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, chili powder, and cumin.
6. Then season with salt and pepper, to taste.
7. Bring to a simmer and cook until heated through, about 15 minutes.
8. Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream, and/or chopped green onions.

3. Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp. x olive oil
• 1 x onion, diced
• 2 x cloves garlic, minced
• 1 x pound ground beef
• 1 x can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 x cans (15 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 x cans (6 ounces) tomato paste
• 2 tbsp. x Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: ½ cup of red wine for the sauce

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and garlic until browned.
3. Add the ground beef, spiking with a fork to spread and cook until browned, about 10 minutes.
4. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper (and wine).
5. Stir until well combined. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes.
6. Serve over cooked spaghetti noodles topped with shredded Parmesan cheese.

4. Creamy Tomato Soup

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp. x olive oil
• 1 x onion, diced
• 2 x cloves garlic, minced
• 1 x can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 4 cups x chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup x heavy cream
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and garlic until it is nice and soft.
3. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth.
4. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
5. Once those glorious smells meld, remove from the heat and stir in the heavy cream.
6. Serve with crusty bread 🙂

Can you cook canned food in the can?

Sure, you can cook canned food in the can – but should you? It’s not necessarily the safest or most healthy option [1] and it can give your food an off-taste. If you’re heating up canned soup or beans, it’s better to pour them into a pot on the stove.

Not only will this help them taste better, but it will also reduce your risk of food poisoning. Canned food is already cooked, so all you really need to do is heat it up. But if you’re cooking something from scratch in a can, like spaghetti sauce, you need to be careful. The metal can conduct heat, so your food could end up burned or sticking to the bottom of the can.

It’s safer to transfer the sauce to a non-stick pot or pan before cooking it. So, while you can cook canned food in the can, it’s usually best to take an extra step and transfer it to another vessel first.

Wrapping up: Cooking with canned food

I mean, sure – if you want to make the best possible meal you’re going to cook with fresh ingredients. But sometimes life happens and we don’t have time to go grocery shopping or we need a quick and easy dinner option.

That’s where canned food comes in handy! There are so many possibilities when it comes to cooking with canned food- you just have to get creative. And who knows? Maybe your next big culinary masterpiece will be made with humble cans of tuna and beans 😉

Charlene Gallant

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Charlene is a lover of good food. She enjoys nothing more than cooking up a storm in the kitchen and sharing her favourite recipes with her readers. She also enjoys reading a good book.