Whether you are trying to avoid shopping at the supermarket too frequently or you're just having trouble finding certain foods when you do go grocery shopping, these days you might end up relying on canned foods more often than you used to. Truth is, most of our parents and grandparents used canned foods far more often than we do, and we did some good eating back in the day. From canned beans for your arroz con habichuelas to canned meats for your breakfast, there are lots of delicious recipes using canned foods that everyone in your family is sure to love.
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Since most canned foods are either fully or partially cooked, using them also cuts down on cooking time and can allow you to make nutritious, homemade dishes for your family even on your busiest days. Just remember that for some foods—especially veggies—you might want to add them at the very end so they don't get overcooked and mushy, which will make the meal a lot less appealing to your kiddos. Others, however—like corn, potatoes, and meats—can be a lot more forgiving. For health's sake, you should also try to purchase canned foods that are low- or no-salt, not packed in oil, and either in water or 100% fruit juice rather than syrup, when available. Using canned foods might take some trial and error, but it can save you a lot of meal planning and prepping time and effort in the long run, especially if you start with these 15 delicious recipes using canned foods.
Dominican potato salad is perfect for summer barbecues.
Dominican potato salad is unique because it includes apples and beets, which give it a slight sweetness and wonderful texture. You can used canned beets, and some people even include canned peas and/or corn as well.
Get the full recipe from Dominican Cooking.
Arroz con salchichas is true comfort food.
Growing up, my mom told us that arroz con salchichas was peasant food. She didn't say it in a negative way—more so to remind us of our roots—and every time it appeared on the dinner table, we were all thrilled. The dish utilizes canned Vienna sausages in most Puerto Rican households, though it can be made with other sausages as well.
Get the full recipe from McCallum's Shamrock Patch.
This three-ingredient green bean salad is surprisingly delicious.
Canned grean beans become a zesty treat when combined with red onions and your favorite Italian salad dressing. Serve room temperature or cold as a surprisingly delicious side dish or lunch salad.
Get the full recipe from Allrecipes.
Using canned corn turns elote into an even easier side dish.
When you combine all of the ingredients that make elote so amazing and mix them up with a couple of cans of drained canned corn, you get a super-simple side dish or even a dip to scoop onto tortilla chips or bread. It's the perfect dish at any time of day: a simple lunch, tasty snack, savory side, etc.
Get the full recipe from Dessert Now Dinner Later.
Vegetarian chili uses mostly canned ingredients.
You can whip up a delicious vegetarian chili using a variety of canned beans, canned tomatoes, canned chicken or vegetable broth, canned chipotle peppers, and even canned corn. It's so simple and really cuts down on cooking time, making chili something you can have any night of the week.
Get the full recipe from Love and Lemons.
Tuna casserole is a classic for a reason.
Some might say you either love or hate tuna casserole, but it's become a classic family meal for a reason. Actually, there might be a few reasons. Tuna casserole is inexpensive and easy to prepare, using items like canned tuna that you likely already have in your pantry. Plus, the creamy, cheesy noodle base makes it super kid-friendly.
Get the full recipe from The Daily Meal.
Spam is made new in this grilled recipe.
Spam is usually just served browned alongside a starch, but this salty, savory canned meat is actually the perfect accompaniment to sweet bell peppers and pineapple chunks in these grilled kebabs. Brushed with a bit of teriyaki sauce, these spam-and-pineapple kebabs are sure to please the entire family.
Get the full recipe from Spam.
Cuban-inspired black bean soup is simplified with canned beans.
The process of making Cuban black bean soup is drastically simplified and shortened when you use canned beans instead of dried beans. It's a simple dish that when served over white rice makes a complete and nutritious meal between trips to the grocery store.
Get the full recipe from Coco & Ash.
Black bean burgers are a great meat replacement.
While you're working through those cans of black beans, you should try these incredible black bean burgers. Meat of any kind isn't always available these days, so it's a good idea to have some tasty meatless recipes in your repertoire. Thanks to lots of flavor from spices like cumin and chili powder, these vegetarian burgers are a replacement that won't leave you disappointed.
Get the full recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction.
At least half the ingredients in this Mexican chicken casserole come from cans.
This Mexican-inspired chicken casserole is a great way to use up some of your pantry ingredients before your next grocery trip. It utilizes canned corn, canned tomatoes, canned green chiles, and canned or jarred taco sauce along with cooked chicken, brown rice, and plenty of cheese. You could even used canned chicken if that's all you have.
Get the full recipe from The Seasoned Mom.
Buffalo chicken dip is always a crowd-pleaser.
Several years ago, buffalo chicken dip started showing up at practically every potluck dinner and barbecue in America and quickly started being referred to as "crack dip." This creamy, spicy chicken dish is so tasty it's absolutely addictive. Not only that, but it's incredibly simple to make, especially if you use canned chicken.
Get the full recipe from Add a Pinch.
Salmon patties look impressive even when they are made with canned fish.
I'll never forget sitting in my great-grandmother's kitchen watching her prepare simple salmon patties or croquettes using canned pink salmon. They were always a treat I looked forward to when visiting her. These days, salmon patties are still just as popular as ever and make for a quick and delicious lunch or dinner.
Get the full recipe from Well Plated by Erin.
Canned potatoes make the best home fries.
Because canned potatoes are already a bit softened from the canning process, they come out with the perfect crispy exterior and soft, creamy interior when you use them to make home fries for breakfast. Add some onion, a can of chiles, salt, pepper, and butter and you're good to go.
Get the full recipe on The Recipe Link.
This fruit salad is a treat.
This fruit salad may not be the healthiest version you can make, but it's a delicous dessert alternative using canned fruit and shelf-stable pudding mix. You can easily reduce some of the added sugar by using fruit that is packed in water or 100% juice instead of syrup. We promise your kids will love it!
Get the full recipe from Marty's Musings.
And then, of course, there's tres leches.
If you want to get totally indulgent with dessert, though, a classic tres leches cake is in order. Tres leches cake uses canned evaporated milk and canned condensed milk along with regular whole milk to give it it's traditional creaminess and rich flavor. However, you could substitute the regular whole milk with a can of coconut milk for a tasty variation using only canned milks.
Get the full recipe from MamásLatinas.