Can I Eat It? Canned Foods
July 17, 2017 7:08 PM Subscribe
Which canned products are edible, and taste good, without being heated? I've had cold tuna and that's it. (Fruit doesn't count, of course.) Mixed veggies? Chili with meat? Soup?
Canned corn is great as is canned pineapple.
Canned chickpeas are fine.
If you like the smoked fishes like canned smoked mackerel etc, they're delicious out of the can.
posted by fingersandtoes at 7:16 PM on July 17, 2017 [3 favorites]
Canned chickpeas are fine.
If you like the smoked fishes like canned smoked mackerel etc, they're delicious out of the can.
posted by fingersandtoes at 7:16 PM on July 17, 2017 [3 favorites]
I'm embarrassed to say how many cold, dormroom cans of Hormel Chili I've eaten.
posted by humboldt32 at 7:21 PM on July 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by humboldt32 at 7:21 PM on July 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
This is a 100% love or hate sort of thing, but canned peas cold.....my survival delicacy.
posted by atomicstone at 7:23 PM on July 17, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by atomicstone at 7:23 PM on July 17, 2017 [3 favorites]
Seconding the smoked fishies-- I keep a can or two of sardines or kippered herring in the glove box just in case of nom-emergencies. Beans, like baked beans, are tasty out of the can too!
posted by The otter lady at 7:23 PM on July 17, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by The otter lady at 7:23 PM on July 17, 2017 [3 favorites]
I like green beans directly from the can but presume I am in the distinct minority on this matter. Likewise corn, peas, and carrots. Baked beans. I grew up eating cold Chef Boyardee whatever out of a thermos at lunch, which is effectively the same thing.
Pie filling.
posted by wreckingball at 7:25 PM on July 17, 2017 [4 favorites]
Pie filling.
posted by wreckingball at 7:25 PM on July 17, 2017 [4 favorites]
Definitely beans and fish. Also beets, artichokes, green beans, pears, apricots ... Actually I can't think of any canned food that I *wouldn't* eat from a can in a pinch, though in some cases it might not be my first choice.
posted by bunderful at 7:27 PM on July 17, 2017
posted by bunderful at 7:27 PM on July 17, 2017
Any Chef Boyardee canned pasta will be just fine, and really seems like a thing that was meant to be consumed cold from the can.
+1 for baked beans as well.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:33 PM on July 17, 2017 [2 favorites]
+1 for baked beans as well.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:33 PM on July 17, 2017 [2 favorites]
Spaghetti Os
Baby corn
Whole new potatoes
Beer
posted by AugustWest at 7:41 PM on July 17, 2017 [6 favorites]
Baby corn
Whole new potatoes
Beer
posted by AugustWest at 7:41 PM on July 17, 2017 [6 favorites]
Canned chickpeas are fine.
Is draining and rinsing allowed? I am prepared, albeit reluctantly, to believe someone who wants to tell me the packing liquid isn't as gross as I imagine, but I'm not about to give it a go myself—putative meringuing properties notwithstanding.
I am more than willing to ignore the trace slime in a can of refried beans though so…?
posted by wreckingball at 7:45 PM on July 17, 2017
Is draining and rinsing allowed? I am prepared, albeit reluctantly, to believe someone who wants to tell me the packing liquid isn't as gross as I imagine, but I'm not about to give it a go myself—putative meringuing properties notwithstanding.
I am more than willing to ignore the trace slime in a can of refried beans though so…?
posted by wreckingball at 7:45 PM on July 17, 2017
Is draining and rinsing allowed?
I drain & rinse the heck out of em for sure.
posted by fingersandtoes at 7:48 PM on July 17, 2017
I drain & rinse the heck out of em for sure.
posted by fingersandtoes at 7:48 PM on July 17, 2017
Vienna sausages, cranberry sauce.
posted by Iris Gambol at 7:48 PM on July 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Iris Gambol at 7:48 PM on July 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
Hearts of palm
posted by sestaaak at 7:48 PM on July 17, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by sestaaak at 7:48 PM on July 17, 2017 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Frosting
Nthing Spaghettios, & ravioli
Chunk chicken - comes in a can like tuna but it's chicken!
Deviled ham
Baked beans
Campbell's Chunky soups are not condensed like the regular ones, so they could be eaten from the can cold. The Chunky Sirloin Burger would probably be good like that.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 8:03 PM on July 17, 2017
Nthing Spaghettios, & ravioli
Chunk chicken - comes in a can like tuna but it's chicken!
Deviled ham
Baked beans
Campbell's Chunky soups are not condensed like the regular ones, so they could be eaten from the can cold. The Chunky Sirloin Burger would probably be good like that.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 8:03 PM on July 17, 2017
artichoke hearts
posted by fingersandtoes at 8:05 PM on July 17, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by fingersandtoes at 8:05 PM on July 17, 2017 [2 favorites]
I love dumping a drained can of mandarin segments onto a salad. I ain't proud.
posted by fingersandtoes at 8:05 PM on July 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by fingersandtoes at 8:05 PM on July 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
Kidney beans with a little vinaigrette.
Salmon in the tall can with the little crunchy bones.
posted by sageleaf at 8:10 PM on July 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
Salmon in the tall can with the little crunchy bones.
posted by sageleaf at 8:10 PM on July 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
And olives.
posted by sageleaf at 8:12 PM on July 17, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by sageleaf at 8:12 PM on July 17, 2017 [3 favorites]
I haven't had this, but my son's favorite emergency lunch is a can of peas, a can of beets, and a can of tuna, all at room temperature. He'll dump it all into a bowl if he has one, but if not, I think he just eats them straight out of the cans.
Canned dolmas is best chilled or room temp, as is pretty much any canned fish (salmon, sardines) or pate. I have never tried "potted meat" before, but I'd guess that's like pate, and I will get some and test it next time I am at the store and remember. And of course, olives, three bean salad, giardiniera, stuff like that.
I can't think of any canned food that wouldn't be safe to eat. Whether it's good or not is a matter of taste beyond that, I think.
posted by ernielundquist at 8:18 PM on July 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
Canned dolmas is best chilled or room temp, as is pretty much any canned fish (salmon, sardines) or pate. I have never tried "potted meat" before, but I'd guess that's like pate, and I will get some and test it next time I am at the store and remember. And of course, olives, three bean salad, giardiniera, stuff like that.
I can't think of any canned food that wouldn't be safe to eat. Whether it's good or not is a matter of taste beyond that, I think.
posted by ernielundquist at 8:18 PM on July 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
B&M Brown Bread in a can is ready-to-eat.
posted by Iris Gambol at 8:35 PM on July 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Iris Gambol at 8:35 PM on July 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Will whole new potatoes be slimy? For some reason I thought canned meat had to be heated. Good to know.
posted by jojo and the benjamins at 8:38 PM on July 17, 2017
posted by jojo and the benjamins at 8:38 PM on July 17, 2017
Smoked oysters or mussels are deeeeelicious, just out of the can.
posted by The otter lady at 8:57 PM on July 17, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by The otter lady at 8:57 PM on July 17, 2017 [3 favorites]
I like the beef barley condensed soup out of the can. A bit salty, but you get the same amount of salt whether you dilute it or not.
Kippers, sardines in hot sauce and smoked oysters are good on triscuits.
If you have a fridge to store leftovers there are more options. Sliced canned corned beef makes a good sandwich.
Do jars count as cans (the process of putting up food in jars is called canning...) You can make cold nachos - open a jar of cheese sauce, a jar of bean dip and a jar of salsa, put some on corn chips.
For veggies, I like Veg-all (I prefer heated, but...) with some salt and a shot of rooster sauce (sriracha). Pickles, hot pickled vegetables and kim-chi are all sources of veggies without cooking.
posted by 445supermag at 8:57 PM on July 17, 2017
Kippers, sardines in hot sauce and smoked oysters are good on triscuits.
If you have a fridge to store leftovers there are more options. Sliced canned corned beef makes a good sandwich.
Do jars count as cans (the process of putting up food in jars is called canning...) You can make cold nachos - open a jar of cheese sauce, a jar of bean dip and a jar of salsa, put some on corn chips.
For veggies, I like Veg-all (I prefer heated, but...) with some salt and a shot of rooster sauce (sriracha). Pickles, hot pickled vegetables and kim-chi are all sources of veggies without cooking.
posted by 445supermag at 8:57 PM on July 17, 2017
In addition to mackerel, kippers, sardines and oysters, check out canned crab, squid, clams, and other various seafood meats you may not have ever tried. You can get squid canned in ink, yum!
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:04 PM on July 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:04 PM on July 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
I can enjoy hominy straight from the can.
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:06 PM on July 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:06 PM on July 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Potatoes are fine, you can always drain and rinse as with beans for example. As a student I'd eat baked beans and also spaghetti hoops straight from the tin.
You can absolutely eat the meat cold but it's a texture thing because you end up with processed, normally fatty meat products and heating them is often the only redeeming feature. Having said that needs and time constraints must.
posted by koahiatamadl at 9:33 PM on July 17, 2017
You can absolutely eat the meat cold but it's a texture thing because you end up with processed, normally fatty meat products and heating them is often the only redeeming feature. Having said that needs and time constraints must.
posted by koahiatamadl at 9:33 PM on July 17, 2017
As a kid I used to eat can after can of shoestring potatoes.
They were wonderful.
posted by jamjam at 9:58 PM on July 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
They were wonderful.
posted by jamjam at 9:58 PM on July 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
Canned beans can vary wildly from brand to brand, some are great out of the can and some are awful. I seem to have good luck with store brands, actually.
I used to sneak canned water chestnuts when I was little and it was stir fry night, crunchy and kind of nutty. Also those baby corn, but not as much as the water chestnuts.
My favorite weird canned seafood thing is this smoked eel from zingerman's. Holy shit, velvety and smoky and incredibly delicious, just eaten on crackers (but if I order more chances are high I will just eat some with a spoon.)
posted by Mizu at 10:39 PM on July 17, 2017
I used to sneak canned water chestnuts when I was little and it was stir fry night, crunchy and kind of nutty. Also those baby corn, but not as much as the water chestnuts.
My favorite weird canned seafood thing is this smoked eel from zingerman's. Holy shit, velvety and smoky and incredibly delicious, just eaten on crackers (but if I order more chances are high I will just eat some with a spoon.)
posted by Mizu at 10:39 PM on July 17, 2017
Nthing sardines. They rule.
posted by Joseph Gurl at 10:47 PM on July 17, 2017
posted by Joseph Gurl at 10:47 PM on July 17, 2017
Best answer: Lentils
When I was studying, we'd mix a can of chickpeas with a can of red sauce. Delish. Though I don't ever do it now.
posted by mumimor at 11:55 PM on July 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
When I was studying, we'd mix a can of chickpeas with a can of red sauce. Delish. Though I don't ever do it now.
posted by mumimor at 11:55 PM on July 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
Two of my absolute favorite quick foods are canned artichokes and tinned kippers. Perfect right out of the can with some bread.
I "inherited" my love of the artichokes from my mom, and that for the kippers from my dad. My mom is still with us, but when my father died, he left the family a legacy in the form of dozens of tins of kippers, stored in his workshop, his truck, his office, and anywhere else an emergency food supply might come in handy.
posted by DrMew at 12:43 AM on July 18, 2017 [3 favorites]
I "inherited" my love of the artichokes from my mom, and that for the kippers from my dad. My mom is still with us, but when my father died, he left the family a legacy in the form of dozens of tins of kippers, stored in his workshop, his truck, his office, and anywhere else an emergency food supply might come in handy.
posted by DrMew at 12:43 AM on July 18, 2017 [3 favorites]
Tinned baby carrots are fine with me but only after they are drained and rinsed. Like pretty much any canned vegetables.
(Tinned=canned in my neck of the woods)
Tuna and Sardines can vary a lot depending on whether the fish was canned fresh or from frozen. Fresh- canned tuna like Sirena brand is pinkish in colour, natural in texture and not very smelly. It costs more of course.
Most canned tuna is grey goop to me and let's just say the Cat likes it.
I have found similar differences with Sardines and other canned fish.
posted by UnoDosTresEsto at 1:30 AM on July 18, 2017
(Tinned=canned in my neck of the woods)
Tuna and Sardines can vary a lot depending on whether the fish was canned fresh or from frozen. Fresh- canned tuna like Sirena brand is pinkish in colour, natural in texture and not very smelly. It costs more of course.
Most canned tuna is grey goop to me and let's just say the Cat likes it.
I have found similar differences with Sardines and other canned fish.
posted by UnoDosTresEsto at 1:30 AM on July 18, 2017
To go along with mumimor, I'd say chickpeas and diced tomatoes. I serve it room temp even when I have time to cook.
posted by 8603 at 2:26 AM on July 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by 8603 at 2:26 AM on July 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
I always eat refried beans right out of the can. I'm not keen on them heated.
posted by kitten magic at 2:38 AM on July 18, 2017
posted by kitten magic at 2:38 AM on July 18, 2017
Underwood's Devilled Ham is, IMO, delicious. I serve it right out of the can, usually with a slice of tomato. They make a devilled chicken too, but I haven't tried it.
Anchovies are good too, but pretty salty. Still, if you have some bread to put them on...
posted by ubiquity at 6:42 AM on July 18, 2017
Anchovies are good too, but pretty salty. Still, if you have some bread to put them on...
posted by ubiquity at 6:42 AM on July 18, 2017
Canned chicken can be good cold - mix something like this with relish and mayo (you could keep packets on hand) and put on saltine crackers (which also keep well).
Canned roasted eel is also very good. You can find the cans at Asian supermarkets.
posted by photoelectric at 7:18 AM on July 18, 2017
Canned roasted eel is also very good. You can find the cans at Asian supermarkets.
posted by photoelectric at 7:18 AM on July 18, 2017
Best answer: The Trader Joe's canned dolmas-- I always keep some in the pantry for last minute emergency meal purposes. So good. As good as many dolmas I have had at authentic Greek restaurants, tbh.
posted by a fiendish thingy at 7:46 AM on July 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by a fiendish thingy at 7:46 AM on July 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
Seconding baked beans! Such an easy and filling treat! And you can buy vegetarian beans that are just as tasty as the regular ones.
Mix a can of unsalted diced tomatoes and their juice with a can of low sodium black beans- drained- and a can of corn, also drained. Add a little oil and vinegar or lime juice and seasoning of your choice. Chopped onions if you have them. Ooh, maybe you could try a can of tiny pear onions.
Canned pineapple is great.
posted by mareli at 8:07 AM on July 18, 2017
Mix a can of unsalted diced tomatoes and their juice with a can of low sodium black beans- drained- and a can of corn, also drained. Add a little oil and vinegar or lime juice and seasoning of your choice. Chopped onions if you have them. Ooh, maybe you could try a can of tiny pear onions.
Canned pineapple is great.
posted by mareli at 8:07 AM on July 18, 2017
I'm a fan of Trader Joe's smoked trout.
posted by Lazlo Hollyfeld at 10:17 AM on July 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Lazlo Hollyfeld at 10:17 AM on July 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
I often eat olives and artichoke hearts straight out of the can, for sure. I'd also add canned beans to that list, although I usually drain and rinse and add a little olive oil or salad dressing. Heck, mix those 3 together with some dressing and you have a salad.
posted by radioamy at 10:27 AM on July 18, 2017
posted by radioamy at 10:27 AM on July 18, 2017
Whole new potatoes straight out of the can are not slimy, in my opinion. They are of course wet. I don't happen to love the flavor of the liquid they come in, but I'm usually dumping them into a potato salad so when I eat them all I taste is the dressing.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 10:56 AM on July 18, 2017
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 10:56 AM on July 18, 2017
Best answer: Olives, artichoke hearts, Jyoti Indian dinners, chickpeas, corn (not creamed...ick), refried beans, green chiles, beets, hearts of palm
posted by lakersfan1222 at 11:16 AM on July 18, 2017
posted by lakersfan1222 at 11:16 AM on July 18, 2017
Best answer: More of a jar than a can, but spaghetti sauce. I eat it cold with a spoon like sort of an Italian gazpacho. When I'm about halfway through the jar, I'll add some canned beans to the jar (cannellini if I can find them), shake it all up and eat it right out of the jar.
posted by dogmom at 5:01 PM on July 18, 2017
posted by dogmom at 5:01 PM on July 18, 2017
Best answer: Chef Boyardee ravioli is so perfect cold and straight from the can that I can't even imagine heating it up at this point.
Also:
Canned peas
Canned green beans
Canned corn
Dinty Moore beef stew
posted by rhiannonstone at 9:20 PM on July 18, 2017
Also:
Canned peas
Canned green beans
Canned corn
Dinty Moore beef stew
posted by rhiannonstone at 9:20 PM on July 18, 2017
I love this question. Reading all the answers, I am feeling much batter about what I thought were my weird habits of eating certain foods cold out of the can. And now I have more options after reading the other responses.
I mentioned Spaghetti Os above, but I did not tell my camping and Spaghetti Os story that involved no opener, no fire and no utensils. Damn if we didn't get that can open and I used my five digits to 'spoon' the contents out of the can. Top 5 meal I have ever had and I have eaten at the French Laundry, Boulard in NYC, Trotter's in Chicago, etc.
Adding to my above list, I actually put cans of pickled del monte green beans, artichoke hearts and hearts of palm in the refrigerator for the express purpose of eating them cold. Frig cold not just room temp cold.
posted by AugustWest at 9:23 PM on July 18, 2017
I mentioned Spaghetti Os above, but I did not tell my camping and Spaghetti Os story that involved no opener, no fire and no utensils. Damn if we didn't get that can open and I used my five digits to 'spoon' the contents out of the can. Top 5 meal I have ever had and I have eaten at the French Laundry, Boulard in NYC, Trotter's in Chicago, etc.
Adding to my above list, I actually put cans of pickled del monte green beans, artichoke hearts and hearts of palm in the refrigerator for the express purpose of eating them cold. Frig cold not just room temp cold.
posted by AugustWest at 9:23 PM on July 18, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
Condensed soup would be weird, because it needs water added.
You can eat canned meat like SPAM and corned beef cold directly out of the can.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 7:16 PM on July 17, 2017 [2 favorites]