Top 10 Canned Meat Recipes

Canned meat is a pantry staple that has all of the flavor of fresh-cooked beef, pork, fish, and poultry but the convenience of taking the oven, grill, or stovetop out of your meal prep. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly dinner or a mouthwatering appetizer for the big game, our easy canned meat recipes are foodie favorites for chefs of all levels.

Best Canned Meat Products

Canned meat can be used in just about every recipe that calls for fresh meat. If you're looking to simplify your cooking, be sure to stock up on these canned goods:

Canned beef	Canned salmon	Vienna sausage
Canned tuna	SPAM	Canned clams
Canned pork	Cured ham	Pate
Canned chicken	Corned beef	Canned turkey

What is the shelf life for canned meat?

Most commercial canned meat lasts between 2 and 5 years from the time it was packaged. Most only last about a week max after they're opened, so be sure to give a sniff test before diving into your leftovers.

What is canned meat made of?

Other than the meat it contains, canned meat has a few other additives in order to give it flavoring, freshness, and an appealing color. These are the most common additional ingredients in canned meat:

Salt	Juice from the same or a different meat	Vegetables
Artificial color	Bread crumbs	Sugar
Seasoning	Milk	Nitrates
Water	Salad dressing	Starch

Are canned meats bad for you?

Canned meat is packed with protein, and it offers a lot of the same health benefits as fresh meat. However, it does contain additives to keep it fresh. If you have dietary concerns, especially if you need to limit your salt or sugar intake (if you're diabetic or have high blood pressure, for example), look for canned meat products that have low sodium, little added sugar, and as few ingredients as possible and that come in BPA-free containers.

Canned Meat Recipes

Not all of these recipes call out canned meat as an ingredient, but don't worry -- we tested each of them, and the canned stuff works just fine! Take a bite of these easy canned meat recipes.

Tuna Noodle Casserole: Whipping up a batch of this classic comfort food is also a great excuse to use up that box of crackers that's been sitting in your pantry for months.	SPAM Fried Nice: Teriyaki seasoning and fresh (or canned!) carrots, bell peppers, and peas make this easy recipe taste as good as fare you'd order from a high-end restaurant.
Pulled Pork Nachos: As a party platter or a quick dinner, this filling dish will delight every taste bud.	One Skillet Corned Beef Hash: This crowd favorite is delicious and requires minimal clean-up. Win win!
Easiest Crab Cakes: Canned meat saves you the trouble of shelling fresh crabs, but these cakes taste like they came from a seaside cafe.	Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip: If game day isn't complete without hot wings, give this quick dip a go. Snack on it with pita chips, pretzels, or veggie sticks.
Beef Stroganoff: This beginner-friendly recipe for a classic dish will be great for dinner tonight and leftovers the rest of the week.	Mexican Chicken Casserole: This mouthwatering recipe is a great alternative to taco night, and it's an easy way to use up your hoard of canned veggies.
Grilled Chicken and Apple Sandwiches: Great for lunch or dinner, you can make prep and cleanup even simpler by using a sandwich maker.	Corned Beef Fritters: With just a few ingredients, you'll have crave-worthy fritters that are way more exciting than eating plain corned beef.