Canned beef can be a handy ingredient to keep in your pantry. It has a long shelf life and provides a quick and easy way to add protein to meals. But what exactly can you make with canned beef? Here are 20 delicious recipes that put canned beef to delicious use.
An Overview of Canned Beef
Canned beef comes in a few different forms. The most common are:
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Corned beef – Cured and cooked beef brisket that has been seasoned with a brine. This has a distinctive pink color and savory flavor.
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Roast beef – Cooked and seasoned beef usually from the chuck or round. It has a sliceable texture.
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Ground beef – Pre-cooked crumbles or chunks of ground beef
Other less common types include beef tips, beef stew meat, and deviled beef.
Canned beef is fully cooked so you can use it right out of the can. It has a shelf life of 2-5 years. The meat is less tender than fresh beef but gains moisture during cooking.
Below are 20 recipes that showcase how versatile canned beef can be
1. Corned Beef Hash
This classic breakfast hash combines corned beef with potatoes, onions, and bell peppers cooked up skillet-style. Top with eggs for the perfect protein-packed start to the day.
2. Sloppy Joes
Transform canned ground beef into saucy, messy Sloppy Joes by simmering it with tomato sauce and your favorite spices. Pile it high on hamburger buns.
3. Beef Enchiladas
Mix canned ground beef with enchilada sauce and cheese, then roll up in tortillas. Bake until hot and melted for an easy Mexican-inspired dinner.
4. Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie traditionally combines ground meat with vegetables in gravy, topped with creamy mashed potatoes. Canned roast beef or ground beef work great.
5. Beef Stroganoff
Cook canned roast beef chunks in a rich mushroom sauce with onions, garlic, and spices. Mix with cooked egg noodles for a hearty, satisfying meal.
6. Beef and Noodles
Simmer canned roast beef in gravy or broth with onions and seasoning until fork tender. Toss the juicy meat and sauce with egg noodles.
7. Beef Tacos
Brown canned ground beef with taco seasoning and let guests build their own tacos with tortillas, lettuce, cheese, salsa, and more. Easy Taco Tuesday!
8. Baked Ziti with Meat Sauce
Combine canned ground beef with jarred marinara sauce for a quick Bolognese-style meat sauce. Toss with ziti and top with cheese for a crowd-pleasing bake.
9. Beef Empanadas
Fill empanada dough with a savory canned ground beef filling that contains olives, raisins, spices, and other embellishments. Bake, fry, or air fry until golden.
10. Beef Pot Pie
Make a comforting beef pot pie by baking canned beef tips or stew meat topped with your favorite vegetables and gravy, all under a crispy puff pastry crust.
11. Corned Beef Hash Browns
Give loaded hash browns a makeover by swapping out ground beef for chopped corned beef. Cook with potatoes, veggies, and seasonings until browned and crispy.
12. Corned Beef and Cabbage
Simmer canned corned beef brisket with halved cabbage, carrots, and potatoes in broth until tender for a fast, easy, and hearty one-pot meal.
13. Reuben Sandwich
Layer sliced corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing between two slices of toasted rye bread. Grill until the cheese is melty.
14. Beef Chili
Brown canned ground beef with onions and chili powder, then simmer in tomato sauce. Top with your favorite chili toppings like cheese, sour cream, and chives.
15. Beef Casserole
Make a hearty casserole by baking canned beef in gravy, cream of mushroom soup, vegetables, and a topping of biscuit dough or tots.
16. Beef Stew
Build a rich beef stew with canned stew meat or roast beef, potatoes, carrots, celery, onions, broth, and seasonings. Let it simmer until thick and hearty.
17. Beef Mac and Cheese
Add protein to everyone’s favorite comfort food by mixing canned ground beef into mac and cheese. Use elbow pasta and top with crispy breadcrumbs.
18. Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Make takeout-style beef and broccoli by stir frying canned beef strips with broccoli, onions, and an Asian-inspired sauce over rice. Fast dinner!
19. Philly Cheesesteak
Sauté canned roast beef with onions, bell peppers, and seasonings. Pile onto a hoagie roll and smother with melted cheese to make an easy cheesesteak.
20. Beef Stuffed Peppers
Fill halved bell peppers with a mixture of canned ground beef, rice, salsa, beans, and cheese. Bake until hot and bubbly for a tasty stuffed pepper.
As you can see, canned beef can be used to make many simple yet satisfying dishes. With minimal effort, you can put this handy pantry item to delicious use. Next time you need an easy protein boost, look no further than canned beef.
10 Meal Ideas using Canned Beef!
Sauté some mushrooms and dump in some raw packed meat (though hot packed works fine for a chunky version). Top with a dollop of sour cream and some garlic, salt and pepper if your fancy and call it a dish! Serve on top of noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes alongside a veggie. Don’t have mushrooms? Eat it anyways!
This one is super flexible if you’ve got other home or store canned goodies on your shelf. Our most basic recipe is one jar of each: hot packed beef, potatoes, carrots, peas and tomatoes or tomato sauce. Obviously, the beef stew recipe could use some onions and celery if you got it in your pantry but seasoning works well here! Add some Worcestershire sauce and bring to a simmer on medium. It’s got veggies and a starch already, but you whipped it up so quick, there’s time for some biscuits or a grilled cheese sandwich! Woila, homemade beef stew in minutes!
Beef Pot Pie
The only difference between a Shepherd’s pie and a beef pot pie is the crust! if you have a crust in your fridge/freezer or the time to whip one up, you’ve got a beef pot pie! Toss it in the oven at 425 for about 30 minutes while you kick back and relax!
FAST AND EASY MEAL USING CANNED BEEF AND LEFTOVERS#cannedbeef#simpleeasyrecipe
FAQ
How do you use canned beef?
- Tacos On-the-Go.
- Beef Taco Salad.
- Black Beans and Beef Burritos.
- Beef Barbacoa Enchiladas.
- Korean-Inspired Beef Bowls.
- Luncheon Meat Grilled Cheese.
- Meaty Mac and Cheese.
- Roast Beef Sliders.
What is canned beef good for?
Canned beef is a convenient and versatile food product that is fully cooked and sealed in a can for preservation. It can be used in a variety of recipes or enjoyed on its own. Perfect for Quick Meals: Beef Tacos, Pasta, Sandwich , Beef & Vegetable Stew and More!
How do you cook beef out of a can?
With those meals, you pour the can into a pot, warm it up, and eat it. Canned beef is almost the same. Because the meat is already cooked, you just need to open the can, dispose of the fat layer, and drain the meat from the liquid. After that, you are good to go!
What is canned meat used for?
Try canned meat in soups, meat pies, one dish meals, or in a sauce over rice or noodles. Canned meats are a good source of: PROTEIN- which is needed for growth and repair of body tissue. IRON- which carries oxygen to your cells.