6 Canned Meats You Should Avoid And 6 You Definitely Should Buy

Opening a can of meat might seem like a convenient shortcut when you’re in a hurry, but not all canned proteins deserve a spot in your pantry.
I’ve spent years perfecting my emergency food supply and let me tell you – I’ve had some truly questionable canned meat experiences!
From mystery meat textures to sodium bombs that left me chugging water all day, I’ve learned which cans to grab and which to pass.
Here’s my honest breakdown of the canned meats that deserve your dollars and the ones that should stay on the shelf.
1. AVOID: Potted Meat Product – The Mystery Meat Nightmare

My grandmother swore by potted meat sandwiches during the Depression, but this mysterious paste is a nutritional wasteland. The ingredient list reads like a science experiment gone wrong – mechanically separated chicken, beef tripe, and partial digest of chicken parts.
One tiny can packs a whopping 40% of your daily sodium, yet offers minimal protein. The texture? Imagine spreadable meat Jell-O with chunks of unidentifiable bits that stick to the roof of your mouth.
The flavor isn’t much better – a strange blend of salt, fake smoke, and something vaguely meat-adjacent. Save yourself the experience and leave this relic of food history on the shelf where it belongs!
2. BUY: Wild Planet Tuna – Ocean-Friendly Protein Powerhouse

Hands down the best canned tuna I’ve ever tasted! Unlike those watery, flavorless brands, Wild Planet packs their cans with solid chunks of tuna that actually look and taste like real fish. No draining required – it’s packed in its natural juices.
The company uses sustainable pole-and-line catching methods, meaning no destructive nets that harm dolphins and other marine life. Each serving delivers a whopping 20 grams of protein with significantly lower mercury levels than conventional brands.
The flavor is remarkably fresh and clean – almost like you just cooked fresh tuna. While it costs a few dollars more than bargain brands, the superior taste, ethical sourcing, and nutritional benefits make every penny worthwhile.
3. AVOID: Generic Deviled Ham – The Salt-Laden Sandwich Spread

Remember when my camping trip took a disastrous turn after I slathered this pink paste on crackers? My friends still won’t let me live it down! Generic deviled ham might be cheap, but there’s a reason – it’s mostly fat, salt, and food coloring masquerading as meat.
The texture resembles wet cat food, with an artificial smoky flavor that clings to your taste buds for hours. Just one serving contains nearly 30% of your daily sodium allowance, yet provides minimal nutritional value.
The ingredient list reveals mechanically separated chicken parts and “ham” that makes up less than you’d expect. Skip this processed nightmare that barely qualifies as food, let alone meat. Your taste buds and blood pressure will thank you!
4. BUY: Chicken Of The Sea Pink Salmon – Budget-Friendly Omega-3 Gold

Jackpot! I discovered this affordable nutritional powerhouse during my broke college days, and it remains a staple in my pantry. Unlike fancy salmon varieties, this wild-caught Alaskan pink salmon delivers impressive nutrition without breaking the bank.
The bones are soft enough to eat (seriously, try it – they’re packed with calcium), and the salmon itself contains heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids that rival fresh fish. I love that it’s sustainably caught and contains zero preservatives or artificial ingredients.
Make quick salmon cakes, toss it in pasta, or eat it straight from the can with a squeeze of lemon. For around $3, you’re getting a versatile protein that’s infinitely healthier than most fast food options costing twice as much!
5. AVOID: Canned Vienna Sausages – Cylindrical Sodium Bombs

My grandpa called these “camping treats,” but these pale, slimy meat cylinders floating in gelatinous goo are more science experiment than food. I’ll never forget the weird popping sensation when biting into one – like a meat water balloon!
Nutritionally speaking, these tiny tubes pack a shocking amount of sodium, fat, and nitrates, while offering minimal protein. The ingredient list reveals mechanically separated chicken, beef hearts, and various mystery meats processed beyond recognition.
The flavor? Imagine hot dog water concentrated into solid form with notes of salt and artificial smoke. They leave a greasy film in your mouth that lingers uncomfortably. Save your change for literally any other protein source – your body deserves better!
6. BUY: Trader Joe’s Canned Sardines In Olive Oil – Tiny Fish, Mighty Benefits

Who knew these little swimmers could be so delicious? After years of sardine skepticism, I finally tried these omega-3 powerhouses and was blown away. Trader Joe’s sources high-quality, wild-caught sardines that taste clean and fresh, not fishy.
Unlike larger fish, sardines are low on the food chain, meaning minimal mercury and maximum sustainability. Each can delivers bone-building calcium (yes, you eat the soft bones!), brain-boosting omega-3s, and impressive protein – all for about two bucks.
The olive oil adds richness without overwhelming the delicate fish flavor. Try them mashed on toast with avocado and hot sauce, or tossed into pasta with garlic and lemon. Your wallet, taste buds, and body will thank you for this nutrient-dense pantry hero!
7. AVOID: Processed Canned Beef Stew – The Mushy Meat Mystery

Expectation: hearty beef chunks swimming in rich gravy with garden-fresh vegetables. Reality: gray meat cubes floating in salty brown water with mushy vegetable approximations. My camping trip was nearly ruined when I discovered what passed for “stew” in this disappointing can!
The meat pieces have that distinctive processed chew that somehow manages to be both mushy and rubbery. Vegetables lose all texture, becoming indistinguishable mush that vaguely resembles their former selves.
Nutritionally, it’s a sodium bomb with minimal fiber and protein. The ingredient list reveals more thickeners, colorings, and preservatives than actual food. Save your money and emergency food space for individual ingredients you can combine yourself for a vastly superior meal.
8. BUY: Crown Prince Smoked Oysters – Luxurious Zinc-Rich Treat

Feeling fancy without breaking the bank? These smoky little treasures are my go-to indulgence! Tender, meaty oysters with a rich smoky flavor that tastes like they came straight from a seaside BBQ – not a can.
Nutritionally, they’re zinc superstars, delivering your entire daily requirement in just one tiny can. They also pack impressive amounts of iron, B12, and heart-healthy omega-3s. I love serving these on crackers with a squeeze of lemon and hot sauce for instant appetizers that make me look like a culinary genius.
The olive oil they’re packed in is perfect for dipping bread, so nothing goes to waste. While they’re a bit pricier than some canned proteins, they deliver restaurant-quality flavor for a fraction of what you’d pay for fresh oysters. Worth every penny!
9. AVOID: Budget Canned Chili With Meat – Heartburn In A Tin

My camping disaster story begins with this seemingly innocent can. The “meat” in budget canned chili barely qualifies for the term – tiny specks of mystery protein floating in red sauce that’s more corn syrup and salt than actual chili.
The texture is oddly uniform, with beans that dissolve rather than maintain any pleasant bite. One can contains an alarming 40% of your daily sodium, yet leaves you hungry an hour later due to minimal protein and fiber.
The flavor profile? Mostly sweet with artificial smoke notes and a strange metallic aftertaste that lingers uncomfortably. Save your dollars and digestive system – even in emergency situations, there are better options that won’t leave you with regret and heartburn!
10. BUY: 365 Organic Canned Garbanzo Beans – Plant-Based Protein Winner

Plot twist! Not all protein needs to come from animals, and these organic garbanzo beans prove it deliciously. Unlike many canned beans, these maintain perfect texture – never mushy or too firm – ready for immediate use in countless dishes.
The ingredient list? Simply organic chickpeas, water, and sea salt – no preservatives, weird stabilizers, or excess sodium. Each serving packs impressive protein and fiber that keeps you satisfied for hours, all while supporting heart health.
I throw these into salads, whip up quick hummus, or roast them with spices for crunchy snacks. The liquid (aquafaba) works magic as an egg replacer in baking! While technically not “meat,” these versatile beans deserve prime pantry space for their nutrition, flavor, and incredible value – around $1 per can for organic quality.
11. AVOID: Bargain Canned Spaghetti With Meatballs – Sad Childhood Nostalgia

The cartoon character on the label promised fun, but these sad, spongy “meatballs” floating in sweet tomato sauce deliver nothing but disappointment. I made the mistake of serving these at a nostalgic movie night, and my friends still tease me about it!
The “meat” spheres have a strange bouncy texture with unidentifiable specks throughout. Bite into one and it dissolves into a grainy paste that bears no resemblance to actual meat. The sauce tastes primarily of corn syrup with a faint tomato echo.
Nutritionally, it’s mostly simple carbs and sodium with minimal protein, despite the meat claim. Even in emergencies, there are better options that won’t leave you with a sugar crash and regret. Some childhood memories are best left in the past!
12. BUY: Safe Catch Elite Tuna – The Mercury-Tested Champion

Game changer alert! This tuna completely transformed my sandwich game with its fresh flavor and impressive purity standards. Unlike conventional brands, Safe Catch tests EVERY fish for mercury, ensuring levels well below FDA limits – crucial for pregnant women, children, and regular tuna eaters.
The texture is meaty and substantial, not mushy or watery like cheaper brands. Each can contains pure, wild-caught tuna with zero fillers, preservatives, or added oils – just a touch of sea salt. The company’s sustainable fishing practices earned them top environmental ratings.
While it costs a few dollars more than conventional tuna, the superior taste and exceptional purity standards make it worth every penny. I’ve converted all my tuna-skeptic friends with this clean-tasting, ethically-sourced protein powerhouse!