Canned ground beef is not a common product, but it does exist. There are a few brands that produce canned ground beef, which is usually pre-cooked and sold shelf-stable. The primary advantage of canned ground beef is its convenience – it is ready to eat right out of the can. However, there are some drawbacks as well in terms of texture, taste, and nutrition compared to fresh ground beef. Overall, canned ground beef serves a niche purpose for campers, survivalists, and others who need meat that keeps for a long time without refrigeration.
Quick Answer
Yes, canned ground beef is available from a handful of brands, usually sold in 12-ounce cans. The beef is pre-cooked so it can be shelf-stable. The texture and taste are different from fresh ground beef. Canned ground beef is a specialty product meant for convenience in situations where refrigeration is limited.
Brands Selling Canned Ground Beef
There are a few brands that produce canned, pre-cooked ground beef:
- Keystone Meats – A well-known brand selling “canned hamburger” in 12 oz cans.
- Walton’s – Specializing in freeze-dried and canned meats for hunters and campers.
- Hormel – Best known for SPAM, they also offer 12 oz cans of ground beef.
- Canned Fresh Ground Beef – A company focused solely on canned ground beef in 6 oz and 12 oz cans.
- Glacier Ridge – Founded by a rancher, they sell canned meats including 12 oz ground beef.
Of these brands, Keystone and Walton’s are the most established names in shelf-stable canned meats. Hormel is a large food manufacturer that also entered the market. The other two are smaller companies that specialize in canned ground beef.
Shelf Life and Storage
When properly stored, canned ground beef has an advertised shelf life of at least 10 years for unopened cans. The beef is pre-cooked to a safe temperature before canning to eliminate bacteria and sealed in the can. As long as the can remains intact, the ground beef inside should remain safe to eat for years.
However, the quality and texture will degrade over time. Most brands recommend using canned ground beef within 2 to 5 years for best quality.
Once opened, canned ground beef will only last about 4-5 days in the refrigerator. It lasts a bit longer than fresh beef because of being pre-cooked but it should still be eaten within a week.
For storage, unopened canned beef should be kept in a cool, dry place under 80°F. Avoid temperature extremes. Canned ground beef can withstand some freezing but this may impact the taste and texture.
Taste and Texture
The pre-cooking process and canning of the beef results in some changes to the taste and especially the texture compared to regular fresh ground beef.
Canned ground beef will have a cooked flavor since it is fully cooked inside the can. The beef may lack some of the juiciness of fresh beef. Overall, the taste is acceptable but lacks the full beefy flavor.
The texture tends to be quite soft and almost mushy compared to fresh ground beef. Some brands use textured vegetable protein to add some chewiness. But in general, canned ground beef has a soft, almost pasty texture.
Heating the canned beef after opening will help firm it up slightly. Still, the texture will be noticeably softer than pan-fried fresh ground beef. The texture makes it unsuitable for certain dishes like hamburgers.
Common Uses
Due to the soft texture, canned ground beef works best in dishes where the beef is mixed into a sauce or gravy. Here are some of the most common ways to use canned ground beef:
- Chili – Canned beef works well in chili con carne and mixes into the sauce.
- Sloppy Joes – The soft texture is ideal for sloppy joes.
- Casseroles – Mixed into pasta bakes, lasagnas, or pot pies.
- Soups and stews – Add canned beef to enhance soup or stew recipes.
- Gravy – Makes a quick and easy gravy to serve over mashed potatoes, biscuits, etc.
Canned ground beef generally won’t work well for hamburgers, taco meat, meatballs, or other recipes where the beef is formed into patties or balls. Stick with recipes where the soft texture blends in.
Nutrition
Here is how the nutrition of canned ground beef compares to fresh raw ground beef (based on a 90/10 lean/fat blend):
| Nutrient | Canned | Fresh |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 230 | 332 |
| Protein | 12g | 23g |
| Fat | 18g | 28g |
| Carbs | 1g | 0g |
| Sodium | 780mg | 75mg |
The canned ground beef is lower in calories, protein, and fat since most of the fat drips off during the cooking process. Canned beef also contains a significant amount of added salt, boosting the sodium content compared to fresh raw beef.
Overall, the nutritional value of canned beef is mixed. It is lower in protein than fresh beef and lacks some vitamins that are lost in the canning process. But the lower fat and calories may be advantageous for some diets.
Price
Canned ground beef is significantly more expensive than fresh ground beef per pound. Here are some average prices:
- Canned ground beef – $3 to $5 per 12 oz can
- Fresh 80/20 ground beef – $4 to $6 per pound
So canned beef costs 2-3 times as much as fresh beef when comparing cost per pound. The convenience does come at a premium price.
However, given the long shelf life of canned beef, the price may be reasonable for some situations like camping trips, hunting cabins, disaster preparedness kits, and other uses where having long-lasting beef is worth paying extra.
Conclusion
Canned ground beef is a specialty product that serves the niche of providing pre-cooked, shelf-stable beef. The taste and texture profile change compared to fresh ground beef, so it works better in some recipes like chili, sloppy joes, or casseroles. Canned beef costs considerably more than fresh beef but has the advantage of virtually unlimited shelf life for emergency situations. For most regular cooking, fresh beef still provides the best results and value. But canned ground beef fills a unique role when refrigeration and fresh meats are not available.