Convenient, durable, and usually budget-friendly, canned foods are a staple in mostly every pantry in the United States. Could you even imagine a life without items such as canned beans, canned fish, or canned diced tomatoes? They surely make our life easier when it comes to whipping up a quick dinner in the middle of the week (and the weekends too, because who are we kidding?). However, not all canned foods are like the ones we know and love. From canned PBJ to smoked rattlesnake, there are some very unusual foods-in-a-can out there, and we have rounded up a few of them for your entertainment. Bon appetit!
Canned cheeseburger
Just because a certain type of food sounds weird to us, it doesn’t mean that it will look weird, but we have to say it – canned cheeseburgers are just as unappetizing as they sound.
We would expect to open this tin can and find a burger patty and some cheese, but no; they really do put the whole thing inside the can, with buns, pickles, and sauce. We haven’t tried anything like this before, but we’re guessing if it sounds bad and looks bad, it should tastes bad, too.
Pork brains with milk gravy
A lot of people are repulsed by the idea of eating things like pork brains, but if you stop and think about it, it doesn’t really make sense, does it? If one can eat pork belly, why not eat pork brain?
It all comes from the same animal, and consuming every part of it would avoid so much waste. But we digress. We don’t judge people who like to eat pork brains, but it is indeed a very usual food, especially when it’s canned with milk gravy. People say it tastes like Spam, though.
Canned bread
Nothing compares to the delicious smell of fresh bread coming out of the oven, but you won’t be getting any of that when you’re dealing with canned bread. So there’s no fresh bread smell, no fresh bread crust, and probably no fresh bread taste, either.
We don’t really get what’s the point of canned bread, but honestly, it doesn’t look that bad, and we are actually curious to know what the texture is like. Round canned bread toast, anyone?
Atlantic herring
The label on this tin can says “Atlantic herring,” but we never knew those fishes had such scary-looking teeth. If you ask us, this looks like something that came straight out of Steven Spielberg’s thriller film Jaws.
We would be afraid to scoop this fish out the can, not because it doesn’t look particularly tasty, but because it almost seems like those teeth are looking for something to bite, and we are not taking any chances.
Grass jelly drink
Grass jelly is a dessert eaten in East Asia, made with a plant of the mint family called Platostoma palustre. The stems and leaves are dried, kind of like tea, and then processed into a jelly.
There are many ways to consume grass jelly, and one of them is like this… in the form of a canned grass jelly drink. People say it has a mild, herbaceous taste to it, and as we can see in the photo, it has little jelly pieces you can eat with a spoon. Interestingly, this one is banana flavored!
Canned whole chicken
Imagine coming across a chicken recipe, and the ingredient list is simply “chicken, water, and salt” – would you look at that and go, “wow, that sounds delicious”? We think not.
So it probably doesn’t help that the chicken-water-salt meal we are talking about actually comes inside a tin can, right? Yes, there’s a whole cooked chicken in there, although looking at the photo, we can see it must be a very small one. Not that we are complaining, in this case.
Canned haggis
Haggis is a traditional dish that people in Scotland defend fiercely. “Why do they have to defend it?”, you’re asking? Because a whole lot of people are not into the idea of eating a savoury pudding made of…
Sheep heart, liver, and lungs, mixed with stock, onions, oatmeal and spices, and then encased in sheep’s stomach. We wonder how many Scots would fight to protect the honor of haggis that comes out of a can, though.
Bird’s nest drink
So apparently, there’s such a thing as an edible bird’s nest. They are nests that certain swiftlets build with their solidified saliva, and they are harvested for human consumption, because humans eat all sorts of weird stuff.
A popular way to consume bird’s nest is as a soup, but it can also come to your table as a drink, like what we’re seeing here. The taste is described as slightly floral, and they apparently have a high nutritional value.
American hot dogs
This can of “American hot dogs” was found in a supermarket in the Netherlands, and we are curious as to what other things that we don’t have here are being sold as “American-style” with a colorful stars and stripes label.
Not that we are complaining, though. We actually like the idea of canned hot dogs. They look like they would be easier to open than our usual vacuum packaging, especially if we were, say, camping, and we wanted to cook some hot dogs over the fire.
Cuitlacoche (corn smut)
Cuitlacoche sounds like something dangerous, and it kinda looks the part, we have to admit. It is a type of edible fungus that grows on cobs of corn, and it is considered a delicacy in Mexico, where it can be used in soups, or as a filling for quesadillas and tamales.
The canned version looks darker than the fresh one for some reason, which probably makes it even more unappealing for people who don’t like the idea of eating corn smut, but people say it is delicious and tastes smoky and earthy.
Canned escargot
How do you take something that a lot of people find revolting, and make it look appealing enough so that they would at least give it a try? We don’t know, but we are sure the answer is not “throw a bunch of it inside a tin can.”
If you can’t stand the thought of eating snails, seeing a handful of them in a can will definitely not help, so we’ll leave this one for the foodies who don’t discriminate.
Canned tongue
Tongue is another animal part that most people we know wouldn’t even think of touching. Rib eye and tenderloin are fine, but tongue? “Ugh!” This explains why canned tongue is a thing.
Demand for this cut of meat is probably not that high, so why would sellers bother with fresh tongue? Canned tongue, with its extended expiration date, are a more reasonable, business-friendly option, even if they are not exactly easy on the eyes.
Reindeer meat
We try not to judge the things that people from other cultures choose to eat, but we have to say – we wouldn’t be able to pop a can of reindeer meat and not feel at least a little bit guilty about it.
We can’t hear the word and not think of Rudolph and this red nose, and by the looks of it, this guy in the photo is feeling bad too, as he is about to try his first can of reindeer meat.
Silkworm pupa
In countries like South Korea, silkworm pupa is a snack you can get from street vendors. Walking down the street, you’ll know when there’s a tent selling silkworm pupa nearby, because it has a particular smell that’s so, very strong.
We imagine that opening a can of silkworm pupa can be traumatizing if you are not prepared, so if you do ever decide to try the canned version, take it from us – don’t get your face too close to it.
Duck confit
Look at the name on that label – “confit de cuisses de canard mulard a la graisse de canard.” Who knew that something so fancy-sounding could be written on canned food, right?
The French are so precious about their cooking techniques, we are surprised a company would even dare to put a duck confit in a can. Ah yes, the translation for that label is “confit of mulard duck legs with duck fat.” And that’s a lot of fat.
All day breakfast
The British don’t joke around when it comes to eating in the morning, as their version of a “breakfast of champions” is far richer than most of us are used to.
As a matter of fact, they take this meal so seriously, a few companies offer canned foods like this one as an “all day breakfast” option that puts together everything the Brits love in the morning – baked beans, sausages, bacon, mushrooms, and pork and egg nuggets.
Canned rattlesnake
The company that produces these cans of smoked rattlesnake suggests that you can eat it straight out of the can, or over some wild rice, or even pasta. We would add that you should probably take the time to pick the bones, though, because wow, that’s a lot of bone!
People who have eaten canned rattlesnake say it takes a bit like fish, and it has a rubbery texture. That’s underwhelming, because it would take so much work to get some meat from there, we kinda hoped it would taste amazing.
Peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are so easy, even a child can make them, which is one of the reasons why they are so popular in America. They’re one of those things that makes us think, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” but of course, people tried to fix it.
There are canned PBJ sandwiches aptly named “candwiches,” and they are branded as “Go Anywhere Sandwiches.” But… don’t fresh PBJ sandwiches also go anywhere?
Armor tail scorpions
We know that eating insects and other multiple-legged little animals is common in certain parts of the world, and we are definitely not here to judge – to each their own.
However, the idea of eating a scorpion makes our skin crawl. We know that thing is dead, and it has been prepared in a way that it’s completely safe to eat, but we can’t shake the feeling that it can still hurt us somehow.
Mac ‘n’ cheese
When we hear the word “mac ‘n’ cheese,” we think of a hot, cheesy, creamy dish. When we hear the words “canned mac ‘n’ cheese,” we don’t think about any of those qualities.
Apparently mac ‘n’ cheese in a can is a thing in the United Kingdom, but we doubt it tastes like the real thing. Maybe it’s not even supposed to, which would explain why they chose to name it “Macaroni Cheese.”
Chocolate-covered worms
This brand decided to tap into the idea that as long as something is covered in chocolate, people will want to eat it. Think superworms are disgusting? Throw some dark chocolate in there. Can’t stand the sight of silkworms? Chocolate!
They apply the same logic using two of America’s favorite foods – bacon and cheese. A lot of folks we know wouldn’t be open to trying grasshoppers, but bacon & cheese flavored grasshoppers? “Sure, hand us a bucket!”
Pigeon pate
A lot of Americans think of pigeons as “rats with wings” or “rats of the sky,” because in the cities, they can be carriers of disease. However, in some countries such as France, it is not rare to eat pigeons that are raised for meat.
This “terrine de pigeon,” which is basically a pigeon pate, might sound weird to us, but it is possibly a pantry staple for other folks. Maybe it’s like, their can of tuna.
Powdered horse milk
This particular label looks a bit cartoonish, especially because of the “The Khan’s Choice” slogan, but horse milk is not as weird as you might think it is.
People are often put off by the idea of drinking any milk that doesn’t come from a cow, but they all come from an animal or another, so what’s the difference, right? Horse milk can be found in many places in Europe, and we are actually curious as to what this tastes like.
Vegetable salad in mayonnaise
The word “salad” is usually associated with “fresh,” but we know nothing fresh is coming out of that rusty tin can. Apparently, these Heinz salads were very popular in the 1970s, and there were a number of flavors to choose from.
This is a vegetable salad in mayonnaise, but they also had potato salad and cucumber salad. Nowadays, the only salad-related products Heinz produces are their popular dressings, and there’s probably a reason for that.
Sheep head
This canned sheep head, which is apparently produced in Iran, is a show-stopper, because the content is already unusual to us, and the idea of having it inside a can just makes it even weirder.
Unfortunately, we can’t read the full list of ingredients, but we can see the word “tongue,” so we are guessing that either there’s an entire sheep head in there, or this is some kind of soup that doesn’t waste any part of the animal.
Unicorn meat
Now, obviously, unicorns don’t exist, but this is here to show that if those magical creatures were indeed roaming the Earth, then someone would find a way to sell their meat in a can.
As we have seen so far in this list, humans will eat all sorts of things, and as beautiful as they are, unicorns would still be seen as nothing more than cheap protein for some people. As the label on this can says, it would be “magic in every bite.”
Frog legs and smoked bacon pate
We bet that a lot of people read “frog legs” on that label and went “ugh, never!” but then they continued to “and smoked bacon,” and they thought, “hmm, interesting.” That’s the magic of bacon.
Most folks we know couldn’t stand the idea of eating frog legs, but bacon just makes anything sound better, especially when it is smoked, right? Frog legs and smoked bacon. Pigeon wing and smoked bacon. Student debt and smoked bacon.
Bear meat
If you live in an area where the closest encounter you ever had with a bear was with Yogi Bear in The Huckleberry Hound Show, the idea of eating their meat might sound completely weird to you.
However, in parts of the world where bears are abundant and hunting is legal, you can find bear meat being commercialized, often in little cans, like these. Suggested servings include adding it to soup, or eating it with rye bread, or frying it and pairing it with blackcurrant jelly.
Elk meat
Elks are enormous animals, which makes it kind of ironic to see their meat being sold in little cans. But then again, the folks who really appreciate this type of meat are probably out there hunting their own elk…
And the tin cans are more for people who want to try it once, so they’ll be able to say, “one time, I ate elk.” The makers of this canned elk suggest that you add it to soup stock, or prepare gravy with it, to serve over potatoes, rice, or pasta. Actually sounds good!
Alligator meat, Cajun style
People who have eaten alligator meat describe it as mild tasting with a firm texture, with a flavor that stands somewhere in between fish and chicken.
The description sounds a bit odd to us, but then again, imagine having to describe something completely new for someone who’s had no experience with it. You can’t help but use common references! In the end, like everything in life, if you want to know what it is like, you just have to try it yourself.
‘Snickers’ in tomato sauce
We are not saying we endorse brands who copy other brands’ logos, but we really, really hope that’s what happened here. We hope these tin cans are actually of fish, because those white letters are “in tomato sauce,” in Russian.
In this particular case, we would be happier knowing that a Russian canned fish brand stole the Snickers logo, instead of this actually being a Snickers product of a chocolate bar dunked in tomato sauce.
Canned bacon
Bacon makes everything sound better, but when you put the word “canned” in front of “bacon,” it kind of loses its power, doesn’t it? The way it looks fresh out of the can doesn’t help either.
All that congealed fat around the tube of bacon doesn’t make it appealing, and we never thought we could use those words when talking about bacon. However, we have to admit that this would be perfect for camping, and we are sure that it looks and tastes delicious once it’s cooked. Because it is bacon, and that’s what bacon does.
Reindeer pate
We already saw the canned reindeer meat, and now here’s something a little more sophisticated – at least until you read the label. The makers of this product know what most people think about when they hear the words “canned reindeer”…
And they decided to roll with it with a good sense of humor. They are saying that this “arctic delicacy” is made of a “farm-raised relative of Rudolph,” and while that’s hilarious, we think someone’s getting coal for Christmas this year.
Canned wild boar meat
If you watched Game of Thrones, you’ll know that King Robert Baratheon would probably approve of this product right here: canned wild boar meat.
However, if you watched the original Lion King, or its photorealistic 2019 remake, you would probably be against it, because how could anybody want to eat an animal that looks like Pumbaa? He’s the one who had the idea of saving Simba and raising him as their own, for crying out loud!
Zebra tarantula
This is a canned zebra tarantula, and it doesn’t even have the words “cheese” or “bacon” attached to it, so we can’t imagine that a lot of people would consider giving this a try.
The small letters say “cooked and dehydrated” and add that it has a “light dusting of Barbecue seasoning,” and we do like BBQ-flavored anything, but if these guys want to get us to eat cooked and dehydrated zebra tarantula, we are sorry, but they’re gonna have to try harder.
Braised eel in dressing sauce
The show Friends confused a whole generation of fans about the meaning of “unagi” – Ross claimed it was a “a state of total awareness,” while Rachel called it “salmon skin roll.”
However, Phoebe got it right, when she said unagi is actually freshwater eel. So there you go. If you want to have unagi, all you have to do is open this can, and enjoy some delicious braised eel in dressing sauce, maybe over hot white rice.
Fish balls in brine
Apparently, fish balls are a classic Norwegian treat, and you can’t find a Norwegian food blog that doesn’t have a recipe for “fiskeboller,” as they are called over there.
It seems like they are hard to make, though, because canned fish balls are a thing, and we can see five different types of fish on their ingredient list – great silver smelt, haddock, Alaska Pollock, Pacific whiting, and saithe. Canned fish balls. We hope they taste great, because the name? Not that appealing.
Breakfast in a can
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so we would advise you to actually spend some time cooking it and making sure that you’re getting all of the nutrients that you need for a healthy morning. With that being said, this breakfast in a can doesn’t seem like all that bad of a substitute for a hearty homemade meal.
Sure, it probably tastes a little gross, but the ingredients don’t sound too terrible. We imagine our confidence would be shattered if we actually opened one of these things, but we’ll stay in blissful ignorance for now.
Jing kung in brine
This one might not immediately seem gross or shocking at first glance. However, look just a little bit closer at the image on the front of the can. Those are indeed crickets. We know that people enjoyed eating bugs as snacks, but for some reason the fact they are canned (and stewing in brine) just makes the whole situation seem that much grosser.
At least the picture has them being served on a nice plate with plenty of garnish to take your mind off of what you’re about to put into your mouth.
Creamed possum
We’ve heard that this one might be a joke, but we honestly can’t tell. While possum isn’t typically a meat that most people consume, we’d be shocked if no one has ever eaten a possum before. And if this article has taught us anything, it’s that people will put any and everything into a can. So why not creamed possum?
We can’t help but wonder what it tastes like. Hopefully it’s not a roadkill possum that they just happened to find and put into a can, but hey, maybe it’s more ethical that way.
Canned armadillo
Have you ever eaten an armadillo before? Yeah, neither have we. We imagine that their meat isn’t too delicious, but maybe they’re a secret delicacy that we just haven’t discovered yet. We were interested in having a taste-test, but it turns out that this can isn’t exactly what it appears to be.
Instead, the inside is filled with a plush armadillo that you can give to a loved one as a gift. Cute! We still would be pretty shocked if we received this as a present from someone, though.
Meat pudding
Yum, meat pudding! We have such fond memories of growing up and eating meals with our parents, begging them for just one more scoop of meat pudding.
Just kidding, we’ve never had meat pudding before. In fact, we don’t even really know what it is. It sounds like it would be a delicacy in Britain, though. The fact that the brand name is Goblin doesn’t really arouse our appetites, either. In short this is yet another “pass” for us!
Squid in ink
Squid isn’t entirely an uncommon food here in America, but it’s still weird enough to make some people’s stomachs do somersaults. Toss them in a can with a hearty helping of their own ink, however, and there are many people that would never even touch it.
Canned squid is actually pretty common depending on where you live, and certain people can’t get enough of it. We personally prefer our squid to be a little bit more fresh, but hey, whatever floats your squid fishing boat, we guess.
Edible mopane worms
As shocking as this one might seem to a lot of you, mopane worms is actually a relatively common food. This is a hard one to come by in America, but people that live in the southern regions of Africa definitely recognize this is a delicious food.
While eating them from a can as a snack is something that is done frequently, they are also cooked and eaten as parts of larger dishes. It might sound weird to you, but this is a favorite food for some people!
Quail eggs in water
Most of us stick to chicken eggs and spend a good amount of time preparing them before eating them. So we don’t blame you if you thought that these quail eggs are used as parts of larger dishes. But in fact, these are canned in a way where you can just eat them without any preparation or cooking.
Quail eggs taste relatively similar to chicken eggs, but most Americans would probably still get a bit squeamish when trying these.
Canned armadillo milk
Did you know that approximately 65% of people are lactose intolerant to some extent? It’s a pretty shocking fact, especially if you’re the type of person who loves a glass of milk with every meal. Did you also know that approximately 100% of people wouldn’t tolerate you pouring them a glass of canned armadillo milk?
We didn’t even know that armadillos made milk, but they apparently do. There are some nutritional benefits though: it’s said that armadillo milk is one of the most protein-rich milks out there.
Canned tamales
There are a lot of foods that just sound absolutely disgusting in a can. The canned hamburger, for instance, was one that just sounded awful even before we saw the photo. Canned tamales, on the other hand, don’t really sound all that terrible. We had some faith in them. But once we saw this picture, we knew we weren’t interested.
As convenient as canning is, some foods are just meant to be eaten fresh. If we were trapped in a nuclear bunker, we’d definitely try these. But for now, we’ll stick to the real thing.
Muffins
Muffins are yummy. They’re also pretty versatile since they can be used for breakfast, lunch, or just a simple self-indulgent snack. However, this canned version may be taking that versatility too far. In fact, the contents of this can suggests it hasn’t made a smooth transition from fresh goodness to canned and goopy.
Nevertheless, it’s still a muffin. Though it’s bound to taste more than a little different compared to a freshly baked delight, that alone might be enough to ignore where it came from.
Jellied eels
These are a traditional delicacy in England, specifically the East End of London. They were often sold alongside other delicacies, like pie and mash, and could be bought in eel and pie houses throughout London. While the dish’s popularity has waned in recent years, someone clearly thought that their appeal is still strong enough to warrant being canned.
Typically, jellied eels are boiled in a spice stock that forms a jelly which is eaten cold. We’re going to reserve judgement on whether or not that works well with canned eels.
Powdered omelettes
Omelettes are eaten all over the world. In Spain, they’re thick, made with potatoes, and often called “Spanish tortilla.” In France, it’s what we think of as a regular omelette, only without the filling: just rolled eggs with butter. In Japan, omelettes have ketchup-flavored rice inside. All in all, omelettes can be many things.
However, a powdered omelette in a can? That’s just a step too far in our books. Eggs are meant to be creamy, soft, buttery, all that is good in this world. Powdered eggs are notorious for being rubbery and just sad.
Balut
Balut may seem strange, but it’s a common dish in the Philippines and other parts of southeast Asia. To put it simply, Balut is an egg embryo, usually duck, that has been boiled. Overall, it’s an inexpensive snack that many enjoy. However, it can seem a little strange to put in a can. The embryo itself is usually surrounded by a soupy liquid, plus the yolk and whites.
Shark fin soup
Shark fin soup is a traditional cuisine in China that is usually served on special occasions, such as weddings, banquets, and business deals. Naturally, that has made the soup something of a luxury dish. That status has been accompanied with high prices, so it’s not too surprising that a canned alternative has emerged.
Canned eggs are up there with pickled eggs in weirdness, so we think we’d have to try regular balut before we judge canned versions.
Hot wings
Hot wings are a staple for pretty much every potluck party. They’re a delicious and spicy dish that pairs well with nearly any drink, and they can be used as a side or a main. Whether it’s Superbowl Sunday or meeting with friends for a movie night, the party’s not complete without hot wings. However, hot wings from a can? That seems almost like sacrilege.
After all, how are you supposed to heat them up without having them fall to pieces? We’d rather pay a little extra for delivery than deal with that level of disappointment.
Sheep tongue
Tongues have traditionally been a common delicacy all over the world. Given that, it was perhaps inevitable that sheep tongue would eventually come in can form. Still, it’s understandable to feel a little sheepish about eating tongue. We’re not ones to judge, but it’s hard for many to find sheep tongue appealing.
Whether or not it’s canned, it’s still a tongue, and that’s not easy to overlook when it comes to unusual types of meat. All in all, it wouldn’t be too surprising if canned sheep tongues are left to collect dust on shelves.
Lasagna
As this list has shown, just about any standard meal can be stuffed into cans. Chef Boyardee is a brand that has given us plenty of canned meals, often variations on popular Italian dishes. They’re certainly convenient. But, it’s difficult to believe that lasagna can be easily adapted into a canned meal. After all, lasagnas are layered.
A canned lasagna seems liable to lose its shape when emptied, and turn into a pile of its base ingredients. Of course, if you’re in the mood for a quick meal, that may not matter in the end.
Buzzard gizzards
Few would consider fresh buzzard gizzards a delicacy. It certainly hasn’t caught on in the culinary world. In fact, come to think of it, nor have whole buzzards. As if there was demand for it, someone decided to turn this into a more convenient canned version. Even though it comes marinated with cream sauce, it’s hard to imagine if that can make it sound more appetizing.
At the least the can promises that the mixture is newly improved. Although we also are left to wonder what it was improving on.
French toast puree
There’s no question that French toast is delicious, and we’d happily eat it at any time of the day. However, French toast puree from a can may be a bridge too far, even for our unabashed sweet tooth. Though it comes with maple cinnamon, mushy toast just doesn’t conjure up a favorable image. Sure, you don’t have to make it yourself, or even use a fork and knife.
But, despite the promise that all you have to do is heat it up, there’s still nothing quite like preparing your own French toast.
