The 15 Canned Products Even Chefs Use At Home

Having been a professional recipe developer for over 30 years, I know my way in and out of commercial kitchens as well as the home kitchens. While some ingredients and pieces of equipment are more common in the professional environment, there is certainly overlap. These are the canned foods that professional chefs love and use any time they are cooking. These canned goods should be in your pantry. 

Canned Tomatoes: The Unsung Hero of the Pantry

Canned tomatoes are a staple in many kitchens for good reasons. They are harvested and canned at peak ripeness, ensuring a robust and consistent flavor that is hard to match with out-of-season fresh tomatoes. This reliability is crucial for chefs who need to produce high-quality dishes year-round. Moreover, canned tomatoes come in various forms—whole, diced, crushed, and pureed—offering versatility for a wide range of culinary applications. We have so many recipes, but how about starting with a classic Pizza Sauce.

Canned Pumpkin: More Than Just Pie

Canned pumpkin is another favorite among chefs for its convenience and consistency. Unlike fresh pumpkin, which requires peeling, seeding, and cooking, canned pumpkin is ready to use, saving valuable time in the kitchen. Additionally, canned pumpkin is smooth and has a concentrated flavor, making it a versatile ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes. And there is literally one ingredient on the label: pumpkin! (Which is a type of winter squash, BTW). Our Gluten-Free Chocolate Pumpkin Marble Cake will blow you away.

Canned Beans: The Protein Powerhouse

Canned beans are a go-to for many chefs due to their convenience and nutritional benefits. They are pre-cooked, saving the hours required to soak and cook dried beans. Additionally, canned beans are rich in protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, making them a healthy addition to various dishes. Where to start…chilis, hummus, dips, refried, add to salads, soups, stews. Our Sweet Potato Tacos with Black Beans are a perfect vegetarian dinner packed with flavor, texture and color! 

Canned Fish: The Ocean’s Bounty

Canned fish, such as tuna, salmon, and sardines, are beloved by chefs for their rich flavors, versatility, and nutritional benefits. They are high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, making them a healthy choice. Additionally, canned fish is often more affordable and has a longer shelf life than fresh fish. And don’t forget the anchovies!

Canned Coconut Milk: The Tropical Touch

Canned coconut milk is prized for its creamy texture and rich, tropical flavor. It is a key ingredient in many Asian and Caribbean dishes, providing a dairy-free alternative to cream and milk. Its versatility extends to both sweet and savory recipes, such as this simple Coconut Tofu Curry. We have recipes for ice cream and popsicles, too!

Canned Artichokes: A Mediterranean Treasure

Canned artichokes are a time-saver, providing the rich, earthy flavor of artichokes without the hassle of cleaning and preparing fresh ones. They are versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to main courses. They come packed in water, as well as oil, and even seasoned oil. We find the water-pack the most versatile. They work beautifully in spinach artichoke dip, of course, but they are also stand-outs in this Chicken with Artichokes & Olives dish.

Canned Pineapple: The Tropical Touch

Canned pineapple is loved for its sweet, tangy flavor and its versatility in both sweet and savory dishes. It’s available year-round and saves the effort of peeling and coring fresh pineapples. Try it in Hummingbird Cake, a favorite in the southern part of the United States, Hummingbird cake is loaded with pineapple, nuts, and bananas making it moist, flavorful and a good keeper. We also love canned pineapple rings for baked ham and upside-down cake!

Canned Coconut Cream: The Luxurious Ingredient

Canned coconut cream is loved for its rich and creamy texture. It is thicker and more decadent than coconut milk, making it a fantastic addition to desserts and creamy dishes. You can even use it to make an alt-dairy whipped “cream”.

Canned Water Chestnuts: The Crunchy Addition

Canned water chestnuts are prized for their crunchy texture and mild flavor. They are often used in Asian cuisine and add a delightful crunch to various dishes. They will add dimension to your favorite stir-fry. Give them a try in our Asian Pork Lettuce Wraps.

Canned Lentils: The Nutritious Legume

Canned lentils are a nutritious and convenient option for adding protein and fiber to dishes. They are pre-cooked, saving time and effort in the kitchen. Our Lentil Salad with Greens & Yogurt is a great way to incorporate this fabulous pulse into your diet. 

Sweetened Condensed Milk

This convenience product has a long shelf life and is the go-to that we reach for when making classic Key Lime Pie, 7-layer bars, très leche cake, caramels, fudge, Vietnamese  and Thai iced coffee, millionaire bars, no-churn ice cream and so many other recipes.

Stuffed Grape Leaves 

We buy cans of stuffed grape leaves at our regular supermarket, as well as at Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods; they have become easy to find here in the U.S. They are great as a snack, an hors d’oeuvres, as well as an adjunct to a meze platter, with hummus, olives, fresh vegetables (such as carrot and cucumber sticks and radishes), and chunks of feta. A filling lunch or light dinner. Add crackers or pita. 

Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce

We love this condiment! Mash it up, combine with mayo and you have a quick flavored mayo with a kick. Add a spoonful to your favorite salsa (homemade or store bought). Use Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce in marinades for meats and poultry. Add a dollop to a Bloody Mary. Stir into a hot bowl of chili.

Lazzaroni Amaretti Di Saronno

These cookies are the bomb! And the tins are our favorites to save for reuse (I have a few bags of different kinds of cocoa in mine right now). If you have never had the cookies, they are best described and crispy, crunchy and chewy. Sweet, but not too sweet, with the most exquisite almond flavor that comes from apricot kernels!

Lyle’s Golden Syrup

This liquid sweetener taste likes liquid butterscotch. The classic comes in a can, but they now have a squeezable bottle, too, which makes dispensing much easier. Anytime you have a recipe that calls for corn syrup, try all or part Lyle’s for that caramel-like flavor. There is a section of the brand website called Up-cycle Lyle’s Tin, with all kinds of ideas for re-using the pretty container. For a recipe, try our Browned Butter Salted Caramel Pecan Pie in a Chocolate Flecked Pastry Crust.

The Takeaway

Canned products offer an array of benefits that make them indispensable in the culinary world. Their convenience, consistency, and versatility enable chefs to create delicious and nutritious dishes with ease. From canned tomatoes and pumpkin to beans, fish, coconut milk, and Lyle’s Golden Syrup, these pantry staples are the unsung heroes that help chefs deliver exceptional meals. Whether you’re a home cook or a professional chef, incorporating these canned products into your cooking can elevate your dishes and simplify your kitchen routine. So next time you’re planning a meal, consider reaching for one of these canned favorites and experience the convenience and flavor they bring to your table.

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40 Versatile Variations Of Pesto: Fast, Fresh & Fantastic!

Pesto is a flavorful green sauce made from fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. It has a strong, aromatic taste and bright green color. Pesto can be used as a sauce, a spread, or an ingredient to add flavor to other dishes.The classic way to use pesto is tossed with pasta. However, there are many other ways to enjoy pesto that we’ll explore here. You can use it in Instant Pot and slow cooker meals, vegan recipes, hand pies, chicken wings, salads, main courses, soups, appetizers, and more. Pesto doesn’t have to be made with just basil and pine nuts. We’ve got recipes using sun-dried tomatoes, wild garlic, capers, kale, parsley, arugula, cilantro, walnuts, almonds and more. Check out these 40 pesto recipes!

Unlocking The Power Of Fermented Foods For Gut Health

More people are increasingly mindful of their health, with a growing interest in understanding the role of the gut microbiome in promoting overall well-being. The consumption of fermented foods has garnered considerable attention as a way to support a healthy gut ecosystem. The idea of “fermented” foods might seem odd at first, but most of us are familiar with traditional pickles, and yogurt, to name possibly the two most common fermented items in the supermarket, and perhaps your own refrigerator. There is a diverse array of fermented foods that have the potential to transform and enhance your gut health – and to bring flavor to your meals. We have what you need to know!

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