10 meals you can make with canned vegetables
- Helen Salter
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If you've run out of fresh veg, fret not! Use canned vegetables hiding in the storecupboard to make these thrifty dinner recipes, including pasta bakes, casseroles, stews and soups.
There's something of a stigma attached to canned food, but when budget eating is the new norm and food banks are on the rise, certain products beat their fresh equivalents in terms of cost, convenience and longevity. Canned veg isn't just a can of tomatoes chucked into your spag bol, it encompasses a range of ingredients perfect for incorporating into meals, from sweetcorn and potatoes to carrots, butter beans and beyond.
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The great news is that for most produce, the canned variety is nutritionally comparable with fresh – there’s certainly little difference in the macronutrients, which include protein, carbohydrates and fats – see more health benefits of canned fruit and vegetables here. Canned veg carries environmental benefits too, since metal cans can be recycled.
So, check what's in your storecupboard before you nip out for fresh ingredients, as you may already have enough to hand for a satisfying meal.
Discover more cheap ways to get your 5-a-day, as well as 20 ways with tinned tomatoes. We have plenty more canned food recipes and canned foods and recipe ideas.
For more thrifty suppers and cupboard-raiding meal ideas, check out our budget recipe collection.
This guide was brought to you by Cook Smart, a campaign designed by Good Food experts to help you save money and reduce food waste. Dive into more Cook Smart content in our budget hub.
How to use... canned mixed vegetables
1. Minestrone in minutes
Bulk up a warming bowl of minestrone with any canned veg you have on hand, making a hearty lunch or speedy supper. Feel free to customise by adding canned sweetcorn, lentils and beans, too.
More recipes using canned veg
One-pot chicken & rice
How to use... canned sweetcorn
2. Tuna pasta bake
This simple pasta bake is a storecupboard winner, using canned sweetcorn and tuna as well as dried pasta. Feel free to perk up with any leftover veg you have in the fridge.
More recipes using canned sweetcorn
Sweetcorn fritters
Charred corn & feta salad
Chilli corn & spring onion quesadilla
How to use... canned butter beans
3. Sausage & butter bean casserole
Throw a can of butter beans and baked beans into this simple sausage stew, spruced up with herbs and finished with a layer of breadcrumbs.
4. Butter bean chorizo stew
Throw this hearty, flavour-packed bean stew together in minutes with just four ingredients: chopped tomatoes, drained butter beans, pesto and cooking chorizo. This is a winning budget dinner with our community, with an overall 5-star rating from over 150 ratings.
5. Greek beans with seared lamb
Butter beans are lifted to new heights in this impressive lamb dish, making brilliant use of storecupboard favourites such as tomato purée, red wine vinegar and stock. Served with tender lamb fillet and crumbled feta cheese, this is a brilliant dish to add to your rotation.
More recipes using canned beans
Three-bean spring minestrone
How to use... canned carrots
6. Vegetable samosas
The clue is in the name... throw any veg, such as canned carrots, potatoes or peas, into the filling of these crispy vegan samosas. They make a tasty starter or side dish with your favourite curry, as well as great buffet food for your next party.
How to use... canned mushrooms
7. Mushroom & potato curry
Dish up a hearty bowl of comfort on a cold evening with this spicy vegetarian dish, ready in less than half an hour. Feel free to throw in a tin of chickpeas or peas too!
How to use... canned potatoes
8. Air-fryer roasted canned potaoes
Transform a can of peeled potatoes into these alternative roasties, made in half the usual time thanks to the trusty air-fryer. Though they're not the same as oven-cooked, they do turn golden and crisp.
How to use... canned peas
9. Chorizo & pea risotto
Using simple storecupboard ingredients, this speedy risotto makes an easy midweek meal, pepped up with crispy chorizo and grated parmesan.
Find more storecupboard recipes
Healthy storecupboard recipes
Vegetarian storecupboard recipes
Vegan storecupboard recipes
How to use... canned tomatoes
10. Double-bean & roasted pepper chilli
This warming vegetarian chilli is chockful of canned goodness, including chopped tomatoes, refried beans, kidney beans and black beans. It's a cupboard-raiding triumph!
This chilli boasts plenty of spice and is served with Tabasco sauce for an extra kick. It's one of our most popular vegetarian dishes, with a 5-star rating overall from over 300 ratings.
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More recipes using canned tomatoes
Red lentil, chickpea & chilli soup
Moroccan tomato & chickpea soup with couscous
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