10 Foods That Came in Cans and Shouldn’t Have
Some canned food ideas were so bad, they still haunt grocery store memories.
- Chris Graciano
- 2 min read
Canned foods were once hailed for their convenience, but not every idea deserved to be sealed and shelved. From bizarre meats to misguided desserts, some products pushed the limits of what people were willing to eat from a tin. Here are 10 infamous canned foods that probably should’ve stayed in the test kitchen.
1. Canned Cheeseburger
Arnold Gatilao on Flickr
This novelty item claimed to be a full burger in a can, including the bun. What came out was a soggy, sad mess that resembled neither fast food nor survival food.
2. Whole Chicken in a Can
chilie on Wikimedia Commons
Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like — an entire chicken soaked in gelatinous broth. The texture was closer to mush than meat, and the sight alone was stomach-turning.
3. Canned Bread (Brown Bread)
Mike McCune on Flickr
This dense, sticky loaf slid out of the can like a sponge. Originally from New England, it was meant to be a time-saver, but its appearance put most people off.
4. Canned Spaghetti Sandwiches
my_amii on Flickr
A short-lived attempt to combine carbs and convenience, this product was as strange as it sounds. The bread was always mushy, and the pasta tasted like leftover school lunch.
5. Canned Peanut Butter and Jelly
JefferyGoldman on Wikimedia Commons
Meant to be a grab-and-go treat, this combo in a can was a textural nightmare. The peanut butter was overly oily, and the jelly leaked into everything.
6. Canned Fish Balls
Krstnn Hrmnsn on Flickr
Popular in some regions, but off-putting to most due to smell and texture. These rubbery orbs often floated in a murky brine that didn’t help their case.
7. Canned Tacos
Chris Sobieniak on Flickr
An ambitious idea that failed hard, canned tacos turned into a pile of mush with no crunch or distinction. All the ingredients blended into one spicy blob.
8. Canned Mac and Cheese
John Kannenberg on Flickr
This comfort food staple turned into something eerie when canned. Instead of creamy, it was goopy, and the noodles were overcooked beyond recognition.
9. Canned Burgers and Gravy
Maurina Rara on Flickr
It was basically a patty soaking in salty sludge. It tasted more like canned dog food than any kind of burger. Few could get past the smell alone.
10. Canned Salad
Vladimir Gladkov on Pexels
Salads should be crisp and fresh — two words that don’t describe anything that comes out of a can. Limp lettuce, mushy beans, and watery dressing made this one a disaster. Eating it felt like punishment.