Canned meat is a great food storage item. Roast beef, corned beef hash, Vienna sausages, Spam and canned chicken are readily available. We’ve been spoiled by fresh meat from the grocery store, but all it takes is one trucker strike, or a power outage to limit your use of fresh meat. Here are some benefits and ideas about stocking canned meat in your food storage:
- It’s quick and easy to use.
- A 12 oz can of roast beef can be used in place of ground beef in many recipes. Even though the size is smaller, you don’t have to use 1 lb. of meat in recipes. “Serve it hot over rice or noodles, or drain the gravy and shred the beef for awesome tacos, burritos, or BBQ.” Hereford.com
- A 12 oz can of chicken may be used in enchiladas, salads, and chicken sandwiches.
- It’s a great backup for a last minute meal.
- It has a 2-year shelf life. There are some more expensive canned meats available with longer shelf life, but they are very costly.
- Even though it is more expensive, periodically use it in recipes in place of fresh meat to rotate it.
- Using what you store will help your family become accustomed to eating it.
- You can also can your own meat in jars if you have a meat pressure canner.
- Super Walmart sells canned roast beef for $3.25. Amazon.com sells Hormel for $3.50 per can, and Libby for $3.22 (I have never tried Libby), and you can get free shipping if you spend more than $25.00. Most other grocery stores sell roast beef for $4.50 per can.
- Costco and Sam’s Club sell canned chicken, as well as other canned meats.
- Check out the links to canned meat recipe websites.