15 Canned Food Combinations For Simple Side Dishes

Sometimes, after hours of grocery shopping, measuring, pre-heating, braising, and browning you're just sick and tired of cooking. That main dish can really take it out of you, and by the time is all cooked up, you don't have an ounce of energy left for side dishes. Unfortunately, nobody would find a meal complete without at least some anterior ingredients, so you may have to whip up something else besides just that hunk of steak, marinated tofu, or grilled shrimp. Instead of starting from scratch for those sides as well, consider using canned food combinations for simple side dishes to make your life just a little bit easier, without having to compromise on flavor.

In addition, using canned foods can be incredibly cost-effective, and you'll likely end up with less waste. Target some of the consistently least expensive canned foods to buy, forget about husking and peeling, and let your can opener do the bulk of the work. Sometimes all it takes is pairing two canned foods together to create something great, and sometimes it just needs a little heat or spice to get it to where it needs to be.

Although you may see sauerkraut as a dedicated topping for sandwiches, hot dogs, or bratwurst, it often goes overlooked as its own side dish. However, fermented cabbage is incredibly flavorful and can be used as a sort of palate cleanser for robust and fatty meats. For those who enjoy pickled foods, tangy flavors, and vinegar, then sauerkraut was invented for you. Depending on the manufacturer, or if you make it yourself, sauerkraut can be extremely acidic and tangy, or milder in flavor. However, there is one thing for sure, you should start eating more sauerkraut because it's incredible for your gut.

It classically pairs well with meat, especially sausages, so it's no surprise that it complements the flavors and textures of Vienna sausage. These Frankfurt sausages were allegedly created in Vienna, adopting its name, just like so many sausages that are named after European cities. Vienna canned sausages are thin, small, and parboiled. Often made from pork and beef, they are described as being similar to hot dogs. Couple the two canned foods by heating the sauerkraut, and pan-frying sliced Vienna sausages to be served on top of the pile of fermented cabbage. This makes an incredible side dish for any German meal.

Although carrots are often thought of as a savory food, this root vegetable is loaded with sugar and pairs well with meats and vegetables, as well as fruits. There's a reason we love a roasted carrot side dish, and that's because root vegetables are quite complimentary to a variety of main courses. And although they are often doused with butter and seasonings, we think that it's never a bad idea to lean into their sweet flavors with complementary fruit.

Consider roasting canned carrots in the oven with mandarin oranges. Use just a few oranges, along with their juice to create a syrupy sweet glaze. Include butter, salt, and pepper, and roast the carrots at a very high temperature in order to crisp them up without drying them out. Butter is a go-to easy way to improve the flavor of canned carrots, but you can also opt for a vegan version and use olive oil.

White beans, and cannellini beans, in particular, are an essential ingredient for Italian cooking. So if you've been slaving away in the kitchen to make an irresistible Italian entree and aren't sure what to serve with it, think beans. They are mild enough to not overpower your entrée, but flavorful enough to hold their own up against anything from seafood to gamey red meat. Pair your cannellini beans with diced tomatoes, or canned tomato sauce, and let the two ingredients simmer until the liquid reduces. This will allow the sugars to come out in the tomatoes, and for the beans to absorb some of the umami flavor.

Instead of dicing your own whole tomatoes, follow a major tip you need when cooking with canned tomatoes and go pre-diced. These little chunks will keep their shape even after simmering, which can add a nice texture. Set and forget while you focus on your main entree, or add olive oil, herbs, and garlic to enhance the overall flavor of the Italian side dish. Once the tomatoes cook down and become nice and thick, you can spoon the beans right alongside your main dish without creating a liquidy mess. Take your time, and let your burner do the majority of the work.

Although much of the time it's important to let the main course shine while the side dishes take a back seat, this is not always the case. Sometimes a bold side dish is just what the doctor ordered, and if you're all about flavor then you should consider using clams in your side dish. These little seafood nuggets are quite chewy and have a salty, briny flavor. They are tender, yet rubbery in a pleasing way. Like most ocean cuisine, they aren't overbearing in flavor, but are instead distinctive. They pair beautifully with butter, lemon juice, and tomato sauce.

Use a light amount of canned tomato sauce in combination with canned clams to create the perfect side dish. Canned clams are one of the most underrated canned goods that you should try because they can be used in numerous capacities and applications, and pair well with a range of flavors. Clams in tomato broth are a classic, so feel free to simmer your clams in the tomato sauce, with a splash of canned seafood broth to thin the sauce and enhance the flavor. You can even use the juice from the canned clams themselves.

A classic around the holidays is peas and pear onions, and although your family likely has a special way they typically prepare the dish, we have an easy shortcut that is worth considering. Simply strain and combined canned peas and pear onions, add a little butter, and heat. If you're used to a creamier dish, add a little heavy cream. Sometimes salt, pepper, or thyme can help take it up to the next level, but after the two canned veggies are combined, it's all about personal preference.

Pearl onions are one of the most popular types of onions, but you typically only find them in canned goods or frozen produce aisles unless the holidays are near. But why should they make an appearance only once a year? This side dish is extremely easy to throw together but has the appearance of a holiday specialty. Use that in your favor, and enjoy them all year round.

Ah, Spam in a can. This specially produced American meat may raise a lot of questions about what it actually is, but overall we can agree that it's quite delicious. For those who have never indulged in the delicacy, it has a similar texture to ham or bologna and is both salty and slightly spicy. It comes in a can and is often cubed and pan-fried. It can even be sliced and enjoyed on a sandwich. Consider mixing it into your breakfast potato hash to serve alongside eggs, waffles, and buttered toast, which is perhaps one of the absolute best ways to use Spam.

Dice up some canned potatoes, Spam, and any vegetable you deem worthy of a good hash. Consider onions, garlic, and green peppers, although potatoes and spam will do just fine on their own. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and paprika, and don't forget to keep everything browning and crisping up in a good amount of olive oil or butter. This can make a quick and easy go-to side dish for your next brunch, with little effort and lots of flavor.

There's no getting around it, fresh produce just tastes better. However, there are plenty of preparation methods that can help you to revive and flavor canned foods so that they don't have that distinct canned food taste. Especially when it comes to vegetables, they often need a little boost in the flavor department if their preparation method only uses a can opener. Try the ingredient addition for canned green beans that makes them taste homemade: broth.

Broth is a great way to make any vegetable sing. Simply grab a can of chicken, beef, or vegetable broth to reheat your canned vegetables in. Green beans, in particular, taste incredible when cooked in broth, and it can even help them to taste more expensive. Just be sure not to overcook the vegetables, because canned produce tends to be quite soft to begin with. Use a little fat like olive oil or butter, and dried herbs to help enhance the mouthfeel, and enjoy this uber-simple side dish, loaded with flavor and all of the benefits that vegetables have to offer.