The Best Canned Kidney Beans Outshine Popular Name Brands

Canned beans are as convenient as they are delicious, and you can find them in many different varieties. And you'll see kidney beans offered by most brands. To that end, we tasted and ranked 10 canned kidney bean brands according to flavor, specifically earthiness and saltiness, as well as texture. And while you might think popular name brands would be at the top of our list, the best canned kidney beans we tried were from none other than Signature Select, a grocery store brand by Albertsons Companies, such as Albertsons and Safeway.

Signature Select dark red kidney beans beat out famous brands, from Goya to Progresso. True to their name, these beans had a vibrant deep red hue that almost looked shiny straight out of the can. An impressive visual appeal translated to an equally delicious flavor and texture. These beans felt very fresh, boasting a robust earthiness complemented and enhanced by a generous amount of salt. But what we loved most about these beans was their ultra-firm texture. They had a substantial bite while still managing to have a creamy, starchy interior characteristic of most bean varieties. Because they hold their structural integrity so well, they'll work well in a more diverse array of dishes rather than ultra-soft or mushy beans that we tend to relegate to soups and stews. To top it all off, because Signature Select is a store-brand, it's very budget-friendly, so you're also looking at it being a good value for your money.

Out of over 200 reviews from Safeway customers, Signature Select dark red kidney beans received an impressively high star rating. Customers were especially complimentary of the quality of the product, proclaiming that a can of Signature Select's dark red kidney beans is "as good as name brand if not better" and, more importantly, cheaper. Customers love the taste of the beans and think they need no further embellishment. To that effect, one customer wrote, "I enjoy them a lot, straight from the can. I do not heat or cook them." 

Their texture was another source of compliments, with customers enjoying their firmness. Still, one negative review thought the beans had a grainy texture, although the same review loved how packed they were with beans compared to other brands that use too much canning liquid. A common theme with the kidney beans was their versatility, with many customers sharing their favorite recipes.

Kidney beans are the perfect type of bean to add to your next chili recipe, whether it's this smoky turkey chili or a vegan three-bean chili. Since they're already cooked, you can simply drain them and use them as a salad topper for a boost of protein. Kidney beans are a great plant-based swap for a no-chicken salad, for example. It's also easy to swap kidney beans in for other beans in many bean-based recipes.