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Surprisingly good things in tins...

401 replies

BobbyBiscuits · 23/02/2025 00:14

Hey everyone,

Just thinking about how happy I was to discover tinned 'greek' gigantes beans.
They're delicious and go with loads of stuff, and don't need heating. From the corner shop too so v convenient.

I'd love to know anyone else's favourite foods in tins that require minimum prep. Preferably stuff that's a bit beyond baked beans, tuna, sweetcorn, soup... Ideally available in the UK!

Thank you and looking forward to some ideas x

OP posts:
Lurleene · 23/02/2025 00:19

Dolmades to go with your greek beans

RogueFemale · 23/02/2025 00:19

Anchovies. I have them with a salad nicoise or on the side with a pasta pesto.

Enough4me · 23/02/2025 00:20

Chickpeas (saves time soaking them)

Lentilweaver · 23/02/2025 00:22

Napolina five bean salad.

Tinned spinach may not be everyone's favourite, but I make a stirfry with cumin, red chillies, onions and garlic which DH loves.

sprigatito · 23/02/2025 00:22

Cherry pie filling. I have a dollop of it on Greek yoghurt and it's sublime.

MotherJessAndKittens · 23/02/2025 00:24

Pineapples for my sweet and sour. Watched a TV chef today using tinned tomato soup instead of actual tomatoes so may try that.

gollyimholly · 23/02/2025 00:24

sprigatito · 23/02/2025 00:22

Cherry pie filling. I have a dollop of it on Greek yoghurt and it's sublime.

Could I please ask what brand this is?
It sounds delicious!

allfurcoatnoknickers · 23/02/2025 00:27

Smoked trout/smoked salmon!

Justcallmebebes · 23/02/2025 00:32

Stuffed vine leaves and I'm pretty partial to tinned salmon, mackerel and tuna

OverpricedCupcake · 23/02/2025 00:34

Artichoke hearts.

sprigatito · 23/02/2025 00:34

@gollyimholly Princes! They do other flavours too. It's delicious and you don't need much to go with lovely full fat yoghurt.

StormingNorman · 23/02/2025 00:35

RogueFemale · 23/02/2025 00:19

Anchovies. I have them with a salad nicoise or on the side with a pasta pesto.

Good on a margherita oven pizza too!

Benshawsberries · 23/02/2025 00:35

Fray bentos pies 🥧 the pastry is lovely

StormingNorman · 23/02/2025 00:39

I used to buy tinned plums in massive green tins - haven’t seen them for years though.

Grapefruit segments

MaMisled · 23/02/2025 00:42

Stagg chilli is lovely!

PrimalScreaming · 23/02/2025 00:43

Water chestnuts and bamboo shoots... Great for am extra in a stir fry

whatthedickens5 · 23/02/2025 00:46

Smoked oysters/mussles, anchovies, French lentils, tinned greek olive oil and good Italian tomatoes.

Contraryjane · 23/02/2025 00:46

Tinned figs.

BobbyBiscuits · 23/02/2025 00:57

@Lentilweaver yeah, the Napolina bean salad is awesome! I like to add peppers and sweetcorn.
@whatthedickens5 smoked oysters!! I love those too. My auntie used to serve them as nibbles with champagne, picked with a toothpick!

OP posts:
mumofoneAlonebutokay · 23/02/2025 00:59

Fray bentos steak pie 🤭🤭

BobbyBiscuits · 23/02/2025 01:00

@Contraryjane I love prunes, got to try the figs!
@Benshawsberries fray bentos steak and kidney used to be my dad's favourite! I adored them, need to get one again after a long time! With lumpy mash or potato waffles 😀

Thanks everyone for the inspiration! X

OP posts:
BobbyBiscuits · 23/02/2025 01:02

@RogueFemale @StormingNorman anchovies are the shizzle. Yeah, great on pizza or mixed into tomato sauce. I've heard it's good as a marinade for roast lamb too but not tried that yet.

OP posts:
ClairDeLaLune · 23/02/2025 01:03

Marks and Spencer Chunky Chicken 😋

FFSJulie · 23/02/2025 01:03

Butter beans. Love them. have them in a salad,

Chick peas. Have started eating a lot more chickpeas in curries.

Peaches - make a very easy peach crumble. Also quite nice to have peaches and tinned pineapple crumble,

Mushrooms - was surprised at these but so far so good.

potatoes - air fryer recipes in sprites me, I always have these in stock now.

I remember in the 80s my Grandma used to buy thinned coleslaw. I think from Heinz. Anyone remember that?

WellsAndThistles · 23/02/2025 01:03

I don't really buy tins but occasionally indulge in:-

Tesco own brand tomato soup

Pineapple for when I make (homemade) pizza

Salmon but only the expensive de-boned stuff

Pears, not often but there is something unique about the texture.

Mandarin oranges, again something unique about them.

Chick peas

Tomatoes

Corned beef, pretty gross stuff if I think about it but it does make the best stovies.