Canned Corned Beef Brands Ranked From Worst To Best
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Whether you eat it every day for breakfast or only once a year on St. Patrick's Day, no one should feel ashamed for loving canned corned beef. Sure, it may not look appetizing, but this stuff can be undeniably tasty. It gained popularity as a kosher substitute for Spam to conveniently and efficiently feed hungry soldiers. Even the most hoity-toity food snob has to admit that canned corned beef can be yummy.
These days, you can find this canned meat in every region of the United States in virtually every grocery store. Moreover, it has also become a beloved food in a multitude of countries, ranging from Jamaica to the Philippines.
Unfortunately, not all canned corned beef brands are equally scrumptious. Some brands are so off-putting that you wouldn't wish their flavor on your worst enemy. Alternatively, other brands are so reliable and delicious that you won't think twice about recommending them to friends and family. While we haven't included every brand of canned corned beef, we've made sure to include all of the most popular brands in this ranking.
Armour
If you want tasty Vienna sausages, go with Armour — its little sausages pack a big punch of flavor. If you're in the market for canned corned beef, however, stay far, far away from this brand.
Armour Corned Beef is unbelievably gross. First of all, the texture is all wrong. It's so fatty and jello-like that it doesn't even look like it's meant for human consumption. It appears to be some kind of congealed goop that is fed to livestock to cut down on costs. Secondly, if you dare take a bite of this canned meat, you'll find that it manages to lack any savory goodness that is present in most brands of canned corned beef on this list.
If you're forced to buy corned beef made by this brand, go with Armour Corned Beef Hash. By adding potatoes to the mix, the texture is better and the taste is a tad bit improved. That said, it's still a bottom-tier option when compared to other brands of corned beef hash.
Ox & Palm
Although it sounds finger-licking good in theory, Ox & Palm Corned Beef is a major disappointment in real life. This stuff is made from first-rate Australian beef that has been grass-fed and is free of antibiotics and hormones. When you see its elevated price tag, you may justify it by thinking you're getting a high-quality product. Sadly, that's just not the case.
The primary issue with the Ox & Palm brand is inconsistency. From can to can, you never know what to expect. Even if you get lucky and get one of the better cans, you'll still be massively underwhelmed — especially when factoring in the price you paid. Like the corned beef made by Armour, Ox & Palm is way too fatty. The taste is better than what you'd get from Armour, but it's still nothing to write home about. To make matters worse, Ox & Palm recently had to recall nearly 300,000 pounds of canned corned beef. Skip the gamble and pick a brand that is higher in this ranking.
Chef-mate
When it comes to canned corned beef brands, you can make the case that Chef-mate is the biggest name of the bunch. That's because this brand is owned by Nestle, the Swiss conglomerate that is worth more than $300 billion. Despite the pedigree of its ubiquitous parent company, Chef-mate Corned Beef Hash is so boring that you'll yawn after you experience your first mouthful.
Although the ingredients list insists that each can has corned beef, potatoes, and onions in it, this dull canned meat tastes like it's purposefully made to be as flavorless as possible. The only flavor your taste buds will be able to perceive is a dash of saltiness — and that's about the extent of it. To make you further regret your purchase, Chef-mate Corned Beef Hash is also extremely greasy. No matter how you prepare it, you'll be met with a deluge of flavorless grease. Be kind to yourself and just say no to this brand.
Underwood
Be sure you know what you're getting before you purchase a can of Underwood Corned Beef Spread. As the name implies, this canned meat is a spread — not just regular corned beef. The difference is more drastic than you may be anticipating. This Underwood product has the consistency of toothpaste, and it has a saltier, stronger flavor than regular canned corned beef.
The best way to eat Underwood Corned Beef Spread is to put a little bit of it on a cracker. Don't put too much or your senses will be overwhelmed. A little dollop on a cracker is all you'll need to get a major corned beef-powered rush. If you make the mistake of using a heap of this spread to make a sandwich, you'll likely be grossed out and wonder why this brand isn't at the bottom of this ranking. If you use the spread correctly, you won't be thrilled, but you can avoid ruining your meal.
Iberia
Iberia is a brand that has been around since 1930 and can be found in Spain, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States. In addition to corned beef, its canned meats selection includes Vienna sausages, cooked ham, and a Spam-like offering. All of its canned meats will leave a smile on your face when it comes to how each product tastes. Unfortunately, it's the texture of its canned corned beef that stops it from climbing higher on this list.
The best corned beef is moist when you take it out of the can. Iberia Canned Corned Beef, regrettably, is too dry and crumbly. It easily breaks into tiny pieces and it's not easy to put it back together again. Another issue is the greasy taste of the corned beef. Like the aforementioned Chef-mate Corned Beef Hash, the greasy flavor of this product will have you thinking twice before buying this brand again.
Excelsior
If you pick this brand, prior to breaking out your can opener, make sure that your kitchen is well ventilated. That's because Excelsior Corned Beef has a really strong smell — sadly, it's not a pleasant aroma. Instead, this canned corned beef smells like canned dog food that expired many moons ago. Taking a whiff of this stuff right after the can is opened isn't a fun experience, to say the least.
The good news is Excelsior Corned Beef actually tastes a lot better than it smells. If you can power through the distressing initial aroma, your taste buds will find that this corned beef is rather yummy. As an added bonus, there's also nothing to complain about when it comes to the texture. That said, despite the positives, the smell is all you'll remember about this brand. Don't settle for something that will stink up your kitchen. Instead, select a brand that both smells good and tastes good.
Great Value
The first brand on this list that you won't regret picking is Great Value. While not everything this Walmart store brand makes is worthy of your hard-earned dollars, Great Value Corned Beef is just good enough to serve its purpose — especially when you factor in the low price you paid when you bought it. It's far from elite, mind you, but this canned corned beef will do if your funds are low and you need something acceptable.
Texture-wise, this Great Value brand is close to perfect. This canned corned beef holds its form, whether you want to eat it hot or cold. Flavor-wise, the picture isn't quite as rosy. The main problem is a subtle yet unmistakable metallic taste. When the meat first enters your mouth, the metallic flavor will instantly hit you. Once the aftertaste kicks in, the metallic flavor reemerges. It's not bad enough that you'll want to spit it out, but it's annoying enough that you'll know that this isn't the best of the best.
Goya
Canned corned beef is popular in the Caribbean, and considering that Goya is known for selling hundreds of Caribbean food items, it's not shocking to learn that Goya Corned Beef exists. How does it stack up? It's definitely above average, but only if you warm it up first.
The best canned corned beef tastes great, regardless of whether you eat it hot or cold. This Goya product, on the other hand, just isn't something you want to eat cold. The texture is too rubbery, and the flavor is muted right out of the can. Once you take the time to heat it up, the texture drastically improves and the realistic beef-like flavor emerges.
If you always heat your canned corned beef before eating it, go ahead and pick up a can of Goya with confidence. Otherwise, keep reading this ranking to find a brand that is tasty no matter the temperature.
Hormel
More than 80 years ago, Hormel introduced Spam to the world. Even if you think Spam is disgusting, you should really give Hormel Corned Beef Hash a try. It's bursting with flavors and it's surprisingly hearty. If you eat it for breakfast, you can be sure that you'll start your day on the right foot. While it's not quite the best corned beef hash you can find at your local supermarket, it definitely finishes a respectable second or third in that race. There are good reasons why this is one of America's top-selling corned beef hash.
However, when you go shopping for this brand, you need to be on your toes. If you accidentally purchase Hormel Corned Beef instead, you will be mighty disappointed. This stuff isn't even comparable to the brand's hash. The texture is too mushy and the flavor is too nondescript. You'll taste a little bit of salt, but that's about the extent of it.
Grace
You can think of Grace Corned Beef as being the opposite of Goya Corned Beef. Whereas Goya's product needs to be served warm, Grace's product is much better when it's cold. Open the can, cut off a slice, and put that slice of corned beef directly on your sandwich. That's all you need to do to make a wonderful meal. Even if your sandwich is just comprised of bread and corned beef, that's still enough to achieve culinary success. If you warm it up, this canned meat won't be as good, but it won't be ruined — it's still easily above average.
Grace was founded in Jamaica a century ago. Today, the company and its subsidiaries operate across the Caribbean, U.K., and Central and North America. This brand of canned corned beef is one of the most popular brands on the island, and you'll understand why after the first bite of your corned beef sandwich.
Argentina
You may need to grab a map to understand Argentina Corned Beef. Despite what you might assume, Argentina is just the brand name — the South American country has nothing to do with this canned meat. In fact, the Argentina brand is owned by Century Pacific Food, a company headquartered in the Philippines. Interestingly, Argentina Corned Beef is made in the United States, which is actually rare to see in this industry. Brazil, Argentina's neighbor in South America, is the leading manufacturer of canned corned beef.
Once you forget about the geography and let your taste buds take center stage, you'll realize that this corned beef is really, really good. Look for the shredded version if you want a unique treat. Compared to other brands, this shredded corned beef is firmer and less fatty. To enhance the flavor, it comes in a delectable sauce that adds an extra savory dose of meatiness.
Exeter
If you're looking for canned corned beef that tastes like it's homemade, look for Exeter. This brand of corned beef comes in a slick, retro can, and it tastes like the stuff your grandmother used to make. The flavor is a beautiful marriage of beef and salt with nothing else interrupting the proceedings. It even manages to taste like it's fresh beef instead of something that you've taken out of a can. That's notable because a lot of the competition on the market tastes extremely processed.
Exeter's corned beef can looks like something that you would find in the back of your grandmother's cupboard, or like a piece in an antique collection. Just make sure that the can says that it is a product of Brazil. If the can says that it was made in Argentina, it's a counterfeit, meaning it's not the real deal and you should eat it at your own risk.
Brookdale
If you want the top store brand of canned corned beef, go directly to Aldi. That's where you will find Brookdale Corned Beef Hash and Brookdale Corned Beef. This Aldi store brand is cheap in price and rich in flavor. The hash may be a little bit better, but neither one will let you down.
If you go with the Brookdale Corned Beef Hash, you owe it to yourself to eat it with eggs. Fry a couple of eggs sunny side up, and then allow the yolk and the hash to mingle. The resulting combination will be so spectacular that you will reminisce about it for the rest of the day.
Aldi has a lot of cans on its shelves, and there are a lot of outstanding values to be found. Before you head to one of its stores, however, be sure to add this corned beef to your shopping list — it's without question one of its best canned foods.
Jamaican Country Style
If you've ever enjoyed a delicious Jamaican meal that prominently features corned beef and you want to try to replicate the recipe in your own kitchen, go with the Jamaican Country Style brand of canned corned beef. This stuff is amazingly rich and has a surprisingly complex flavor profile. The corned beef is salty once it hits your tongue, but moments later, you're met with a flood of savoriness. Before you swallow, you'll be able to detect a pleasing hint of sweetness.
In Jamaica, if a local tells you to try bully beef, this is the stuff they want you to try. While there are other options on the market, this brand does it best.
Jamaican Country Style has been around for almost 4 decades and is completely owned and operated by Jamaicans. Its canned corn beef is produced in Uruguay, a small nation in South America that's wedged between Brazil and Argentina.
Hereford
When it comes to the best canned corned beef brand in the world, Hereford is this close to taking the top spot. Even though it doesn't rank number one on this list, it's definitely worth trying at least once in your life. It tastes different than every other brand and the quality is pristine. Hereford Corned Beef is free of added hormones and contains no MSG or gluten. While lesser brands are known to use fillers, this canned meat is 98% beef. Hereford is a French company that's primarily known for its corned beef and it's used the same exact recipe for decades.
Once you taste Hereford Corned Beef, you may struggle to justify ever switching to another brand. The flavor of its beef is top-notch. Comparing other brands to this one would be like comparing a steak you'd get at a dirty diner to a steak you'd get at a fancy steakhouse — it's not even a fair contest.
Libby's
It's impossible to go wrong when it comes to canned corned beef made by Libby's. First of all, it's widely available throughout the United States, so it's easy to track down. Secondly, whether you prefer corned beef or corned beef hash, Libby's has you covered. Both of its products are equally as excellent. Third of all, this canned meat tastes great if it's hot, cold, or any temperature in between. If a recipe calls for canned corned beef, Libby's is more than capable of doing a fantastic job.
Why is Libby's the king of the corned beef universe? Experience obviously plays a major role in the success of this brand. Since the very beginning back in 1869, the company has focused on canned corned beef. More than 150 years later, it's safe to say Libby's has mastered the art of this canned meat. Other brands may be closing in but this brand still reigns supreme.