Here’s everything you need to know about plant-based canned foods, including top tips to help you buy canned foods!

7 Canned and Jarred Foods a vegan should always have in your vegan food pantry…

There are so many canned and jarred vegan foods that we all know and love. Here are 7 of our favourite essentials… 

  • Chopped Tomatoes: an everyday essential for whipping up tomato-based sauces and curries. These Biona Organic Chopped Tomatoes are a classic example of a staple organic canned food. 
  • Beans: from black beans to edamame, these healthy pulses are always ready to bulk out your favourite chilis and stews. Try the Amaizin Kidney Beans in Chilli Sauce for an added fiery twist. 
  • Coconut Milk: there is nothing like a glug of coconut milk to level up a delicious curry or mix together a vegan pina colada! The Puro Organic Coconut Milk is a perfect pick for your plant-based canned food needs! 
  • Chickpeas: a middle eastern favourite that is perfect for adding into tagines or blending up into some homemade hummus. The Biona Organic Chickpeas are a simple organic canned food staple. 
  • Jackfruit: a vegan hero that is the secret to delicious tacos, kebabs and wraps. Try the Nature’s Charm Young Green Jackfruit and see for yourself the excitement the world of vegan canned foods has to offer!
  • Pesto: a must-have go-to for whipping up a yummy pasta dish in a matter of minutes - we recommend the Le Conserve Della Nonna Green Pesto for hearty Italian flavours in a jar. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can vegans eat canned and jarred foods?

Our favourite thing about canned and jarred foods? The vast majority of them are vegan. Yes that’s right, while obviously canned and jarred meats or dairy products are not vegan, a lot of the canned and jarred items we all use every day, like tinned tomatoes, beans, and fruit and vegetables are all completely vegan and vegans can eat almost all of them. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check the label before you buy and use your common sense. While tinned beans will always be vegan, other items such as pesto may contain non-vegan ingredients. So, if an item isn’t clearly vegan before you buy it, check the small print to make sure before you buy it! 

How long does vegan canned and jarred food last?

Vegan canned and jarred food can last from around 1 to 5 years. This time will vary from product to product, so you should always check the expiration date when you buy each vegan canned food item. It’s also always a good idea to go through your vegan food pantry every few months to make sure an old plant-based can or jar hasn’t got lost at the back! 

Once opened, canned foods will have to be consumed more quickly, so make sure you pay attention to both expiration dates on your food items. 

However, in general, these long expiration dates are really convenient, as they allow you to stock up on all of your favourite vegan canned meal items and use them whenever you want, without time pressure. 

How should I store canned foods?

Vegan canned and jarred food should be stored in a clean and dry place that is cool and dark. Basically, any normal kitchen cupboard will do!

Once you open your vegan canned foods, they should be kept in the fridge. A jarred product can be left in the jar, but make sure you decant what’s left in an opened can into a different container - this will ensure that it stays as fresh and tasty as possible for the longest. 

Is canned food nutritious?

Plant-based canned and jarred foods are often considered less nutritious than fresher alternatives, however, this is not always the case. In fact, some studies suggest canning foods actually preserves the nutrients within them. 

To see how nutritious your vegan canned foods are, the best thing to do is check the labels and avoid items that have any nasty ingredients added in. For example, some jarred tomato sauces contain lots of additives, but our Biona Organic Passata is made entirely from organic sieved tomatoes - nothing to sniff at there! 

Additionally, organic canned foods also make nutritious items like pulses easily accessible and convenient to add to your diet. Beans and chickpeas are essential sources of protein for vegans, and their canned form means they are super easy to add to your everyday meals. That’s why we LOVE plant-based canned foods! 

So, what are you waiting for? Buy canned foods now! 

Do vegan canned foods contain preservatives?

While people may assume that because canned foods last such a long time they must contain preservatives, actually this is often not the case. In fact, most commonly, the act of canning alone works to keep foods and meals preserved, without needing to add anything extra. This means that vegan canned foods actually rarely contain preservatives and gives us one more reason to keep stocking up our cupboards with them!