How To Have Christmas Entirely By Can
New Africa/Shutterstock By Adam Swierk/Dec. 3, 2022 4:30 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Christmas time is here again, but you already knew that, didn’t you? Of course you did. Even The Beatles knew when the holiday season had arrived (mainly because it hadn’t “been ‘round” since the year before). In fact, we’d bet good money that once Thanksgiving has officially passed, there’s nary a soul unaware that Christmas time is upon us. If we’re sounding a bit, well, bah humbug about the whole endeavor, it’s not intentional. At least, not entirely. After all, we’re fairly loath to complain about the most wonderful time of the year. Yet given the stress of the season, our inner Scrooge can’t help but creep to the surface on occasion — and we know we’re not alone.
Frankly, the pressure to deliver an absolutely perfect Christmas is enough to dampen anyone’s yuletide exuberance, so it’s worth considering anything that might simplify your holiday preparations — like assembling your entire Christmas menu with canned food items. And since having your Thanksgiving entirely by can is eminently doable, well, there’s no reason the canned-good-exclusive route can’t be achieved for Christmas, too. While a number of our canned turkey day recommendations are easily applicable to Christmas meals, we weren’t interested in simply rehashing what we’ve already written. With that in mind, we’ve compiled an entirely new set of holiday food items to consider for your December-based celebrations. Without further ado, here’s our guide on how to have Christmas entirely by can.
Roasted potatoes
Walmart
We’re not oblivious to the fact that mashed potatoes may be a bigger draw for Christmas diners than its roasted derivative. Frankly, our readers flat-out told us as much, ranking mashed potatoes above all other traditional Christmas side dishes in a 2021 survey. But seeing as we already included mashed potatoes on our Thanksgiving-by-can menu, we’ll go with the far healthier — but no less decadent — option in roasted potatoes.
Actually, cooking roasted potatoes with canned products may be even easier to execute than mashed potatoes. Walmart sells pre-cooked, pre-diced potatoes, after all, which eliminates the need to peel or chop your potatoes and reduces the overall cooking time. Since a number of canned olive oil containers are available, as well — including one from Filippo Berio (available at Walmart) — you’ll be able to toss and coat your potatoes in the necessary oil before they enter the oven. Of course, many canned vegetables are notoriously high in sodium (via South Florida Sun Sentinel). In other words, unless you’re purchasing a no-salt-added variety of canned potatoes — or willing to rinse the potatoes beforehand — you’ll want to be cautious about any additional salt you might add.
Roasted sweet potatoes and carrots
Princella
We didn’t intend to create a roasted food theme when compiling this list of Christmas-by-can dinner choices. But seeing as our Christmas table already features roast beef and roasted (non-sweet) potatoes, we might as well keep that party going. And since sweet potatoes are a must-have for the holiday, we’re turning to a canned variety to create a roasted dish — while adding some baby carrots to diversify the menu.
The combination of carrots and sweet potatoes is a match made in heaven, particularly when the pair is roasted together. After all, the two share a similar flavor profile, according to American Sweet Potato, and the two vegetables’ comparable texture ensures they cook fairly evenly. Since the basic components for oven roasted sweet potatoes include potatoes, sugar, and olive oil, a can of cut sweet potatoes in syrup by Princella (sold by Walmart) gives you the first two ingredients in one. Add some baby carrots from Le Sueur (also sold by Walmart) to the sweet potatoes, toss the duo in some Filippo Berio canned olive oil (again, from Walmart), and your roasted sweet potato and carrot medley will dazzle any holiday diners — with no one the wiser of its canned origins.
Biscuits
Pillsbury
A bread component is absolutely essential to a fancy meal, particularly during the holidays. Of course, while any number of folks may be partial to straightforward dinner rolls at their Christmas table, we can only work with what’s available — you know, can-wise. As a result, for our Christmas dinner made entirely by can, we decided to go with one of our favorite indulgent canned baked goods from Pillsbury: biscuits.
Actually, the inclusion of Pillsbury’s biscuits provides a fair amount of choices for your holiday meal. For instance, if you’re partial to sweet Hawaiian rolls, Pillsbury sells a biscuit version in its Grands! line. Prefer a pre-sweetened dough? Go ahead and grab yourself a can of Pillsbury’s honey butter biscuits — or follow your sweet tooth all the way, and go with a frosted, chocolate chip-flavored biscuit can. Whatever your bread preference, you’ll be able to scratch that itch with one of Pillsbury’s canned biscuit varieties. Frankly, there’s a good chance biscuits will be featured at our Christmas dinner this year – even without a canned food requirement.
Fruitcake in a tin can
Beatrice Bakery Co.
We have to admit: We’re not sure we’ve ever encountered a single person who genuinely enjoys fruitcake. Now, it’s clearly an indisputably important component of the holiday season, and one of the most famous desserts connected to Christmas time — but it’s also somewhat of a laughingstock at the holiday dessert table. Of course, maybe the real issue is just the lack of a quality product — which means enjoying Christmas by can may give you the best fruitcake you’ve ever tasted.
Actually, this may be the only way we’d consider consuming an actual fruitcake at Christmas. We wouldn’t have to ponder any mysterious ingredients with the two-pound fruitcake in a tin can sold by Beatrice Bakery Co., for starters. More than that, though, is the fact that we’d be supporting a small business during the holidays — which only helps make our season bright. We’re sure we could have concocted a recipe of sorts with canned items, and guided you through the baking process of your own Christmas fruitcake. But why bother? Take the easy way out with your fruitcake this Christmas, and purchase a canned cake instead.
Popcorn tin (with three flavors)
Pops Corn
Few corporate executives could match the sophisticated taste of Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) on “30 Rock.” We’re not saying we’d make any major life decisions based on the character, of course, but we can certainly find some guidance on occasion. And the immense joy Jack derived from receiving a popcorn tin Christmas present during the Season 2 episode “Ludachristmas” — one that featured “all his favorite” flavors – convinced us it belongs on our list of Christmas treats that are prepared entirely by canned foods.
Beyond the delicious clash of cheese, butter, and caramel flavored popcorns in a singular container, the bevy of available popcorn tin options makes it a fantastic Christmas-by-can dessert. At least nine different small businesses across the U.S. were selling gourmet popcorn tins for the holidays as of 2020, according to Thrillist, although a cheaper version is available at Walmart for the financially frugal. While there’s no wrong choice when it comes to a gourmet popcorn tin, we’d likely opt for the nation’s (self-proclaimed) No. 1 gourmet popcorn delivery company in Pops Corn. The company has more than 15 different Christmas and holiday-themed popcorn tins for sale as of December 2022, featuring numerous designs and sizes. In other words, there’s a popcorn tin that best fits your needs — while always tasting great.
Green bean casserole seltzer
Adam Swierk/Mashed
As you may recall, we didn’t include green bean casserole as a potential side, but that doesn’t mean the dish should be completely absent from your December-focused meals. Rather than include the food itself, though, we’re going with the simplest canned version available in the green bean casserole seltzer from Aura Bora.
Now, the more nitpicky readers out there may wonder why we’d include this green bean casserole seltzer in our guide for having Christmas entirely by can. After all, in our review of the product, we weren’t exactly raving about its taste or quality. But what can we say? Time has a way of shifting perspective. And since our main quibble with Aura Bora’s seltzer was its lack of truly indulgent flavors, we think it’s a perfect fit here as a light, non-alcoholic canned beverage. Frankly, while we could understand someone calling us hypocritical for this inclusion, we’d have to disagree with that characterization. Christmas is about sharing experiences with your loved ones — and if nothing else, sipping a green bean casserole seltzer is a trip. Maybe it wouldn’t be our favorite item at a Christmas meal by way of canned goods, but it’s still worth a spot on our list.
How To Have Christmas Entirely By Can
New Africa/Shutterstock
By Adam Swierk/Dec. 3, 2022 4:30 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Christmas time is here again, but you already knew that, didn’t you? Of course you did. Even The Beatles knew when the holiday season had arrived (mainly because it hadn’t “been ‘round” since the year before). In fact, we’d bet good money that once Thanksgiving has officially passed, there’s nary a soul unaware that Christmas time is upon us. If we’re sounding a bit, well, bah humbug about the whole endeavor, it’s not intentional. At least, not entirely. After all, we’re fairly loath to complain about the most wonderful time of the year. Yet given the stress of the season, our inner Scrooge can’t help but creep to the surface on occasion — and we know we’re not alone.
Frankly, the pressure to deliver an absolutely perfect Christmas is enough to dampen anyone’s yuletide exuberance, so it’s worth considering anything that might simplify your holiday preparations — like assembling your entire Christmas menu with canned food items. And since having your Thanksgiving entirely by can is eminently doable, well, there’s no reason the canned-good-exclusive route can’t be achieved for Christmas, too. While a number of our canned turkey day recommendations are easily applicable to Christmas meals, we weren’t interested in simply rehashing what we’ve already written. With that in mind, we’ve compiled an entirely new set of holiday food items to consider for your December-based celebrations. Without further ado, here’s our guide on how to have Christmas entirely by can.
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
Frankly, the pressure to deliver an absolutely perfect Christmas is enough to dampen anyone’s yuletide exuberance, so it’s worth considering anything that might simplify your holiday preparations — like assembling your entire Christmas menu with canned food items. And since having your Thanksgiving entirely by can is eminently doable, well, there’s no reason the canned-good-exclusive route can’t be achieved for Christmas, too.
While a number of our canned turkey day recommendations are easily applicable to Christmas meals, we weren’t interested in simply rehashing what we’ve already written. With that in mind, we’ve compiled an entirely new set of holiday food items to consider for your December-based celebrations. Without further ado, here’s our guide on how to have Christmas entirely by can.
Mini crescent dogs (with Vienna sausages)
Libby’s
For one thing, miniature crescent dogs translate to a group snack setting better than most other foods. Additionally, Vienna sausages’ flavor profile is immensely similar to hot dogs, meaning this simple swap ensures you’ve got a delightful Christmas app without violating our canned goods restriction.
As for the crescent component of this dish, there’s likely any number of off-brand varieties at most supermarkets. But for our money, you can’t beat the classic can from Pillsbury – and since it’s Christmas, you might as well splurge on the name brand.
Pickled herring with crackers
MW Polar
As Kim Wall, the owner of Ma Baensch Herring in Wisconsin, told WISN in 2019, pickled herring is a popular holiday dish in the Badger state with immigrants from Germany, Netherlands, and Scandinavia. While pickled herring can be eaten as is, the preserved fish product seems to be best enjoyed when paired with crackers.
Luckily, the canned item requirement doesn’t remove all cracker options from the table. In fact, Keebler sells canisters of soda crackers (available at Target), allowing you to maintain the can theme while snacking the night before Christmas.
Baked stuffed shrimp casserole
Bumble Bee Seafoods
While the medium shrimp from Bumble Bee (sold by Walmart) may not be as large as you’d ideally want for baked stuffed shrimp, it’ll certainly work in a pinch. Toss in a canister of breadcrumbs from Progresso (available at Target), and this rich, comforting, entirely canned casserole may make you wonder whether fresh ingredients are necessary at all.
Roast beef
Kirkland
Perhaps we’re just massive fans of Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” cartoon, but roast beef — or “roast beast,” as it’s known in Whoville — has always resonated more than other Christmas-centric foods. To be sure, a canned beef option won’t provide the same aesthetic eye candy offered by a whole standing prime rib roast, but it’ll get the job done.
Since serving an entire roast beef isn’t feasible with canned items, you may want to consider serving it over a bed of vegetables (as seen in this unique roast beef recipe). This allows you to retain some visual appeal without resorting to non-canned foods.
Roasted potatoes
Walmart
We’re not oblivious to the fact that mashed potatoes may be a bigger draw for Christmas diners than its roasted derivative. Frankly, our readers flat-out told us as much, ranking mashed potatoes above all other traditional Christmas side dishes in a 2021 survey. But seeing as we already included mashed potatoes on our Thanksgiving-by-can menu, we’ll go with the far healthier — but no less decadent — option in roasted potatoes.
Actually, cooking roasted potatoes with canned products may be even easier to execute than mashed potatoes. Walmart sells pre-cooked, pre-diced potatoes, after all, which eliminates the need to peel or chop your potatoes and reduces the overall cooking time. Since a number of canned olive oil containers are available, as well — including one from Filippo Berio (available at Walmart) — you’ll be able to toss and coat your potatoes in the necessary oil before they enter the oven. Of course, many canned vegetables are notoriously high in sodium (via South Florida Sun Sentinel). In other words, unless you’re purchasing a no-salt-added variety of canned potatoes — or willing to rinse the potatoes beforehand — you’ll want to be cautious about any additional salt you might add.
Actually, cooking roasted potatoes with canned products may be even easier to execute than mashed potatoes. Walmart sells pre-cooked, pre-diced potatoes, after all, which eliminates the need to peel or chop your potatoes and reduces the overall cooking time. Since a number of canned olive oil containers are available, as well — including one from Filippo Berio (available at Walmart) — you’ll be able to toss and coat your potatoes in the necessary oil before they enter the oven.
Of course, many canned vegetables are notoriously high in sodium (via South Florida Sun Sentinel). In other words, unless you’re purchasing a no-salt-added variety of canned potatoes — or willing to rinse the potatoes beforehand — you’ll want to be cautious about any additional salt you might add.
Roasted sweet potatoes and carrots
Princella
We didn’t intend to create a roasted food theme when compiling this list of Christmas-by-can dinner choices. But seeing as our Christmas table already features roast beef and roasted (non-sweet) potatoes, we might as well keep that party going. And since sweet potatoes are a must-have for the holiday, we’re turning to a canned variety to create a roasted dish — while adding some baby carrots to diversify the menu.
The combination of carrots and sweet potatoes is a match made in heaven, particularly when the pair is roasted together. After all, the two share a similar flavor profile, according to American Sweet Potato, and the two vegetables’ comparable texture ensures they cook fairly evenly. Since the basic components for oven roasted sweet potatoes include potatoes, sugar, and olive oil, a can of cut sweet potatoes in syrup by Princella (sold by Walmart) gives you the first two ingredients in one. Add some baby carrots from Le Sueur (also sold by Walmart) to the sweet potatoes, toss the duo in some Filippo Berio canned olive oil (again, from Walmart), and your roasted sweet potato and carrot medley will dazzle any holiday diners — with no one the wiser of its canned origins.
The combination of carrots and sweet potatoes is a match made in heaven, particularly when the pair is roasted together. After all, the two share a similar flavor profile, according to American Sweet Potato, and the two vegetables’ comparable texture ensures they cook fairly evenly.
Since the basic components for oven roasted sweet potatoes include potatoes, sugar, and olive oil, a can of cut sweet potatoes in syrup by Princella (sold by Walmart) gives you the first two ingredients in one. Add some baby carrots from Le Sueur (also sold by Walmart) to the sweet potatoes, toss the duo in some Filippo Berio canned olive oil (again, from Walmart), and your roasted sweet potato and carrot medley will dazzle any holiday diners — with no one the wiser of its canned origins.
Buttered green beans
Green Giant
Obviously, you’re more than welcome to go all out with this dish. But we’re not suggesting anything beyond opening the two cans, combining the ingredients, and heating them.
Biscuits
Pillsbury
A bread component is absolutely essential to a fancy meal, particularly during the holidays. Of course, while any number of folks may be partial to straightforward dinner rolls at their Christmas table, we can only work with what’s available — you know, can-wise. As a result, for our Christmas dinner made entirely by can, we decided to go with one of our favorite indulgent canned baked goods from Pillsbury: biscuits.
Actually, the inclusion of Pillsbury’s biscuits provides a fair amount of choices for your holiday meal. For instance, if you’re partial to sweet Hawaiian rolls, Pillsbury sells a biscuit version in its Grands! line. Prefer a pre-sweetened dough? Go ahead and grab yourself a can of Pillsbury’s honey butter biscuits — or follow your sweet tooth all the way, and go with a frosted, chocolate chip-flavored biscuit can. Whatever your bread preference, you’ll be able to scratch that itch with one of Pillsbury’s canned biscuit varieties. Frankly, there’s a good chance biscuits will be featured at our Christmas dinner this year – even without a canned food requirement.
Actually, the inclusion of Pillsbury’s biscuits provides a fair amount of choices for your holiday meal. For instance, if you’re partial to sweet Hawaiian rolls, Pillsbury sells a biscuit version in its Grands! line. Prefer a pre-sweetened dough? Go ahead and grab yourself a can of Pillsbury’s honey butter biscuits — or follow your sweet tooth all the way, and go with a frosted, chocolate chip-flavored biscuit can.
Whatever your bread preference, you’ll be able to scratch that itch with one of Pillsbury’s canned biscuit varieties. Frankly, there’s a good chance biscuits will be featured at our Christmas dinner this year – even without a canned food requirement.
Fruitcake in a tin can
Beatrice Bakery Co.
We have to admit: We’re not sure we’ve ever encountered a single person who genuinely enjoys fruitcake. Now, it’s clearly an indisputably important component of the holiday season, and one of the most famous desserts connected to Christmas time — but it’s also somewhat of a laughingstock at the holiday dessert table. Of course, maybe the real issue is just the lack of a quality product — which means enjoying Christmas by can may give you the best fruitcake you’ve ever tasted.
Actually, this may be the only way we’d consider consuming an actual fruitcake at Christmas. We wouldn’t have to ponder any mysterious ingredients with the two-pound fruitcake in a tin can sold by Beatrice Bakery Co., for starters. More than that, though, is the fact that we’d be supporting a small business during the holidays — which only helps make our season bright. We’re sure we could have concocted a recipe of sorts with canned items, and guided you through the baking process of your own Christmas fruitcake. But why bother? Take the easy way out with your fruitcake this Christmas, and purchase a canned cake instead.
Actually, this may be the only way we’d consider consuming an actual fruitcake at Christmas. We wouldn’t have to ponder any mysterious ingredients with the two-pound fruitcake in a tin can sold by Beatrice Bakery Co., for starters. More than that, though, is the fact that we’d be supporting a small business during the holidays — which only helps make our season bright.
We’re sure we could have concocted a recipe of sorts with canned items, and guided you through the baking process of your own Christmas fruitcake. But why bother? Take the easy way out with your fruitcake this Christmas, and purchase a canned cake instead.
Popcorn tin (with three flavors)
Pops Corn
Few corporate executives could match the sophisticated taste of Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) on “30 Rock.” We’re not saying we’d make any major life decisions based on the character, of course, but we can certainly find some guidance on occasion. And the immense joy Jack derived from receiving a popcorn tin Christmas present during the Season 2 episode “Ludachristmas” — one that featured “all his favorite” flavors – convinced us it belongs on our list of Christmas treats that are prepared entirely by canned foods.
Beyond the delicious clash of cheese, butter, and caramel flavored popcorns in a singular container, the bevy of available popcorn tin options makes it a fantastic Christmas-by-can dessert. At least nine different small businesses across the U.S. were selling gourmet popcorn tins for the holidays as of 2020, according to Thrillist, although a cheaper version is available at Walmart for the financially frugal. While there’s no wrong choice when it comes to a gourmet popcorn tin, we’d likely opt for the nation’s (self-proclaimed) No. 1 gourmet popcorn delivery company in Pops Corn. The company has more than 15 different Christmas and holiday-themed popcorn tins for sale as of December 2022, featuring numerous designs and sizes. In other words, there’s a popcorn tin that best fits your needs — while always tasting great.
Beyond the delicious clash of cheese, butter, and caramel flavored popcorns in a singular container, the bevy of available popcorn tin options makes it a fantastic Christmas-by-can dessert. At least nine different small businesses across the U.S. were selling gourmet popcorn tins for the holidays as of 2020, according to Thrillist, although a cheaper version is available at Walmart for the financially frugal.
While there’s no wrong choice when it comes to a gourmet popcorn tin, we’d likely opt for the nation’s (self-proclaimed) No. 1 gourmet popcorn delivery company in Pops Corn. The company has more than 15 different Christmas and holiday-themed popcorn tins for sale as of December 2022, featuring numerous designs and sizes. In other words, there’s a popcorn tin that best fits your needs — while always tasting great.
Apple cider and eggnog (hard and non-alcoholic)
Lori Butcher/Shutterstock
Of course, canned apple cider is a fairly obvious choice, particularly alcoholic cider, with a variety of different hard apple cider brands are for sale as of December 2022 at Total Wine & More. But you can include a non-alcoholic apple cider for the underage or sober attendees at your Christmas gathering, as well, including a 12-pack from Beak & Skiff Orchards in Lafayette, New York (sold on its website).
Green bean casserole seltzer
Adam Swierk/Mashed
As you may recall, we didn’t include green bean casserole as a potential side, but that doesn’t mean the dish should be completely absent from your December-focused meals. Rather than include the food itself, though, we’re going with the simplest canned version available in the green bean casserole seltzer from Aura Bora.
Now, the more nitpicky readers out there may wonder why we’d include this green bean casserole seltzer in our guide for having Christmas entirely by can. After all, in our review of the product, we weren’t exactly raving about its taste or quality. But what can we say? Time has a way of shifting perspective. And since our main quibble with Aura Bora’s seltzer was its lack of truly indulgent flavors, we think it’s a perfect fit here as a light, non-alcoholic canned beverage. Frankly, while we could understand someone calling us hypocritical for this inclusion, we’d have to disagree with that characterization. Christmas is about sharing experiences with your loved ones — and if nothing else, sipping a green bean casserole seltzer is a trip. Maybe it wouldn’t be our favorite item at a Christmas meal by way of canned goods, but it’s still worth a spot on our list.
Now, the more nitpicky readers out there may wonder why we’d include this green bean casserole seltzer in our guide for having Christmas entirely by can. After all, in our review of the product, we weren’t exactly raving about its taste or quality. But what can we say? Time has a way of shifting perspective. And since our main quibble with Aura Bora’s seltzer was its lack of truly indulgent flavors, we think it’s a perfect fit here as a light, non-alcoholic canned beverage.
Frankly, while we could understand someone calling us hypocritical for this inclusion, we’d have to disagree with that characterization. Christmas is about sharing experiences with your loved ones — and if nothing else, sipping a green bean casserole seltzer is a trip. Maybe it wouldn’t be our favorite item at a Christmas meal by way of canned goods, but it’s still worth a spot on our list.
Peppermint hot chocolate
Sheila Fitzgerald/Shutterstock
And, at the end of the day, that’s what this is all about, right? Discovering ways to relieve some of the Christmas season’s inherent stress without diminishing your overall enjoyment of the season is the name of the game. Thankfully, if you want some (canned) chocolatey, pepperminty goodness this Christmas, there’s a delicious and simple solution at your disposal.
