Do you know what canned bean brands to avoid?
Tasty, nutritious, and a great side dish, beans have been a staple in every household, especially the canned ones, because they’re already cooked, and all you have to do is heat them a bit. It’s easier to incorporate plant-based protein into your diet when you purchase pre-cooked beans. Their high fiber content contributes to the health of your digestive system while allowing the easy flow of food through your gut.
But, same as any other product, not every brand of canned beans is made equally. Some may have so much salt that it is bad for your health, while others are bland and of low quality. Taking into account important elements such as their taste, range of varieties, and general customer satisfaction based on rigorous research, we present a list of the top canned bean brands to avoid and a couple more to safely add to your shopping cart. Are you ready? Let’s start!
La Costeña
When it comes to canned bean brands to avoid, I start the list with La Costeña. What does this 75 oz can have that is so bad that it made the number one spot? If you check the label, you will see that the black beans are in tomato sauce seasoned with a lot of natural spices like cilantro, black pepper, salt, some herbs, and onion. Although there are customers who actually enjoy it, the can’s nutritional value isn’t exactly good.
Since it’s in tomato sauce, the quantity of the beans is smaller than other canned bean brands, which resembles the consistency of a soup. This means you may have to buy more cans than you’re used to because of too much sauce. Yeah…no!
Because there are better-tasting and more value-for-money alternatives, it might not be worth purchasing a can of La Costeña. Furthermore, this product has canned pinto beans, which are usually refried black beans. Another turnoff, especially for those customers who are trying to keep a healthier diet.
Iberia Premium Black Beans
Have you ever tried Iberia black beans? A lot of people are buying it because they believe the word “premium written on the label is what makes it high quality. At first, you may not notice there is something wrong with it, yet we have to look deeper.
The can has a low quantity of salt, but that doesn’t mean the taste of the beans is very good. According to a customer’s survey, the black beans from the Iberia Premium Black Beans aren’t flavored enough, plus the texture is a bit iffy too.
So instead of grabbing Iberia Premium Black Beans from Walmart or Target’s shelves next time you’re going shopping, opt for other canned bean brands like Bush’s, Goya’s, or the black beans private label 365 from the Whole Foods supermarket.
Caribbean Rhythms
I used to buy canned beans from Caribbean Rhythms too, quite a lot in the past, and I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read what people had to say about it on Amazon: A reviewer on Amazon wrote, “Had no condiments and totally dull taste.” According to another Walmart customer, “I didn’t think you could ruin butter beans… But that’s exactly what this business has done.” Yuck.”
Because of what I’ve read, I had to buy one more can for myself to try it out, and if you ask me, I think they changed the recipe or the beans themselves because Caribbean Rhythms used to be good before 2019.
It lacks the buttery flavor you may expect from a high-quality product. Additionally, you may need to work harder than you think to make it taste, let’s say, passable if you are purchasing the can to eat whole in a salad. Therefore, the brand may lose business in a few years if they don’t take action to change all of the unhappy customers’ opinions.
Great Value Black Beans
I don’t know about you, but I love Walmart. It’s close to where I live, so I made a habit of shopping there once a week or twice depending on my family’s needs. BUT, because there is always a but in this, I avoid at all costs buying Great Value Black Beans. Why?
Since many consumers, including myself, have had bad experiences with the product, we were disappointed to find that when we opened the can, about 90% of it was water, and even if the beans were soaked in liquid, the majority of them were dried out and unappealing.
Siete (Refried Pinto Beans and Refried Black Beans)
Together with all the canned bean brands to avoid is Siete. While the use of avocado oil is very appreciated since it’s nutritious, their canned beans made with it lack flavor. Various customers say these beans are so moist and dull, and even if they’re more affordable than other brands, their quality is very cheap. Additionally, others argue that even after adding more spices, the taste and smell remained disappointing. What do you think of this brand?
Kirby Black Beans
Kirby is one of the canned bean brands I recommend staying away from. The can’s entire nutritional value is severely harmed by the addition of olive oil, salt, vinegar, spices, sweet peppers, sugar, onion, and powdered garlic salt, in addition to black beans and water.
Furthermore, the bean can contain an astounding 670 mg of sodium per serving (7.5 ounces), or 28% of the daily allowance that the FDA advises. Quite a lot!
Canned bean brands to buy
Bush’s
Since I started to be more careful about what I eat, I added Bush’s to my shopping list, and to be honest, it’s one of the top canned bean brands. And it’s not solely based on my experience! Many customers say on Amazon that the canned beans from Bush’s with smoked pork, salads, or in casseroles are the best thing on Earth.
However, you might want to check the label before buying, because while they’re super tasty, the cans have around 22% added sugar, which might not be suitable for everyone. In some stores, there are no added sugar options available, so no one is left out. If by any chance you don’t have any luck in stores, you can always order it from Amazon. I found it for you so you won’t have to scroll through BUSH’S BEST 15.8 oz Canned Great Northern Beans, a Source of Plant-Based Protein and Fiber, Low Fat, Gluten-Free (Pack of 12).
Goya Black Beans
Whether you’re looking to improve your diet or you’re simply a foodie who enjoys good and fresh meals, Goya’s is one of the canned bean brands that is worth your money. With roots dating back to 1936, Goya is currently among the leading distributors of Spanish, Caribbean, and Latin American food items in the United States. Its products include canned black beans, which are made of just three basic ingredients: salt, water, and beans.
The sodium content of one serving is 410 mg, which is fairly typical for canned beans. On the plus side, each serving contains 8 grams of protein, which is slightly more than most other options. Goya’s canned beans are perfect for salads, side dishes, or mixed with a delicious homemade tomato sauce on top of rice. Mmm… I am already hungry!
You can buy your canned beans from Goya in any locations of Safeway and Walmart, or, if you are lucky, in small supermarkets in your neighborhood.
Eden Organic Black Beans
Last but not least of the canned bean brands that are super healthy and tasty is the one from Eden Foods. A natural foods company founded in the 1960s, Eden Foods mainly collaborates with regional farmers.
The unique quality of Eden Organic Black Beans is that they don’t have any added salt, making them the best choice for anyone who is looking to limit the salt intake in their diet. And don’t worry, the beans won’t taste great because they don’t have salt. All the reviews of this brand are super positive!
However, the only downside is that this brand isn’t sold in big supermarket chains, mostly in local small food stores.
How often do you eat canned beans? Tell me in the comments.
If you want this year to be the year you change yourself and watch your diet closely, I suggest looking at this article, too. Peanut butter is another popular product that’s consumed daily by many people, but like canned beans, not every brand is worth your money: Stay Away from These 6 Peanut Butter Brands.
