Who Makes the Best Canned Corned Beef Hash? A Taste Test to Crown the Champion

As a confessed corned beef hash enthusiast, I’ve tried my fair share of canned varieties over the years. While they’re often dismissed as boring pantry staples, the truth is that not all corned beef hashes are created equal. The juicy morsels of beef, crunchy potatoes, and savory seasonings can transform this humble hash into a craveable comfort food.

So when a heated debate erupted among my fellow hash aficionados over who really makes the best canned corned beef hash I knew a taste test challenge was in order. I rallied 7 corned beef hash brands for an epic showdown. After cooking up cans galore in my kitchen I emerged with new insights, top picks, and a greater appreciation for this underdog meat and potato meal.

The Contenders: Corned Beef Hash Brands Duke it Out

In gathering corned beef hashes for this taste-off, I wanted to include a mix of nationally-available brands along with a few regional favorites:

• Hormel Mary Kitchen Corned Beef Hash
• Armour Corned Beef Hash
• Libby’s Corned Beef Hash
• Signature Select Corned Beef Hash
• Great Value Corned Beef Hash
• Brookdale Corned Beef Hash
• Hereford Corned Beef Hash

With my cans assembled it was time to start the cooking and tasting. I cooked each hash according to package instructions which mainly involved sautéing the contents in a skillet until heated through and slightly browned.

Key Factors: Flavor,Texture, and Overall Appeal

With seven corned beef hashes sizzling away on the stove, my kitchen was filled with the savory aroma of beef and potatoes. As I sampled each, I evaluated the hashes on three main criteria:

Flavor: The ideal corned beef hash should have plenty of seasoned, salty beef flavor balanced by crispy fried potatoes. I wanted the beef to taste corned but not canned.

Texture: The beef should be tender and shredded while the potatoes should be crispy on the outside but creamy inside. Overall the hash should have a satisfying meaty and starchy balance.

Overall Appeal: At the end of the day, I was looking for that crave-worthy, comfort food flavor that makes you want to dig in for another hearty bite.

Keeping those factors in mind, the hashes lined up as follows, starting with my least favorite:

7. Armour Corned Beef Hash

Right off the bat, Armour’s offering disappointed. The beef was stringy with an odd, mushy texture reminiscent of canned wet dog food. The potatoes were simultaneously dry and greasy. Overall, the beef flavor was very faint while the onion and saltiness dominated.

• Flavor: 2/10 – Metallic, canned flavor overwhelmed the beef
• Texture: 3/10 – Unpleasantly soft beef and too crunchy potatoes
• Overall Appeal: 2/10 – Unappetizing in flavor and mouthfeel

This hash was a slog to get through and tasters agreed it was one to skip.

6. Brookdale Corned Beef Hash

This store brand hash from Aldi slightly improved on Armour but still fell short. The beef bits were ill-defined and the potatoes unevenly crisped. An artificial smoke flavor reminded me of liquid smoke instead of real brisket.

• Flavor: 4/10 – Artificial smoked flavoring
• Texture: 5/10 – Decent potato texture but mushy beef
• Overall Appeal: 3.5/10 – Nothing stood out

5. Signature Select Corned Beef Hash

This Safeway brand was middle of the pack, with better beef texture than some but lacking in flavor. The potato cubes were nicely defined and crisp.

• Flavor: 5/10 – Beef tasted flat and corning spices were lacking
• Texture: 6/10 – Tender shredded beef but potatoes uneven
• Overall Appeal: 4.5/10 – Nothing offensive but uninspiring

4. Libby’s Corned Beef Hash

Libby’s is one of the long-time classics and a favorite in my family growing up. The finely minced beef blended into small, uniform bits was tender while the tiny potato cubes were nicely crisped. However, the flavor skewed more salty than corned.

• Flavor: 6/10 – Very salty but not much corned beef flavor
• Texture: 7/10 – Well minced beef and crispy potatoes
• Overall Appeal: 5.5/10 – Reliable if salty

3. Great Value Corned Beef Hash

For a bargain brand, Great Value impressed with excellent potato texture and decent corned flavor. The larger shreds of beef had nice crisped edges. My only complaint was the onions were too crunchy.

• Flavor: 7/10 – Good balance of corned beef seasoning
• Texture: 7/10 – Beef shreds had nice crispy edges
• Overall Appeal: 6.5/10 – Surprisingly satisfying

2. Hereford Corned Beef Hash

Hereford isn’t as readily available nationally but was worth seeking out. The generous amount of shredded beef took the lead here with an appetizing reddish color and tender texture. The beefy flavor really sang too.

• Flavor: 8/10 – Big beefy flavor with pronounced corning spices
• Texture: 7/10 – Tender, well-shredded beef
• Overall Appeal: 7.5/10 – Checks all the boxes

1. Hormel Mary Kitchen Corned Beef Hash

And the winner is…Hormel Mary Kitchen! True to its name, this hash tasted like it came straight from a home kitchen with an ideal balance of seasonings. The beef shreds were plentiful with a pleasing pull-apart texture and the potatoes provided starchy ballast and crunch factor. Overall, a corned beef lover’s dream.

• Flavor: 9/10 – Well-balanced corning spices and great beef flavor
• Texture: 8/10 – Shreddable beef and crispy fried potatoes
• Overall Appeal: 8/10 – Seriously satisfying hash with crave-worthy flavor

While it was a clear win, the entire tasting was a useful exercise. It reinforced the need to look past big brands and give underdogs a chance. Surprisingly, the costly gourmet hashes procured online fared worse than humble grocery store cans.

How to Choose Your Corned Beef Hash

Based on this taste test marathon, here are a few tips for picking the best hash for your needs:

• Consult reviews – As with many products, user feedback helps filter quality. Hormel Mary Kitchen earns positive reviews for a reason.

• Check the ingredients – Look for more real spices like mustard seed versus “flavorings.” Quality beef should take prominence over fillers.

• Go for shreds – Finely minced beef blends into a paste while you want those tender shreds and morsels.

• ** Feel for firmness** – Gently shaking the unopened can assesses potato integrity. The firmer, the better.

• Compare costs – Cheaper isn’t necessarily worse. Great Value held its own at a value price point.

• Sample regional brands – Smaller brands like Hereford can be hidden gems.

• ** Consider lower sodium** – If limiting salt, Hereford makes a reduced sodium variety.

• Try other styles – Beyond basic, look for flavor twists like Hormel’s chili or Mary Kitchen’s roast beef hash.

Hash Hacks: Creative Ways to Enjoy Canned Corned Beef Hash

Sure you can pan-fry it solo for a quick meal, but don’t stop there. With a little creativity, canned corned beef hash can be so much more. Here are some fun recipe ideas to inspire your next hash session:

• Corned Beef Hash Bake – Transfer pan-fried hash to a baking dish, top with beaten eggs and cheese then bake until set.

• Loaded Hash Potatoes – Pile hash over baked russet potatoes and finish with sour cream, bacon, and chives.

• Corned Beef Hash Sliders – Craft mini sandwiches on Hawaiian rolls with hash patties and preferred fixings.

• Corned Beef Hash Breakfast Burritos – Wrap hash, eggs, peppers, and cheese in a soft tortilla for a hand-held morning meal.

• Hash Topped Nachos – Heap crispy tortilla chips with warmed hash, beans, jalapeños, salsa, and other favorite nacho components.

• Corned Beef Hash Pizza – Spread hash onto prepared pizza crust, add mozzarella and cheddar, then bake until melted and bubbly.

However you choose to enjoy it, corned beef hash is a unique and craveable pantry staple. While tiny diced potatoes and mystery meat may look unassuming straight from the can, a bit of heat reveals a deeply savory and satisfying dish. By tasting my way through the top brands, I gained renewed enthusiasm for this humble but flavor-packed food.

So next time you spy those familiar blue cans on grocery store shelves, I encourage you to grab one and experience the simple joy of a well-made corned beef hash. Just be sure to look for Hormel Mary Kitchen, my new gold standard for beefy, craveable corned beef hash. Because as this taste test confirmed, not all hashes are created equal when you’re seeking the very best.