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Canned Meat is the Answer to the National Meat Shortage

If you've visited the grocery store in the past few days you've probably noticed meat prices go up and grocery stores place limits on fresh meat. While it can put a damper on your weekly dinner menu, it shouldn't force you into going 100% meatless. Instead, skip the refrigerated section and head to the canned food aisle and stock up on canned meat.

According to USA Today, "As of April 29, at least 19 U.S. meatpacking plants and five processed food plants have closed due to a shortage of workers." The USDA wants to make it clear that while there is a slight decline, the outlook is good and should not cause panic. Simply put, we'll have to switch a few of our dinners to be meat-free or substitute other meat products in place of our normal chicken breasts and ground beef.

The Best Canned Meat to Stock Up

When it comes to emergencies (hurricanes, winter storms, power outages), its best to stock up on canned food items because they are non-perishable and have a long shelf life. The key is to stock up on a variety of different canned meats, letting you have a variety of different options.

Chili

Whether you like it with beans or Texas-style, canned chili is a great option to add to your dinner menu. Hormel Chili is a great option and can be served on spaghetti, hotdogs, or topped with cheese and served with a side of cornbread.

Vienna Sausage

Sold plain or in sauce, these little weiners can be added to a variety of dishes. Scramble them with eggs, make a sandwich spread with them, or fry them up in olive oil and serve them over rice.

Corned Beef Hash

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?Sliced, fried, or crumbled, corned beef hash is packed with protein and can be served with eggs, cooked with potatoes, and added to casseroles. Fry up some cabbage and you've got yourself a delicious dinner.

Chicken Breast

When it comes to canned meat, canned chicken is probably the most versatile. Add it to casseroles, make chicken salad, use it in salads or dips. Add taco seasoning and stuff it in quesadillas or toss it with buffalo sauce for a spicy snack.

Spam

Whether you are a Spam classic fan or Spam jalapeno, there are lots of ways to use this product. In Hawaii, many people serve it on rice. When it comes to luncheon meat, this one is a sure winner. There is Spam less sodium for those worried about salt intake.

Keystone Ground Beef

Whether you are camping or prepping for a disaster, grab a few cans of ground beef to add to your food storage. Add it to tacos, pasta, and casseroles.

Deviled Ham

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Great on sandwiches and crackers, add a can of deviled ham to your pantry for a kick of flavor.

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