10. Green Giant
This corn is incredibly sweet, but it ranks among the priciest choices available, costing $2.79 for a small 11-ounce can. The flavor is delightful, with just the right amount of added salt to enhance the corn's sweetness without overwhelming it. Salt helps to diminish bitterness in foods and accentuates other flavors, particularly sweetness. However, the steep price is what places Green Giant's steam crisp at the bottom of my list. It's difficult to rationalize the high cost, which is more than double that of many other brands, especially when other options offer corn of similar quality.
As the name implies, the steam crisp corn is cooked in the can, using less water than traditional cooking methods. Consequently, when you open the can, it contains less moisture than you might anticipate. The corn remains tender and notably sweet, but it’s best suited for incorporation into other dishes, such as corn chowder or beef stew, rather than being served on its own. Green Giant offers a few other varieties, including Mexican-style corn with chiles and whole kernel sweet corn, but the steam crisp is the most commonly found style in grocery stores.
9. The Fresh Market
The Fresh Market offers limited options for canned vegetables, with organic whole kernel corn being their sole corn variety. This corn is notably sweet and has a firmer texture compared to some other brands, resembling the experience of eating corn on the cob, making it a convenient choice for those seeking an easier preparation method. However, there are no salt-free or low-sodium varieties available, so expect a pronounced salty flavor. Unfortunately, the taste is merely average, which makes the price hard to justify. At $2.99 for a 15-ounce can, this corn is quite pricey, especially when other organic alternatives can be up to $1 less for the same size.
On the other hand, The Fresh Market's frozen corn presents a better option, offering a similar taste and texture. When steamed with a bit of water while heating, it enhances the flavor. This frozen corn comes in a 32-ounce package for about $5, making it roughly 5 cents cheaper per ounce than the canned version. However, it does require freezer space, which may not be feasible for everyone. Additionally, canned corn is often easier to prepare than frozen corn, which can sometimes turn out mushy or burnt. Therefore, you might consider opting for a different brand altogether for the best value, flavor, and convenience.
8. Hanover
If you're in search of the most cost-effective canned corn for a large gathering, Hanover is the ideal choice. Priced similarly to some of the pricier organic varieties, it offers more than double the quantity. A 39-ounce can is just $3.29, with even larger options available. However, the downside is that the sweet corn has a somewhat mushy texture, which isn't its strongest attribute. Additionally, it tends to be saltier than other brands, with less of the sweet corn flavor coming through. This results in a rather bland taste compared to the fresh, well-balanced flavor you'd find in fresh corn or other canned varieties. While it works well in recipes, it may not shine on its own. The main advantage of Hanover is its large sizes and affordability.
It's worth noting that Hanover offers only one variety, so don't expect a wide range of flavors or styles. If you need to serve corn to a big group, this is a solid option. Just remember that once you open the can, it should be consumed within three to four days. Unless you're catering to a large crowd or meal prepping, these sizable cans might be excessive. For smaller dishes or meals, consider spending a bit more for better-tasting corn that is likely available on the same shelf.
7. O Organics
The O Organics brand offers a solid organic choice at Safeway, though it is somewhat pricier than other canned corn options. Its super sweet flavor and firm texture closely resemble those of Safeway's non-organic canned corn, which is slightly less expensive. Priced at $1.99 for a 15-ounce can, O Organics represents good value for those who prioritize sustainable practices and wish to avoid synthetic pesticides. However, the flavor does not particularly distinguish it from its competitors. The texture is akin to that of Safeway's non-organic Signature Select brand.
O Organics provides both a salt-free version and a standard option with added salt, catering to specific dietary preferences or allowing you to control the salt content for your desired taste. The original recipe tends to taste a bit sweeter, as the salt enhances the corn's natural sweetness. Both versions are enjoyable and share a similar firmness. If you're incorporating the corn into a dish, you likely won't notice a difference between the standard and no-salt-added varieties. O Organics uses whole-kernel corn, making it an excellent choice for serving on its own, as it maintains its shape whether heated in the microwave or on the stovetop.
6. Happy Harvest
The price and taste of Aldi's store brand canned corn, Happy Harvest, are just right. The base of each kernel is slightly firm, but this is only noticeable if you’re paying close attention to each bite. Generally, the firm texture helps prevent the corn from becoming too mushy or watery. It has a pleasant sweetness, enhanced by a touch of salt that brings out the flavor without making it overly salty. The corn is packed in water, so be sure to drain it for the best texture.
Unfortunately, Happy Harvest only offers whole kernel and creamed corn, so don’t expect any additional flavor varieties. It’s easy to find in stores and is typically well-stocked. One of its biggest advantages is the price—just $0.63 for a 15-ounce can. You can get two or three times the amount of corn for the same price as a single can of a pricier brand. With its budget-friendly cost and delightful flavor, it’s hard not to rank Happy Harvest canned corn higher than its texture alone might suggest.
5. Signature Select
The Safeway store brand, Signature Select, offers dependable canned corn made with just three simple ingredients: corn, water, and salt. The addition of salt enhances the natural sweetness of the corn, which is both firm and crisp while having a tender center. The texture is excellent, with minimal tough kernels. Signature Select is my preferred brand for canned vegetables when shopping at Safeway due to its great combination of quality and affordability.
It's also very budget-friendly, especially if you use your Safeway loyalty card for additional discounts. An 8.5-ounce can costs $0.89, with other sizes available as well. The brand offers various options, including no salt added, super sweet corn, cream-style corn, white and gold corn, white corn, and corn mixed with red and green peppers. If you're looking for a wide variety of choices, Signature Select is one of the top brands to consider.
4. Great Value
The Great Value corn from Walmart is exceptionally fresh and offers excellent value, just as its name implies. It contains added salt that enhances the corn's natural sweetness, although a no-salt-added version is also available. The flavor is quite similar to many other brands, but it's the texture that elevates Great Value corn above the rest. Made with whole kernels of golden sweet corn, it has a tenderness that sets it apart from some competitors, with just the right amount of firmness to maintain its shape without being overly soft.
Priced at $0.64 for a 15-ounce can, it competes closely with Aldi as one of the most affordable options available. The slight advantage over Aldi comes from its superior texture. Great Value canned corn is offered in various styles and sizes, including a 29-ounce family size that provides even greater savings, as well as a cream corn variety. While it may not have as many style options as some other brands, it remains an excellent choice for traditional canned corn.
3. Giant
Giant's whole kernel sweet corn features a touch of added sugar, enhancing its sweetness compared to other brands while maintaining a similar flavor profile. The canned corn includes a bit of salt, but a no-salt version is also available. Priced at $0.99 for a 15-ounce can, Giant's store brand is slightly more expensive than the cheapest options on this list and even a bit pricier than other store brand canned corn. However, the flavor difference makes it worthwhile if you enjoy exceptionally sweet corn. The texture is firm without being overly soft, and the kernels lack tough, chewy skins. This is one of the few corn varieties I believe justifies the higher price. If you're serving corn on its own, this is an excellent choice, as it allows you to fully appreciate its flavor and texture without competing ingredients.
Giant also offers a range of options, including cream corn, golden corn, Mexican-style corn, white corn, low sodium corn, and no salt added corn. While not all of these varieties boast that distinct super sweet flavor, they still deliver good taste and texture. The extensive selection of options elevates the Giant brand in my opinion, as having different styles available is essential for enhancing flavor.
2. Del Monte
The Del Monte brand canned corn boasts a rich flavor and perfectly balanced texture, prompting me to sample two varieties to ensure consistency. Thankfully, both options were sweet and tender, despite being produced through different methods. The classic whole kernel corn is made from fresh corn that is packaged immediately, and even the no-salt-added version remained sweet and delightful. It competes well with other brands that add salt to enhance the corn's natural flavor. The summer crisp variety was slightly firmer but even sweeter, lacking the toughness found in some other vacuum-packed alternatives. Del Monte is my go-to choice at most grocery stores, as I can trust that any variety will be delicious, even if it's one I haven't tried before.
Del Monte offers a wide range of options and is one of the most accessible brands, available at nearly all the grocery stores I visited. My personal favorite is the fire-roasted corn, which I incorporate into various dishes like creamy chowders and corn dip for an extra burst of flavor. Fire-roasted canned corn also serves as an excellent substitute in recipes that call for grilled corn, such as a grilled romaine and corn salad. Whether you choose Del Monte's traditional sweet corn, golden corn, or summer crisp, you can expect to enjoy the same great flavor and texture.
1. Wegmans
In my opinion, the only canned corn that surpasses Del Monte is the store brand from Wegmans. Wegmans' canned corn is not only fresh and sweet, but it also offers great value. This brand checks all the boxes for the best canned corn in my kitchen. Upon opening the can, you'll notice its vibrant yellow hue and minimal packing water, which helps retain the corn's flavor. The added salt enhances its natural sweetness. True to its name, the corn is crisp and sweet, with the perfect texture for canned corn. You can enjoy it as a side dish, mix in some butter for a richer taste, or incorporate it into a vegetable medley. Wegmans employs a similar preservation method for all their canned vegetables to maintain freshness.
They offer whole kernel, salt-free whole kernel, and creamed corn options, along with an organic variety that is slightly more expensive. The standard version is priced at $0.69 for a 15-ounce can, while the organic option is $1.89 for the same size. Both varieties taste excellent, so it ultimately depends on your budget and ingredient preferences.
Methodology
To identify the top canned corn, I tested a range of brands with similar offerings. The primary focus was on flavor, particularly on naturally sweet corn that closely resembled fresh corn on the cob. Both excellent taste and a crisp texture were crucial in determining the overall best, but I also took price into account, as some tasty options simply weren't worth the higher price tag. While I included a few organic choices, most of the best-flavored corn came from store brands, which were generally more budget-friendly. Some store brands even offered organic varieties, striking a good balance between quality ingredients and affordability.
I also took into account the different varieties each brand offered, as recipes sometimes call for unique flavors like fire-roasted corn or corn with added chiles or peppers. I appreciate having options in the kitchen to refresh recipes that may become monotonous, and having a variety of styles made that easy. The top brands were also those that were readily available at any grocery store I visited, as one of the main advantages of canned corn is its convenience as a shelf-stable vegetable. The last thing I want is to drive all over town to gather different items on my shopping list.
Recommended
Why You Should Avoid Buying Milk At Costco
9 Pantry Ingredients That Professional Chefs Buy Cheap
Why You Should Avoid Buying Soda At Costco
5 Food Items You Never Should Buy At A Gas Station
Next up