15 Canned Goods Boomers Still Buy That Gen Z Would Never Touch

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Open a Boomer’s pantry, and there’s a good chance you’ll find a tower of canned goods, some familiar, some slightly mysterious, and all shelf stable.

For Gen Z? That same shelf feels like a time capsule. Some cans they avoid entirely, others spark viral curiosity.

Canned Vienna Sausages

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Boomers might snack on these straight from the can, no shame. Gen Z, however, finds them odd in texture and taste, tiny sausages swimming in brine. They’re more likely to turn it into a meme than an appetizer.

Spam

Boomers trust it. They fried it, flipped it, and made sandwiches with it. Gen Z mostly avoids it, unless it’s in musubi or trending on TikTok. For some, it’s still too salty, too processed, and tied to memories they never had.

Canned Beets

Boomers add them to salads or eat them cold with dinner. Gen Z avoids the earthy taste and deep purple stain risk. Fresh roasted beets? Maybe. But canned ones feel too soggy, too sweet, and too far from anything they’d order at brunch.

Canned Fruit Cocktail

Boomers remember this as a treat, especially if it had one cherry. Gen Z sees it as syrupy, mushy, and suspiciously shiny. They’ll go for fresh fruit or smoothie packs instead, not chunks swimming in syrup with no real flavor.

Canned Chicken

Boomers love the convenience, open, drain, mix with mayo, and lunch is done. Gen Z finds it unsettling. They prefer shredded rotisserie or grilled tenders over anything that looks like it came from a tuna can labeled poultry.

Canned Asparagus

Boomers think of it as elegant, often served at dinner parties. Gen Z wonders why it’s so limp and gray green. They like asparagus with a char, fresh from the grill or air fryer. The canned version? It’s a soggy no.

Canned Deviled Ham

It’s a spreadable meat in a tiny can. Boomers see it as a retro snack. Gen Z sees it as mysterious at best, unidentifiable at worst. They’re more into hummus or spicy tuna dip, not something that comes with its own key.

Canned Chili with Beans

Boomers keep it in the pantry for quick meals or camping trips. Gen Z prefers chili fresh, slow cooked, or vegan, loaded with texture. From a can, it feels one note and overly thick, like all the flavor got packed into the sodium instead.

Canned Mixed Vegetables

Canned mix veg — Photo Credit: Modesto3/Depositphotos

Boomers often saw this as an all in one side dish. Gen Z sees it as colorless cubes with no crunch or freshness. They’d rather steam broccoli or roast carrots than eat peas, corn, and diced carrots floating in a metallic aftertaste.

Canned Tomato Soup

Canned tomatoes soup — Photo Credit: Ilianesolenyi/Depositphotos

Boomers pair it with grilled cheese like clockwork. Gen Z loves the combo too, but only if the soup is fresh or organic. Canned versions feel too watery or overly sweet. It’s nostalgia versus nutrition in a bowl.

Canned Mushroom Soup

Canned mushroom soup was the heart of many Boomer casseroles, warm, creamy, and easy. But Gen Z usually skips it. They prefer fresh sauces with real herbs. The canned version feels bland, too beige, and kind of boring next to today’s brighter, bolder flavors.

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Canned Potato Slices

Boomers still use them for scalloped potatoes or skillet breakfasts. Gen Z finds them unnecessary. Why not just slice fresh ones? The texture can be too soft and rubbery, and no one wants canned potatoes in their hash these days.

Canned Gravy

Boomers trusted it for Sunday dinners and holiday meals. Gen Z is more likely to make gravy from scratch or grab a fresher store version. The canned kind is too salty, too gelatinous, and lacks that rich, homemade taste they want.

Canned Tamales

Soft dough, mystery meat, and wrapped in paper inside a can, Boomers saw them as comfort food. Gen Z is more likely to find the real thing from a food truck or restaurant. These canned versions feel outdated, overly processed, and oddly textured.

Canned Spaghetti

Boomers remember it as a quick meal, soft noodles in sweet tomato sauce, often straight from the pantry. Gen Z finds it too soft, too sweet, and not worth the carbs. They’d rather toss fresh pasta with real sauce or skip it entirely.

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Tastes change, but every shelf holds a story. What feels outdated to one generation might be a childhood favorite to another. In the end, it’s not just what we eat, it’s the memories, habits, and comfort we carry with every bite.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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