Del Monte’s culinary researchers have been burning the midnight oil. The brand recently teamed up with Hidden Valley Ranch to roll out ranch-flavored whole kernel corn. In what appears to be a parallel move, Del Monte also released a can of cut green beans flavored with a zesty Italian-inspired vinaigrette, seemingly on its own initiative.
That’s quite the news to process. Fortunately for you, your work ends there. You won’t be the one tasting these products—that’s where I come in, and honestly I wish I had any other job on the planet right now. Here are my impressions of Del Monte’s ranch-flavored whole kernel corn and the zesty Italian-inspired vinaigrette-flavored cut green beans.
Del Monte Ranch-Seasoned Whole Kernel Corn
Pros: It at least nods to the Midwest by giving ranch flavor a moment in the spotlight—though that doesn’t mean I endorse the approach behind the ranch. The upside is that the corn itself is made with Del Monte’s own kernels, which are genuinely tasty and something we’re actually fans of. Beyond that, I’m not thrilled by everything else in the package this time.
Cons: As soon as you taste it, you’re hit with ranch to an overwhelming degree. I can’t shake the sense that a mishap occurred at the production line—perhaps the ranch seasoning ended up multiplied many times over in the can I sampled.
I do enjoy gimmicks, but I can’t imagine a practical use for this one. I never felt the need to combine ranch with corn. The ranch seasoning is so dominant that eating it on its own is a challenge. And then, the idea of incorporating it into a dish arises. But what dish could possibly accommodate that? Buffalo ranch chicken dip with bits of corn mixed in? Probably not.
Del Monte Zesty Italian Inspired Vinaigrette Cut Green Beans
Pros: They mimic the vinaigrette you’d find at Jersey Mike’s, which I do enjoy, to be fair. Yet I’m accustomed to more flavor diversity as part of the experience. The standout note here is vinaigrette, and you can barely detect the green beans themselves.
That aside, among the two canned vegetables we’re sampling today, these are the more versatile option for pairing in a dish. I can imagine a scenario where with the right complementary flavors you could craft a green bean casserole using this vinaigrette-soaked variety without turning it into a disaster. But I’m too overwhelmed by this whole experience to map it out just now.
Cons: The main drawback is the overwhelming flavor profile. I can’t imagine anyone tasting this in a lab and concluding it’s ready for market. It seems Del Monte might be sitting on an enormous reserve of vinaigrette that they can’t push onto Jersey Mike’s quickly enough.
