Hamburger Helper - Other Helpers

Other Helpers

Tuna Helper was the second variety to appear on the market in 1972, but has quickly lost popularity to Chicken Helper. Tuna Helper is designed to be prepared with one 6 oz. can of tuna, although recent packaging has started to give the instruction "Add 2-5 oz. cans of tuna". Tuna Helper has seen very few changes to its offerings since its introduction. Most are variations on cream or cheese based tuna casseroles. Since tuna does not need to be browned, the instructions begin with combining all ingredients together. Tuna Helper can be prepared with any type of canned seafood (mackerel, salmon, shrimp, etc.) or canned chicken, turkey, or ham.

Tuna Helper flavors:

• Creamy Broccoli
• Fettuccini Alfredo
• Creamy Pasta
• Creamy Parmesan
• Cheesy Pasta
• Tuna Tetrazzini
• Tuna Melt

Chicken Helper was introduced in 1984 in response to the wide availability of inexpensive boneless, skinless chicken breast. Chicken Helper dishes are designed for use with sliced or cubed boneless skinless chicken breast, and are prepared in much the same way as Hamburger Helper except that it does not need to be drained. Like Tuna Helper, many varieties of Chicken Helper call for butter and milk in many flavors. While designed for boneless skinless breast, Chicken Helper can be prepared with any chicken, including canned chicken, or any other fowl, such as turkey.

Chicken Helper flavors:

• Creamy Chicken & Noodle
• Fettuccini Alfredo
• Cheesy Chicken Enchilada
• Chicken Fried Rice

Asian Helper is a selection of three Asian-American-style dishes, two hamburger and one chicken. Only Mongolian Beef is new, as Chicken and Beef Fried Rice were previously offered.

Whole Grain Helper are Lemon & Herb Chicken, Honey Mustard Chicken, Cheeseburger Mac and Stroganoff flavors made with whole-wheat pasta.

Fruit Helper was introduced in 1973. The products were desserts made with canned or fresh fruit. The Fruit Helper line has been discontinued.

Pork Helper was introduced in 2003. Varieties included Pork Fried Rice and Pork Chops with Stuffing. It was discontinued shortly after.

In 2006, Hamburger Helper Microwave Singles were introduced, which require only the addition of water and brief cooking in a microwave to produce a single serving portion of some of the most popular flavors. Chicken Helper flavors were added in 2007, but that line has since been discontinued.

Some vegetarians use artificial ground beef (usually soy-based) instead of genuine meat when preparing Hamburger Helper. Ground pork, lamb, chicken or turkey meat can also be substituted. However, some Hamburger Helper varieties contain meat products (such as beef extract, found in the Tomato Basil Penne and the Stroganoff flavors).

Many private label producers have replicated versions of the most popular varieties of Hamburger Helper.