Guests keeping an eye on salt
You want to consider the whole accompaniment: semolina, prepared vegetables and seasoning added during cooking.
Who is this option for?
Hosts preparing a barbecue for a group
You’re looking for a simple option, while checking how much salt comes from jars, tins and ready-seasoned mixes.
People checking ingredients and allergens
You need to read the label for each component: the semolina products mentioned here contain wheat, and some products list other allergens or possible traces.
What should you look for?
When preparing the accompaniment, check the semolina first, then choose a topping by comparing like-for-like products, and remember to factor in any seasoning you add.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Salt in the accompaniment | Compare the ‘salt’ value per 100 g across similar products and check how much salt is added to the water, toppings and sauces. | If I want to manage the salt in the whole accompaniment, I can’t just look at the semolina label; around 42% of consumers prioritise this overall check. |
| Ease of preparation | Check the preparation time and portion information, and distinguish between plain vegetables to season yourself and a ready-cooked topping. | When I’m serving several guests, I want to cut down on the steps without choosing a seasoned topping blindly; speed is the priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on every pack, including the vegetables. | If I’m sharing the dish with someone who has an allergy, I need to check the semolina and topping separately; this compatibility comes first for around 25% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming low-salt semolina is enough for the whole dish
Salt can also be added during preparation or included in a ready-cooked topping. Auchan’s product page for Tipiak medium couscous recommends salted water and equates a pinch with 1 g of salt.
Adjust the seasoning in the semolina, then check prepared vegetables and sauces served alongside it separately.
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Confusing ‘no additives’ with ‘no salt’
The ingredients list for Cassegrain cooked vegetables, described by Carrefour as having ‘no additives’, includes salt. The two claims refer to different things.
To compare similar tins, check the ‘salt’ value per 100 g and the ingredients list rather than relying on the front of the pack alone.
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Comparing dry semolina directly with cooked vegetables
These products are at different stages of preparation, so their values per 100 g don’t, by themselves, tell you how much salt will be in the couscous you serve.
First compare products of the same type and in the same state, then take into account the quantities used and any seasoning added to the dish.
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Automatically replacing salt with a potassium-based substitute
Anses notes that potassium-based salt substitutes may pose risks for some people.
You can use herbs and spices to change the flavour instead. If you’re following a prescribed diet or taking medication, ask a health professional for advice before using a salt substitute.
Brands to consider
Auchan
Auchan plain medium couscous can be used as a base to season for a barbecue.
- For the 1 kg product described by Auchan, the ingredients list states that it contains 100% durum wheat semolina, and the nutritional information shows 0,05 g of salt per 100 g.
- The instructions recommend using salted water. The product page also mentions possible traces of soya and mustard.
Tipiak
Tipiak medium couscous is another semolina option to prepare as an accompaniment.
- The product page published by Auchan describes durum wheat semolina that takes four to five minutes to prepare, depending on the method used.
- The instructions recommend using salted water; the product contains wheat and has possible-trace warnings that you should check on the packaging.
Carrefour
Carrefour sells dry couscous as well as a vegetable mix for couscous; check the two components separately.
- The product page for its medium couscous lists durum wheat semolina as an ingredient; the Carrefour Classic’ vegetable mix includes vegetables and chickpeas, among other ingredients.
- The ingredients in one vegetable mix don’t mean that the whole range is ‘reduced in salt’. Check the nutritional information for the product you choose.
Cassegrain
Cassegrain cooked vegetables for couscous make a ready-prepared topping, giving you less control over its initial seasoning.
- The product described by Carrefour combines vegetables with spices and aromatic herbs.
- Although it is described as having ‘no additives’, its ingredients list includes salt. Its product page also includes allergen or possible-trace information.
Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is plain couscous semolina always salt-free?
No. Check the ‘salt’ line for the product you buy. Auchan’s product page for its medium couscous states 0,05 g of salt per 100 g, but this value doesn’t automatically apply to other semolina products or to added seasonings.
Does ‘no additives’ mean ‘no salt’ for tinned vegetables?
No. Carrefour describes one Cassegrain vegetable product for couscous as having ‘no additives’, but its ingredients list includes salt. When comparing similar tins, also check the ‘salt’ value per 100 g.
How can I compare the salt in semolina and a topping?
Start by comparing the values per 100 g for products of the same type and in the same state of preparation, such as two cooked toppings. Then, for the couscous you serve, take into account the amounts of semolina and topping used, as well as any salt added during preparation.
Which allergens should I check in this accompaniment?
The Auchan and Tipiak couscous semolina products described here contain wheat. Depending on the product, toppings and semolina may also carry warnings about soya, mustard or other allergens. Read every pack before preparing a dish for someone with an allergy.