For a small barbecue side, choose a tin whose drained net weight and number of portions suit the people who’ll be eating the peas. A 140 g tin may be enough for one person, while a 400 g Bonduelle product is listed as serving two, with 280 g drained. A larger tin is only worth choosing if you plan to serve more or keep the leftovers. Whatever size you choose, check the ingredients for that specific product.
If only a few guests will be having peas, a small tin lets you open just the amount you need. Carrefour’s range includes 140 g tins; check whether this weight refers to the drained contents and whether you’re buying a single tin or a multipack.
If you’re serving peas to two people, the number of portions stated on the label can help you choose. An Auchan listing for a Bonduelle product says that a 400 g tin provides two portions, with a drained net weight of 280 g.
If the ingredients matter more to you than the size, compare the ingredient lists and nutritional information for the products you’re considering. The words “peas” alone don’t tell you whether the recipe also contains sugar, salt or flavouring.
If you’re serving peas as a side at a barbecue, first work out how many people will be eating them. Then compare the ingredients and preparation instructions on the tin you plan to open.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| How much to open | Drained net weight and number of portions; single tin or multipack. | For a small side, I’d rather open a small tin than have leftovers. Around 45% of consumers would prioritise this right-sized amount. |
| Ingredients | Ingredient list and salt content per 100 g. | I want to know whether a recipe contains added sugar or salt before I choose. Nearly 33% of consumers would put ingredients first. |
| Serving and leftovers | Preparation method and storage instructions after opening. | When you’re eating outdoors, I look for something easy to serve and want to know what to do with an opened tin. Around 22% of consumers would prioritise these instructions. |
According to the Bonduelle listing published by Auchan, a 400 g product provides 280 g drained and is listed as serving two. So the large weight printed on the tin doesn’t necessarily tell you how much you’ll have once the peas are drained.
When planning your side, compare the drained net weight and number of portions stated for each product.
Ingredients vary by product: a 400 g Bonduelle product lists sugar and salt, while Carrefour lists peas, water and sea salt for a Jardin Bio Etic product. E.Leclerc also lists a Notre Jardin product described as “no added sugar or salt”.
Check the ingredient list and nutritional information on the tin you choose. Don’t assume what’s in it based on the brand alone or the words “extra-fine”.
A large tin can leave you with unused peas when they’re just one of several sides.
Choose an amount that suits the people who’ll actually be eating them. If you don’t finish the tin, follow the storage instructions for that specific product.
A tin of peas and carrots isn’t the same as a tin of plain peas, even if they’re from the same brand.
Check the full product name, ingredients and pack weight before swapping one product for another.
An Auchan listing for a canned pea product says it serves two: 400 g, with a drained net weight of 280 g.
Carrefour’s range includes multipacks of three tins of peas, each listed as containing 140 g drained.
E.Leclerc lists a 280 g product of extra-fine peas described as “no added sugar or salt”.
Auchan’s range includes 265 g tins of steamed peas, peas cooked in their own juices and multipacks of small tins.
A small tin may be enough if the peas are just a side, but compare the drained net weight and number of portions rather than the tin’s weight alone. Carrefour’s range includes 140 g tins; also check whether they’re sold individually or in a multipack.
Yes, if the product instructions say you can. For a Jardin Bio Etic product, Carrefour says it can be eaten cold in a salad or served hot as a side. Check the instructions on your own tin for preparation and serving advice.
Follow the instructions for the product you’ve opened and put any leftovers in the fridge promptly. For the “tender and creamy” product it lists, Bonduelle says to keep it at a maximum of 4 °C and eat it within 48 hours of opening. Don’t automatically apply these instructions to another tin.
If you think the packaging may be compromised, don’t taste the contents. Set the product aside and ask the retailer or manufacturer for advice. France’s Ministry of Agriculture warns that certain toxins linked to botulism pose a serious danger, so it’s not worth taking a risk with a suspect tin.
Put the empty metal tin in the recycling bin, bag or container for packaging. According to ADEME, there’s no need to wash it; put it in loose, without nesting it inside another piece of packaging.