Anyone preparing food to share
If you’re putting together several fillings, check the drained weight of the tuna and choose a tin that suits the portions you have planned, while still giving you the option to season each filling as you like.
Who are these options for?
Anyone making maki, onigiri or rice bowls
A mixed filling and a topping with visible pieces don’t necessarily call for the same format. Compare flakes, chunks and whole tuna to find the texture you want.
Anyone checking ingredients and fishing information
Check the species, packing liquid, salt content and allergens. If certification matters to you, make sure it appears on the specific tin you’re buying.
What should you look for first?
For an Asian-inspired evening, start with the recipe: decide whether the tuna will be mixed in or left visible, then compare the drained weight and seasoning of each tin.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Usable quantity | The drained weight, if shown, and the format you need for the portions you have planned. | When I’m preparing several fillings, I want enough usable tuna without opening more tins than I need. Around 42% of consumers may rank this as their top concern. |
| Texture and recipe | Flakes, chunks or whole tuna; tuna in water or in oil. | For a filling, I’m looking for a texture that’s easy to mix; for a rice bowl, I may prefer visible chunks. Texture may be the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and information on the tin | Ingredients, salt per 100 g, the species listed and any certification claim. | If I’m already adding a sauce, I want to know how much salt is in the tuna and what else it contains before seasoning the dish. Around 25% of consumers may prioritise the ingredients and information on the tin above all else. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Looking only at the total weight of the tin
For tuna packed in liquid, the total weight isn’t the same as the drained weight of the tuna. The DGCCRF states that the drained weight must appear on the label in this case.
Compare the drained weight to work out how much tuna you’ll need for your fillings.
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Choosing tuna in oil for a filling you want to season yourself
The oil is part of the recipe and gives you less flexibility if you’re also planning to add a sauce or mayonnaise.
Read the ingredients and choose tuna in water if you want to decide on the seasoning yourself.
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Overlooking allergens and instructions for after opening
This information matters when you’re serving guests or preparing fillings in advance. Storage instructions can vary from one product to another.
Check the label on the tin you’re using and follow the storage instructions after opening.
Canned tuna brands to know
Petit Navire
The brand offers options including whole tuna in water and a ready-drained variety in olive oil.
- The olive oil variety may suit you if the oil works with your planned recipe.
- For a filling you want to season yourself, check that tuna in oil is right for you. Petit Navire also notes that this product may contain bones.
Saupiquet
Saupiquet offers whole tuna in water in several sizes, as well as flakes and tuna in sauce.
- Saupiquet says its whole skipjack tuna in water does not need draining.
- This applies to the product described by the brand. Check the instructions on the tin you choose before preparing your filling.
Carrefour Classic'
The brand offers, among other products, a 140 g drained tin of whole albacore tuna in water.
- The product described by Carrefour contains albacore tuna, water and salt, so you can check what’s in it before adding a sauce.
- Whole tuna is best if you want visible pieces, so check that it suits the texture of your recipe.
ECO+ / Marque Repère Pêche Océan
These E.Leclerc own-label brands include tuna flakes, chunks and whole tuna.
- The skipjack tuna chunks in water featured by E.Leclerc are worth considering for a mixed filling.
- Don’t assume flakes, chunks and whole tuna will all look the same in your dish.
SOL&MAR
Lidl has offered a large tin of skipjack tuna in sunflower oil under this brand, carrying an MSC claim.
- The larger size may be worth considering if you’re making several fillings with the same tuna-in-oil recipe.
- Check the drained weight and MSC claim on the pack you choose. Tuna in oil isn’t a like-for-like substitute for tuna in water.
Tins to consider on Joybuy
These Petit Navire tuna options in water or brine can be used as a base for a filling you’ll season yourself. Compare the stated size and the texture you want before choosing.
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Petit Navire Tuna in water 140 g
One to consider for a filling you want to season yourself. The product name indicates a 140 g tin; check the drained weight on the packaging to work out how much you’ll have to use.
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Petit Navire MSC natural white tuna 112 g
Worth considering if you want a filling made with natural white tuna. The product name indicates 112 g and carries an MSC claim; check the claim and drained weight on the pack you choose.
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Petit Navire white tuna in brine 140 g
An option for a mixed filling if tuna in brine works with your seasoning. The product name indicates 140 g; check the drained weight and salt content on the tin.
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Petit Navire MSC tuna in natural juices 160 g, including 112 g drained
Worth considering if you want to know the drained quantity before preparing your fillings: the product name states 160 g in total, including 112 g drained. Check the MSC claim on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
What quantity should I look at when preparing several fillings?
Check the drained weight to estimate how much tuna you’ll have once the packing liquid has been removed. The DGCCRF states that this information must appear on the label when a food is packed in liquid. Then adjust the number of tins to suit the portions you have planned.
Tuna in water or oil for maki and onigiri?
Tuna in water gives you more flexibility if you’re planning to add a sauce or mayonnaise to the filling. Choose tuna in oil if the oil is part of the recipe you have in mind, then check the ingredients before seasoning it.
How long can I keep tuna after opening?
Follow the storage time given for the product you’ve opened. Saupiquet says its MSC whole tuna in water should be refrigerated and eaten within two days of opening; check the instructions for other tins.