For a dinner where you want the tuna to stand out, choose canned fillets or whole tuna; chunks are a good option if the fish will be mixed into the dish. Compare the cut, drained weight, recipe and storage instructions after opening. If you’re looking for fresh fillets to cook on the day, these criteria for tinned tuna won’t help you choose.
For a mixed salad, pasta or cold platter, fillets and whole tuna let you serve distinct pieces. Before serving, check whether there may be any bones: Petit Navire notes that some may remain in its whole tuna in spring water.
The pack size and drained weight help you work out how much tuna to add to your dish. A ‘ready drained’ label can make preparation easier, but check that it appears on the specific product you’re buying. Also check the storage instructions on the tin for any leftovers.
To compare tuna in spring water with tuna in oil, check the ingredients and nutritional information. If you’re serving someone who is pregnant or a young child, also take account of Anses guidance on introducing different fish species: tuna is one of the wild predatory fish that may contain methylmercury.
When choosing tinned tuna for dinner, start with how you want it to look on the plate, then check how much usable tuna you’ll get and what the recipe contains. Bear in mind any precautions for the people you’re serving, whichever cut you choose.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| How the tuna is cut | Look for ‘fillets’, ‘whole’ or ‘chunks’ in the product description. If you’re serving the tuna in pieces, also check whether there may be any bones. | I want the tuna to stand out on the plate rather than blend into the dish; around 33% of consumers prioritise this presentation. |
| Quantity and preparation | Compare the drained weights and check whether the product is labelled ‘ready drained’. | When dinner needs to be prepared quickly, I want a suitable quantity without extra faff; ease of preparation is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Recipe | Read the ingredients, then compare the salt and fat per 100 g across the products you’re considering. | I want to choose between tuna in spring water and tuna in oil, with a clear idea of what each contains; around 25% of consumers prioritise this comparison. |
| Precautions for those eating | If anyone in a sensitive group is sharing the meal, check Anses guidance on tuna and introducing different fish species. | When I’m serving someone who is pregnant or a young child, I take this precaution into account before choosing the fish; it’s the main consideration for around 17% of consumers. |
You won’t choose a tin of tuna fillets in the same way as fresh fillets that you plan to cook on the day.
Be clear about which product you’re looking for before using the cut, drained weight and storage instructions after opening as your selection criteria.
When tuna is packed in liquid, the total weight doesn’t tell you how much tuna you’ll get once the liquid is drained.
To work out how much to serve, compare the drained weights shown on the tins.
Oil is an ingredient and affects the nutritional values. So Saupiquet’s tuna fillets in spring water and Petit Navire’s ready-drained tuna in olive oil aren’t interchangeable just because they’re the same cut.
Choose according to the dish you’re making and compare the ingredients, fat and salt per 100 g on the specific products.
Saupiquet says to keep its tuna fillets in spring water in the fridge for up to two days, while Auchan’s product page for Petit Navire’s ready-drained tuna says to eat any leftovers the same day.
Follow the instructions on the tin you’ve bought and plan to use any leftovers accordingly.
These ranges give you examples of different cuts, recipes and pack sizes to look out for. The details below apply to the specific products mentioned, not necessarily to every product from each brand.
Whole tuna in spring water, in a range of sizes, with some ready-drained options.
Tuna fillets in spring water and whole tuna in spring water: two options to consider depending on the dish.
Carrefour Classic’ includes whole tuna in spring water, including albacore products.
A range that includes whole albacore tuna in spring water in several pack sizes.
Products include whole skipjack tuna in spring water and albacore tuna slices in spring water.
Lidl’s skipjack tuna in sunflower oil.
Choose canned fillets or whole tuna if you want distinct pieces; chunks work well in a mixed dish. To work out how much you’ll serve, compare the drained weight of the products.
Follow the storage time given for the tin you’ve bought, as it varies by product. Saupiquet advises refrigerating its tuna fillets in spring water and eating them within two days. Auchan’s product page for Petit Navire’s ready-drained tuna says to keep any leftovers covered in the fridge and eat them the same day.
Your choice shouldn’t be based on the cut of tuna alone. Anses lists tuna among the wild predatory fish that may contain methylmercury and recommends eating a variety of fish species. Check its specific guidance for sensitive groups when planning their meals.
Start by checking the product description, ingredients and drained weight where applicable. Then compare the nutritional information on a like-for-like basis, for example per 100 g. The DGCCRF lists these details as useful labelling information for identifying and comparing prepacked foods.