If you want to keep salt down while preparing rice quickly in a holiday rental, start by comparing the salt content per 100 g. Product listings from Ben's Original France and Auchan show 0.01 g per 100 g for express wholegrain rice and less than 0.01 g for plain express long-grain rice. An Auchan-listed Mediterranean recipe contains 0.56 g per 100 g. Check each recipe separately, then choose a pouch that suits the appliances available and the size of your meals.
You want to choose a rice base so you can control the seasoning yourself. Auchan and Ben's Original France listings show less than 0.01 g of salt per 100 g for plain express long-grain rice and 0.01 g for express wholegrain rice. An Auchan-listed Mediterranean recipe, by contrast, contains 0.56 g per 100 g.
You’re looking for something quick to prepare, either in the microwave or in a frying pan, depending on the facilities at your accommodation. The express pouches considered here can be prepared in 2 minutes in the microwave or 3 minutes in a frying pan. Check the instructions for the specific product you buy.
A seasoned recipe or a prepared dish with rice can mean less preparation while you’re away. However, ingredients vary from one product to another, so check the salt content, ingredients and allergens before you choose.
For meals in a holiday rental, compare the salt content per 100 g first, then check the preparation method and recipe ingredients.
| What to check | Look for | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Salt content | Compare the “salt” line per 100 g across the products you’re considering, then check the recipe ingredients. | I want to season the meal myself rather than choose rice that’s already flavoured. Around 42% of consumers prioritise a very low declared salt content. |
| Preparing it at your accommodation | Check the microwave or frying-pan instructions and make sure you have the necessary utensils in your rental. | If the rental kitchen is basic, I need to be able to prepare the pouch with what’s available. Having the right equipment is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Varied meals | For a seasoned recipe or a dish with rice, check the ingredients, allergens and salt content per 100 g. | I’d rather cut down on shopping and preparation by choosing a ready-made recipe, while still checking what’s in it. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this convenience when it comes to varying their meals. |
Quick preparation doesn’t tell you how much salt a product contains. According to Auchan’s listings, the plain express long-grain rice considered here contains less than 0.01 g of salt per 100 g, compared with 0.56 g per 100 g for the Mediterranean recipe.
Compare the “salt” line in the nutritional information for each pouch. The recipe name or its Nutri-Score is no substitute for checking this.
Recipes don’t all have the same ingredients. Auchan’s listing for Ben's Original paella, for example, mentions chorizo and chicken, while Carrefour’s listing for Exalt veal blanquette with rice includes veal and milk.
Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product, even if you already know another recipe from the same brand.
Cooking in a frying pan takes more than a hob: you’ll also need the utensils specified in the pouch instructions.
Before you shop, check whether there’s a microwave or hob, and make sure you have a frying pan and lid if you plan to use that method.
Without the right utensils, you’ll need to change your plans or buy what’s missing.
Carrefour’s listing for Exalt blanquette with rice showed the product as unavailable. So a product you find before you leave may not be suitable for the shopping you plan to do while you’re away.
Check availability at the store you plan to use during your stay, and have another meal idea in mind if you’re looking for a particular recipe.
The express rice range includes plain, wholegrain and seasoned pouches. Check each product individually.
The veal blanquette with mushrooms and rice listed by Carrefour is a 285 g ready meal in a tray, not a pouch of rice to season yourself.
The Carrefour listings checked include Ben's Original express rice and an Exalt dish with rice.
The Auchan listings checked provide details of several Ben's Original express rice pouches, including plain and seasoned recipes.
Compare the amount of salt per 100 g in the nutritional information for each product. The Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control states that nutrition information for pre-packed foods is given per 100 g or 100 ml, making comparisons easier. Nutri-Score is no substitute for checking the “salt” line.
That’s the case for the two products shown in Auchan’s listings: Ben's Original plain express long-grain rice contains less than 0.01 g of salt per 100 g, compared with 0.56 g per 100 g for its Mediterranean-style express rice. This comparison doesn’t apply to all plain or seasoned rice products, so check the labels on the pouches you’re thinking of buying.
Choose a product whose packaging specifically gives frying-pan instructions, and check that your accommodation has the utensils you need. Auchan’s listing for Ben's Original express long-grain rice says to cook it in a frying pan with 30 ml of water and a lid for 3 minutes. Follow the instructions on the pouch you buy.
Follow the instructions on the product you buy. For the Ben's Original express long-grain rice described by Auchan, an unopened pouch can be stored in a dry place at room temperature. Once opened, unheated rice can be kept in the fridge for 3 days. Check that your rental has a fridge if you don’t plan to use the whole pouch at once.
Yes. A statement about salt doesn’t tell you everything about the ingredients or allergens. The Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control reminds consumers that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on the label. Check the ingredients for the specific recipe before you buy.