People who plan the meal in advance
Tinned peas can be kept at room temperature before opening, so you can buy them ahead of your cooking night. If you’re feeding several people, the net drained weight will help you choose the right size.
Who should stock up on cupboard peas?
Cooks who like to choose their own seasoning
Whether you’re making a curry, fried rice, couscous or a side dish, the ingredients list tells you whether the tin also contains sugar, salt, flavouring or stock.
People topping up their shopping
A small tin can be handy as an extra ingredient. If you’re planning to buy it from your usual supermarket or online grocery shop, check that the product you’ve chosen is available there.
What should you look for for this meal?
First, decide whether your recipe needs peas on their own or would work with a peas and carrots mix. Then check the ingredients, drained quantity and storage instructions for the product you choose.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | Storage instructions before opening, the best-before date and instructions for after opening. | If I shop in advance, I want to be able to keep the tin unopened in the cupboard until mealtime. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise being able to plan ahead in this way. |
| Ingredients | Whether the specific product contains sugar, salt, flavouring, stock or carrots. | If I’m already making the sauce or choosing the spices for a dish, I’d rather know what the tin will add to the recipe. Around 27% of consumers would make control over the ingredients a priority. |
| Size and leftovers | The net drained weight, the number of servings stated and the instructions for storing leftovers after opening. | When I’m cooking for a group, I want the right amount without opening a tin and being unable to use the leftovers in time. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise choosing the right size. |
| In-store availability | Whether the product is available at the shop or collection point where you plan to do your shopping. | If I’m picking up the rest of the dinner ingredients from my usual supermarket, I need to be able to find a suitable size there. Local availability would be the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid before you start cooking
-
Confusing the tin’s total weight with the amount of peas
The total weight may include the liquid. Bonduelle states a net drained weight of 560 g for one of its products, compared with 280 g net drained weight for the Carrefour Classic’ product reviewed here. This is the figure to use when comparing the quantity of vegetables.
Check the net drained weight and, if it’s shown on the packaging, the number of servings before deciding how many tins to open.
-
Assuming all tinned peas have the same ingredients
The ingredients lists for the products reviewed here differ: some include natural flavouring, while the Bonduelle peas and carrots mix listed on Joybuy contains vegetable stock.
If your dish is already seasoned, check the ingredients on the exact tin you plan to use rather than relying on a label such as ‘extra-fine’ or ‘natural’.
-
Opening a large tin without planning what to do with the leftovers
Storage requirements change once a tin is opened. For its tender and melt-in-the-mouth peas with a net drained weight of 560 g, Bonduelle advises keeping them at a maximum of 4 °C and eating them within 48 hours.
Choose a size that suits your meal, or plan how you’ll use the leftovers, following the instructions for the product you’ve bought.
-
Buying frozen peas when you need something for the cupboard
The ALL SEASONS® extra-fine peas featured by ALDI France are frozen, so they won’t meet your needs if you want to keep an unopened tin at room temperature until mealtime.
If you want to shop well ahead of your cooking night without using the freezer, check that you’re buying a tin or jar and follow its storage instructions.
Choosing frozen peas means you’ll need space in your freezer and must follow the storage instructions.
Brands to consider, depending on the product
Bonduelle
The brand offers tinned peas in a 560 g net drained weight size, labelled as four servings, as well as a 400 g product with no added flavouring.
- For its 560 g net drained weight product, Bonduelle states the size and storage instructions for after opening.
- The ingredients and product information apply to this specific tin and shouldn’t be assumed to apply to all Bonduelle tinned peas.
Carrefour Classic’
The extra-fine peas reviewed here come in a tin with a net drained weight of 280 g, making them worth considering for a small dish or as an extra ingredient.
- Carrefour displays the net drained weight and an ingredients list for this product.
- The ingredients include sugar, salt and natural flavouring, so check that they suit the seasoning you have in mind.
Notre Jardin / E.Leclerc
The extra-fine peas reviewed here come in a 560 g tin. E.Leclerc states that the peas in this specific product are sourced from France.
- The E.Leclerc product page lists details including the ingredients for this product.
- It lists sugar, salt and natural flavouring; also check availability at your chosen collection point.
Auchan
Auchan stocks peas from several brands, in different sizes and styles, including tins and jars.
- The range makes it easier to find a size that suits the part peas will play in your meal.
- Recipes vary, so check the product information and availability at your chosen collection point.
ALDI / ALL SEASONS®
The ALL SEASONS® extra-fine peas featured by ALDI France come in a 1 kg frozen bag, not a tin for the cupboard.
- This size could be a good option if you plan to store the peas in the freezer.
- It isn’t suitable if you want to keep your shopping in a cupboard at room temperature.
A peas and carrots mix on Joybuy
This product suits anyone looking for a tinned vegetable mix for their cooking night. If your recipe calls for peas on their own, or you want to control how much carrot and stock you add, check the ingredients before choosing it.
Image unavailable
BONDUELLE Peas and carrots in brine, 530 g
This tinned mix is a good choice if carrots work with your side dish. The ingredients list also includes sugar, salt and vegetable stock, so check they’re right for your recipe.
The stated size is 530 g. To work out how much veg you’ll be serving, check the net drained weight on the packaging. After opening, the product information advises keeping it in the fridge and eating it within two days.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use tinned peas after their best-before date?
A food past its best-before date isn’t automatically unsafe to eat: the DGCCRF notes, among other things, that the packaging must be intact. Check that it’s a best-before date, not a use-by date, and inspect the tin before using it.
How long can you keep peas after opening?
Follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought. For its tender and melt-in-the-mouth peas with a net drained weight of 560 g, Bonduelle advises storing them at a maximum of 4 °C and eating them within 48 hours. This guidance shouldn’t be applied to all tinned peas.
Are extra-fine peas always suitable for a spicy dish?
The ‘extra-fine’ label alone doesn’t tell you whether the peas will work in your recipe. The Carrefour Classic’ and Notre Jardin products reviewed here both contain sugar, salt and natural flavouring. Check the ingredients if you want to season the dish yourself.
Can you use a peas and carrots mix instead of plain peas?
Yes, if carrots work with your dish and you’re happy with the ingredients in the mix. The Joybuy product page for the 530 g Bonduelle tin also lists sugar, salt and vegetable stock, so bear that in mind if your sauce is already made.