Who is this option for?

People cooking on the day they buy

You want to cook fresh fillets in a frying pan, in the oven or in a foil parcel, choosing the seasoning and cooking method yourself.

People preparing portions to freeze

You’re dividing several fillets into portions for future meals. The use-by date, whether the fish has been defrosted before sale and what your freezer can handle all matter when choosing.

People putting together a quick meal

If you don’t plan to cook raw fish, tinned fillets can be a ready-to-use ingredient. However, they’re not a substitute for fresh fillets intended for cooking.

What should you look for?

First decide whether you’ll cook the fillets soon, freeze them in portions or use tinned fish without cooking. This will determine what you need to check before you buy.

What matters What to check Who is it for?
Quickly cooking fresh fillets The use-by date, the stated storage temperature and how long it will actually be before you cook them. I want to cook my fresh fillets on the day I buy them and store them according to the label until then. Around 42% of consumers say quick cooking is their top priority.
Portions to freeze Whether the fish has been defrosted and whether your equipment is suitable for freezing it. When preparing several meals ahead, I’d rather portion up the fillets than have to cook them all straight away. This is the priority for around 33% of consumers.
A meal without cooking raw fish If you choose tinned fish, check its ingredients, pack size and storage instructions once opened. When I want to put together a meal without preparing raw fish, tinned fish suits me better than fresh fillets that need cooking. Convenience comes ahead of other considerations for around 25% of consumers.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Confusing a delivery freshness guarantee with the use-by date

    A freshness guarantee offered for a delivery does not extend the use-by date of fresh fish. The DGCCRF, France’s consumer affairs authority, states that this date is a strict deadline.

    Plan when to cook or freeze the fish based on the date and storage instructions on the product you receive.

  • Buying fillets to freeze without checking their condition

    For unprocessed fishery products, the label must state whether the product has been defrosted. France’s Ministry of Agriculture advises against refreezing food that has been defrosted.

    Check this information before planning portions for the freezer.

  • Using tinned fish as if it were fresh fillets for cooking

    The Petit Navire and Saupiquet tinned products featured here are already prepared. They’re suitable for putting a meal together, not for recipes that call for raw fillets.

    For cooking in a frying pan or oven, choose a fresh, chilled product. For a meal that doesn’t need cooking, compare the ingredients in the tins.

  • Planning to serve fish raw or lightly cooked without taking precautions

    France’s national health insurance authority warns that eating raw or undercooked fish can expose you to risks, including parasites.

    If you’re preparing fillets for future meals and aren’t confident about the conditions required for serving fish raw, plan to cook it thoroughly.

Brands to know when comparing formats

Carrefour

The retailer lists a 250 g tray of fresh mackerel fillets, stated to be of French origin.

  • This format is suitable if you’re buying fresh fillets to cook.
  • Check the use-by date and storage instructions on the tray you receive before choosing when to cook the fish.

Petit Navire

The brand offers products such as 110 g tins of plain, steamed mackerel fillets.

  • According to Petit Navire, this product contains mackerel fillets and salt. It can be used to put together a meal without cooking raw fish.
  • These are not fresh fillets for cooking.

Saupiquet

A product of plain grilled mackerel fillets is sold in a multipack of 3 × 120 g.

  • This ready-prepared tinned fish is suitable for putting together a meal.
  • It isn’t suitable for recipes that call for fresh, raw fillets. Also follow the product’s storage instructions once opened.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

What should I check on the label of fresh mackerel fillets?

For unprocessed fishery products, the DGCCRF says consumers must be given information including the commercial name, scientific name, production method, fishing area and whether the fish has been defrosted. When planning your meals, also check the use-by date and the storage instructions for the product you’ve bought.

Can I keep fresh fillets to cook at the end of the week?

Only if the use-by date and storage instructions allow it. The DGCCRF states that the use-by date is a strict deadline for fresh foods such as fish, so don’t plan when to cook it based on your meal-prep schedule alone.

Can I freeze fresh mackerel fillets?

You can plan to freeze them before their use-by date, provided the product and your equipment are suitable. First check whether the fish has been defrosted: France’s Ministry of Agriculture advises against refreezing defrosted food.

Should I cook fillets intended for meals prepared in advance all the way through?

Cook them thoroughly if you’re not confident about the food safety requirements for serving fish raw or lightly cooked. France’s national health insurance authority highlights that these preparations can expose you to risks, including parasites, and that cooking destroys most of the relevant biological hazards.

Can tinned fillets replace fresh fillets for meal prep?

They can replace mackerel as an ingredient in a meal you put together, but not fresh fillets in a recipe where you want to cook and season the raw fish yourself. The Petit Navire and Saupiquet products mentioned here are already prepared. Compare their ingredients and follow the instructions on each product once opened.