Anyone who wants to season their own fillet
A plain fillet lets you choose the side dish and seasoning. If you can’t plan ahead to defrost it, only choose a product whose pack says it can be cooked straight from frozen.
Who are these options for?
Households that prefer a ready-to-cook portion
Breaded or meunière-style fish saves you from having to prepare it in the same way as a plain fillet. Still, check the cooking instructions and ingredients for the recipe you choose.
Anyone who pays attention to species and origin
Compare the fish’s name, fishing area or country of farming, and any labels shown to tell apart portions that might look similar at first glance.
What should you look for first?
Plain fillet or salmon portion
Choose this if: you want to decide on the seasoning and side dish yourself, whether you’re having cod or salmon.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to prepare a side dish, and some salmon fillets need to be defrosted first.
Breaded or meunière-style fish
Choose this if: you’d prefer a portion with the preparation already built into the recipe.
Bear in mind: the coating or preparation adds ingredients, so check the list and allergen information.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation time | Whether it can be cooked without defrosting, and the cooking time for the method you’ll be using. | When I decide on dinner at the last minute, I want to be able to start cooking without waiting for the fish to defrost. Around 40% of consumers would put speed at the top of their list of needs. |
| Ingredients | The ingredients in a plain fillet or, for a breaded recipe, the percentage of fish and any allergens. | If I want to choose the seasoning myself, I prioritise the ingredients over how easy it is to serve. This would be the main consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
| Origin and labels | The species, fishing area or country of farming, and what the label shown means. | When choosing between two fish products, I first want to know which species I’m buying and where it comes from. Around 30% of consumers would make traceability their priority. |
For unprocessed fishery and aquaculture products sold in France, the DGCCRF says consumer information includes the commercial name, scientific name, production method and fishing area or country of farming. A label is no substitute for checking the ingredients or cooking instructions.
Pitfalls to avoid
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Assuming a “premium” product is mostly fish
The proportion depends on the recipe: Auchan lists 65% cod in the breaded fillet we checked, while Carrefour lists 75% dab in its meunière-style fillets. These products also contain other ingredients.
For a breaded or prepared portion, check the percentage of fish, ingredients and allergens. If you want to put the recipe together yourself, compare it with a plain fillet instead.
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Taking “boneless quality” as an absolute guarantee
Findus and Pêche Océan say that a few bones may occasionally remain in the cod products concerned.
Check the portion after cooking, especially before serving it to someone who is particularly sensitive to bones.
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Letting the fish defrost while you shop
Keeping food cold is an important part of choosing frozen products. Anses advises shopping for frozen food at the end of your trip and carrying it in an insulated bag.
Put the fish in the freezer as soon as you get home. The Ministry of Agriculture advises against refreezing defrosted food because of the risk of bacterial growth.
Brands to know when comparing options
Findus
Its plain cod fillets, sold in portions, could suit a dinner where you choose the side dish.
- For the cod fillets we checked, Findus gives instructions for cooking from frozen using several different methods.
- The brand says a few bones may occasionally remain. Follow the timings for your specific pack and appliance.
Carrefour Extra
The products we checked let you compare an ASC-certified plain salmon portion with MSC-certified meunière-style dab fillets.
- Carrefour says the plain portion is Atlantic salmon farmed in Norway, while its meunière-style recipe contains 75% dab.
- The dab recipe contains ingredients including wheat flour and oils, so check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
Pêche Océan
This E.Leclerc brand offers products including MSC-certified cod portions and ASC-certified salmon portions, which you can compare by species and origin.
- For the products we checked, E.Leclerc says the cod is caught in the North-East Atlantic and the Atlantic salmon is farmed in Norway.
- The cod’s “boneless quality” claim doesn’t rule out every bone. Also check whether the product is available at your store.
Auchan
The MSC-certified breaded cod fillet we checked is a prepared portion that can be cooked in the oven, in a frying pan or in an air fryer.
- Auchan lists 65% cod in this product and provides separate instructions for each appliance.
- The coating contains ingredients including wheat and oils. Recipes can change, so check the label on the pack you buy.
Golden Seafood
Aldi’s range includes different types of fish, from plain fillets to breaded products.
- Aldi’s selection includes options such as cod, Alaska pollock and salmon in different formats.
- For a specific product, check the ingredients, labels and cooking instructions on the pack, then confirm it’s available in store.
Lidl
The retailer has featured MSC-certified breaded cod portions for cooking in a frying pan or oven.
- The product featured eight breaded portions in an 800 g pack.
- It was part of a limited offer running from 24 to 30 September 2026, so check what’s available before planning your meal.
Frozen fish on Joybuy
This selection includes breaded fish portions and plain salmon fillets. The two salmon products shown need to be defrosted as directed before cooking, so check this before choosing if you haven’t planned dinner in advance.
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Findus MSC fish croquettes with garlic and herbs, 6 pieces
For cooking portions without defrosting them first, following the instructions on the pack. Check the fish species, allergens and cooking time for your appliance.
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Findus MSC breaded Alaska pollock fillets, Fish & Chips Style, 400 g (4 × 100 g)
For serving breaded portions that can be cooked from frozen. Check the cooking instructions and recipe allergens, including wheat and mustard.
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ESCAL 4 ASC-certified skinless salmon fillets, 500 g
For putting together a meal with plain salmon when you have time to defrost it fully in advance. Check the country of farming and the allergen information on the pack.
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Escal 4 MSC-certified wild Pacific pink salmon fillets, 500 g
For a dinner planned early enough to defrost the fish in the fridge before cooking. Check the fishing area on the pack and examine the fillets for any bones before serving.
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FINDUS 10 MSC breaded cod fillets, 510 g
For serving several breaded portions with a side dish of your choice. Before relying on this pack for a last-minute dinner, check the cooking method, whether it needs defrosting and the allergens listed on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
Can you cook fish from frozen?
Yes, if the instructions for that product say you can. For the cod fillets we checked, Findus gives several cooking methods for cooking from frozen. The cooking time depends on the method, portion size and appliance. Follow the pack rather than relying on a time that applies to all fish.
Can you refreeze fish after defrosting it?
Don’t refreeze defrosted fish: the Ministry of Agriculture says this can encourage bacterial growth. Follow the storage and defrosting instructions on the pack.
What does the MSC label mean on frozen fish?
According to the Marine Stewardship Council, the MSC label applies to wild fish from a fishery assessed against its standard. On its own, it doesn’t tell you about the ingredients in a coating, any bones or the cooking time.
How can you check the origin of frozen fish in France?
For an unprocessed fishery or aquaculture product, look for the species, production method and fishing area or country of farming. The DGCCRF says this information must be provided to consumers. For breaded or prepared products, also read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
Which compartment should you use to store frozen fish?
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, a three-star compartment at −18 °C can keep frozen products until their best-before date. Check your appliance’s instructions and the date on the pack.