Hosts who want to make a good impression
For a meal for two or a small gathering, plain fillets, loins and portions let you choose the sauce and side dishes. Compare the weight and number of pieces so you can plan a portion for each guest.
Who are these options for?
Occasional cooks who like to plan ahead
A pre-portioned product with clear cooking instructions can make it easier to plan your meal. Follow the instructions on your chosen pack and check for any warnings about bones and allergens.
Anyone planning the sides as well
If fish is just one part of your dinner, choose the quantity to suit the number of guests and the rest of the menu. A large bag isn’t necessarily the most practical choice for a small table.
What should you look for?
For this dinner, first decide whether you’d like to season the fish yourself or opt for a breaded preparation. Then choose a cut and number of pieces that suit the meal.
Plain fillets
Choose these if: you want to create your own dish with a sauce or topping.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to take care of more of the seasoning and cooking yourself.
Plain loins or portions
Choose these if: you’d prefer to serve thick, even portions, particularly for a small gathering.
Bear in mind: check the weight and number of pieces rather than relying on the shape of the portions alone.
Breaded fish
Choose this if: you’d like to follow the preparation and cooking instructions on the pack.
Bear in mind: the coating is part of the portion, so check the fish content and allergens for the exact recipe.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| How the dish looks | The cut, net weight and number of pieces; any warnings about bones. | I want to serve even portions and choose the sauce myself; around 42% of consumers put this freedom to present the dish first. |
| The right quantity for the meal | The net weight and number of pieces compared with the number of guests. | For a small gathering, I’d rather avoid a bag with some left over; around 33% of consumers prioritise choosing a quantity that suits the meal. |
| Preparation and ingredients | The cooking instructions, ingredients list and allergens on the pack you choose. | I want to plan the cooking without finding an ingredient to avoid just as I’m serving; around 25% of consumers prioritise this simplicity and these dietary requirements. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a bag without counting the portions
Frozen fish packs on offer range from small packs to bags of 800 g or 1 kg. Their weight and number of pieces may not match the meal you have planned.
Count your guests, then compare the net weight and number of pieces in the products you’re considering.
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Assuming “boneless” means there are no bones at all
For some products, Findus and E.Leclerc state that a few bones may occasionally remain despite the precautions taken.
Check the portions before serving, particularly if this is a concern for any of your guests.
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Choosing breaded fish without checking the recipe
Breaded cod products from E.Leclerc and Auchan contain wheat or gluten. The fish content varies from one recipe to another.
Check the ingredients list, allergens, fish content and cooking instructions on the exact pack.
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Leaving frozen food out while you shop
The DGCCRF warns that a rise in temperature speeds up microbial growth and can make food unsafe.
Pick up frozen food at the end of your shop, get it home without unnecessary delay, and follow the storage and defrosting instructions for the product you choose.
Brands and retailers to know
Findus
The range featured by Findus includes plain fish in the form of fillets, loins and portions, as well as breaded options.
- Plain options let you choose the seasoning; some products include cooking instructions for cooking from frozen.
- Read the label for the product you choose: some plain fish may contain bones, while ingredients vary between breaded recipes.
Carrefour
The retailer offers frozen cod under its own brand and other brands, in a range of cuts and pack sizes.
- The weight and number of pieces make it easier to compare pack sizes for a small gathering.
- Check which product is available in the shop, for click and collect or through the delivery option you plan to use.
Pêche Océan
This brand, sold by E.Leclerc, offers plain fish fillets as well as breaded options.
- Some product listings give the species, weight and nutritional information, which can help you tell products apart.
- One cod fillet listing warns that a few bones may remain; check the ingredients of each breaded product too.
Auchan
The retailer offers a range of plain frozen fish species, as well as breaded preparations.
- Pack sizes range from small portions to larger bags, so you can choose what suits the number of guests.
- For prepared recipes, check the ingredients and allergens for the exact product before planning your menu.
Frozen fish available on Joybuy
This selection includes plain fillets to season for dinner, as well as breaded cod for a different kind of meal. Compare the number of pieces and cooking instructions before choosing what to serve.
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PESCANOVA MSC hake fillet portions 400 g
These plain fillets let you choose how to season your dish. The 400 g pack is stated to provide around four portions; follow the cooking instructions and check the portions before serving, as small bones may remain.
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ESCAL 4 ASC skinless salmon fillets 500 g
Four plain fillets make it easy to plan individual portions and choose your own seasoning. The pack contains 500 g; follow the defrosting and cooking instructions, and store at −18 °C or below.
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Escal 4 MSC wild Pacific pink salmon fillets 500 g
These four plain fillets are ideal for a dish you’d like to season yourself. The pack contains 500 g; the instructions say to defrost in the fridge and eat within 24 hours.
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ESCAL 2 ASC salmon fillets 250 g
This pack of two plain fillets is a convenient option for a two-person meal, ready to be seasoned to suit your menu. It contains 250 g; follow the instruction to defrost fully and check for any bones before serving.
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FINDUS MSC breaded cod fillets, 10 pieces, 510 g
These small breaded pieces offer a different way to serve fish from plain fillets that you season yourself. The pack contains 10 pieces weighing 510 g and states that it contains 64% cod; the product contains wheat and gluten. Check the pack for the precise cooking instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Plain fillets, loins, portions or breaded fish: what should I choose for this dinner?
Choose plain fish if you want to decide how to season and serve it; a loin or portion can make it easier to serve an even-sized piece. If you’d rather follow a breaded preparation, check the fish content, ingredients and cooking instructions for the product you choose.
How do I choose the right quantity for my guests?
Compare the net weight and number of pieces with the number of portions you need to serve. Two bags of the same weight may contain different cuts, so check that the portions suit the meal you have planned.
What should I look for on the label to identify the fish?
Look for the species and any production and origin information on the packaging. The European Commission’s guide explains terms such as “caught” or “farmed” and, for relevant marine fish, the catch area. This information identifies the product but doesn’t indicate what it will taste like.
Is breaded cod suitable if one of my guests avoids gluten?
Not without checking the exact product. Breaded cod recipes featured by E.Leclerc and Auchan contain wheat or gluten; read the ingredients and allergens on the pack before choosing this dish.
Can you refreeze fish after defrosting it?
Follow the instructions for the product you choose: one Findus product says not to refreeze after defrosting. The DGCCRF warns that a rise in temperature encourages microbial growth, so pick up frozen food at the end of your shop and follow its storage instructions.