Shoppers who prefer plain fillets
You want to build a meal around minimally processed fish, comparing the protein per 100 g and then per portion you plan to serve.
Who are these options for?
People who cook from frozen
You’re looking for portions to suit your meals and checking whether your chosen product can be cooked without defrosting first. Findus says this is possible for some of its cod fillets, but instructions vary by product.
Shoppers who like to vary the types of fish they eat
You want to alternate between white fish and oily fish such as salmon, rather than choosing the same type for every meal.
What should you check before buying?
First, decide whether you want to cook a fresh fillet on the day you buy it or keep frozen portions on hand. Then compare products by their ingredients and nutritional information, without treating a plain fillet and a breaded product as the same thing.
| What to compare | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients and protein | Protein per 100 g and per portion, followed by the ingredients list and the fish content, if stated. | I want to tell the difference between a plain fillet and a breaded product before planning my meal. Around 33% of shoppers would put this comparison at the top of their list of priorities. |
| Variety of fish | The species and type of product, so you can alternate between lean and oily fish. | If I often choose white fish, I also want to plan a meal with oily fish. Around 20% of shoppers would make this a priority. |
| Cooking and portions | The number and weight of portions, plus the cooking instructions, including whether the fish can be cooked from frozen. | I want to take out only the amount I need for one meal and know how to prepare it. For around 27% of shoppers, portion size and preparation would come before other criteria. |
| Pack size and availability | The net weight, number of pieces and the product available at your chosen shop or collection point. | I need a pack size to suit the number of meals I’m planning, without assuming that a particular product will be available everywhere. Around 20% of shoppers would prioritise this. |
Common mix-ups to avoid
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Treating a breaded product as a plain fillet
Carrefour Extra states that one of its breaded products contains 65% cod and 35% breadcrumbs. So the name of the fish alone isn’t enough to compare it with a plain fillet.
Check the fish content, ingredients, allergens and nutritional information per 100 g for each product.
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Always choosing the same type of fish
Manger Bouger recommends eating two portions of fish a week, including one portion of oily fish, and alternating between oily and lean fish.
If you usually cook white fish fillets, consider another type too, including oily fish, depending on the meals you have planned.
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Refreezing fish after defrosting
The Ministry of Agriculture warns that refreezing a defrosted product can encourage bacteria to multiply.
Follow the storage and defrosting instructions on the packaging, and don’t refreeze fish once it has defrosted.
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Assuming a product will be available in every shop
A retailer may stock several types of fish without carrying the specific product you’re looking for at your chosen shop or collection point.
Select your shop, then check the exact product, its net weight and the number of portions.
Brands and retailers to know
Findus
Findus offers frozen plain cod fillets, including a pack containing six portions.
- Findus says some of its cod fillets can be cooked from frozen; its pack of six fillets comes in individual pouches.
- Check the instructions, nutritional information and any warnings about bones on the packaging of your chosen product.
Carrefour Extra
Carrefour Extra offers both plain cod fillets and frozen breaded fillets.
- Carrefour Extra’s product information for its breaded fillets gives their composition as 65% cod and 35% breadcrumbs.
- Compare this recipe with plain fillets as two different products, and check whether the product is available at your shop.
Auchan
Auchan’s range includes plain frozen fish, salmon portions and prepared recipes.
- These categories make it easier to look for a species and pack size to suit the meal you have in mind.
- Auchan’s meunière-style cod recipe includes ingredients such as flour and oils. Check its ingredients before comparing it with a plain fillet.
ALDI / Golden Seafood
ALDI offers plain and breaded frozen fish under the Golden Seafood brand, including cod and pollock products.
- The different pack sizes make it possible to look for an amount that suits the meals you have planned.
- Check the ingredients and weight of the exact product, as well as its local availability.
E.Leclerc DRIVE
E.Leclerc DRIVE offers a selection of frozen fish, which varies depending on the collection point you choose.
- Choosing a collection point lets you see which products are available locally.
- Check the product details for your chosen item: a brand or category being listed doesn’t guarantee that a particular fillet is available.
Fish fillets and frozen products available on Joybuy
This selection includes white fish fillets, salmon portions and a breaded product. Choose according to the recipe you’re looking for, the pack size and the information on the packaging. A breaded product isn’t a like-for-like substitute for a plain fillet.
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PESCANOVA Skinless Salmon Fillets, 4 pieces, 400 g
An oily fish option in frozen portions, giving you a way to vary the types of fish you eat.
Compare the protein per 100 g on the packaging and follow the cooking and defrosting instructions.
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PESCANOVA MSC Hake Fillet Portions, 400 g
A white fish fillet to consider if you’re looking for a plain option rather than a breaded recipe.
Check the cooking instructions and look out for any small bones before serving.
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Escal MSC Wild Pacific Pink Salmon Fillets, 4 pieces, 500 g
Another frozen salmon option to compare by portion size and the product’s nutritional information.
Defrost in the fridge before cooking, as instructed for this product.
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Perfit Pangasius Steaks, 1 kg
This pack could suit several meals if you’re looking for frozen white fish.
To compare its protein content, check the value on the packaging of the exact product. Also check whether it contains skin or bones.
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Findus MSC Breaded Cod Fillets, 10 pieces, 510 g
This breaded recipe is a different choice from a plain fillet, even though both products contain cod.
Before choosing, compare the fish content, nutritional information and allergens listed on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Which frozen fish should I choose if I’m comparing protein?
Compare the protein listed per 100 g and per portion, rather than relying on the name of the fish alone. If you’re looking for a minimally processed option, check the ingredients list for a plain fillet before comparing it with other products.
Is breaded fish the same as a plain fillet?
No, these products don’t necessarily have the same ingredients. Carrefour Extra states that one of its breaded fillet products contains 65% cod and 35% breadcrumbs. Compare the fish content, protein, fat and allergens for the specific product you’re interested in.
Should I only choose salmon?
No. You can alternate salmon with other types of fish to suit your meals. Manger Bouger recommends eating two portions of fish a week, including one portion of oily fish, and suggests varying the types of oily and lean fish you eat.
Can you refreeze a fillet after it has defrosted?
Don’t refreeze a defrosted fillet: the Ministry of Agriculture says this can encourage bacteria to multiply. Also follow the defrosting and cooking instructions for the specific product.
What should I plan for if I prefer a fresh fillet to cook on the day?
Plan to keep it chilled while you transport it and cook it on the day you buy it, rather than choosing it as something to store in the freezer. To compare its protein content with a frozen fillet, look at the species, portion size and nutritional information for the products in question. Don’t assume fresh fish contains more protein.