Who is this option for?

People in a hurry in the morning

You want ready-filleted fish, without having to prepare a whole fish. Check that the pack size and the time you have available also allow you to keep the fish chilled properly.

People who care about provenance

You want to check the fishing and any defrosting information before you choose. For unprocessed fishery products sold to the final consumer, the DGCCRF explains what information to look for on the label.

Households that switch between fresh and tinned fish

You can use tinned fish for a meal that doesn’t need cooking, but look for fresh fillets when you want to cook them yourself. Smoked or sauced products also have their own preparation methods and ingredients to check.

What should you check?

If you’re cooking on a weekday morning, first make sure the fillets are fresh. Then check you can transport, store and cook them within the time available.

What to consider What to check Who is this for?
Freshness and storage Check that the product is presented as fresh and look at the date on pre-packed fish. Take an insulated bag and make room in your fridge at between 0 and 4 °C, following Anses advice. I’m planning to cook the fish soon after buying it, so I need to be able to keep it chilled until then. Around 33 % of consumers would prioritise this.
Morning preparation Choose fillets rather than a whole fish if you want to avoid filleting it yourself. Check the pack weight and make sure you can cook the fish through. With little time before I leave, I want to keep preparation to a minimum without giving up cooking the fillets myself. Around 27 % of consumers would prioritise saving time.
Provenance and presentation Check the species, production method, fishing area, fishing gear and whether the fish has been defrosted. The DGCCRF explains these details for unprocessed fishery products sold to the final consumer. I want to compare two packs using more than just the name of the fish. Nearly 20 % of consumers would put this information first.
Cooking and ingredients For fresh fillets, follow Anses advice to cook the fish through. If you’re considering tinned or other prepared fish instead, check the ingredients. In my household, how the fish is cooked and what goes into an alternative preparation determine what we choose. Around 20 % of consumers would prioritise this.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming every product called “mackerel fillets” is fresh fish

    The same kind of name can refer to tinned fish, fillets in sauce or smoked fish. These products aren’t what you need if you want to cook raw fillets in the morning.

    Before you choose, check whether the fish is presented as fresh, which section it’s in and how it has been prepared.

  • Relying on cooking to make up for a break in the cold chain

    According to Anses, poor storage of mackerel can lead to histamine forming. Neither cooking nor freezing destroys it.

    Carry the fillets in an insulated bag, refrigerate them promptly at between 0 and 4 °C, and follow the date shown and the storage advice for fresh fish.

  • Choosing based only on the stated origin

    The origin or fishing area can help you tell products apart, but on its own it won’t tell you whether the fish has been defrosted or how long you have before cooking it.

    Read all the information about how the fish is presented and caught, then check the date and make sure you can store it properly.

Brands and retailers to know

Carrefour

Two Carrefour France product listings feature 250 g packs of fresh mackerel fillets.

  • The listings state that the fish is from France and the North-East Atlantic respectively, so check the provenance of the pack you choose.
  • Before planning your meal, check the product date and make sure it’s available at your chosen store or for your preferred collection option.

Petit Navire

Petit Navire offers 110 g tins of plain steamed mackerel fillets.

  • According to the Petit Navire product listing, this product contains 99 % mackerel fillets and salt.
  • This tinned product isn’t the same as fresh, raw fillets to cook in the morning.

Saupiquet

Saupiquet offers prepared mackerel fillets in a range of styles, including plain, grilled and in sauce.

  • These options are convenient if you want a prepared product without cooking fresh fillets at home.
  • Check the recipe and ingredients of the product you choose: these prepared products aren’t fresh, raw fillets.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell fresh fillets from tinned mackerel?

Look for an explicit description as a fresh product and check how it has been prepared. For unprocessed fishery products sold to the final consumer, the DGCCRF also explains what to look for, including the species, fishing area and whether the fish has been defrosted. Tinned fish is already prepared, so it won’t let you cook the raw fillets you’re looking for here.

How long can I keep fresh mackerel fillets?

Anses advises keeping fresh fish in the coldest part of the fridge, at between 0 and 4 °C, for no more than 48 hours. For breakfast, cook the fish on the day you buy it if possible, and follow the date on pre-packed fish.

Is a quick sear on the outside enough for fresh fillets?

No. Anses recommends cooking fresh fish through. Allow enough time for this when choosing fillets for a weekday morning.

Why should I keep mackerel chilled if I’m going to cook it?

Cooking won’t undo every effect of poor storage. Anses explains that histamine, which can form in mackerel, is destroyed by neither cooking nor freezing. Keep the fillets chilled during transport and until you prepare them.