People cooking on the day they buy
You want to season and cook fresh fillets yourself, and can keep them chilled until mealtime.
Who are these options for?
People stocking up
You want to keep unopened mackerel fillets in the cupboard for a meal you haven’t planned yet. A tin is suitable for this; fresh fillets aren’t.
People who check ingredients
You compare the proportion of fish, sauces, salt and allergens for each product, rather than relying on the recipe name alone.
Fresh, tinned or smoked: how to choose
Fresh fillets
Choose these if : you plan to cook them soon and can keep them chilled.
Bear in mind : according to Anses, fresh fish should be kept between 0 and 4 °C and preferably eaten on the day of purchase, or within 48 hours. It can’t be stored in the cupboard.
Tinned fillets
Choose these if : you’re looking for something to keep in the cupboard before opening, either in a natural brine or in a sauce.
Compare : the proportion of fish and the ingredients vary by recipe. Once opened, follow the tin’s refrigeration instructions.
Chilled smoked fillets
Choose these if : you want fillets that are ready to eat for a meal soon.
Bear in mind : this product needs to be kept chilled, so it’s not a substitute for a tin in the cupboard. Also check the salt content on the packaging.
To choose between these options, first decide whether you need mackerel to keep in the cupboard or want to cook it soon. Then check the ingredients of the product you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking today and freshness | For fresh fillets, plan to keep them between 0 and 4 °C and cook them soon. Check the date and the fishing or defrosting information. | I plan to cook my fillets straight away and can keep them chilled until then; cooking on the day would be the priority for around 39% of consumers. |
| Stocking the cupboard | Choose an unopened tin, then check the size and the storage instructions once opened. | I want to keep mackerel for a meal I haven’t planned yet; stocking up would be the main need for around 38% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and seasoning | Compare the proportion of fish, the ingredients list, allergens and salt per 100 g. | Whether it’s in a natural brine or a sauce, I want to know what’s in the tin; ingredients would come first for around 23% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Keeping fresh fillets for later
Fresh fillets need to be kept chilled and eaten soon, so they don’t serve the same purpose as an unopened tin.
Buy them for a meal you’ve planned. Anses advises keeping fresh fish between 0 and 4 °C and preferably eating it on the day of purchase, or within 48 hours.
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Assuming fillets in sauce are the same as plain fillets
The proportion of fish varies by recipe. An Eco+ mustard product listed by E.Leclerc contains 56.2% mackerel fillets and 43.7% sauce.
Check the proportion of fish and the ingredients, including allergens, before comparing two tins.
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Leaving an opened tin in the cupboard
Once opened, a tin no longer offers the same storage conditions. The Auchan and Saupiquet product information we checked says to refrigerate the contents and eat them within two days.
Follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought and choose a pack size that suits the amount you plan to use.
Brands and retailers to consider
Carrefour
A retailer to consider for fresh fillets to cook, as well as chilled smoked fillets.
- The fresh fillets listing shows a 250 g tray.
- Carrefour Extra smoked fillets are chilled; the product information lists 2.9 g of salt per 100 g. They aren’t a cupboard staple.
Auchan
A retailer to consider for tinned mackerel in natural brine.
- The Auchan product in natural brine featured here contains 99% mackerel fillets and salt.
- Its product information says to refrigerate it and eat it within two days of opening.
E.Leclerc / Pêche Océan
Tinned options to compare, depending on whether you want plain fillets or a recipe in sauce.
- The Pêche Océan product in natural brine lists mackerel fillets, water and salt.
- The Eco+ mustard product listed by E.Leclerc contains 56.2% fillets and 43.7% sauce. Check the ingredients of each recipe separately.
Petit Navire
A tinned fish brand to consider for stocking the cupboard, including its plain steamed fillets.
- The 110 g plain steamed fillets list 99% mackerel fillets and salt.
- This ingredient list applies to the plain version. Check the label for every other recipe.
Saupiquet
A tinned fish brand offering plain, grilled and sauced fillets.
- The range featured by Saupiquet lets you compare several types of seasoning.
- For its plain grilled fillets, Saupiquet advises keeping them in a cool, dry place before opening, then refrigerating them and eating them within two days of opening.
Joybuy products related to mackerel
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Can you buy fresh mackerel fillets to keep in the cupboard?
No. Fresh fillets aren’t suitable for stocking the cupboard. Anses recommends keeping fresh fish between 0 and 4 °C and preferably eating it on the day of purchase, or within 48 hours. For something to keep in reserve, choose an unopened tin.
What should you check on the label of fresh fish fillets sold in France?
For unprocessed fishery products, DGCCRF says consumers should be able to find out, among other things, the commercial name, scientific name, production method, fishing area or country of farming, fishing gear category and whether the product has been defrosted.
How should you store a tin of mackerel after opening?
Put the opened product in the fridge and follow the time limit on its label. The Auchan product in natural brine and the Saupiquet plain grilled fillets featured here should be eaten within two days of opening. Don’t leave an opened tin in the cupboard.