Who are these options for?

Fans of build-your-own toast

You serve mackerel with bread and want to adjust the seasoning yourself. Plain options from Petit Navire, Saupiquet and Auchan let you compare short ingredient lists, although they aren’t identical.

Anyone preparing a meal with bread

You’re looking for a ready-seasoned tin to serve on toast or as part of a sharing platter. Olive oil, chilli, mustard and Muscadet marinade each bring a different flavour, so choose one whose ingredients suit the meal.

Shoppers mindful of allergens and leftovers

You need to check the ingredients and any possible traces listed for the product you’re buying, then plan how to store it after opening. Even if a variety is labelled plain, you should still read the label.

What should you check before choosing?

When serving with bread that’s already baked, start with the flavour you want, then check the ingredients and how much you’ll serve.

Criterion What to check Who it matters to
Season it yourself Compare the ingredients in plain fillets, including whether they contain water, salt or oil. “Plain” doesn’t mean the ingredients are the same across different products. To make toast just the way I like it, I prefer to start with lightly seasoned fillets. Around 33% of consumers prioritise being able to control the seasoning.
Already-flavoured recipe Look for oil, chilli, mustard or marinade, and check that the flavours will work with the rest of the meal. When I serve bread with tinned fish, I sometimes want the topping to be seasoned already. Ready-to-serve flavour is the priority for around 25% of consumers.
Ingredients and storage Check the allergens and any possible traces listed on the specific tin, and follow its storage instructions after opening. If a guest needs to avoid mustard, I check the ingredients before serving and plan what to do with any leftovers. Around 25% of consumers prioritise these precautions.
Pack size Compare the net weight and, where stated, the drained net weight with the number of people you’re serving. To serve the amount I need without opening more tins than necessary, I check what each pack actually contains. Pack size is the main consideration for around 17% of consumers.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming “premium” describes the recipe

    The term doesn’t tell you whether the fillets are plain or come with oil, chilli or mustard. Ingredients can vary even between products from the same brand.

    Read the ingredients list and the fish content, if stated, then choose a seasoning that suits your bread and the rest of the meal.

  • Assuming “plain” means you don’t need to check for other allergens

    Auchan’s plain grilled fillets may contain traces of mustard, while Carrefour Extra’s grilled fillets in brine may contain traces of mustard and milk.

    Check the ingredients and any trace warnings on the specific product you buy, even if its name sounds straightforward.

  • Confusing the tin’s weight with its drained weight

    Some of the contents may be liquid used to preserve the fish. So two differently labelled pack sizes don’t necessarily contain comparable amounts of fillets to serve.

    If the tin contains a covering liquid, check the drained net weight and compare it with the number of portions you’re planning.

  • Planning for leftovers without checking the storage instructions

    For its organic Muscadet recipe, Saupiquet advises storing the product in the fridge and eating it within 2 days of opening.

    Choose a pack size that suits the meal and follow the instructions on the tin you open.

Brands to know

Petit Navire

Its tinned mackerel range includes plain steamed fillets and a recipe with extra virgin olive oil and chilli.

  • According to Petit Navire, its plain steamed fillets contain 99% mackerel and salt: worth considering if you want to add your own seasoning.
  • This ingredient list applies to the plain variety, not every Petit Navire recipe.

Saupiquet

The range includes plain fillets and recipes with Muscadet, mild mustard or extra virgin olive oil.

  • Saupiquet’s ingredient lists make it easy to distinguish a plain recipe from one containing mustard or olive oil.
  • Check each recipe separately for allergens and storage instructions after opening. The “organic” label doesn’t tell you whether it will go well with bread.

Carrefour Extra

The products reviewed include grilled fillets in brine and fillets with extra virgin olive oil and chilli.

  • Carrefour states the drained net weight of these products, which helps you plan how much to serve.
  • The grilled fillets in brine may contain traces of mustard and milk. Check the label on this product before serving.

Auchan

The products in question are plain fillets and plain grilled fillets.

  • According to Auchan, its plain fillets contain 99% mackerel and salt.
  • The grilled variety has different ingredients and may contain traces of mustard, so don’t assume it’s the same as the plain product.

Pêche Océan / Marque Repère E.Leclerc

E.Leclerc’s range includes Pêche Océan grilled white mackerel fillets in brine, as well as other varieties.

  • The product information for the grilled fillets in brine lists grilled mackerel, water and salt.
  • Check the mustard, tomato, white wine and escabeche varieties separately before choosing a topping for bread.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

What should I look for on a tin of mackerel?

Start with the ingredients and allergens for the product you’ve chosen, then check how much it contains. For prepacked foods sold in France, the DGCCRF says that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted and that drained net weight must be shown when a product is packed in a covering liquid.

Are plain grilled fillets suitable if I need to avoid mustard?

Don’t rely on the word “plain” alone: Auchan’s plain grilled fillets may contain traces of mustard. Check the ingredients and trace warnings on the specific tin you plan to serve. Saupiquet’s mild mustard recipe, on the other hand, includes mustard in its ingredients.

How should I store mackerel fillets after opening?

Follow the instructions on the tin you’ve opened. For its organic Muscadet fillets, Saupiquet advises keeping them in the fridge and eating them within 2 days. Check the instructions for your product rather than applying this timeframe to every tin.