Anyone making a sauce to share
You’re planning a tomato sauce, slow-cooked beans or vegetables for several people. The pack size and drained net weight help you choose the amount you need without ending up with a tin that’s too large.
Who are these options for?
Anyone who wants to control the texture
You’d like to crush or blend whole peeled tomatoes, or keep them chunky, depending on the recipe. Also check whether they’re packed in juice or tomato purée.
Anyone who pays attention to ingredients
You want to tell the difference between tomatoes and juice and a product that also contains salt, citric acid or calcium chloride. Check the ingredients list on the tin you choose.
What should you prioritise?
When choosing peeled tomatoes for a barbecue, start with how much you need, then decide on your preferred texture and which ingredients you’re happy with. Different shoppers will prioritise these factors in different ways.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Getting the amount right | Compare the pack size and drained net weight, then estimate how much you’ll need for the recipes you have planned. | If I’m cooking for several people, I want enough tomatoes for the sauce and sides without opening more than I need. Around 42% of consumers would prioritise matching the pack size to the recipe. |
| Texture | Check that the tomatoes are whole and peeled, and whether they’re packed in juice or tomato purée. | For a sauce where I want to control the consistency, I prefer to be able to crush the tomatoes or leave them chunky. Around 33% of consumers would put texture control first. |
| Ingredients and origin | Read the ingredients list and check any origin information on the tin. | When choosing a recipe, I want to know whether it contains salt or other ingredients in addition to tomatoes, and check the origin if that matters to me. Around 25% of consumers would make this their main priority. |
What should you watch out for?
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Looking only at the weight shown on the front of the tin
When tomatoes are packed in a covering liquid, the drained net weight helps you tell how much of the total contents is actually tomatoes.
Compare drained net weights when working out how many tins you’ll need for your recipe.
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Assuming all peeled tomatoes have the same ingredients
Mutti describes whole peeled tomatoes in juice, while the Carrefour Classic' and Cirio listings also mention other ingredients. The product category name alone doesn’t tell you what’s in the tin.
Read the ingredients list on the tin you’re buying, especially if the presence of salt, citric acid or a firming agent matters to you.
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Choosing a large pack without planning how you’ll use it
Mutti’s listed pack sizes include 400 g, 800 g and 2 x 400 g. A larger tin could leave you with tomatoes you don’t need for a small dish.
Plan your recipes and the number of people you’re serving before choosing a pack size.
Unused food can lead to food waste.
Brands to consider
These products illustrate differences in pack size, covering liquid and ingredients. Check the label of the product you choose.
Carrefour Classic'
Carrefour lists whole peeled tomatoes in juice in a tin with a drained net weight of 480 g – a size worth considering for a dish to share.
- The listing gives the ingredients as whole peeled tomatoes, tomato juice, salt, citric acid and calcium chloride.
- If you’d prefer a different recipe, compare the ingredients lists of the tins you’re considering.
Mutti
Mutti lists whole peeled tomatoes in 400 g, 800 g and 2 x 400 g packs. Crush them or leave them chunky to suit your recipe.
- The brand describes the ingredients as whole peeled tomatoes and tomato juice.
- Choose a pack size based on how much you plan to use.
Cirio
Carrefour lists a 400 g tin of Cirio peeled tomatoes, described as coming from Puglia and packed in tomato purée.
- The listing mentions peeled tomatoes, tomato purée and citric acid.
- Check that the covering liquid and pack size suit the dish you’re planning.
Auchan
Auchan lists whole peeled tomatoes in juice in a 480 g pack, suitable for sauces and cooked dishes.
- The listing describes peeled tomatoes and tomato juice.
- It gives several possible ingredient combinations depending on supply, so check the ingredients list on the tin available.
Joybuy products
Related products are coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
What size tin of peeled tomatoes should I get for a barbecue?
Choose a size to suit your recipes and the number of people you’re serving, and pay particular attention to the drained net weight. Carrefour lists a Classic' tin with a drained net weight of 480 g; Mutti lists 400 g, 800 g and 2 x 400 g packs.
Are whole peeled tomatoes suitable for homemade barbecue sauce?
Yes, if you want to control the texture yourself by crushing or blending them, or leaving them chunky. The juice or tomato purée they come in also affects the finished dish, so check how they’re packed on the tin.
What does drained net weight mean?
It shows the weight of the drained tomatoes, separate from the total weight when the product is packed in a covering liquid. The Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control states that this information must appear on the label in such cases.
What should I check on the label before choosing a tin?
Start with the ingredients list and net quantity. For tomatoes packed in a covering liquid, check the drained net weight too. Also look at the nutrition information, date and storage instructions on the packaging.