If you’re preparing several Easter recipes on different days, choose tins of 400 to 800 g or a multipack so you can open only what you need for each meal. A 2.5 kg tin is better suited to cooking a large quantity straight away, provided you can manage the contents once opened. Also check the drained weight, ingredients and condition of each tin.
If you’re making several sauces or slow-cooked dishes on the same day, work out how much you’ll need before considering a 2.5 kg tin. This size is only practical if you can use or store the contents properly once opened.
Separate tins or a multipack let you open the peeled tomatoes as you need them for each recipe, without opening a large container all at once.
If ingredients, stated origin or a certification matter to you, compare the details on each product with its net and drained weights, rather than relying on the brand name alone.
Start by spreading your recipes across the days you’ll be cooking. The amount you need to open at once will help you decide which size to compare.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Amount you need to cook | Compare the net and drained weights, then work out whether you’ll use the contents after opening. | I’m making several dishes for a large gathering and want to open the right amount. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise the quantity they need. |
| Texture for your recipe | Check that they’re whole peeled tomatoes, not chopped tomatoes or purée. Also check the covering liquid. | I want to crush the tomatoes myself for a sauce, so their shape matters more than the size of the tin. Texture would be the top consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Storing leftovers | Check how many tins are in the pack and the storage instructions for your chosen product once opened. | My recipes are spread over several days, and I’d rather not leave a large tin open. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise this flexibility when it comes to storage. |
| Ingredients and origin | Read the ingredients and stated origin, and check whether the specific product carries any certification that matters to you. | I want to choose based on what’s stated on the tin, without assuming the same applies to the whole range. These details would be a priority for around 14% of consumers. |
A large tin can leave you with a lot to deal with once it’s open. For the 2.5 kg organic tin listed by Transgourmet, the instructions say to transfer the contents to a non-metallic food container, seal it and refrigerate it.
Work out how much you need for your dishes. If you’re cooking on different days, consider tins of 400 to 800 g or a multipack instead.
A multipack doesn’t guarantee the type of tomato your recipe calls for: the 3 × 400 g pack listed in the Marque Repère catalogue contains chopped tomatoes.
Read the product name on each pack and check the drained weight when comparing whole tomatoes preserved in juice.
Auchan says that the composition of its whole peeled tomatoes in juice may vary depending on the collection store and purchase date.
Check the label on the tin you choose if the ingredients or country of manufacture affect your decision.
The DGCCRF lists rust, dents and swelling among the visible signs of damage to look out for on a metal tin.
Set aside any swollen, rusty or badly dented tin. If you’re unsure about its condition, don’t eat the contents.
Mutti offers peeled tomatoes in 400 g and 800 g tins, as well as a pack of 2 × 400 g.
Cirio offers whole peeled tomatoes in 400 g and 800 g tins. Transgourmet also lists a 2.5 kg Cirio product for catering.
Auchan offers 480 g whole peeled tomatoes in juice.
The Marque Repère catalogue includes Notre Jardin whole peeled tomatoes, including a 480 g tin, as well as a 3 × 400 g pack of chopped tomatoes.
This 400 g product is suitable for a recipe that needs a household quantity of peeled cherry tomatoes. Check the pack size if you’re specifically looking for several tins to store.
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For recipes that call for peeled cherry tomatoes rather than a large tin of standard peeled tomatoes.
Stated size: 400 g. Check how many tins are in the pack and follow the packaging instructions once opened.
Not necessarily. Tins of 400 to 800 g or a multipack let you open the tomatoes as you need them for recipes prepared on different days. Save the 2.5 kg size for a large quantity that you’ll cook soon, and plan how to store any leftovers.
Start by comparing the product name and net weight, as well as the drained weight if the tomatoes are in a covering liquid. Then check the ingredients and any origin details that matter to you. The DGCCRF distinguishes between net quantity and drained net weight on food labels.
Follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought. For a 2.5 kg organic tin listed by Transgourmet, the instructions say to transfer the tomatoes to a non-metallic food container, seal it and keep it in the fridge.
No. A date that hasn’t passed doesn’t rule out damage. The DGCCRF advises checking for visible signs such as swelling, rust or dents. Don’t eat the contents if you’re concerned about the condition of the tin.