Who are these formats for?

Anyone cooking on the day

If you’d rather not fillet the fish yourself, look for fresh sardine fillets ready to cook. Check that the use-by date and collection slot fit your meal plans.

Anyone keen to know where their fish comes from

If origin matters to you, compare the details on the label, including the scientific name, production method and fishing area. Don’t confuse an origin statement with the catch area.

Hosts looking to cut down on prep

Fresh fillets save you from filleting the sardines yourself, but you should still check for bones before serving. Boneless tinned sardines are a better choice if you’re after something ready to serve rather than raw fish to cook.

What should you check before buying?

Fresh fillets

Choose these: if you want to cook sardines without filleting them yourself.

Bear in mind: arrange collection close to mealtime and keep the fish chilled until you cook it.

Fresh whole sardines

Choose these: if you’re happy to prepare the fish yourself or ask the fishmonger to do it.

Bear in mind: there’s more to do before cooking, and you’ll need to watch out for bones.

Tinned sardines

Choose these: for a starter or salad made with a ready-to-serve product.

Remember: they’re not suitable if you want to cook raw fresh fillets.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Preparation Look for the words “fresh fillets” and check the pack weight, rather than relying on the word “fillets” alone. I want to cook the fish as soon as I collect it, without filleting the sardines myself. Around 29% of consumers put ease of preparation first.
Freshness Check the use-by date, collection slot and storage instructions. Anses recommends keeping fresh fish for no more than 48 hours. I’ve planned my meal and need to keep the fish chilled until it’s time to cook. Freshness is the top priority for around 36% of consumers.
Provenance Check the scientific name, production method, fishing area and whether the fish has been defrosted. I want to know what fish I’m buying and compare the catch areas listed. Traceability comes before other criteria for around 21% of consumers.
Quantity Check the weight you’ll need based on the number of guests and other dishes. Carrefour, for example, offers 200 g and 350 g packs, while Auchan has a 1 kg box. I want to plan a quantity I can cook for my guests without having fresh fish left over. Around 14% of consumers first consider how well the pack size suits the meal.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Confusing fresh fillets with tinned fillets

    The word “fillets” appears on different types of products. Saupiquet and Connétable tins are ready to serve, while raw fresh fillets are the right choice if you’re cooking on the day.

    If you’re planning to cook the fish, check that it’s sold as fresh fillets and confirm the use-by date before ordering.

  • Buying the fillets too early

    Anses recommends keeping fresh fish for no more than 48 hours. You should also follow the use-by date on the packaging.

    Choose a collection slot close to mealtime, keep the fillets chilled on the way home and store them in the coldest part of your fridge.

  • Confusing the stated origin with the catch area

    Carrefour and Auchan don’t list the same provenance details for every fresh fillet product, and what’s available at the fish counter can vary.

    Check the fishing area and other details for the product actually on offer, then confirm it’s available for your chosen collection slot.

  • Ordering a large pack without planning how you’ll use it

    A 1 kg box won’t suit the same number of portions as a 200 g tray, and fresh fish doesn’t keep for long.

    Work out how much you’ll cook based on the number of guests and side dishes before choosing a pack size.

Retailers and brands to know

Carrefour

Carrefour sells fresh sardine fillets, including 200 g and 350 g packs.

  • Product listings make it easy to compare pack sizes and origin details.
  • Check the use-by date, what’s available at your local store and your collection slot before planning to cook.

Auchan / La Marée du Jour

Auchan’s La Marée du Jour listing offers sardine fillets in a 1 kg box, which may suit you if you’re planning to cook a larger quantity.

  • The listing identifies the sardine by its scientific name, Sardina pilchardus, and says to store it between 0 and 2 °C.
  • Auchan notes that fish-counter availability depends on deliveries and the fishing catch.

Saupiquet

Saupiquet sells tinned sardines for dishes that are ready to serve.

  • The range includes several recipes to suit different dishes.
  • Tinned sardines aren’t a substitute for raw fresh fillets you plan to cook on the day.

Connétable

Connétable sells tinned sardines, including products described as boneless.

  • These tins are handy for ready-to-serve dishes, such as a starter.
  • Choose a recipe based on its ingredients and the dish you have in mind; these aren’t raw fresh fillets.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How long can you keep fresh sardine fillets?

Anses recommends keeping fresh fish for no more than 48 hours. You should also follow the use-by date on the packaging. Keep the fillets chilled on the way home and store them in the coldest part of your fridge until you’re ready to prepare them.

What should you look for on the label of fresh sardine fillets?

Check the fish’s name, scientific name, production method and fishing area, and look for any indication that it has been defrosted. These details help you tell apart products that are all labelled “sardine fillets”.

Can you use tinned sardines instead of fresh fillets for Easter?

Yes, if you’re making something with a ready-to-serve product, such as a starter or salad. However, Saupiquet and Connétable tins aren’t suitable if you’re planning to cook raw fresh fillets on the day.