Who are these formats for?

Anyone making a filling to share

If you’re filling several savoury crêpes, the total weight of the pack matters more than the words ‘family size’. The three-tin packs listed by Auchan, Carrefour and E.Leclerc don’t all weigh the same.

Anyone who wants to portion the sardines easily

If you’d rather use fillets or drain the fish before putting your filling together, check the form of the sardines and the recipe before looking at the pack size.

Anyone keeping an eye on ingredients and leftovers

If some ingredients aren’t suitable for your guests, or you plan to keep an opened tin, read the ingredients list, highlighted allergens and storage instructions for the specific product you’re buying.

What should you check before choosing?

For savoury crêpes to share, start with how much you need, then choose the form of fish and a recipe that works with your filling.

Criteria What to check Who is this for?
Pack quantity Compare the number of tins and their total weight on a like-for-like basis. For sardines in a covering liquid, also look for the drained net weight. When I’m filling several crêpes, I mainly want to make sure there are enough sardines to share; around 45% of consumers would put quantity first.
Form and recipe Check whether they’re fillets or whole sardines, then look at the oil, sauce and any added ingredients. If I’m sharing the sardines between several crêpes, I prefer a form and seasoning that suit my filling; preparation would be the priority for around 33% of consumers.
Ingredients and storage Read the highlighted allergens and the storage instructions for after opening on the tin you’ve chosen. If there are ingredients to avoid or leftovers to store, I rely on the information on the tin; this would be the main concern for around 22% of consumers.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming all three-tin packs contain the same quantity

    The packs listed by Auchan, Carrefour and E.Leclerc range from 3 × 100 g to 3 × 140 g, so the number of tins alone won’t tell you how much filling you’ll have.

    Compare the total weight and, where the sardines are in a covering liquid, the drained net weight.

  • Choosing a recipe without checking the ingredients

    The oil, sauce and added ingredients vary from one product to another. A pre-seasoned recipe may not work with the other ingredients in your crêpes or suit your guests’ dietary needs.

    Check the ingredients and allergens on the exact tin you plan to use.

  • Opening the whole pack before preparing the filling

    The product listings for Saupiquet fillets in olive oil and the Connétable 3 × 135 g pack say to keep them in the fridge and consume them within two days of opening.

    Only open the tins you need, and follow the instructions on the product you’ve bought for any opened tin.

    Opened leftovers could go to waste if you don’t use them within the stated time.

  • Assuming a product listing means it’s in stock

    Carrefour’s listing for the Saupiquet 3 × 100 g pack describes the format, but it was marked as unavailable when checked.

    If your recipe depends on a particular product, check with the retailer that it’s available before planning your shop.

Brands and retailers to know

Connétable

The brand offers whole sardines in olive oil, including a 3 × 135 g pack listed by Auchan.

  • The brand’s listing describes a recipe made with sardines, extra virgin olive oil and salt.
  • Recipes and pack sizes vary, so check the ingredients and whether the sardines contain bones on the product you choose.

Saupiquet

Saupiquet offers 100 g tins of sardine fillets in olive oil; Carrefour listed a pack of three.

  • The fillet format lets you choose this form of fish for your filling.
  • The Carrefour listing checked showed the pack as unavailable, so check its availability before choosing it.

Pêche Océan

E.Leclerc lists Pêche Océan packs of 3 × 135 g, including varieties in sunflower oil and olive oil.

  • These two recipes let you compare packs of the same weight with different oils.
  • Check the listing and label for the variety you choose to confirm its ingredients and storage instructions.

Auchan

The retailer offers sardines in individual tins and multipacks, with a range of recipes and sizes.

  • Its range gives you options to look for a plain, oil, tomato or lemon and basil recipe to suit your filling.
  • Check the specific product rather than assuming every item in the range has the same ingredients or weight.

Carrefour

The retailer listed a Saupiquet pack of three 100 g tins of sardine fillets in olive oil.

  • The pack listing lets you compare its total weight of 300 g with other formats.
  • The product was marked as unavailable when checked; its listing doesn’t confirm that you can buy it now.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How do you compare the quantity of sardines in two packs?

Compare the number of tins and their total weight, then look for the drained net weight if the sardines are in a covering liquid. The DGCCRF states that this information must then appear on the label; it helps distinguish the weight of the contents from the weight of the drained fish.

What should you read on a tin of sardines before buying it?

Read the product name, ingredients list, highlighted allergens, net quantity and date shown on the packaging. For pre-packed foods sold in France, the DGCCRF sets out this labelling information; any Nutri-Score shown doesn’t replace checking the ingredients and allergens.

How long can you keep a tin of sardines after opening?

Follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought. The listings for Saupiquet fillets in olive oil and the Connétable 3 × 135 g pack say to keep them in the fridge and consume them within two days of opening; don’t automatically apply this guidance to all sardines.

Is a best-before date the same as a use-by date?

No. The French Ministry of the Economy distinguishes a minimum durability date, or DDM, from a use-by date, or DLC. A use-by date is a strict deadline for the foods concerned. Check the date shown on your tin and follow its storage instructions.

Should you drain sardines before using them in savoury crêpes?

Drain them if you want to control how much liquid goes into your filling. A Lidl pissaladière recipe drains the sardines and sets their oil aside; for savoury crêpes, adapt this step to suit the other ingredients in your filling.