Who are these options for?

Hosts planning for a larger group

Drained weight helps you work out how many peas to serve, without confusing the vegetables with the liquid they’re preserved in. If you open a large pack, think about how you’ll use up any leftovers too.

Cooks who want to choose the seasoning

If you’ve already planned a sauce, herbs or another garnish, compare recipes before you buy. Even tinned peas that aren’t described as ‘cooked’ may contain sugar, salt or flavouring.

Shoppers who pay close attention to ingredients

Check the ingredients list, nutritional information and origin claims for the exact product you’re considering. These can vary between products from the same brand.

Which criteria should you prioritise?

For a Christmas side dish, first work out how much you’ll serve and how much room you want to leave for your own seasoning. You can then use the label on your chosen pack to compare recipes.

Criteria What to check Who it matters to
Quantity and leftovers Compare the drained weight and plan how you’ll use the contents after opening. Bonduelle’s 560 g drained-weight product advises storing it at no more than 4 °C and using it within 48 hours of opening. When I’m having several people over, I want to serve enough peas without opening more tins than necessary; around 40% of shoppers would prioritise quantity and leftovers.
Recipe and finishing touches Read the ingredients to distinguish a base you can season yourself from a recipe that already contains onions or flavouring. If I’ve already chosen the sauce and garnish, I’d rather be in control of the side dish’s flavour. The recipe would be the main priority for around 30% of shoppers.
Ingredients and origin Check the ingredients list, salt per 100 g and origin claims for the exact product you’ve chosen. For this meal, I want to know exactly what’s in the product and what its origin claim means; around 20% of shoppers would put this information at the top of their list.
Availability of the format you want Check that your preferred recipe and tin or jar size are among the products available from your retailer. If I shop at my usual supermarket, I want to find a format that suits the menu; around 10% of shoppers would prioritise finding the product they want.

Mistakes to avoid before the meal

  • Comparing only the total weight of the tins

    Net weight includes the liquid. Bonduelle’s product in question has a net weight of 800 g, which includes 560 g of drained peas. The drained weight is more useful when working out how much you’ll serve.

    Compare the drained weights of the formats you’re considering, then adjust the quantity to suit the rest of your menu.

  • Assuming all simple recipes have the same ingredients

    Carrefour Classic' tinned peas have a drained weight of 280 g and contain sugar and natural flavouring, among other ingredients. The Carrefour Bio jar listed by the retailer contains organic peas, water and Guérande salt. The Cassegrain recipe in question includes pearl onions.

    Read the full ingredients list on the product you’ve chosen before deciding what seasoning to add.

  • Opening a large pack without planning for leftovers

    A large container may suit a bigger group, but you’ll also need to use its contents within the stated period after opening.

    For Bonduelle’s product with a drained weight of 560 g, the brand advises storing it at no more than 4 °C and using it within 48 hours of opening. Bear this in mind when choosing between one large pack and several smaller ones.

  • Confusing the best-before date with the use-by date

    The DGCCRF distinguishes between a best-before date (DDM) and a use-by date (DLC). Going past a best-before date doesn’t, by itself, mean a product can’t be eaten if its packaging is intact, although its taste may have deteriorated. A use-by date is a limit that must be observed.

    Check the exact wording of the date on your tin or jar, make sure the packaging is intact and follow the product’s instructions after opening.

Brands and retailers to compare

Bonduelle

A larger pack may be worth considering when you’re catering for a bigger group.

  • Bonduelle’s ‘tender and melting, with no pesticide residues’ peas have a drained weight of 560 g. The brand says the peas are grown in France and claims this product contains no pesticide residues.
  • These details don’t apply to all Bonduelle tinned peas. After opening this product, the brand advises storing it at no more than 4 °C and using it within 48 hours.

Carrefour Classic' et Carrefour Bio

Two different recipes to consider if you want to choose the ingredients in your side dish.

  • According to Carrefour, the 280 g drained-weight Classic' tin contains extra-fine peas, water, sugar, salt and natural flavouring. The Bio jar listed by the retailer contains organic peas, water and Guérande salt.
  • These differences in the ingredients lists don’t tell you what the texture or flavour of every product in either range will be like.

Cassegrain

A recipe with onions to consider if they suit your Christmas menu.

  • Auchan’s 280 g drained-weight product lists 68% peas, 1% pearl onions and 0.8 g of salt per 100 g.
  • The onions and seasoning are already included, so this recipe gives you less flexibility than a base chosen for seasoning separately.

Auchan

A retailer whose range includes different types of store-cupboard peas.

  • Auchan’s range includes, among other options, 560 g of peas cooked in their own juices, a 265 g steamed-peas product and a 420 g jar.
  • Before choosing one of these formats, check its product information for the drained weight and ingredients that apply to it.

ALDI

An option to consider if peas and carrots would suit your planned side dish.

  • ALDI lists a 530 g Fleurs des Champs ‘Peas and carrots’ product.
  • This is a mix with carrots, not plain peas, so check that it suits your recipe.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can you serve tinned peas after their best-before date?

According to the DGCCRF, going past a best-before date doesn’t, by itself, rule out eating the peas if the packaging is intact, although the product’s taste may have deteriorated. For your meal, check how the date is worded and inspect the tin or jar you plan to use.

How long can you keep peas after opening?

Follow the storage time and temperature instructions on the product you’ve opened. For its ‘tender and melting, with no pesticide residues’ product, Bonduelle advises storing it at no more than 4 °C and using it within 48 hours of opening.

Should you use the net weight or drained weight when catering for guests?

Use the drained weight to estimate how many peas you’ll serve, excluding the liquid. To compare the two figures, Bonduelle’s product in question has a net weight of 800 g and a drained weight of 560 g.

How can you choose a recipe with no added flavouring?

Read the ingredients list for the exact product rather than relying on how it’s described. Carrefour lists natural flavouring in its 280 g drained-weight Classic' tin, while the Carrefour Bio jar considered here lists organic peas, water and Guérande salt.