For a homemade taco night, choose between a multipack of tins and a large tin based on how much filling you need and how much you can store as leftovers. A kit meets a different need: it gives you a base for the meal, but you’ll still need to add other ingredients. In either case, check the ingredients, allergens and instructions on the packaging of the product you buy.
If everyone is making their own tacos, you can adjust the amount of red kidney beans rather than follow the serving size suggested for a kit. Carrefour’s 500 g and 3 × 130 g formats let you compare a large tin with several smaller containers.
A kit may include the taco shells or wraps and seasonings needed for its recipe. However, the Old El Paso kits featured by Auchan require you to add other ingredients, so check the recipe before making your shopping list.
If someone at the table needs to avoid an ingredient, check the packaging of the product you buy. Old El Paso says the ingredients and allergens in its kits may change, so a product listing you looked at previously is no substitute for the label on the pack.
First decide whether you want a store-cupboard filling that you can portion yourself or a taco base that you’ll need to top up. Then compare the usable quantities and the ingredients required for the meal you have in mind.
| What matters | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Amount of filling | Drained weight, how many tins you’ll need to open and how much you want for your group. | When several guests are making their own tacos, I want to portion out the beans without opening extra tins unnecessarily. Around 42% of consumers prioritise the amount of filling and managing leftovers. |
| Meal preparation | What’s included in the kit, how many shells or wraps it contains and which ingredients you need to add. | If I want fewer items to bring together while planning the evening, I’d rather start with a kit, while still making sure I have the toppings it needs. Simple preparation is the main priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and storage | Ingredients and allergens on the packaging, plus storage instructions after opening. | If an ingredient needs to be avoided or there may be beans left over after the meal, I need to be able to check the ingredients and storage instructions. These checks come first for around 25% of consumers. |
The Old El Paso kits described by Auchan provide a base, but their recipes also call for additional ingredients. The serving size shown for a kit assumes that you’ll add the rest of the meal.
Before choosing, count the shells or wraps and note any extra ingredients needed for the recipe you’re planning to make.
Old El Paso says its recipes may change. For prepacked foods sold in France, the DGCCRF reminds shoppers that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted in the ingredients list.
If you have an allergy or need to avoid an ingredient completely, read the label on the product you’re going to use, even if you’ve already checked its online listing.
According to Old El Paso, its range of kits sold in France includes Taco Shells, Barquitas and French Taco formats.
Carrefour lists Carrefour Classic' red kidney beans in 250 g, 500 g and 3 × 130 g formats.
Auchan lists red kidney beans in a pack of 3 × 125 g, with a stated drained weight of 375 g.
This Joybuy selection features tinned red kidney beans to add to homemade tacos. It includes an individual tin, not a multipack or taco kit.
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This tin of red kidney beans can be used to make a filling for homemade tacos. The stated pack size is 439 g: check the drained weight to work out how many tins you’ll need. If anyone at the table needs to avoid certain ingredients, check the label too.
Start with how many beans you want to serve, then compare the drained weights and the number of containers you’ll need to open. A multipack can be handy if you want to keep some tins sealed after your taco night; a large tin is a good choice if you expect to use all its contents.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the product you buy, as well as the quantity and storage instructions. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that, in France, allergenic ingredients in prepacked foods must be highlighted in the ingredients list.
For this product, Auchan advises transferring the beans to an airtight container, keeping them in the fridge and eating them within two days. For any other tin, follow the instructions on its packaging.
No: the Old El Paso kits featured by Auchan require additional ingredients, which vary depending on the recipe. Check what’s included in the kit and the preparation instructions before choosing fillings for your guests.