For dinner with friends, choose plain tinned lentils if you want to create your own salad or side dish; a prepared recipe is a better choice if you want to keep the steps before serving to a minimum. The right tin size depends on how important the lentils are to the meal and how many people you’re serving. Before choosing a large tin, check the usable quantity, ingredients and storage instructions once opened.
If you’re making a salad or side dish seasoned to your taste, plain lentils provide a good base to build on. Some Auchan products list only lentils, water and salt; always check the label on the tin you choose, as ingredients vary between products.
A prepared recipe saves you from cooking dried lentils. The Auchan prepared lentils product information describes a recipe with carrots and onions, which you can warm through over a low heat for a few minutes. Check that it goes with the rest of your menu before choosing it.
If lentils are a main part of the meal, compare the quantities shown on the tins. Carrefour lists options including 530 g, 3 × 130 g and an 800 g prepared recipe. If you choose a large tin, you’ll also need a plan for any leftovers once it’s open.
First, decide whether you want to season the lentils yourself or serve a recipe that’s already prepared. Then choose a size to suit the meal, and read the label if ingredients or allergen information matter to your guests.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation time | Whether the tin says “plain” or “prepared”, and the serving instructions. | When my guests are due soon, I’d rather warm through a prepared recipe than put together a side dish. Around 50 % of consumers prioritise this convenience above all else. |
| Recipe ingredients | The ingredients list and any allergen or “may contain” information on the tin you choose. | If the menu is already well seasoned or I’m planning a salad, I want to choose what goes into it myself. Around 30 % of consumers put this freedom to prepare a dish their way first. |
| Tin size and leftovers | The quantity shown, the drained net weight if it’s listed on the packaging, and the storage instructions once opened. | When I’m serving several guests, I want a suitable quantity without opening more lentils than I can use. Around 20 % of consumers prioritise choosing the right size. |
A prepared recipe already includes other ingredients. The Auchan product described in its listing includes carrots, onions and natural flavourings, among other ingredients, so there’s less flexibility when it comes to seasoning your dinner yourself.
Read the ingredients list: choose plain lentils if you want to create your own recipe, or pick a prepared option whose ingredients suit your planned menu.
Choosing the right size isn’t just about serving dinner. For the products concerned, Bonduelle recommends eating the lentils within 48 hours of opening, while Auchan says to use its plain lentils within two days.
Choose a tin to suit the number of guests and follow the storage instructions for the product you buy.
If you open more than you need and don’t plan another meal within the recommended time, some of the lentils may go to waste.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product you’re buying. Information for some Auchan lentils notes that they may contain traces of cereals containing gluten.
If a guest has a dietary requirement, check the information on the tin you’re actually serving rather than relying on the product name alone.
Bonduelle offers lentils cooked in very little juice, ready to add to a hot or cold dish.
Carrefour stocks lentils across several of its own ranges, as well as products from other brands.
Auchan offers both plain and prepared lentils, so you can either create your own dish or choose a ready-made recipe.
E.Leclerc stocks lentils under its Notre Jardin and Eco+ ranges.
Aldi offers Fleurs des Champs prepared lentils in a 530 g tin.
Choose plain lentils if you want to make your own salad, sauce or side dish; choose a prepared recipe if you want to spend less time getting everything ready just before serving. The Auchan prepared lentil recipe described in its listing includes carrots and onions, among other ingredients, so check the ingredients to make sure it suits your menu.
For its plain lentils intended to be served cold, Auchan recommends draining and rinsing them. Follow the instructions on the tin you buy, as these may vary depending on the product and how you plan to serve it.
Follow the instructions for the product you’ve opened and refrigerate any leftovers as directed. For its product, Bonduelle recommends storing it at no more than 4 °C and eating it within 48 hours. For its plain lentils, Auchan recommends using a suitable airtight container and eating them within two days.