Who are these options for?

Anyone making dinner in under ten minutes

Ready-cooked lentils, served cold or heated through, let you put a meal together with your choice of ingredients.

Anyone keeping an eye on sugars and ingredients

The ‘of which sugars’ figure helps you compare nutritional values, while the ingredients list lets you tell plain lentils apart from a seasoned recipe.

Households catering for different numbers

The drained weight and guidance for after opening help you choose a quantity that suits the number of people eating and any leftovers you expect.

What should you check first?

For a midweek dinner, first decide what you want to prepare yourself, then compare the ingredients and the quantity you’ll actually serve.

What to consider What to check Who it’s for
Preparation Check whether the lentils are already cooked and whether they need draining, heating or other ingredients to make a meal. I want to go from opening the tin to dinner quickly, without preparing a lengthy seasoning mix; speed would be the priority for around 46% of consumers.
Sugars and ingredients Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g, then check the ingredients and salt in each product. I’m watching my sugar intake but don’t want to choose a recipe with other ingredients that don’t suit me; around 36% of consumers would put sugars and ingredients at the heart of their choice.
Quantity Check the drained weight, the stated servings and the storage instructions for after opening. When the number of people eating varies, I want a quantity I can serve or store according to the label; pack size would be the priority for around 18% of consumers.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Choosing a product based only on a ‘reduced sugar’ claim

    This claim is no substitute for the ‘of which sugars’ figure. Bonduelle France lists less than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for the two plain products mentioned here; an Auchan listing gives 0.1 g per 100 g for D’Aucy prepared lentils. These figures apply to the specific products they refer to.

    Compare the nutrition information per 100 g on the tins you’re considering, then check the ingredients and salt too.

  • Confusing plain lentils with prepared lentils

    The Raynal et Roquelaure Auvergne-style lentil recipe listed by Auchan contains pork rind, lard, wheat flour and celery, among other ingredients. It doesn’t meet the same criteria as a tin of plain lentils.

    If particular ingredients or allergens matter to you, check the full list on the exact product.

  • Using the tin’s total weight to work out portions

    The liquid the lentils are packed in is included in the total weight, but not in the weight of lentils available after draining. A larger pack may also leave you with leftovers to deal with after opening.

    Compare the drained weight and follow the storage instructions on the label.

  • Assuming a retailer’s product listing will always be the same

    Auchan notes that the ingredients in its lentil product may vary depending on the online grocery service and the date of purchase.

    If ingredients or allergens determine your choice, check the listing for the product you order and its label when it arrives.

Brands to compare

Bonduelle

Ready-cooked lentils in ‘very little juice’ and ‘natural juice’ versions, to serve hot or cold.

  • Bonduelle France lists a drained weight of 265 g for the smaller pack shown and 530 g for the ‘natural juice’ version.
  • The 265 g product lists salt and may contain traces of soya and cereals containing gluten.

D’Aucy

A prepared lentil product described as grown in France, to serve hot or cold.

  • The listing published by Auchan gives 0.1 g of sugars per 100 g for this product.
  • The ingredients also include salt, natural flavouring and calcium chloride. Check the exact tin if ingredients or origin are important to your purchase.

Carrefour Classic'

Plain lentils in a tin with a drained weight of 265 g.

  • Carrefour France’s listing includes water, dried lentils, salt, calcium chloride and ascorbic acid.
  • It notes that the product may contain traces of cereals containing gluten.

Auchan

A 530 g pack of lentils for preparing several portions.

  • Auchan’s listing gives less than 0.5 g of sugars and 0.58 g of salt per 100 g.
  • Auchan notes that the ingredients may vary depending on the online grocery service and the date of purchase; check the product you receive.

Raynal et Roquelaure

An Auvergne-style prepared lentil recipe in a pack designed for four portions.

  • The recipe is already seasoned, so there’s no need to start with plain lentils and build the dish yourself.
  • The listing published by Auchan includes pork, lard, wheat flour and celery, among other ingredients, as well as 0.7 g of salt per 100 g.

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Frequently asked questions

Should I look for lentils labelled ‘reduced sugar’?

Not necessarily. When comparing specific tins, start with the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Product listings from Bonduelle France and Auchan show plain lentils with less than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the ingredients too, as a low sugar figure doesn’t tell you everything about the recipe.

How should I store tinned lentils after opening?

Follow the instructions on the tin you’ve bought, particularly those on refrigeration and how long the lentils can be kept after opening. Choosing a pack based on its drained weight also helps you plan how much to serve.

Are prepared lentils always free from pork and gluten?

No. The Raynal et Roquelaure Auvergne-style recipe described by Auchan contains pork and wheat flour. Some plain products also warn that they may contain traces of cereals containing gluten. Check the ingredients and allergen information on each tin.

Is one tin of lentils enough for a quick dinner?

Ready-cooked lentils can be the base for a quick dinner, served hot or cold. Plain lentils let you add your choice of ingredients and seasoning; a prepared recipe needs fewer additions, but you should check its ingredients.