For one or two people, a small tin of plain fillets is a good choice if you want to season them yourself. Grilled fillets or those in olive oil are better if you’d like to eat them with minimal preparation. Compare the usable weight, ingredients and storage instructions after opening: a tin that’s easy to store may still leave you with leftovers that are difficult to use.
If there are one or two of you at the table, the tin size matters just as much as the recipe. Carrefour, Petit Navire and Auchan offer products in formats including 85 g net drained weight, 110 g and 120 g. Check how much you’ll be able to use after opening.
Plain fillets can be the starting point for several meals. The plain options described by Petit Navire and Auchan each list 99% mackerel fillets and salt. However, be sure to compare the species and nutritional information on the tin you choose.
Grilled fillets or those in olive oil let you choose a flavour without making a sauce. Depending on the product, the ingredients, fish content and allergens to check may differ from those of plain fillets.
For a cupboard stocked for one or two people, start with how much you’ll use, then choose between a plain recipe and one that’s already seasoned. Always read the information on the specific tin, especially the instructions for after opening.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Leftovers after opening | Tin weight and storage instructions after opening. | If I’m eating alone, I want to finish the tin without leaving an opened portion behind. Around 31% of consumers put managing leftovers at the top of their list. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Ingredients list, allergens and salt per 100 g for the product you choose. | A short ingredients list matters more to me than seasoning, and I need to be able to spot any ingredients that don’t suit me. Around 31% of consumers are said to share this priority. |
| A quick meal | Plain or already seasoned; ingredients in the sauce or oil. | When I don’t feel like making a sauce, I prefer fillets that are already seasoned. Around 23% of consumers are said to make this their first choice for a simple meal. |
| Usable quantity | The difference between net weight and net drained weight, as well as the proportion of fish. | When planning my meal, I want to know how many fillets are actually in the tin, without mistaking liquid for fish. Usable quantity is said to be the top consideration for around 15% of consumers. |
Petit Navire and Auchan describe plain products containing 99% fillets, while Carrefour Extra’s naturally grilled fillets list 64% mackerel, along with water, salt and herbs.
Compare the proportion of fish, species and ingredients for each product rather than relying on the name alone.
The instructions for Auchan’s plain mackerel and Saupiquet’s grilled fillets in olive oil say to refrigerate after opening and use within two days.
If you’re eating alone, choose a quantity you can use or plan when you’ll finish the fillets, following the instructions on your tin.
Any leftovers kept beyond the stated time may go to waste.
Ingredients vary from one preparation to another. Carrefour notes that its naturally grilled fillets may contain traces of mustard and milk; a mustard recipe contains mustard.
Check the allergens, ingredients and salt content on the exact packaging, even if the recipe name sounds familiar.
Plain fillets and seasoned recipes to compare depending on how you plan to use them.
Grilled, seasoned fillets to consider if you’re looking for a ready-made recipe.
A naturally grilled fillet option in a format that may suit a smaller household.
E.Leclerc’s range includes plain and seasoned options.
Plain and grilled options with different ingredients and species to bear in mind.
This selection features mackerel fillets in olive oil for anyone who prefers a recipe that’s already seasoned. If you’re shopping for a smaller household, pay particular attention to the quantity of fillets and the instructions for after opening.
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An olive oil recipe to consider if you’d like fillets that are already seasoned.
Check what the “115/80 g” weights refer to so you know the usable quantity, and read the storage instructions for after opening.
Yes, as long as you follow the storage instructions on the packaging. For its grilled fillets in olive oil, Saupiquet recommends storing the tin in a cool, dry place away from heat. Also check the date on the tin.
The instructions on your tin determine how long and at what temperature you can store the mackerel. Auchan’s plain option and Saupiquet’s grilled fillets in olive oil say to refrigerate the product and use it within two days of opening. Don’t assume this applies to every recipe.
Check the fish and any ingredients or potential traces listed for the specific recipe. Carrefour notes that its naturally grilled fillets may contain traces of mustard and milk; a mustard recipe also contains mustard. Check the ingredients list every time you buy.
No. The French Ministry of the Economy distinguishes between the minimum durability date (DDM) and the use-by date (DLC), which applies to highly perishable products. Check which date is shown on your tin, follow its storage instructions and observe any specific guidance for after opening.