Batch bakers calculating tuna yield
If a recipe specifies an amount of tuna, use the drained weight to work out how much a multipack supplies. Tesco Groceries states that its 4 × 145g spring-water pack provides 4 × 102g drained.
Who needs which pack?
Savoury bakers controlling ingredients
If the recipe calls for tuna in spring water, check the exact variant rather than relying on the brand name. Tesco Groceries and Princes list tuna and spring water for their relevant chunks products; their other packing liquids need a separate recipe decision.
Cooks making a smaller batch
When avoiding a draining step matters, John West’s No Drain 3 × 100g spring-water multipack is a different format to a standard four-can pack. Check that its usable amount fits the recipe before choosing it for convenience.
What matters when choosing?
Settle the recipe’s tuna quantity and packing liquid before deciding how many cans to buy.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Usable tuna quantity | Compare the recipe quantity with the pack’s declared drained weight. Tesco Groceries gives 4 × 102g drained for its 4 × 145g spring-water pack. | For a family-sized bake, the fish left after draining determines whether one pack is enough; about 36% of consumers put usable yield first. |
| Packing liquid | Read the exact variant’s ingredients and match spring water, brine or oil to the recipe. | When a recipe calls for control over added liquid, oil or salt, the tin’s contents matter as much as its size. About 29% of consumers prioritise the packing liquid. |
| Preparation | Check whether the pack is labelled no-drain and whether its quantity meets the recipe requirement. | For a small batch made with limited preparation time, skipping the draining step may be the deciding need; roughly 21% of consumers put preparation convenience first. |
| Leftovers | Choose a can count you can use, and follow the selected pack’s after-opening storage instructions. | If a bake uses only part of a can, there needs to be a plan for the remainder. Around 14% of consumers make avoiding opened leftovers their primary concern. |
What should you avoid?
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Counting the full can weight as tuna
Packing liquid is included in the stated can weight. Tesco Groceries labels its 4 × 145g spring-water pack as 4 × 102g drained, giving 408g of drained tuna across the pack.
Compare the total declared drained weight with the recipe’s tuna requirement before choosing a pack.
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Swapping packing liquids without checking the recipe
Princes lists tuna and spring water for its spring-water chunks, while its sunflower-oil and brine versions have different ingredients, including salt.
Use the packing liquid specified by the recipe, or decide how a substitution would affect its liquid and seasoning.
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Opening more cans than the bake needs
Opened tuna has a shorter labelled storage period than unopened cans. Tesco Groceries and M&S give instructions to refrigerate unused contents in a non-metallic container and use them within two days for their cited products.
Plan the batch around the cans you will open, then follow the storage directions on the selected pack.
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Assuming every biscuit recipe calls for the same tuna
“Biscuit baking” does not, by itself, establish the intended eater, the required amount of fish or whether the recipe accepts spring water, brine or oil.
Check those recipe details before committing to a family pack.
Brands to compare
Tesco
Tesco Groceries lists a 4 × 145g own-label tuna-chunks multipack in spring water.
- The listed pack declares 4 × 102g drained weight and names skipjack tuna and spring water as its ingredients.
- Use that drained figure for this pack only; check the label when choosing another Tesco variant.
Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's Groceries lists own-label 4 × 145g tuna chunks in spring water, brine and sunflower oil.
- The listed formats give shoppers a choice of packing liquid at the same stated can size.
- Check the chosen pack’s ingredients and drained weight rather than treating the variants as interchangeable.
Princes
Princes lists spring-water tuna chunks in 145g cans and 3 × 80g, 4 × 145g, 6 × 145g and 8 × 145g formats.
- Its product information distinguishes spring-water, brine and sunflower-oil ingredients.
- A listed format does not establish the drained yield or suitability of every pack for a particular recipe.
John West
John West’s No Drain tuna chunks offer a 3 × 100g spring-water multipack.
- The no-drain format removes the usual draining step when the recipe can use it as packed.
- It is a smaller format than the listed 4 × 145g chunks packs; confirm the amount of tuna the recipe needs.
M&S
M&S lists a 160g spring-water chunks can; Ocado also lists an M&S 4 × 200g spring-water tuna-steak multipack.
- The two listed products offer different can sizes and tuna forms.
- The multipack contains steaks rather than chunks, so check whether the recipe calls for pieces that need breaking up.
Tuna multipacks on Joybuy
These multipacks cover tuna chunks in spring water, brine and sunflower oil, with three-, four- and six-can options. Choose by the recipe’s packing liquid and required amount of tuna, then check the selected pack’s drained weight.
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John West No Drain Tuna Chunks in Springwater 3 × 100g
Consider this three-can pack for a smaller batch when avoiding a draining step matters. Check its usable tuna quantity against the recipe rather than assuming that the stated can weight is all fish.
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Morrisons Fad Free Tuna Chunks in Spring Water 6 × 145g
The six-can spring-water format may fit a larger batch or several planned uses. Check the drained weight for the amount of tuna available to the recipe, and plan how you will use any cans you open.
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Princes Tuna Chunks in Brine 4 × 145g
Choose this four-can variant only if brine suits the recipe. Princes lists water and salt in its brine product; check the pack’s drained weight before calculating a batch quantity.
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John West Tuna Chunks in Springwater 4 × 125g
This four-can spring-water format is an option when the recipe calls for several portions of tuna. Check the pack’s preparation instructions and drained weight before deciding how many cans the bake needs.
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Princes Tuna Chunks in Sunflower Oil 4 × 145g
This four-can pack is relevant when the recipe allows oil-packed tuna. Princes lists sunflower oil and salt for this variant; check the required drained tuna quantity rather than substituting its can weight into the recipe.
Common questions
Should I use can weight or drained weight for a baking recipe?
Use the declared drained weight when the recipe specifies an amount of tuna. Tesco Groceries labels its 4 × 145g spring-water pack as 4 × 102g drained, which gives 408g of drained tuna rather than 580g of contents including liquid.
Is tuna in spring water always right for baking?
No; use the packing liquid the recipe calls for. Princes lists tuna and spring water in its spring-water chunks, while its sunflower-oil version also contains oil and salt and its brine version contains water and salt.
How should I store tuna left in an opened can?
Follow the selected product’s label. Tesco Groceries instructs shoppers to move unused contents to a covered, non-metallic container, refrigerate them and consume them within two days for its cited spring-water pack; M&S gives a two-day instruction for its cited 160g chunks product.
Is the best-before date the only storage check for a family pack?
No. Follow the unopened pack’s storage instructions as well as its date marking, and use its separate after-opening directions once a can is opened. UK government food guidance says whether canned food remains acceptable after a best-before date depends on the product, storage conditions and brand.