Can sizes

Recipes often call for "1 can" of tomatoes, beans or coconut milk without saying how big the can is. The size depends on where the recipe was written. Cans are called tins in the UK, Ireland and Australia. The weight on the label is the net weight, which includes the liquid.

How to use it

These are the sizes you will meet most often:

Recipe says	Usual size	Where
1 can tomatoes	400 g	UK, Europe, Australia
1 can tomatoes	411 g (14.5 oz)	US
1 large can tomatoes	794 g (28 oz)	US
1 can beans or chickpeas	400 g	UK, Europe, Australia
1 can beans	425 g (15 oz)	US
1 can coconut milk	400 ml	most countries
1 can coconut milk	13.5 fl oz (400 ml)	US
1 small can tomato paste	170 g (6 oz)	US

A 400 g can of beans or chickpeas gives about 240 g drained, which is about 1½ cups. A 15 oz can in the US gives about the same.

The small differences between a 400 g tin and a 411 g or 425 g can do not matter in a soup, stew or curry. They do matter when a can of something is most of a cake batter or a sauce that has to set. In that case weigh what you need on a kitchen scale.

Older American recipes sometimes use can numbers. A No. 303 can holds about 450 g (16 oz), a No. 2 can about 570 g (20 oz), and a No. 10 can, used in restaurants, about 3 kg (6 to 7 lb).

How to store it

Once you open a can, move what is left into a covered glass or plastic container and keep it in the fridge. Acidic foods such as tomatoes can take on a metal taste if left in the open can. Use leftovers within 3 to 4 days.

Common mistakes

• Reading a can's ounce weight as fluid ounces. The label weight is the weight of the whole contents, not the volume.
• Using the liquid from the can when the recipe says "drained". The extra liquid thins sauces and makes fritters fall apart.
• Swapping a 28 oz can where "1 can" meant 400 g. That is almost twice as much.

In recipes

Look for "1 x 400 g tin chopped tomatoes", "one 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed" and "a 14-ounce can coconut milk". When a British recipe says "a tin", assume 400 g.