Thirteen supermarkets pushed 185 Christmas products into a blind tasting judged on taste, texture, aroma and presentation. We zeroed in on the big names shoppers reach for first and asked what truly deserves a spot on your table.
M&S led the pack with six category wins from 17 tested, with Morrisons close behind on five. Tesco, Lidl and Aldi each landed standout titles shoppers will notice on shelf-edge labels.
How we scored the festive feast
Judges compared starters, centrepieces, sides and sweet bakes against what you cook at home. We looked for balanced seasoning, honest textures and clear value. Shortlists favoured straightforward oven timings, minimal faff and packaging that doesn’t fight back.
The tasting covered a proper spread: smoked fish, hot canapés, turkey crowns, alternative mains, pigs in blankets, vegetarian centrepieces, Christmas cakes, puddings, trifles and mince pies across classic, flavoured, vegan and free-from styles.
The winner: M&S edges a crowded field
M&S finished top overall, taking six wins. The flagship Oakham hot maple-glazed turkey crown (£50) shared first place in the turkey category, praised for a punchy glaze and a fruit-forward stuffing that stayed juicy after resting. For many households, a well-seasoned crown solves the “dry breast” dilemma and trims oven time.
Its Christmas pudding also took the crown: the Collection 12‑month matured version (£16) brought generous fruit, big nut pieces and a rounded boozy finish. It ate like a proper centrepiece without needing extra brandy butter to prop up the flavour.
Elsewhere, M&S claimed best gammon with a slow-cooked bone‑in joint that sliced cleanly, and its vegetarian en croute delivered crisp pastry and defined layers of mushroom, leek and Barber’s cheddar. Add a perfectly matured iced fruit cake to the list, and you see a pattern: consistent seasoning, sensible sweetness and textures that hold under a hot knife.
If you want one badge to guide a mixed table, M&S delivers across courses: turkey, gammon, veggie showpiece, cake and pudding all landed wins.
Where it stood out
- Turkey crown: robust glaze, properly seasoned stuffing, easy carve.
- Christmas pudding: deep fruit, big nut texture, confident finish.
- Gammon: even cure, soft fat cap, slices without tearing.
- Vegetarian main: flaky pastry, well-balanced cheese, clean mushroom notes.
- Fruit cake: mature sweetness without cloying icing.
How Aldi, Lidl and Tesco fared
Shoppers looking to shave pounds from the bill without losing cheer have real options among the challengers.
Aldi: joint wins where it matters
Aldi shared top spot for smoked salmon with a Specially Selected salt‑aged Himalayan slice (£3.99). It tasted clean, with good oil and a gentle cure that plays well with blinis or rye. Aldi also landed a joint win for hot canapés with mini Barber’s cheese and ham scones that delivered proper savoury bite straight from the oven tray.
Lidl: the trifle to end plate wars
Lidl’s Deluxe Amontillado sherry trifle took the trifle category. Layers sat firm, custard carried sherry without burning, and sponge soaked rather than sagged. It reads like a reliable bring‑along when you’re on dessert duty.
Tesco: the crowd-pleasing side you’ll run out of first
Tesco scooped best pigs in blankets with its Finest pork and caramelised onion version. Sweet onion lifted the pork, and the bacon crisped without shrinking into strands. Tesco also shared a hot canapé win for a scallop and prawn toast that tasted richer than its price tag suggests.
Who else impressed
Sainsbury’s matched M&S at the top of the turkey table with a Taste the Difference bronze crown (priced at £22.75 per kg) built on a fruity pork, apricot, pear and cranberry stuffing. It also took best biscuit tin, which matters if your festive afternoon runs on tea and shortbread.
Morrisons posted five wins overall, including a showstopping Belgian chocolate and praline star, best classic mince pies and best flavoured mince pies (Cherry Bakewell). The pastry ate buttery; fillings were juicy with a bright orange note where needed. Waitrose led on dietary bakes, taking both vegan and gluten‑free mince pie titles. Booths shone with British porchetta as an alternative main and an enchanted forest cake for those skipping fondant bricks.
185 products. 13 supermarkets. Blind tasting. One clear frontrunner and a strong supporting cast for careful budgets.
The quick shopper’s cheat sheet
- Main event splurge: M&S turkey crown (£50) or Sainsbury’s bronze crown (£22.75/kg) if you want a lighter bill per head.
- Best-value starter: Aldi smoked salmon (£3.99) brings clean flavour at weekday‑shop money.
- Guaranteed side: Tesco pigs in blankets balance pork and sweetness; buy extra packs.
- Bring‑along dessert: Lidl trifle travels well and settles quickly in the fridge.
- Dietary safety net: Waitrose vegan and gluten‑free mince pies taste like a treat, not a compromise.
Standout winners at a glance
| Supermarket | Standout win(s) | Example detail | Price mentioned |
|---|---|---|---|
| M&S | Turkey crown; Christmas pudding; gammon; vegetarian main; Christmas cake | Hot maple glaze; 12‑month matured pud with pecans and panettone | Turkey £50; pudding £16 |
| Aldi | Smoked salmon (joint); hot canapés (joint) | Salt‑aged Himalayan cure; mini cheese and ham scones | Salmon £3.99 |
| Lidl | Trifle | Amontillado sherry custard with steady layers | Not stated |
| Tesco | Pigs in blankets; hot canapés (joint) | Caramelised onion lift; scallop and prawn toast | Not stated |
| Morrisons | Showstopper dessert; classic mince pies; flavoured mince pies | Belgian chocolate and praline star; Cherry Bakewell pies | Not stated |
| Sainsbury’s | Turkey crown (joint); biscuit tin | Bronze turkey with fruit and ginger stuffing | £22.75/kg |
| Waitrose | Vegan mince pies; gluten‑free mince pies | Freefrom pastry with clean spice | Not stated |
| Booths | Alternative main; alternative Christmas cake | British porchetta; enchanted forest cake | Not stated |
Timing, storage and serving tips that save stress
Order large joints early and book collection slots before mid‑December. If you’re buying a crown, plan 250–300g raw weight per person and allow for sandwiches the next day. Freeze pigs in blankets flat in their trays and bake from frozen with five extra minutes. Keep trifle upright during transport and spoon from the edge to protect layers.
For smoked salmon, open ten minutes before serving to let the aroma settle. Slice pudding and cake with a warmed knife for cleaner cuts. Line serving platters with hot water bottles wrapped in tea towels to keep sides warm without hogging the oven.
Allergy and dietary notes
Label checks matter when guests have mixed needs. Free‑from pastry often benefits from a shorter bake and a longer rest to avoid crumble. Vegan mince pies taste richer after a light warm‑through at 150°C. Keep separate knives for nut‑heavy cakes and wipe boards between slices.
What this means for your budget
The numbers point to a simple plan: spend where flavour compounds across the plate, then trim elsewhere. A confident turkey crown or standout alternative main carries the day; value smoked salmon and a supermarket showstopper dessert free up time and money. Mince pies and biscuit tins stretch across days, so buy the versions people reach for without thinking.
If you host, set a two‑oven‑window strategy: one hot window for mains and pigs in blankets, one gentle window for reheats and finishing. Choose a trifle or a chilled chocolate centrepiece to keep the oven free. That way, you get the win that matters most to diners: hot plates, full glasses and no panic at the doorbell.
£50 for a turkey crown? Worth it?
If Tesco’s pigs in blankets vanish first, I’m hiding a backup tray behind the veg. Priorities, folks 🙂