We tried 6 premium mince pies from Tesco to M&S: which £3 box wins and which one you’ll bin?

Ready to judge?

We put six supermarket “best” mince pies head to head, chasing crisp pastry, proper spice and value that won’t steal your stocking budget.

How we tested

We bought premium six-packs from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, M&S, Asda, Aldi and Morrisons. Each pie was tried at room temperature, then lightly warmed in an oven for a fair second bite. We scored on pastry quality, filling flavour, spice balance, fruit texture, filling-to-pastry ratio, appearance and value per pie.

Short, honest notes replaced flowery tasting jargon. If a pie collapsed, clagged, or tasted of boiled sweets, it lost points. If it balanced butter, fruit and spice like it belonged on the mantelpiece, it climbed fast.

Tesco’s £3 box delivered the best blend of buttery pastry and properly spiced mincemeat — and one rival tasted so off we left it unfinished.

The quick scoreboard

Tesco: the one to beat

Buttery, short pastry that holds its shape but gives at the bite. A mincemeat that tastes of fruit first, spice second, with citrus keeping it bright. The filling sits high, not stingy. Warmed, the aromas bloom without turning gluey.

At £3 for six, the maths works for office trays, family tea, or a quiet cuppa while you queue for delivery slots. If you want one safe box to please most palates, this is it.

Morrisons: festive and dependable

Morrisons lands just behind with a lighter, crisp shell and a sensible spice profile. It steers away from boozy bravado and keeps raisins plump, not paste. No fireworks, just confident balance at a fair price.

If you’re supplying a mixed crowd — kids, nan, and that one friend who times their diet to November — this box keeps peace.

Sainsbury’s: flavour is there, pastry isn’t

The filling hints at homemade: warm spice, dark fruit, and a nice hum of citrus. The let-down is the casing. It runs dry and crumbly, breaking apart in the hand and dusting your jumper. Warmed, it improves, but the fragility remains.

Not a bad buy at £3.50, just not the top pick when others at £3 perform better across the board.

M&S: lavish, but a bit much

M&S polishes the look and loads the mix: brandy, zest, spice. On paper, luxury. In practice, richness piles upon richness and the pastry eats heavy. Two pies in and you feel like you’ve cleared the pudding course before dinner.

If you prize impact over repeat servings, it works. If you’re hosting a long afternoon and want people to reach for seconds, there’s better value and better balance elsewhere.

Aldi: budget that tastes budget

Aldi’s effort isn’t a disaster. It’s just forgettable. The pastry dries quickly and the flavour feels built from sugar first, spice later. It will carry custard, brandy cream or a scoop of vanilla. Naked, it struggles.

On a tight spend, the price tempts. If you can stretch to £3, Morrisons or Tesco give you more Christmas for the coin.

Asda: the one we couldn’t finish

The pastry feels dense and short on butter, and the filling leaves a sharp, synthetic edge that hangs around. Warming doesn’t fix it. We stopped at half a pie — the only box to trigger that call.

One tray earns repeat buys, one won’t make it past the first bite. Your taste buds — and your guests — will notice.

What this means for your trolley

If you’re buying one box to cover most situations, go Tesco. For a safe second, Morrisons. If you like a deeper, boozier hit, M&S scratches that itch for a price. Those chasing savings should still weigh quality: a cheaper pie that no one finishes wastes money.

Value tips before you pay

• Think price per pie, not per box: 50p per Tesco or Morrisons pie beats 67p at M&S.
• Warm briefly: 180°C fan for 6–8 minutes re-crisps pastry and lifts spice without drying.
• Freeze smart: most mince pies freeze well. Defrost at room temp, then refresh in a hot oven.
• Boost budget pies: dust with icing sugar, add orange zest, or serve with a dab of brandy cream.
• Allergens vary: mincemeat often includes nuts and sulphites. Check labels if feeding a crowd.
• Plan portions: one box of six suits three adults after dinner. Double up for party trays.

Serve smarter for maximum cheer

Air fryer fans can revive pies at 160°C for 4–5 minutes; watch closely to avoid scorched edges. A thin brush of milk on the lids before warming boosts gloss. For balance, pair rich pies with plain yoghurt or crème fraîche rather than full brandy butter. A strip of orange peel and a pinch of cinnamon over the tin while warming perfumes the kitchen without upping sweetness.

When flavour trumps labels

“Premium” on the box didn’t guarantee the best bite. The winning formula was simple: buttery but not greasy pastry, fruit-led mincemeat with real chew, spice that whispers rather than shouts, and a fair price. That combination sits squarely at £3 this year, proving you don’t need a high ticket to get high Christmas value.

Planning your festive stash

Stock up early if you host; December shortages push you to second choices. Rotate boxes to keep things interesting: a baseline Tesco or Morrisons for most guests, a richer M&S option for those who chase depth, and a backup tin of custard to rescue any underwhelming tray. If you’re gifting, rebox a standout pie in a tin with a handwritten note — it costs less than a dessert and lands better than another candle.