Christmas food taste test: THIS is where to get the best mince pies and pigs in blankets

Good Housekeeping, the trusted consumer expert, has revealed the results of its annual Christmas taste test. 

It has awarded Tesco the best mince pies (Tesco Finest 6 Mince Pies, £2) and Iceland for the best pigs in blankets (10 pigs in blankets, £3). 

Aldi has also done well this year with nine of its products either winning a category (Best Christmas Pudding, Meat, Stuffing, Vegetarian alternative and Port, or being shortlisted. 

But, it is Marks & Spencer which has won the battle for the greatest number of high scorers overall this year. The premium supermarket boasted a whopping 14 products in the top five for each category. 

Taking the turkey crown this year is Marks & Spencer’s Brtish Oakham Turkey Crown with Pork, Sage & Onion Stuffing (£27). Marks & Spencer also has the best Cranberry Sauce (Cranberry & Port Sauce, £3) and the best Brandy Butter (Christmas Brandy Butter, £3). 

For the best bubbles consumers should either head to Marks & Spencer’s for its winning prosecco (£10) or to Sainsbury’s where the Taste the Difference NV Champagne Brut (£18, available November 11) scored top marks. 

Angela Trofymova, Food Testing Managing, Good Housekeeping, said: “Supermarkets understand that consumers tend to trade up over Christmas and many have focused on their premium ranges. Luxury supermarket Marks & Spencer has proved that shelling out a little more where possible can take your festive dining experience to the next level, while budget supermarket Aldi shows you can get cost-effective quality without breaking the bank.” 

In the quest for the best Good Housekeeping, together with consumers, tested 316 individual items – a 50 per cent increase in the volume of food and drink tested compared to 2016. It also increased the number of categories tested to 16 (12 last year) introducing pigs in blankets, vegetarian alternatives and port. 

“This year we tested more products than ever before so consumers can be safe in the knowledge that our recommendations really are the tastiest Christmas food and drink products British retailers have to offer,” said Caroline Blor, Consumer Director, Good Housekeeping.

“Christmas is stressful enough without worrying whether your Christmas pudding will have the wow factor and whether your turkey will come out dry. Fortunately, our testers have tasted a whopping 316 products to find the very best for your Christmas feast.” 

The winners of Christmas Tried & Tested are:

Champagne: Taste the Difference NV Champagne Brut (79/100), £18, Sainsbury’s (available 11th November) 

Prosecco under £15 (24 tested): Marks & Spencer Prosecco (82/100), £10 

Smoked salmon (23 tested): Waitrose 1 Chestnut Smoke Salmon (86/100), £5.99

Frozen turkeys and crowns (16 tested): Marks & Spencer British Oakham Turkey Crown with Pork, Sage & Onion Stuffing with Bacon Lattice (88/100), £27 (serve 4-5)

Meat stuffing (16 tested): Aldi Specially Selected 6 Pork & Carmelised Red Onion Baubles Wrapped in Bacon (90/100), £2.29

Vegetarian alternatives (23 tested): Aldi Specially Selected Vegetable Parcels – Spinach, Leek & West Country Cheddar (81/100), £1.99

Vegetarian stuffing (five tested): Asda Extra Special Chunky Christmas Pudding Stuffing (71/100), £2.98

Cranberry sauce (24 tested): Marks & Spencer Cranberry & Port Sauce (80/100), £3

Pigs in blankets (14 tested): Iceland Luxury 10 Pigs In Blankets (82/100), £3

Christmas pudding (33 tested): Aldi Specially Selected Golden Topped Christmas Pudding (80/100), £7.99

Brandy butter (13 tested): Marks & Spencer Christmas Brandy Butter (78/100), £3

Stilton cheese (19 tested): Sainsbury’s TTD Tuxford and Tebbutt Blue Stilton (83/100), £2.50

Late bottled vintage port (13 tested): Maynard’s LBV Port 1992 (82/100), £9.99, Aldi

Mince pies (16 tested): Tesco Finest 6 Mince Pies (82/100), £2 

Mulled wine (11 tested): Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Mulled Wine (78/100), £5.50

Christmas cake (23 tested): Betty’s Soft Iced Star Christmas Cake (84/100), £30 (or £40 with a tin)

For the complete list of runners-up read the full Good Housekeeping Christmas Tried & Tested results int he December issue of Good Housekeeping, on sale October 25. 

Christmas sandwiches are already being stocked in Boots.