Good Housekeeping's Christmas Taste Test winners revealed
Good Housekeeping’s annual taste test reveals the best festive food you can get this Christmas on a budget – including Co-op’s £5.75 turkey, Aldi’s £3.99 vegan Festive Wreath and Asda’s £5.50 Millionaire’s Edible Bowl
- Good Housekeeping has revealed their top picks for Christmas dinner 2022
- Winners include Waitrose’s whole Turkey, which costs £15.99 per kg
- Budget brands also took home prizes, with Lid’s pigs in blanket scoring high
- When it comes to tipples, Morrison’s £4.99 mulled wine was toast of the town
Deals on mince pies, turkey and all the trimmings to help households cope with the cost of living crisis this festive season have been identified in a Christmas taste test.
Experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have carried out blind taste tests across 33 festive food and drink ranges to find the best taste and quality.
But many households face this winter with a sense of dread amid soaring food and energy bills – therefore, this year, the Institute has also provided details of products that offer the best value for those on a tight budget.
Prosecco at £7.99 a bottle, mince pies at £1.79 for six, and a Christmas pudding at £8 for a hefty 800g all won plaudits, as well as a tasty crown costing £16.99 for 1.5kg.
Looking across all the categories, Marks & Spencer scored best as the single best place to shop in terms of taste and quality.
Deals on mince pies, turkey and all the trimmings to help households cope with the cost of living crisis this festive season have been identified in a Christmas taste test. Betty’s Classic Mince Pies were crowned the best
The prize for best Turkey went to Waitrose and Partners, who took the title thanks to their scrumptious £15,99 per kg bird
Asda’s Extra Special Millionaire’s Edible Bowl, costing £5.50 for 400g, was crowned best budget dessert
M&S won high in 19 of the 33 categories surveyed by the experts, who scoped more than 470 products from 130 brands and retailers.
Meanwhile, Aldi proved to be the best budget option, offering both decent quality and value. For example, it won best budget crown with its Specially Selected Roly Poly Stuffed Crown, at £16.99 for 1.5kg.
Budget awards also went to Aldi’s Specially Selected Goose Fat Roast Potatoes, at £1.59 for 800g, and its Specially Selected Mince Pies, at £1.79 for six.
The best budget prosecco was the Waitrose Blueprint Prosecco DOC at £7.49, while the best budget champagne was the Co-op’s Les Pionniers NV at £19.
Elsewhere, the prize for overall best Turkey went to Waitrose and Partners, who took the title thanks to their scrumptious £15,99 per kg bird, while, Sainsbury’s led the way on sweet treats, taking the crown for best Panettone and best Christmas Cake.
Morrison’s mulled wine, Aldi’s Extra Special Millionaire’s Edible Bow and Tesco Finest’s £23 Champagne were also the expert’s top picks ahead of the festive season.
Waitrose performed well across several categories but particularly wowed the panel thanks to its Free Range Bronze Feathered Turkey (£15.99 per kg for 3-4.99kg), which won with a high score of 81/100.
The Good Housekeeping Institute was particularly pleased with the ‘golden-brown colour’ of the birds and its ‘mouth-wateringly’ crispy skin.
Morrison’s took the title for best starter home with its Best Scallop and Prawn Thermidor Gratin, £5 for 260g
Adli’s Festive Wreath, £3.99 for 480g was crowned the best meat-alternative festive main on the list
Sainsbury’s scrumptious cherry and almond £10 offering took the title in the best panettone category
Iceland’s Luxury Iced Christmas Cake, which cost £8.50 for 1kg, was the runner up in the Christmas cake category
Morrison’s got the best flavoured salmon with its Best Triple Smoked Salmon Dressed with Orange Oil, costing £4.50 for 130g
Waitrose and Partner also won the Turkey crown category with their Duchy Organic Free Range Bronze Feathered Turkey Crown (£74 for 2.97kg) which hit 83/100.
When it comes to meat-free alternatives, it’s M&S who took the crown home, thanks to its M&S Vegan Butternut Squash and Spinach Pie, £7 for 430g, which scored 81/100.
Pigs in blanket are always a festive favourite, and this year, it’s The Jolly Hog Posh Pigs in Blankets, £4 for 247g who came out with the highest score of 85/100.
But Sainsbury’s got the crown for best panettone thanks to its £10 Cherry & Almond Panettone, while Betty’s Classic Mince Pies, which cost £15 for 12, were the best out of the selection, with a score of 77/100.
No Christmas dinner would be complete without a selection of festive tipples, and the Institute also rated a selection of drinks.
Morrison’s also took own the crown in the roast potatoes category with its £2.99 Goose Fat Potatoes
Waitrose also took home the title for best Dessert Centrepiece category with the Heston From Waitrose The Giant Cracking Penny, which costs £20
Morrison’s The Best Beef Shin with Marrowbone & Truffle Sauce, £35.00, was joint runner-up for best meat centre piece
Tesco Finest’s £23 Premier Cru Brut scored the highest for supermarket champagne, with a rating of 84/100.
Daylesford Prosecco, which costs £15 per bottle scored 87/100 and came out on top of the fizzy category.
Angela Trofymova, Head of Food & Drink Testing at the Good Housekeeping Institute said: ‘We’ve been testing for Christmas from May all the way through to October, and are thrilled to be able to share our top picks for the season.
‘With prices set to surge over the winter, we’ve been dedicated to sourcing delicious, high quality products that are great value for money.
‘Our consumer panel has been incredibly impressed with the amount of innovative, easy-to-cook options available this year, allowing for minimal time in the kitchen, and more time with loved ones.’
Good Housekeeping Christmas Taste Test 2022 results
STARTERS
Starters (Number tested: 10)
Best Christmas starter
Extra Special Ultimate Prawn Cocktail with Campfire Charred Tomato Marie Rose Sauce, £6 for 220g
Score: 83/100
Runner-up Christmas starter
Morrisons The Best Scallop and Prawn Thermidor Gratin, £5 for 260g
Score: 82/100
Best presentation
M&S Collection Scallops with Mushrooms & Spinach, £10 for 175g
Score: 79/100
Best budget starter
Tesco Finest Scallops with Bacon and Risotto Starter, £5.00 for 176g
Score: 74/100
Best vegan starter
Waitrose & Partners Vegan Layered Mushroom Parfait, £4.50 for 80g
Score: 71/100
SMOKED SALMON
Number tested: 21
Best smoked salmon
London Smoke & Cure Sashimi Grade Smoked Salmon £14.95 for 200g
Score: 83/100
Runner-up smoked salmon
Tesco Finest Scottish Smoked Salmon £5.10 for 120g
Score: 82/100
Best flavoured smoked salmon
Morrisons The Best Triple Smoked Salmon Dressed with Orange Oil, £4.50 for 130g
Score: 82/100
Best budget smoked salmon
The Best Orange Triple Smoked Salmon £3.25 for 100g
Score: 70/100
WHOLE TURKEY AND CROWNS
Number tested: 26
Best whole turkey
Waitrose & Partners Free Range Bronze Feathered Turkey, £15.99 per kg for 3-4.99kg
Score: 81/100
Runner-up whole turkey
M&S Free Range Pembrokeshire Heritage Blue Turkey, £68-£93.48 (£17 per 1kg, average price, £80)
Score: 78/100
Best budget whole turkey
Co-op Whole Turkey, £5.75 per kg for 3.05-4.73kg
Score: 73/10
Joint best turkey crown
Waitrose & Partners Duchy Organic Free Range Bronze Feathered Turkey Crown, £74 for 2.97kg
Score: 83/100
Joint best turkey crown
Tesco Finest Free-Range Bronze Stuffed Turkey Crown with Slow Cooked Stuffed Thighs & Turkey Gravy, £41.40-£55.80 (£18 per 1kg)
Score: 83/100
Best budget crown
Aldi Specially Selected Roly Poly Stuffed Crown, £16.99 for 1.5kg
Score: 79/100
PIGS IN BLANKETS (CLASSIC AND FLAVOURED)
Number tested: 25
Best pigs in blankets
The Jolly Hog Posh Pigs in Blankets, £4 for 247g
Score: 85/100
Runner-up pigs in blankets
Farmison Traditional Pigs In Blankets £8.50 for 300g
Score: 81/100
Joint best flavoured pigs in blankets
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Truffle Pigs in Blankets, £3.50 for 210g
Score: 84/100
Joint best flavoured pigs in blankets
Lidl Spiced Apple Pigs in Blankets, £2.49 for 210g
Score: 84/100
Runner-up AND Best budget flavoured pigs in blankets
ASDA Maple Pigs in Blanket 232g, £2.50
Score: 83/100
MEAT CENTREPIECES
Number tested: 15
Best Christmas meat centrepiece
M&S Collection Slow Cooked Osso Bucco, £25 for 1.3kg
Score: 93/100
Joint runner-up Christmas meat centrepiece
Morrisons The Best Beef Shin with Marrowbone & Truffle Sauce, £35.00 for 2.195g
Score: 86/100
Joint runner-up Christmas meat centrepiece
Farmison Classic Beef Wellington for Four, £82 for 1.2kg
Score: 86/100
Best budget Christmas meat centrepiece
Aldi Slow Cooked Wagyu Ribs with a Red Wine Sauce, £6.99 for 600g
Score: 79/100
MEAT-FREE MAINS
Number tested: 12
Best vegetarian Christmas main
M&S Collection Rustic Potato, Caramelised Onion & Brie Pie, £8 for 500g
Score: 81/100
Best vegan Christmas main
M&S Vegan Butternut Squash and Spinach Pie, £7 for 430g
Score: 81/100
Best budget vegan main
Aldi Festive Wreath, £3.99 for 480g
Score: 70/100
ROAST POTATOES
Number tested: 12
Best roast potatoes
Morrisons The Best Goose Fat Potatoes, £2.99 for 800g
Score: 79/100
Runner-up roast potatoes
Aunt Bessie’s Duck Fat Roast Potatoes, £3.40 for 700g
Score: 77/100
Best budget roast potatoes
Aldi Specially Selected Goose Fat Roast Potatoes, £1.59 for 800g
Score: 72/100
CHRISTMAS PUDDING AND FLAVOURED CHRISTMAS PUDDING
Number tested: 26
Best Christmas pudding
Waitrose & Partners 12 Month Matured Christmas Pudding, £12 for 400g
Score: 80/100
Runner-up Christmas pudding
Daylesford Organic Traditional Christmas Pudding, £25 for 900g
Score: 79/100
Best flavoured Christmas pudding
M&S Collection Perfectly Matured Cherry and Orange Wreath, £12 for 700g
Score: 83/100
Best budget Christmas pudding
Tesco Finest Christmas Pudding, £8.00 for 800g
Score: 75/100
DESSERT CENTREPIECES
Number tested: 16
Best Christmas dessert
Waitrose & Partners Heston from Waitrose The Giant Cracking Penny £20 for 700g
Score: 82/100
Runner-up Christmas dessert
M&S Handmade White Chocolate, Passionfruit & Mango Snow Globe £35 for 720g
Score: 79/100
Best budget Christmas dessert
ASDA Extra Special Millionaire’s Edible Bowl £5.50 for 400g
Score: 74/100
MINCE PIES (CLASSIC, FLAVOURED, GLUTEN-FREE)
Number tested: 40
Best mince pie
Betty’s Classic Mince Pies, £15 for 12
Score: 77/100
Runner-up mince pie
Co-op Irresistible Mince Pies, £2.25 for six
Score: 76/100
Best mince pie with a twist
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Blondie Gingerbread Pies, £2.25 for 4
Score: 84/100
Runner-up mince pie with a twist
Prestat Almond Top Mini Mince Pies, £11.95 for 12
Score: 80/100
Best budget mince pie
Aldi Specially Selected Mince Pies, £1.79 for six
Score: 71/100
Best gluten-free mince pie
M&S Made Without Wheat Gluten Free Mince Pies, £3, for four
Score: 82/100
CHRISTMAS CAKE
Number tested: 16
Best Christmas cake
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Frosty Snowflake Iced Fruit Cake, £12 for 900g
Score: 82/100
Runner-up Christmas cake
Iceland Luxury Iced Christmas Cake, £8.50 for 1kg
Score: 81/100
Best budget Christmas cake
Lidl Deluxe Luxury All Over Iced Christmas Cake, £6.99 for 1kg
Score: 71/100
GROCER PANETTONE
Number tested: 10
Best panettone
Sainsburys Taste the Difference Cherry & Almond Panettone £10 for 750g
Score: 92/100
Runner-up panettone
Tesco Finest Tiramisu Flavoured Panettone £10 for 750g
Score: 91/100
Best savoury panettone
Waitrose & Partners Parmesan & Black Pepper Savoury Panettone £8.50 for 500g
Score: 78/100
Best budget panettone
Aldi Specially Selected Chocolate Panettone £3.99 for 750g
Score: 76/100
MULLED WINE
Number tested: 7
Best mulled wine
Morrisons The Best Mulled Wine 10% ABV, £4.99 for 75cl
81/100
Joint runner-up mulled wine
M&S Red Mulled Wine 11% ABV, £5.50 for 75cl
78/100
Joint runner-up mulled wine and best budget
Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference Mulled Wine 11% ABV, £3.75 for 75cl
78/100
BEST SUPERMARKET CHAMPAGNE
Number tested: 18
Best champagne
Tesco Finest Premier Cru Brut Champagne 12.5%, £23
Score: 84/100
Runner-up champagne
Morrisons The Best Premier Cru Champagne Brut NV 12%, £23
Score: 81/100
Best budget champagne
Co-op Les Pionniers Champagne NV 12%, £19
Score: 78/100
PROSECCO
Number tested: 20
Best prosecco
Daylesford Prosecco 10.5%, £15
Score: 87/100
Runner-up prosecco
Tesco Finest Prosecco DOC, 11%, £8.50
Score: 79/100
Best budget prosecco
Waitrose & Partners Blueprint Prosecco DOC 11%, £7.49
Score: 75/100
EXPERT TESTED ROUNDELS
Best brandy cream
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Extra Thick Cream with Courvoisier VS Cognac, £3.00 for 250g
Best gravy
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Chicken Gravy, £3.15 for 450g
Best cranberry sauce
ASDA Extra Special Cranberry Sauce with Ruby Port, £1.75 for 230g
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