The complete Christmas food guide. TESSA CUNNINGHAM tried EVERY supermarket’s festive offerings – and the very surprising winner is…

DON’T buy your food for your Christmas dinner until you’ve read our indispensable guide to the best that the supermarkets have to offer… 

TURKEY 

ALDI – Roly Poly Whole, 4kg, £39.96, £9.99 per kg. Serves 8-10: Sumptuous free-range bird reared in East Anglia and the tastiest we tried at an absolute steal. STAR BUY – 5/5

SAINSBURY’S – Bronze Breast Joint, 1.4kg, £35, £25 per kg. Serves 6: Skinless and boneless joint with delicious spiced pork and mulled pear stuffing, cooks in 1 hour 50 minutes. 4/5

WAITROSE – Glazed Crown, 2kg, £60, £30 per kg. Serves 6: Stunning centrepiece. A juicy, crown with herby chestnut stuffing and bacon was one of the tastiest we tried. 4/5

TESCO – Easy Carve 2.87kg, £40, £13.94 per kg. Serves 12: Entertaining a big group? This ready stuffed, partially deboned turkey promises stress-free cooking. 4/5

LIDL – Broadland, 5kg, £45, £9 per kg. Serves 8-10: This slow-growing bird is a snip but loses points on quality. The meat was a tad dry and flavourless. 3/5

ASDA – Heritage Slate, 5.3kg, £47.70, £9 per kg. Serves 8-10: Juicy Norfolk-reared bird with crispy skin looks the business, but the meat was disappointingly watery. 4/5 

CO-OP – Medium Whole, 4.75kg, £35, £7.37 per kg. Serves 8: At just over £7 per kg, this turkey is superb value. At this price, you can afford to splash out on extra trimmings. 4/5

MORRISONS – Bronze, 6.90kg, £59, £8.55 per kg, Serves 11-13: Reared slowly for a rich, full flavour this turkey won’t disappoint. The meat is gloriously tender. 4/5

M&S – Ballotine, 1.02kg, £47.50, £46.57 per kg. Serves 4: For decadent dining with a twist, this turkey and duck feast is your top choice if money’s no object. 4/5

HAM 

ALDI – Crackling Bone In Gammon, 2.5kg, £18.99. Serves 16: Aldi wheels out this showstopper every year. Juicy meat with crackling at an exceptional price. 4/5

SAINSBURY’S – Bone In Gammon with Festive Glaze, 2.28kg, £30. Serves 16: This stonking joint has it all: tender meat, spiced honey glaze and perfect crackling. STAR BUY – 5/5

WAITROSE – Blood Orange and Spiced Ham, 1.1kg, £25, Serves 11: Best ready-to-serve joint. It’s seasoned with spiced blood orange and garnished with cranberries. Delicious! 4/5

TESCO – Dry Cured Honey Gammon, 1kg, £12.25. Serves 5: Cooking in 90 minutes, this top-quality joint has a delicate honey-flavoured glaze. 4/5

LIDL – Honey and Rosemary Gammon, 1kg, £9.99. Serves 6: Firm sweetcured gammon comes with a sachet of honey, rosemary and black pepper sauce. 4/5

ASDA – Pork Crackling Joint, 1.03kg, £8. Serves 4: More Sunday lunch than Boxing Day feast, this quality loin has been pre-salted to ensure a delicious crackling. 3/5

CO-OP – Muscovado Baked Gammon, 750g, £9.50. Serves 4: Yummy outdoor-bred pork with spices comes with a sachet of muscovado glaze. Could be better value. 3/5

MORRISONS – Maple and Orange Gammon, 1.3kg, £13.90, Serves 5-6: Tasty cured pork topside joint comes with a spiced caramelised orange and maple syrup glaze. Superb value. 4/5

M&S – Treacle Roasted Ham, 1kg, £32, min 20 slices: For fuss-free luxury, this delicious dry-cured ham is your best buy. It just needs 15 minutes in the oven. 4/5

ROASTIES

ALDI – Wagyu Fat Roast Potatoes, 800g, £2.99: Fabulous value and basted in 5 per cent of Wagyu beef dripping, these look and taste homemade. 4/5

SAINSBURY’S – Chunky Roast Potatoes with Beef Dripping, 1kg, £2.50: Coated in a seasoned batter and beef dripping, these are a good standby, cooking from frozen in 30 minutes. 4/5

WAITROSE – No1 Wagyu Beef Roast Potatoes, 600g, £6: Tumbled in a generous dollop of Wagyu beef fat and rapeseed oil, these top tatties ooze luxury. 4/5

TESCO – Maris Piper Roast Potatoes, 800g, £3: Basted in 2.5 per cent goose fat, these are excellent value and cook from chilled or frozen. STAR BUY – 5/5

LIDL – Deluxe Goose Fat Roast Potatoes, 1kg, £2.49: Pre-fried, battered and sprayed with duck fat before being frozen, these are dry and tasteless. 3/5

ASDA – Beef Dripping Roast Potatoes, 340g, £2.75: Frozen spuds, seasoned and coated in beef dripping, taste claggy with all the bite of candyfloss. 2/5

CO-OP – Beef Dripping Roast Potatoes, 750g, £3.15: Good standby. One bag serves six and they cook from frozen in just 30 minutes – but you can buy cheaper. 3/5

MORRISONS – Goose Fat Roast Potatoes 800g, £4: Ready basted, these include a sachet of potato flake to add extra bite. I preferred them without. 4/5

M&S – Goose Fat Roast Potatoes, 800g, £8: Garlic-infused goose fat and sprigs of rosemary and thyme give these roasties a delicious flavour. 4/5

STUFFING 

ALDI – Caramelised Shallot and Stuffing Portions, 300g, £2.99: Wrapped in oak smoked bacon and topped with a cranberry, these are cracking value. 4/5

SAINSBURY’S – Pork, Sage and Onion Stuffing Balls, 360g, £2.50: If you want the traditional flavour of sage and onion, these little pork balls are a good choice. 4/5

WAITROSE – Jewelled Stuffing, 450g, £4.75: For a festively fruity filling, use this pork sausagemeat studded with dried fruits to stuff your turkey. Yummy. 4/5

TESCO – 12 Pork, Sage and Onion Stuffing Balls, 350g, £3.25: Confit onions give these balls a sweetness which works well with the sage. Gluten free, too. 4/5

LIDL – Stuffing Parcels, 300g, £2.99: Gluten-free, bacon-wrapped parcels come in leek and bacon, or apple and honey flavours. Greasy. 3/5

ASDA – Fig, Whisky and Spiced Honey Parcels, 300g, £4.50: Signature flavours of fig, whisky and honey work well. Cook from chilled or frozen. STAR BUY – 5/5

CO-OP – Irresistible Pork, Cranberry and Chestnut Stuffing Balls, 350g, £3.50: Gluten free and made with a generous 70 per cent pork, these are excellent value and very tasty. 4/5 

MORRISONS – Mulled Wine Stuffing Balls, 210g, £3.25: Sweetened cranberries give a pleasantly festive flavour to these balls made from a mix of pork and pork belly. 4/5

M&S – Chestnut and Dry Cured Bacon Wreath, 600g, £9: Showstopping wreath tastes as good as it looks. Chestnuts and bacon give the meat a delicious sweetness.  4/5

PIGS IN BLANKETS 

ALDI – Specially Selected Pigs in Blankets, 210g, £2.49: Wrapped in oak-smoked bacon, these 100 per cent British pork cocktail sausages are reasonable quality and good value. 3/5

SAINSBURY’S – Proper Pigs In Blankets, 294g, £4.25: Traditionalists will love these six meaty sausages bursting with juicy, fatty flavour wrapped in lightly smoked bacon. 4/5

WAITROSE – 12 British Treacle Pigs in Blankets, 252g, £5.50: Oozing quality, these chunky, carefully seasoned little sausages are wrapped in treacle and spice cured streaky bacon. 4/5

TESCO – Eight Signature Pigs in Blankets, 336g, £4.50: Thick bangers, with added herbs and black pepper, that would be perfect with turkey or as part of a filling Christmas morning breakfast. 4/5

LIDL – Pigs in Blankets, 300g, £3.49: If your fridge is at capacity, these tasty cocktail sausages are a great option. They cook from frozen in 35 minutes, making them perfect for unexpected guests. 4/5

ASDA – Pigs in Blankets with Camembert and Hot Honey Drizzle, 420g, £6.50: Decadent greasy sausages and creamy hot camembert would make a yummy snack but would overwhelm your turkey. 3/5

CO-OP – Honey and Truffle Pigs in Blankets, 220g, £3.50 (two for £5 for Co-op members or £6 for non members): Outdoor bred pork, smoked streaky bacon and subtly sweet truffle make for delicious combination. 4/5 

MORRISONS – Cheese and Jalapeno Pigs in Blankets, 210g, £3: Spice up your turkey with these punchily flavoured pigs. The jalapeno pairs well with the sweet, smoky bacon and cheddar cheese. 4/5

M&S – 14 Pigs in Blankets, 336g, £5.50: If you like a smoky sausage, these porkers, wrapped in oak and apple smoked bacon, are a superb choice at a great price. STAR BUY – 5/5

SMOKED SALMON 

ALDI – The Ultimate Smoked Salmon, 100g, £3.99: Scottish long-sliced salmon has been matured in a Himalayan salt vault for several days to give a robust flavour. 3/5

SAINSBURY’S – Hickory Smoked Salmon, 100g, £4.75: Cured over hickory wood chips, this strong and smoky salmon has an aftertaste which we found a little too overpowering. 3/5

WAITROSE – Whisky and Orange Smoked Salmon, 100g, £4.95: Kicking Christmas morning off with Buck’s Fizz? This orange-infused salmon finished with a bronze lustre is the perfect partner. 4/5

TESCO – Strong and Robust Scottish Smoked Salmon, 100g, £4: Velvety texture, a nice level of saltiness and a hint of smokiness make this salmon a crowd-pleaser. Works well with scrambled egg or on blinis. 4/5

LIDL – Smoked Salmon Whisky Sours, 100g, £3.49: Cheapest salmon we tried exudes luxury. Beautifully cut, golden-orange slices have an excellent balance of salt, sweetness and smoke. STAR BUY – 5/5

ASDA – Lightly Smoked Salmon Plait, 1kg, £25: Asda’s Christmas signature flavours of fig, whisky and spiced honey give a festive warmth to this plait. Bake for 40 minutes, then let guests cut a slice. 4/5

CO-OP – Beech and Oak Smoked Salmon, 100g, £5 (£4.50 for Co-Op members): Firm texture makes this delicately peaty salmon the perfect accompaniment to scrambled eggs. 4/5 

MORRISONS – Mild Smoked Salmon, 100g, £4.50: If you prefer a gentle flavour, these even-sized slices are your best buy. Mild enough to serve with a glass of fizz on Christmas morning. 4/5

M&S – Mild & Delicate Smoked Salmon, 100g, £6.25: Smoked over oak wood shavings, the salmon is tender and pleasantly flavoured with a hint of smokiness. But it’s pricey. 3/5

VEGGIE MAIN

ALDI – Two Brie and Butternut Squash Wellingtons, 440g, £4.99: Two unexciting Wellingtons, stuffed with dull chunky vegetables including kale and squash, cook from frozen in 1 hour 15 minutes. 3/5 

SAINSBURY’S – Roasted Carrot Galette, 500g, £8.50: This freezable puff pastry tart – filled with zesty orange roasted carrots and topped with a sage crumb – feeds four vegans and makes a stunning centrepiece. 4/5

WAITROSE – Chestnut and Thyme Plant Based Turkey Roast, 668g, £10: Sufficient for three, sage stuffing and a rich red wine gravy elevate this plant-based firm and juicy roast. 4/5

TESCO – No Turkey Crown with Sage and Onion Stuffing, £5, 390g: Made with pea and bean protein, this has the mouth feel of turkey but is skimpy for four and the stuffing is bland. 3/5 

LIDL – No Beef Wellington, 500g, £4.99: This vegan soya protein Wellington with mushroom duxelle in flaky pastry is a good budget choice and cooks from frozen in 55 minutes. 4/5  

ASDA – OMV! Whole No Turkey £5, 400g and OMV! and Veg Gravy, £2.50: Cooking from frozen in 45 minutes, this is an inexpensive standby to keep in case you have unexpected vegan visitors. 4/5

CO-OP – Irresistible Mushroom Wellington, 376g, £5: Tasty puff pastry parcels, packed with earthy mushrooms and an indulgently creamy sauce, have just enough wow factor. 4/5

MORRISONS – Mushroom, Spinach and Pinenut Mini Wellingtons, 410g, £5: These are the most luxurious by far. The meaty texture and mushroom flavour are spot on and the pastry is to die for. STAR BUY – 5/5

M&S – Vegetarian Nut Roast, 400g, £12.50: If nuts are your bag, this freezable roast for four is the one. It’s crammed with almonds, cashews, Brazils and pecans, then laden with cheese and cranberries. 4/5

CHEESE BOARD 

ALDI – Ultimate Cheese Selection Pack, 625g, £12.99: These five premium cheeses cover every base and are a steal. You get Cheddar, Gruyere, Montagnolo, Goat’s Cheese and Camembert. An all-rounder. 4/5

SAINSBURY’S – Cheesemonger Selection Board, 495g, £15: Five crowd-pleasing cheeses: Vintage Cheddar, Swiss Fior Delle Alpi, French Le Brie Roux and Bleu d’Auvergne, and a Dutch Gouda. 4/5

WAITROSE – Connoisseur’s Christmas Cheese Collection, 1.05kg, £22: Sumptuous selection of five cheeses in a smart gold box: Chaource, Comte, Blue Stilton, Cornish Quartz Cheddar and Vintage Smoked Red Fox. STAR BUY – 5/5

TESCO – Luxurious Cheese Selection, 565g, £8: Five rather underwhelming and predictable classics: French Brie, Wensleydale with Cranberry and Blueberry, Coastal Bite Chedar, Red Leicester and Blue Stilton. 3/5

LIDL – Premium Waxed Truckles, 200g, £2.49 each: Make your own cheese board with these festive waxed cheddar cheeses. Flavours include Black garlic and Balsamic Onion. A fun twist. 3/5

ASDA – Speciality Cheese Board, 375g, £10: Clever twist of tasting notes on the smart-looking box elevates this into an attractive gift. Includes four cheeses: Petit Grey, Bleu D’Affinois, Gouda and Swiss Gruyere. 4/5

CO-OP – British Cheese Selection Pack, 450g, £5: If you’re looking for five traditional cheeses, this is super. You get a Stilton, Brie, Mature Cheddar, Red Leicester and a Wensleydale with Cranberries. 4/5

MORRISONS – The Best Slate Cheese Board, 490g, £10: Five cheeses on a slate board offer exceptional value: a Barbers Cheddar, Brie, Blue Stilton, Red Fox Leicester and a Manchego Gran Reserva. 4/5

M&S – Ultimate Cheese Lovers 700g, £22.50: You can’t go wrong with these four generous slabs of Pave D’Affinois, Comte, Cropwell Bishop Blue Stilton and Cornish Cruncher. 4/5

MINCE PIES 

ALDI – All Butter Mince Pies, £1.35 for six: All-butter pastry and chunky mincemeat infused with brandy, port and cider, all lightly spiced with cinnamon and ginger, make these seriously grown-up pies. 4/5

SAINSBURY’S – Mince Pies, £1.99 for six: Huge pies are filled to the brim with a tasty mincemeat of apples, currants, sultanas and candied peel, infused with brandy. Sadly, the pastry is just too sweet. 3/5

WAITROSE – Brown Butter Mince Pies with Cognac, £4 for six: Bronzed pies don’t win on looks but the slightly savoury pastry is just right. The brandy-laced, apricot-infused mincemeat is rich with cherries and almonds. 4/5

TESCO – Four Rich Plum and Port Mince Pies, £3.50: Fans of plum jam will love these generously filled pies, which also have a warming glug of port and brandy. All encased in all-butter pastry. 4/5

LIDL – All Butter Mince Pies, £1.99 for six: These all-butter mince pies are prettily dusted with icing sugar. They are the cheapest we tried but still have a strongly boozy filling. 4/5

ASDA – Whisky, Fig and Spiced Honey Mince Pies, £2.50 for four: Spiced honey and fig are a cleverly festive addition to mincemeat. Delicious served warm with a dollop of fresh double cream. 4/5

CO-OP – Mince Pies, £2.75 for six (£2.50 for Co-Op members): Snowy coating of icing sugar on all-butter pastry encases delicious mincemeat, subtly flavoured with brandy and port. 4/5

MORRISONS – Deep Filled Mince Pies, £2.75 for six: Avoid serving these mince pies cold as the thick, chewy pastry and skimpy filling will leave your guests gasping for a drink of water. 3/5

M&S – Mince Pies, £4 for six: Perfect balance of subtly flavoured mince meat and delightfully crumbly pastry make these a standout buy. Topped with a shortcrust star and a sweet dusting. STAR BUY – 5/5

CHRISTMAS PUDDING 

ALDI – 24 Month Matured Christmas Pudding, 800g, £6.75. Serves 6: Two years’ maturation gives this pud an extra rich flavour from the rich treacle sponge to the tangy fruit. It’s fantastic value. 4/5

SAINSBURY’S – 18-Month Matured Christmas Pudding, 800g, £9. Serves 8: Laced with Cognac, this densely textured, fruity pudding has a strong syrupy flavour which will delight anyone with a really sweet tooth. 3/5

WAITROSE – 12 Month Matured Christmas Pudding, 800g, £7. Serves 8: Powerful citrus and a heady kick from the mixture of brandy, sherry, cider and rum make this one for the grown-ups. 4/5

TESCO – 12 Month Matured Christmas Pudding, 800g, £9. Serves 8: Crunchy almonds add a nice nutty bite to this boozy Christmas pudding, which is infused with sherry, brandy, Cognac and port. 4/5

LIDL – 30 Month Matured Christmas Pudding, 800g, £8.99. Serves 8: If you’re looking for nuts, this pudding – matured for 30 months and packed with walnuts and oak-aged Cognac – fits the bill. 4/5

ASDA – 12 Month Matured Luxury Christmas Pudding, 800g, £10. Serves 8: Moreishly sticky indulgent pudding bursting with cherries, citrus and crunchy almonds that will please the whole family. STAR BUY – 5/5

CO-OP – Richly Fruited Christmas Pudding, 100g, £2. Serves 1: Perfect for one, this moist pudding, with brandy, cider and rum, will please anyone looking for a lighter, less spicy sponge. 4/5

MORRISONS – Christmas Pudding, 400g, £5.50. Serves 4: Traditionally steamed and matured for 18 months, the moist sponge and a generous amount of fruit and nuts make this a great buy. 4/5

M&S – 12 Month Matured Christmas Pudding, 907g, £14. Serves 8: Biggest and booziest pud we tested, a little of this densely fruity pudding goes a very long way, making it better value than the price suggests. 4/5