Marks & Spencer stood out as the top performer in the annual BBC Good Food Christmas dinner taste test, winning in six out of 17 categories. Their Oakham hot maple-glazed turkey crown, priced at £50, impressed judges with its sticky, peppery glaze and fruit-packed stuffing. Sharing the top spot was Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference British free-range bronze turkey crown with pork, apricot, pear, cranberry, and candied ginger stuffing, priced at £22.75 per kg, noted for its golden glaze and crispy bacon.
M&S also claimed victory for the best Christmas pudding with its Collection 12-month matured version featuring pecans and panettone, priced at £16 and described as delicious with ample fruit and large nut pieces. Morrisons excelled in three categories, including best showstopper dessert, best classic, and best flavored mince pie with its Cherry Bakewell variant, praised for its soft texture and balanced almond flavor.
Tesco secured the title for best pigs in blankets, while Lidl won for best trifle, and Aldi tied with M&S for best smoked salmon. A total of 185 Christmas products across 17 categories were tested. Good Food managing editor Lulu Grimes emphasized the affordability of creating a festive spread without compromising on quality, praising supermarkets for offering impressive mains and nostalgic desserts.
Cassie Best, head of food at Good Food, highlighted the rigorous tasting process that culminated in selecting the winners from a competitive field of 13 supermarkets. The combination of supermarket purchases with homemade dishes from Good Food’s tested Christmas recipes ensures a spectacular and budget-friendly Christmas feast for all.