Don’t even think of doing the Christmas shop without taking a look at TESSA CUNNINGHAM’S guide to this year’s tastiest festive fare…
TURKEY
Aldi
Free-Range Roly Poly Turkey, 3.84 kg, £30.70, £7.99 per kg
Free-Range Roly Poly Turkey, 3.84 kg, £30.70, £7.99 per kg. Serves 8
Top-quality free-range bird reared on an East Anglian farm is a steal. Grab yours quickly.
5/5 STAR BUY
Sainsbury’s
Bronze Turkey Crown 2-5.3kg, £23.50 per kg
Bronze Turkey Crown 2-5.3kg, £23.50 per kg. Serves 8 to 12
Mulled wine glaze is festively aromatic, making this a great pick.
4/5
Waitrose
Medium Free Range Bronze Turkey, 4 kg, £56, £14 per kg. Serves 8
Medium Free Range Bronze Turkey, 4 kg, £56, £14 per kg. Serves 8
Flavoursome meat and mouthwateringly crispy skin. Reasonably priced but you can buy cheaper.
3/5
Tesco
Frozen Mini Turkey Crown, 1.4 kg, £12, £10.91 per kg
Frozen Mini Turkey Crown, 1.4 kg, £12, £10.91 per kg. Serves 4
This frozen turkey is ideal for a small family but it’s pricey and there will be none left over for sandwiches.
2/5
Lidl
Deluxe Free Range Silver Slate, 4.48kg, £44.75, £9.99 per kg
Deluxe Free Range Silver Slate, 4.48kg, £44.75, £9.99 per kg. Serves 8 to 10
A Naturally slow-growing bird, reared on a small East Anglian farm, is mouthwateringly tender and a very good price.
4/5
Asda
Bronze Turkey Crown with Stuffing, 2.25kg, £37.50, £17 per kg
Bronze Turkey Crown with Stuffing, 2.25kg, £37.50, £17 per kg. Serves 6 to 8
For a cook-in-the-bag turkey crown, this moist bird is unbeatable.
4/5
Coop
Whole Turkey, 5.73kg, £46, £8 per kg. Serves 7 to 8
Whole Turkey, 5.73kg, £46, £8 per kg. Serves 7 to 8
At £8 a kilo, this is superb value for a traditional bird to feed a huge gang. You can afford to splash out on extra trimmings.
4/5
Morrisons
Bronze Turkey Crown, 3.2kg, £56.35, £17.50 per kg
Bronze Turkey Crown, 3.2kg, £56.35, £17.50 per kg. Serves 7 to 10
Reared slowly, this bronze turkey crown punches way above its price.
4/5
Marks & Spencer
Slow Cooked Turkey Crown with Stuffing, 2.78kg, £69.60. £25 per kg. Serves 8
Slow Cooked Turkey Crown with Stuffing, 2.78kg, £69.60. £25 per kg. Serves 8
Ultimate convenience meets restaurant quality. Takes just 90 minutes and comes with gravy.
4.5/5
HAM
Aldi
Crackling Bone-In Gammon, 2.5kg, £14.99
Crackling Bone-In Gammon, 2.5kg, £14.99.
Serves 12
Crackling fans will love this heavyweight ham, which includes a sachet to give a sweet muscovado glaze.
4/5
Sainsbury’s
Mulled Cider Glazed Gammon, 1.3 kg, £10
Mulled Cider Glazed Gammon, 1.3 kg, £10. Serves 7
Tender, flavoursome unsmoked meat infused with herbs and spices. Wins on taste.
5/5 STAR BUY
Waitrose
Slow Cooked Treacle Cured Festive Gammon, 1.98kg, £35. Serves 8
Slow Cooked Treacle Cured Festive Gammon, 1.98kg, £35. Serves 8
Already cooked for 10 hours, just pop the ham in the oven for 70 minutes. The black treacle glaze is delicious.
4/5
Tesco
Cinnamon Sugar Ham, 900g, £10
Cinnamon Sugar Ham, 900g, £10. Serves 4 to 5
Made from selected cuts of pork leg, the meat may not be top quality, but it’s pleasant and cooks in just 20 minutes.
3/5
Lidl
Deluxe Sugar Baked Gammon Joint 1.2kg, £9.99
Deluxe Sugar Baked Gammon Joint 1.2kg, £9.99. Serves 5 to 6
Firm sweetcured gammon with just the right levels of salt and smokiness, this is a terrific buy.
4.5/5
Asda
Sticky Marmalade Glazed Ham, 1.65kg, £16. Serves 6
Sticky Marmalade Glazed Ham, 1.65kg, £16. Serves 6
Superb centre piece for a party. Finished with a tangy orange liqueur glaze.
4/5
Coop
Unsmoked Gammon Joint, with a Muscovado Glaze, 750 g, £9
Unsmoked Gammon Joint, with a Muscovado Glaze, 750 g, £9. Serves 4
Outdoor bred pork comes with a sachet of muscovado glaze. Mouthwatering, but could be better value.
3/5
Morrisons
Gammon with Seville Orange Glaze, 1.1 kg, £8.50, Serves 5 to 6
Gammon with Seville Orange Glaze, 1.1 kg, £8.50, Serves 5 to 6
Superb value. This gammon cooks in 1 ½ hours and has a zesty citrus glaze.
4/5
Marks & Spencer
Dry Cured Sugar Pit Ham, 2 kg, £42. 25 slices
Dry Cured Sugar Pit Ham, 2 kg, £42. 25 slices
Push the boat out with this ready to serve joint. Roasted with maple syrup and spices, the meat is wonderfully aromatic.
4/5
ROAST POTATOES
Aldi
Specially Selected Goose Fat Roast Potatoes, 800g, £2.59
Specially Selected Goose Fat Roast Potatoes, 800g, £2.59
Nicely buttery with a lovely creamy middle but missed points on crunchiness.
3/5
Sainsbury’s
Crispy Roast Potatoes with Goose Fat, 800g, £3.50
Crispy Roast Potatoes with Goose Fat, 800g, £3.50
Well-seasoned Maris Pipers that cook from chilled or frozen and have a delicious crispy crunch.
4/5
Waitrose
Goose Fat Roast Potatoes, 800g, £5
Goose Fat Roast Potatoes, 800g, £5
Mixture of goose fat, rapeseed oil and butter makes these roasties beautifully rich. Perfect level of crunchiness.
4/5
Tesco
Crispy Roast Potatoes, 450g, £2.25
Crispy Roast Potatoes, 450g, £2.25
Fluffy on the inside, crisp on the outside, these taste homemade at a good price.
4.5/5
Lidl
Deluxe Goose Fat Roast Potatoes, 1kg, £1.59
Deluxe Goose Fat Roast Potatoes, 1kg, £1.59
Pop these beauties in your freezer. Basted in 5 per cent goose fat, they cook from frozen in just 35 minutes.
4/5
Asda
Beef Dripping Maris Piper Potatoes, 400g, £1.50
Beef Dripping Maris Piper Potatoes, 400g, £1.50
Unevenly cut and turning golden in oven, these look homemade. Beefy taste and mouthwatering aroma.
4/5
Coop
Irresistible Beef Dripping Roast Potatoes, 750g, £2.25
Irresistible Beef Dripping Roast Potatoes, 750g, £2.25
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, 560g, £2
Goose Fat Roast Potatoes, 560g, £2
Hands down winner. These beauties come with a sachet of goose fat and seasoning. Superb value.
5/5 STAR BUY
Marks & Spencer
Goose Fat Roast Potatoes, 800g, £3
Goose Fat Roast Potatoes, 800g, £3
Moreish roasties come with a huge sachet of goose fat and butter. But unlike other spuds, these can’t be frozen.
3/5
STUFFING
Aldi
Specially Selected Hog Roast Stuffing Portions, 300g, £2.49
Specially Selected Hog Roast Stuffing Portions, 300g, £2.49
Wrapped in oak smoked bacon and topped with a pork crackling crumb, these are cracking value.
4/5
Sainsbury’s
British Pork, Sage and Onion Stuffing Balls, 360g, £2.50
British Pork, Sage and Onion Stuffing Balls, 360g, £2.50
If you like the traditional flavour of sage and onion, these little balls made from outdoor-bred pork are a good bet.
3/5
Waitrose
Pork Jewelled Stuffing Wreath, 694g, £12
Pork Jewelled Stuffing Wreath, 694g, £12
Studded with candied fruits and bay leaves, this may cost a king’s ransom, but it’s to die for.
4/5
Tesco
Finest Pork Roasted Chestnut and Onion Stuffing, 350g, £3
Finest Pork Roasted Chestnut and Onion Stuffing, 350g, £3
Generously made with 15 per cent chestnuts. Great for stuffing the bird yourself.
4.5/5
Lidl
Deluxe Pork Stuffing Balls, Sage and Onion 350g, £2.29
Deluxe Pork Stuffing Balls, Sage and Onion 350g, £2.29
Gluten free stuffing balls and made from 72 per cent pork, these are seriously meaty and superb value.
5/5 STAR BUY
Asda
12 British Pork, Cranberry and Orange Stuffing Balls, 350g, £3.15
12 British Pork, Cranberry and Orange Stuffing Balls, 350g, £3.15
Great standby, freeze and cook from frozen in 25 minutes.
4/5
Coop
12 Pork, Sage and Onion Stuffing Balls, 350g, £2.85
12 Pork, Sage and Onion Stuffing Balls, 350g, £2.85
Gluten-free and consisting of 65 per cent pork, these are good value and very tasty.
4/5
Morrisons
The Best Sage and Onion Stuffing Balls, 360g, £3
The Best Sage and Onion Stuffing Balls, 360g, £3
Fashioned from a mix of pork and pork belly, these are gluten-free and seriously meaty with a subtle herby flavour.
4/5
Marks & Spencer
Outdoor Pork Jewelled Wreath, 450g, £8
Outdoor Pork Jewelled Wreath, 450g, £8
Sweet-toothed guests will love this smoked bacon and chestnut stuffing wreath studded with fruit.
4/5
PIGS IN BLANKETS
Aldi
Specially Selected Pigs in Blankets, 210g, £2.49
Specially Selected Pigs in Blankets, 210g, £2.49
Wrapped in oak smoked bacon, these 100 per cent British pork sausages are nicely juicy.
4/5
Sainsbury’s
Truffle Pigs in Blankets, 410g, £3.50
Truffle Pigs in Blankets, 410g, £3.50
Bang on trend. Musky truffle-flavoured pigs snuggled in crisp, smoky bacon complement turkey perfectly.
5/5 STAR BUY
Waitrose
Heston from Waitrose Three Bird Pigs in Blankets, 492g, £10
Heston from Waitrose Three Bird Pigs in Blankets, 492g, £10
A dinky three-bird recipe — chicken, pheasant and duck sausages encased in bittersweet treacle bacon — that’s decadently delicious.
4/5
Tesco
Finest 10 Pigs in Blankets, 210g, £3
Finest 10 Pigs in Blankets, 210g, £3
Traditional pigs made from well-seasoned, meat sausages encased in streaky bacon, which crisps up beautifully.
4/5
Lidl
Deluxe Pigs in Blankets, 210g, £2.49
Deluxe Pigs in Blankets, 210g, £2.49
These peppery mini pork sausages wrapped in crisp, smoky bacon are delicious and extremely good value.
4.5/5
Asda
Extra Special Pigs in Blankets, 210g, £3.15
Extra Special Pigs in Blankets, 210g, £3.15
Traditionalists will love these well-seasoned meaty sausages snuggled in oak smoked bacon.
4/5
Coop
Irresistible Truffle Chipolata Pigs in Blankets, 220 g, £3.50
Irresistible Truffle Chipolata Pigs in Blankets, 220 g, £3.50
Outdoor bred pork, smoked streaky bacon and subtly sweet truffle make for a delicious combination.
4/5
Morrisons
Cheesy Pigs in Blankets with smoky barbecue sauce, 210g, £3
Cheesy Pigs in Blankets with smoky barbecue sauce, 210g, £3
Kids will love these pigs, which are stuffed with gooey cheese and finished with BBQ sauce. But they are more canape than lunch.
3/5
Marks & Spencer
Delish Pigs in Blankets, 380g, £5.50
Delish Pigs in Blankets, 380g, £5.50
You get 16 juicy fat sausages encased in beech smoked streaky bacon. Moreish, but you can find the same quality for less cash.
3/5
SMOKED SALMON
Aldi
Smoked Salmon, 200g, £4.49
Smoked Salmon, 200g, £4.49
Aldi has two versions — mild and delicate smoked for six hours, and a more robust salmon which has been smoked for ten hours. Why not buy both?
4/5
Sainsbury’s
Beetroot and Orange Smoked Salmon, 100g, £4.16
Beetroot and Orange Smoked Salmon, 100g, £4.16
The beetroot glaze gives a festive look and the orange zest makes it a good pairing with Buck’s Fizz.
3/5
Waitrose
Whisky Smoked Salmon, 100g, £6.25
Whisky Smoked Salmon, 100g, £6.25
Kiln smoked over whisky barrel oak chips, birch and heather, the salmon is richly delicious but you can buy similar quality much cheaper.
3/5
Tesco
Finest Scottish Smoked Salmon, 120g, £5.10
Finest Scottish Smoked Salmon, 120g, £5.10
A good level of saltiness and a hint of smokiness makes this salmon an all-rounder. It will work equally well with scrambled egg or on blinis.
4/5
Lidl
Deluxe Rope Hung Scottish Smoked Salmon, 200g, £6.49
Deluxe Rope Hung Scottish Smoked Salmon, 200g, £6.49
Experts claim that hanging salmon to smoke, rather than laying it flat, makes it more tender and flavoursome. This is certainly succulent at a terrific price.
4/5
Asda
Blackthorn Dry Cured Smoked Salmon, 120g, £6
Blackthorn Dry Cured Smoked Salmon, 120g, £6
Cured with Blackthorn salt from Scotland and smoked over heather, this is special but it’s not price friendly.
5/5 STAR BUY
Coop
Old Pulteney Whisky Smoked Salmon, 100g, £5
Old Pulteney Whisky Smoked Salmon, 100g, £5
Firmly textured, these delicate slices have been smoked over oakwood and seasoned with 12-year-old single malt whisky for a slightly boozy kick.
4/5
Morrisons
The Best Cold Smoked Salmon, 300g, £7
The Best Cold Smoked Salmon, 300g, £7
Cured with sea salt and sugar, then smoked three times, this is a superb all rounder with a juicy texture. It’s also exceptional value.
4.5/5
Marks & Spencer
Long Slice Smoked Salmon, 150g, £5.33
Long Slice Smoked Salmon, 150g, £5.33
Smoked over oak wood shavings in a Scottish kiln, the salmon has a hint of smokiness. Recent price slash makes it good value.
4/5
VEGETARIAN MAIN
Aldi
Vegan Festive Wreath, 480g, £3.99
Vegan Festive Wreath, 480g, £3.99
Gluten-free mixture of butternut squash, chestnuts, cranberries and mushrooms is delicious but skimpy for four.
3/5
Sainsbury’s
No Turkey Crown with a Vegan Bacon Lattice, 580g, £6.50
No Turkey Crown with a Vegan Bacon Lattice, 580g, £6.50
Complete with stuffing, this is a convincing copy of a traditional crown but the texture’s more sausage than turkey.
3/5
Waitrose
Vegan Jewelled Roast With A Fruity Centre, 530g, £6.50
Vegan Jewelled Roast With A Fruity Centre, 530g, £6.50
Caramelised onions and chestnuts in a mushroom based stuffed roast with an apricot layer is sweet and warming.
4/5
Tesco
Wicked Kitchen No Turkey Roast Crown, 560g, £5
Wicked Kitchen No Turkey Roast Crown, 560g, £5
The nearest thing to turkey will feed four. The meaty texture is convincing and the onion and garlic breadcrumb topping adds terrific flavour.
4/5
Lidl
Showstopper Garland (Vegan Pork and Cranberry), 550g, £4.99
Showstopper Garland (Vegan Pork and Cranberry), 550g, £4.99
Perfect standby for unexpected guests, the vegan sausage garland encased in pastry cooks from frozen in 40 minutes. Festive and filling.
4/5
Asda
Extra Special Vegan Wellington, 500g, £5.55
Extra Special Vegan Wellington, 500g, £5.55
Fabulously festive vegan sausage roll. Roasted mushrooms and caramelised onions wrapped in buttery puff pastry.
4.5/5
Coop
Irresistible Mushroom Wellington, 376g, £4
Irresistible Mushroom Wellington, 376g, £4
Tasty puff pastry parcels filled with portobello mushrooms, spinach and a rich mushroom duxelles with a hint of truffle lack festive flair.
3/5
Morrisons
Vegetable Wellington, 460g, £5
Vegetable Wellington, 460g, £5
Generous coating of chestnut pate gives the spicy meat substitute a luxury feel and the pastry is buttery. But it’s skimpy for four.
4/5
Marks & Spencer
Collections Brie, Potato and Onion Pie, 500g, £8
Collections Brie, Potato and Onion Pie, 500g, £8
Packed with cheese and sweet onions, and topped with a crispy pastry top, this filling feast is divine.
5/5 STAR BUY
CHRISTMAS PUDDING
Aldi
Specially Selected Exquisite Heritage Pedro Ximenez Christmas Pudding 907g, £12.99
Specially Selected Exquisite Heritage Pedro Ximenez Christmas Pudding 907g, £12.99. Serves 8
Brandy soaked glace cherries and a good glug of sherry make this luxuriously boozy.
4/5
Sainsbury’s
Caramelised Biscuit Christmas Pudding, 700g, £10. Serves 7
Caramelised Biscuit Christmas Pudding, 700g, £10. Serves 7
On-trend twist on the classic heavy pud, the butterscotch sauce will delight sweet-toothed guests.
4/5
Waitrose
No 1 Christmas Pudding, 400g, £5.60. Serves 4
No 1 Christmas Pudding, 400g, £5.60. Serves 4
Brimful of whole fruit and nuts, with a generous slug of cognac. If you want a traditional pud, this won’t disappoint.
5/5 star buy
Tesco
12 month Matured Christmas Pudding, 400g, £5
12 month Matured Christmas Pudding, 400g, £5. Serves 4
Lightly spiced and with a fruity aroma, this is a safe bet if you’re entertaining guests who don’t want anything too boozy.
4/5
Lidl
Deluxe 24 month Matured Christmas Pudding, 800g, £8.99
Deluxe 24 month Matured Christmas Pudding, 800g, £8.99. Serves 8
Impressive all rounder, packed to the gunnels with fruit and nuts and matured for 24 months. Hard to beat.
4/5
Asda
Clootie Style Pudding, 400g, £5. Serves 4
Clootie Style Pudding, 400g, £5. Serves 4
If you find traditional puddings too dense, this light Scottish-style fruit sponge flavoured with whisky ticks the box.
4/5
Coop
Irresistible Christmas Pudding, 400g, £4. Serves 4
Irresistible Christmas Pudding, 400g, £4. Serves 4
Good value pudding, matured for 12 months, is a pleasing blend of alcohol, dried fruit and nuts in a dense sponge.
3/5
Morrisons
The Best Christmas Pudding, 800g, £8. Serves 8
The Best Christmas Pudding, 800g, £8. Serves 8
Superb traditional pudding heaving with brandy-soaked cherries and tangy peel is exceptional value.
4.5/5
Marks & Spencer
Perfectly Matured Cherry and Orange Wreath, 700g, £12. Serves 8
Perfectly Matured Cherry and Orange Wreath, 700g, £12. Serves 8
Deliciously light Christmas pud shaped like a wreath and bejewelled with cherries, almonds and peel has exceptional wow factor.
4/5
MINCE PIES
Aldi
Mince Pies, £1.75 for 6
Mince Pies, £1.75 for 6
All butter pastry and chunky mincemeat infused with brandy and port make these grown-up pies top value at 29p each.
4/5
Sainsbury’s
Blondie Pies, £2.25 for 6
Blondie Pies, £2.25 for 6
If you’re tired of mincemeat, these gingerbread pastries filled with caramel, chocolate chips and almond blondie are warmingly delicious and very festive.
4/5
Waitrose
No 1 Brown Butter Mince Pies, £3.50 for 6
No 1 Brown Butter Mince Pies, £3.50 for 6
Bronzed pies don’t win on looks but, if you find other pies too sweet, you’ll love the slightly savoury pastry and rich mincemeat.
4.5/5
Tesco
Finest All Butter Mince Pies, £2.25 for 6
Finest All Butter Mince Pies, £2.25 for 6
Infused with brandy and port, these generously stuffed pies are light on spice, but ooze sweet, jammy mincemeat.
4/5
Lidl
Deluxe All Butter Mince Pies, £1.99 for 6
Deluxe All Butter Mince Pies, £1.99 for 6
Great value, even if they are short on wow factor. Keep some in store for extra guests.
4/5
Asda
Extra Special Luxury Mince Pies, £2.25 for 6
Extra Special Luxury Mince Pies, £2.25 for 6
Pleasantly spiced fruity filling, infused with port and brandy, encased in thick buttery pastry.
3/5
Coop
Irresistible Mince Pies, £2.25 for 6
Irresistible Mince Pies, £2.25 for 6
Pretty near perfect. A snowy coating of icing sugar on all butter pastry encases mincemeat, subtly flavoured with brandy and cider.
5/5 STAR BUY
Morrisons
The Best Mince Pies, £2.25 for 6
The Best Mince Pies, £2.25 for 6
Laced with spicy cinnamon and ginger, plus a good glug of booze, the filling is deliciously rich and the buttery pastry is to die for.
4/5
Marks & Spencer
Collection Mince Pies, £3 for 6
Collection Mince Pies, £3 for 6
Ultra traditional, the generous mincemeat is subtly flavoured and the pastry is melt in the mouth. Handily, they can also be frozen.
4/5
CHEESE BOARD
Aldi
British Cheese Selection Pack, 598g, £7.49
British Cheese Selection Pack, 598g, £7.49
These five cheeses are a steal. They include Red Fox and Wensleydale with Madeira-soaked cranberries.
5/5 STAR BUY
Sainsbury’s
Taste The Difference Cheese Selection Board, 466g, £10
Taste The Difference Cheese Selection Board, 466g, £10
Unexciting selection of five cheeses ranging from Brie to Cheddar.
3/5
Waitrose
Heston’s Tipsy Potted Blue Stilton, 80g, £5; No1 Stratford Blue Truckle, 425g, £10
Heston’s Tipsy Potted Blue Stilton, 80g, £5; No1 Stratford Blue Truckle, 425g, £10
Heston’s blend of tasty Stilton and a splash of sherry comes in a cute jar and pairs well with a round of Stratford Blue.
4/5
Tesco
Finest Coastal Bite with Truffle, 200g, £2.75
Finest Coastal Bite with Truffle, 200g, £2.75
Mature Cheddar blended with mushroom and truffle sauce is excitingly different and will add a Mediterranean touch to any cheeseboard.
4/5
Lidl
Waxed Cheese Truckles: Smoked Cheddar; Cheddar with Truffle; Cheddar with Onion, each 200g, £2.79
Waxed Cheese Truckles: Smoked Cheddar; Cheddar with Truffle; Cheddar with Onion, each 200g, £2.79
Make your own cheeseboard with these festively shaped waxed cheeses. They are a fun twist.
4/5
Asda
Extra Special Ultimate Cheese Board, 585g, £10
Extra Special Ultimate Cheese Board, 585g, £10
Clever combination of Manchego, Stilton, Cheddar, Vintage Red Fox Red Leicester and Brie in a festive cardboard box covers every base.
4/5
Coop
Irresistible Mature Cheddar Cheese, 340g, £3.90; Irresistible Belton Farm Vintage Red Fox, 200g, £2.80
Irresistible Mature Cheddar Cheese, 340g, £3.90; Irresistible Belton Farm Vintage Red Fox, 200g, £2.80
If you’re looking for the very best traditional cheeses, these award-winners are a safe choice.
3/5
Morrisons
Slate Cheese Board, 595g, £10
Slate Cheese Board, 595g, £10
Six cheeses on a smart slate board include Barbers Coastal Cheddar, Shropshire Blue, Brie de Blesse and a Wensleydale with cranberry and Sloe Gin.
4.5/5
Marks & Spencer
British Cheese Selection, 590g, £12.50
British Cheese Selection, 590g, £12.50
Ignore the yawn-making packaging, you get four generous slabs of Brie, Mature Cheddar, Stratford Blue and Red Leicester.
4/5
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