Tesco tops 2025 guide to best supermarket Christmas foods

Tesco Finest Bronze Turkey tops the Daily Mail's 2025 Best supermarket Christmas foods guide, a testing exercise that evaluated dozens of festive options across major retailers. The results show Tesco leading in several categories, though not every favourite came from the retailer, and the test highlights how shoppers can assemble a show-stopping Christmas feast without overspending. The guide covers 11 categories, from starters and pâtés to cranberry sauce, carrots, pigs in blankets, stuffing, potatoes, beef mains, turkey, desserts and cheese, with prices starting from under £3 for some staples.

The testers evaluated each item on price, ease of preparation and whether it could stand up as a centerpiece. Each product was prepared or served according to the packaging instructions and judged by a Daily Mail reviewer. The exercise aims to balance traditional festive appeal with value and practicality as households plan their Christmas menus.

Best starter: Tesco Finest Scottish Terrine and Tesco Finest Scottish Salmon Terrine 510g, both scoring highly for their centerpiece potential and convenience. The reviewer noted the ready-to-serve format made it easy to place at the center of the table, though one version had a slightly cloying texture when portions were large. Best pâté: Tesco Finest Three Bird Pâté, described as decadent and filling, with the possibility to serve 10 portions, while the accompanying cranberry layer was considered overly sweet by the tester. Priced at around £8 for 375g, Tesco claims it can serve 10, though the reviewer found there was more than enough for a larger gathering. Best cranberry sauce: Waitrose Christmas Cranberry Sauce, described as Christmas in a jar with spices and orange giving a festive depth of flavor and a price around £3 a jar. Best carrots: Waitrose Honey Roasted Chantenay Carrots, easy to cook and praised for the honeyed sweetness, though they shrank a little in the oven. Best pigs in blankets: Exceptional by Asda Maple Pigs in Blankets, noted for maple sweetness and solid value at about £3.97 for 10 sausages. Best stuffing: Waitrose No.1 Stuffing Balls with Bacon, Smoked Chestnuts & Sage, lauded for an elevated profile but with flavours sprinkled on top rather than evenly embedded, priced around £8 for 12. Best potatoes: Marks & Spencer Irish White Potatoes, 2.5kg, praised for producing fluffy roasties that crisp well in an air fryer. Best beef main: Tesco Finest Beef Fillet Wellington, a 21-day matured beef fillet wrapped in pastry with porcini mushrooms, billed as a showstopper that can be frozen for advance entertaining; the tester noted it serves about four and is priced around £35. Best turkey: Tesco Finest Free Range Bronze Whole Turkey, 4–5.99kg, described as good value at roughly £11 per kilogram, with giblets included for stuffing; cooking time was longer than the guideline, but the skin browned nicely with attentive basting. Best dessert: M&S Collection 12 Month Christmas Pudding, a boozy, rich steamed pudding described as indulgent and crowd-pleasing, with the maturation lending depth. Best Cheese: M&S Cheesemonger Selection, a 900g assortment praised for variety and balance, though some tasters felt there was too much blue cheese relative to cheddar.

Verdict: The Daily Mail’s testing panel found Tesco’s selections offered the broadest range of starters and mains at competitive prices, making it the strongest overall option for many households. Marks & Spencer emerged as the go-to for Christmas pud and cheese, while Waitrose impressed with its cranberry sauce and vegetable sides. The guide also highlighted that you don’t necessarily need to stretch the budget to achieve a festive table that looks and tastes the part.

The testing process notes that price was weighed alongside ease of preparation and the potential to act as a dinner-table centerpiece. Shoppers were advised to consider freezing options where available, particularly for showpieces such as beef Wellington, to help balance planning and timing on the big day. The review also advised planning delivery windows early, whether shopping online or in-store, to avoid last-minute pressure and delays.

In context, the roundup reflects a crowded market for Christmas foods as retailers compete on range and value. Tesco’s breadth across multiple categories — from fish starters to a bronze turkey and a beef Wellington that can be prepared in advance — underscores how supermarkets are aiming to be one-stop shops for holiday entertaining. Marks & Spencer’s emphasis on traditional puddings and curated cheese boards aligns with consumer demand for classic seasonal flavors, while Waitrose’s sides and sauces emphasize pantry staples that can lift a midweek or Sunday roast into a more festive experience.

The report also notes practical considerations for shoppers: book online delivery slots as early as possible, and if shopping in store, target a few days before the big day to secure the best selection and avoid spoilage or quality concerns. With a range of products spanning under £3 to around £35 for premium mains, the guide suggests that a memorable Christmas feast can be achieved without overspending, provided buyers plan ahead and mix and match across retailers to suit their family size and taste preferences.

Ultimately, the Daily Mail’s Best supermarket Christmas foods for 2025 emphasizes practical shopping choices that still deliver on flavor and presentation. The testing panel’s bottom line is clear: Tesco remains a strong hub for festive food, M&S shines in dessert and cheese, and Waitrose offers standout sides that can elevate a traditional roast. For households planning their feast, the guidance provides a blueprint that balances traditional favourites with sensible budgeting and manageable cooking plans as Christmas Day approaches.