With the festive season in full swing, the quest for the perfect roast dinner accompaniment is on. But does the famous brand stuffing justify its premium price tag, or can supermarket own-labels deliver equal—or even superior—results on Christmas Day?
The Great Stuffing Showdown
To settle the debate, a comprehensive taste test was conducted, pitting the iconic Paxo Sage & Onion Stuffing against own-brand versions from seven major UK supermarkets: Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Aldi, Lidl, and Marks & Spencer. Each mix was prepared in a bowl and evaluated by a family panel on key criteria: flavour, texture, crispiness, and, crucially, value for money.
The results were surprising, challenging long-held assumptions about brand superiority. The clear loser in the direct comparison was the market leader itself. Paxo's offering, costing £2.50 for a 170g box (£1.47 per 100g), scored a disappointing 2 out of 5 stars. Testers found it tasted "synthetic," took too long to crisp up, and was distinctly underwhelming.
Surprise Champions from the Discount Aisles
In a remarkable turn, the top honours were claimed by two of the most affordable options. Both Aldi and Lidl's Sage & Onion Stuffing mixes, priced at just 45p per 170g pack (27p per 100g), achieved a perfect 5-star rating. The testers noted they were "equally delicious," with a great herby flavour that didn't overpower, a perfect texture, and a lovely crisp top. The similarity in quality was noted despite slight variations in their ingredient lists.
They were closely challenged by Morrisons' mix, which also scored 5 stars. Priced at 75p (44p per 100g), it was praised for its lovely soft texture and excellent sage flavour, making it ideal for hot sandwiches. However, the tester questioned if it was worth the extra 30p over the discount champions.
Asda's version, another 45p option, performed well with a 4-star score for its beautiful crispiness and good flavour, though it was noted as slightly drier than the top three.
The Mid-Range and Premium Struggles
The other contenders failed to impress. Tesco's 45p stuffing scored only 1 star, criticised for an overly perfumey, unpleasant herbal taste and a dry texture. Sainsbury's mix (90p for 340g) was deemed bland and lacking crispiness, earning 2 stars.
Perhaps the biggest shock was the poor performance of the premium option. Marks & Spencer's Sage & Onion Stuffing, at £2.40 for 250g (96p per 100g), scored just 2 stars. Despite its upscale ingredients like dried red onion and apple, the result was described as "gloopy" with an unsatisfying texture and poor crispiness.
The Final Verdict for Your Festive Table
The conclusion is clear for cost-conscious Christmas cooks. You can confidently bypass the famous brand and the premium option without sacrificing quality. The ultimate winners deliver superior taste and texture at a fraction of the cost.
The test proves that spending £2 more on Paxo is unnecessary, with the Aldi and Lidl stuffings offering the best combination of herby flavour, perfect crispiness, and outstanding value at just 45p. This festive season, the smart money is firmly in the discount aisle.
