For many across the UK, the Christmas dinner plate simply isn't complete without a generous serving of pigs in blankets. These savoury parcels of sausage wrapped in bacon are a non-negotiable festive staple. But with so many supermarket options, from budget to premium, which brand truly delivers the best flavour?
The Great Festive Taste-Off
Journalist Angela Patrone, who typically buys her pigs in blankets from Sainsbury's, decided to put her loyalty to the test this year. She conducted a blind taste test, sampling offerings from nine different retailers to find the ultimate version. The contenders included Tesco, Morrisons, Asda, Sainsbury's, Lidl, Aldi, Waitrose, M&S, and Ocado, alongside a branded option from Jolly Hog.
Each product was cooked and judged on its appearance, taste, and value for money, with Angela awarding a score out of ten. The results held some significant surprises, challenging assumptions about price versus quality.
Surprise Winner and Premium Letdowns
In a stunning outcome, Asda's pigs in blankets emerged as the clear champion, scoring an impressive 9 out of 10. Angela praised their fantastic taste, with ample bacon that crisped up perfectly and well-flavoured sausages. Priced at just £3.97, they were also one of the cheapest options tested, proving that a high price tag isn't essential for festive flavour.
The test revealed that several premium offerings failed to justify their cost. Waitrose's version, costing more than double some rivals, scored only 6/10. Its bacon had an overly sweet maple taste that dominated, and the sausages were soggy and oily. Ocado's honey and rosemary pigs in blankets, while visually appealing, were deemed too sweet and fatty, earning a 5/10.
Morrisons' plump, promising pigs in blankets disappointed with a score of 4.5/10, as the sausage flavour overpowered the bacon. Tesco's standard offering fared worst of all the supermarkets, managing only 3.5/10 for its uninspiring look and taste.
Strong Contenders and Trusted Favourites
Other supermarkets put in a solid performance. The branded Jolly Hog pigs in blankets scored highest overall at 8.5/10, bursting with flavour from double-smoked, treacle-cured bacon and enhanced with sage, nutmeg, and black pepper. They were marked down slightly for being marginally too spicy.
Angela's usual go-to, Sainsbury's, scored a reliable 8/10 for its presentable look and excellent taste. Both Aldi and M&S tied on 7.5/10. Aldi's were praised for a strong, porky flavour, though found a tad salty, while M&S's held their shape well in cooking but were let down by slightly bland sausages. Lidl's modestly sized offering earned a 6.5/10 for being savoury but lacking meaty richness.
The blind test conclusively shows that for the perfect combination of taste, texture, and value this Christmas, shoppers might want to look beyond the traditional premium retailers. Asda's victory proves that the most celebrated pigs in blankets on your festive table could come from a very unexpected, and very affordable, source.
