Waitrose

ICELAND has revealed this year’s Christmas range including a Baileys yule log and TGI Fridays pigs in blankets.

While the big day is some time away, it’s always good to prepare yourself for the festive season.

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Luckily, Iceland’s new Christmas menu will hit shelves from November 6 and offers everything you need to throw a festive bash.

The items will also be available to buy at Iceland’s The Food Warehouse.

Paul Dhaliwal, Chief Commercial Officer at Iceland Foods, said: “Our customers expect variety and flavour without breaking the bank, and this year we’ve delivered just that. We’ve perfected the festive staples and added new twists that will impress and bring joy to every bite. 

“From classic centrepieces and irresistible desserts to brand-new creations and party essentials, there’s something to suit every kind of Christmas celebration, no matter your style or budget.”  

What’s on the menu?

Iceland‘s menu this year offers customers everything they’ll need for Christmas lunch or dinner from beloved Christmas classics to some new additions.

This includes everything from their Sweet Chilli Sticky Prawns and Pizza Chicken Wedges to TGI Fridays Cheeseburger & Chip baskets.

Shoppers will be able to sink their teeth into a range of Christmas meats, pigs and blankets and all the trimmings on top.

And if you are thinking of throwing a festive bash this year, customers can take advantage of their mix-and-match deals on select products like three items for £10.

Or shoppers can stock up with their £1 party range and luxury platters.

But among the showstoppers of this year’s Christmas range is the Luxury Perfect Turkey Crown.

For £28, you can get your hands on 2.2kg of frozen boneless skin on turkey crown with added water topped with sunflower oil and herb and spice marinade.

We also have a feeling that many will be eyeing up the Bailey’s Iced Yule Log for £12.

It features mouthwatering Baileys salted caramel mousse, a dark chocolate sauce and chocolate flavoured meringue.

And you can nab their Luxury Prawn and Prosecco Shells for as little as £5.

The king prawns come in a creamy Prosecco sauce topped with mashed potato, a parsley breadcrumb and cheese, served in a natural shell.

Other festive finds

Iceland aren’t the only retailer to have revealed their Christmas food range recently either.

M&S have revealed all the festive treats that you can get through from its Christmas Food to Order range from today.

The posh supermarket is famous for its delicious Christmas food, which you’ll be able to pre-order to your home ahead of the big day.

In fact, major supermarkets have just revealed the exact dates you can book Christmas delivery slots, including Asda.

We tried the M&S Christmas collection too including their iconic American must-have and Marmite caramel sauce.

We also recently tried Morrisons new Christmas range and one festive treat was an instant winner, knocking M&S and Waitrose out the park.

Morrisons festive nosh is expected to land in its 497 stores over the coming weeks.

And if you’re after your classic chocolate tubs, we’ve calculated the cheapest supermarket to grab all your favourites this week.

AN ex-cricket star married to a Thai woman who tragically died in a Waitrose aged just 46 has paid tribute to his “loving” wife.

Duncan Pauline, 64, said he and his wife Wiyada were looking forward to retiring to her home country before her sudden death on Wednesday.

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They had already bought a retirement home and planned to leave the UK in a couple of years, however Duncan will now have to return alone with Wiyada’s ashes.

Wiyada, who was known as ‘Lek’ to her friends – which means small in Thai – collapsed while shopping at the Waitrose in Esher High Street, Surrey.

Duncan told The Sun: “I’m absolutely devastated. She went out to Waitrose at about 5.15pm and then I got a call from one of her friends.

“I went up there expecting she’d had a knock on the head but not that she was dead.

“When I got there the police told me she had passed away.

“She had a cloth over her head and she looked very peaceful when they pulled the cloth off her head.

“She was only 46, it’s a shock that she could go so young. We’ve been married for 22 years and we were due to retire in a couple of years.

“She wanted to go back home to Thailand. We even bought a house in Thailand for our retirement.

“The sad thing is she won’t get to do that now.”

Duncan, head coach at Esher Cricket Club, said he will now have to take the ashes of his wife, who was a Buddhist, back to her family in Thailand.

Holding back his tears, he said: “That won’t be easy.

“I was the one who should have died, not her. I’m a lot older than her and I smoke and drink. I didn’t even think about her going first.”

Duncan said he and his wife had shared 22 brilliant years together.

SHE SAVED MY LIFE

She once saved his life when he ended up in Kingston Hospital with a life-threatening “flesh-eating” condition.

“I got an infection in my foot from a flesh-eating thing in 2014,” he said.

“They had to cut off my leg. I went into a coma and the doctors wanted to turn off the life-support machine.

“She pleaded with them to give me one more day. And during that last day, things started to work again in my body.

“I came out of a coma and I lived. If she hadn’t pleaded with the doctors to give me one more day I would have died.”

Wiyada helped care for Duncan, who now uses a wheelchair, after he lost his leg.

The pair lived together at Esher Cricket Club, where Wiyada would cook Thai food for members.

Paying tribute to his wife, Duncan, a former Surrey County Cricket Club player, said: “She was an all-round good person. Everyone loved her. She will be enormously missed.

“We hardly ever argued – even though we worked together all day.

“She loved cooking for people and she loved the cricket club. We have 750 kids here at the club and she really had fun with them.

“She was a giver. She was always happy and she was such a loving, generous and kind person. She had a tremendous smile.”

Duncan does not know the cause of his wife’s death.

Emergency crews had rushed to the supermarket in Esher, Surrey, at around 6pm on Wednesday after receiving calls of a “concern for safety” at the store.

Both the high street in the town and the Waitrose itself were closed as medics tried to save her life.

Tragically, despite their best efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

At the time of the incident, Surrey Police issued an update to those in the area, saying: “We are currently on scene following a call to a concern for safety in Esher shortly after 6pm this evening (August 20).

“Waitrose on the high street has been closed, and there is a significant emergency services presence in the area as we deal with this incident.”

A spokesperson for Surrey Police said: “Officers were called to Waitrose on Esher High Street shortly after 6pm yesterday evening (August 20) by the South East Coast Ambulance Service, who were responding to a medical emergency at the location.

“Despite the best efforts of paramedics, a woman in her 40s died at the scene.

“Her next of kin have been informed. There was a significant emergency services presence in the area, including police, South East Coast Ambulance Service, and the Air Ambulance Charity Kent, Surrey, Sussex.

“Waitrose was closed to allow emergency services to carry out their work, but has since reopened.”

A Waitrose spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with our customer’s family and loved ones.

“Our Partners acted quickly and offered support while the emergency teams arrived.

“We’re now making sure everyone is supported.”

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BRITS could receive as much as £2,500 in free cash to spend in the likes of Greggs, M&S or Waitrose, thanks to a scheme run by a major energy supplier.

E.ON has relaunched its ‘refer a friend’ scheme and the company will hand out £50 in retail vouchers for customers and their friend, if there is a successful referral.

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So under the new, improved scheme both the existing customer and the new one will both receive the voucher.

They can be spent at a number of high street retailers, including Waitrose, Argos, Greggs and Ticketmaster.

However, the money is capped at £2,500.

Both parties will receive their voucher once the new customer has paid their first direct debit.

Julian Lennertz, Chief Commercial Officer, E.ON Next, said: “We know our customers have really valued the £50 credit they received on their energy account under our previous scheme.

“We’ve also learned that our customers want more choice over where and how they spend their £50 thank you, so they can get the best value for them.

“That’s why they can now choose from hundreds of retailers.

“And because we appreciate all of our customers, old and new, we have expanded the scheme to reward our new customers as well as the existing ones who are making the referrals.”

E.ON Next’s new scheme has been launched in collaboration with its new referral partner, MentionMe.

To be eligible, all existing customers have to do it simply sign up to the scheme.

There are some strings attached though.

To be eligible for the voucher, the new customer must transfer from another supplier and sign up to through the existing customer’s unique MentionMe link.

Customers can make up to five referrals a day, with an overall total of 25 referrals each year.

Which means that both the customer and friends could be better off to the tune of £2,500.

Last month, millions of households were urged to apply for free energy grants worth up to £1,700.

Families who have fallen behind on their gas and electricity bills qualify for help through a little-known fund.

The British Gas Individual and Families Fund is open to prepayment meter customers who are in up to £1,700 worth of energy debt.

If you can’t get help through British Gas’ Individual and Families Fund, you might be able to knock money off your energy bill through the Household Support Fund.

The fund is a giant £742million pot of money that’s been shared between councils in England.

These local authorities are now distributing their share of the fund and can set their own eligibility criteria.

That means what you’re entitled to depends based on where you live, but you will likely qualify for help if you’re on benefits or a low income, and may be able to get energy vouchers or cash.

Speak to your local council about what help is on offer. You can find your nearest by visiting – www.gov.uk/find-local-council.

Depending on what benefits you’re on, you might be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment, the Warm Home Discount or a Cold Weather Payment too.

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SUPERMARKET shoppers love reaching for a Pizza Express pizza – but can you find an own-brand one that’s just as good?

They can be pricey when compared to supermarket own brands.

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At the moment a Margherita will set you back between £4.35 – £6.00 depending on where you buy it.

Natasha Harding tried six supermarket brands and compared them to Pizza Express Margherita pizza – and rated them all out of 30.

Pizza Express Margherita Pizza

£4.35 (when bought with Nectar), Sainsbury’s

Per 100g: calories, 263 fat, 8.7g sugar, 3.4g salt 0.93g

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If the secret to a good pizza is in the dough, then Pizza Express hits the spot.

The base cooked to perfection and it was a good size for two people.

There was a good amount of topping and it cooked evenly in about 12 minutes.

However, there are other pizzas that taste just as good for a fraction of the cost.

Taste: 8/10
Value: 5/10
Overall rating: 6/10
Out of 30: 19

Carlos Stonebaked Pizza

£1.99, Aldi, Aldi

Per 100g: calories, 308 fat, 10.2g sugar, 4g salt 1.09g

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It cooked nicely in 12 minutes and was big enough to feed four people.

The base was deliciously crispy and the cheese and tomato topping tasted authentically Italian.

I haven’t tried this flavour from Aldi before, but absolutely will in the future – my winner – and less than half the price of Pizza Express, that’s dinner sorted.

Taste: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Overall rating: 10/10
Out of 30: 30

Cheese & Tomato Pizza

£1.90, Sainsbury’s

Per 100g: calories, 298 fat, 9g sugar, 2.6g salt 0.76g

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Good value and a perfect size for two.

I wasn’t so keen on this one as I thought it was a bit bland and there wasn’t enough cheese to tempt my tastebuds.

However, my daughter and her friend loved it and she’s asked if she can have it for tea regularly.

At that price, I’m happy to oblige – and if I join her, I’ll add extra cheese on my half.

Taste: 8/10
Value: 10/10
Overall rating: 7/10
Out of 30: 25

Stonebaked Margherita Pizza

£2.58, Asda

Per 100g: calories, 238 fat, 7.7g sugar, 3.9g salt 1.09g

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It cooked well in just over 12 minutes and the generous size means it would satisfy four people, especially if you add a couple of sides.

The topping was plentiful and the fact that you’re getting a lot of pizza for your money means that this is a good staple for a family if you’re unsure what to serve up for dinner.

Taste: 9/10
Value: 7/10
Overall rating: 8/10
Out of 30: 24

Chef Select, Stonebaked Margherita Pizza

£1.99, Lidl

Per 100g: calories, 254 fat, 8.6g sugar, 2.3g salt 1.08g

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Another well priced pizza but I wasn’t so keen on the taste.

The tomato had an intense, slightly synthetic taste that I couldn’t get away from.

The cheese was generous and tasted great – and it cooked to perfection.

If you like a stronger taste sensation, it might be one for you but it’s not one I’d be keen to buy again.

Taste: 6/10
Value: 10/10
Overall rating: 7/10
Out of 30: 23

Classic Margherita

£3.10, Tesco

Per 100g: calories, 259 fat, 7g sugar, 2.8g salt 0.75g

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It cooked nicely in just over ten minutes and looked very appealing once it was ready.

It was generously sized and the base was just the right consistency of being thick enough but crispy too.

It was oh so cheesy which hit the spot for me – I’d definitely buy it again if I needed a cheese fix.

Taste: 8/10
Value: 7/10
Overall rating: 8/10
Out of 30: 23

Essential Cheese & Tomato Pizza

£2.75, Waitrose

Per 100g: calories, 260 fat, 8g sugar, 4.6g salt .75g

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I felt a bit let down by Waitrose offering as the Essential range is fantastic.

The base was a bit thin, and it could have done with some extra toppings as it felt a bit lacklustre.

If I was to buy it again, it would be as a base to add some extra ingredients to.

Taste: 6/10
Value: 6/10
Overall rating: 6/10
Out of 30: 18

IF your child’s birthday is coming up and the thought of splashing the cash on a lavish cake sends shivers down your spine, fear not, you’ve come to the right place.

Many parents will know that ordering a personalised birthday cake can often end up costing hundreds of pounds.

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But in a bid to save cash, one savvy mum took matters into her own hands and was able to cut costs by DIY-ing her little darling’s birthday dessert.

Posting on social media, a mother named Amy shared a step-by-step tutorial of how she DIY-ed her daughter Myla’s pink birthday cake – and it cost her less than £20.

So if you’re on a budget and your purse is feeling tighter than ever before, then you’ll need to listen up. 

The UGC content creator explained that to celebrate her daughter turning one, she decorated the Pretty in Pink Lambeth Cake, which she bought from Waitrose.

The pink coloured golden sponge cake, which is filled with raspberry jam and topped and decorated with pale pink and dark pink buttercream, cost Amy just £18.

Then, using some pink icing and ribbons she already had, she was able to personalise the cake – and we think it looks incredibly professional.

Alongside a short clip shared online, the influencer penned: “Making my daughter’s first birthday cake, saving £100s!”

Showing off the box-fresh vintage-style cake, which is decorated with whirls and swirls of piping, Amy beamed: “Come with me to DIY my daughter’s first birthday cake for only £18!” 

Amy confirmed that she used letter cutters to cut out “Myla is one” in pink icing, which she placed on top of the cake.

Following this, she attached pretty pink bows, which she already had from Shein, and was able to stick these to the cake with cocktail sticks. 

We think Amy’s DIY cake looks brilliant and is a great way for those strapped for cash to save money, without having to scrimp on the celebrations. 

The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @mummyandmylaa, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 178,600 views.

Not only this, but it’s also amassed 2,782 likes, 31 comments and 780 saves. 

Social media users were impressed with the jaw-dropping cake and many eagerly raced to the comments to express this. 

One person said: “Love that. Wish I hadn’t already ordered a cake almost the exact same.”

Another added: “This is genius!” 

A third commented: “Super cute!”

Not only this, but another parent beamed: “Omg that cake is adorable, I wish I knew about it before!” 

This is genius!

TikTok user

At the same time, one user wondered: “What it nice? I worry that supermarket cakes can be dry inside as they are sat on the aisle for a while.”

To this, the content creator replied and confirmed: “Not dry at all!!! 

“Honestly, it tasted AMAZING, no regrets!!!” 

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I PUSHED the order button on my phone and then 10 minutes later my groceries were at my door. 

I often find I’m missing an ingredient for a recipe and with two kids at home it’s easier to get the items delivered. 

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But how much extra am I paying?

Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements puts 60-minute delivery services to the test.

To my home in Maidenhead I can get Tesco Whoosh, Sainsbury’s Chop Chop, Morrisons via Amazon, Waitrose via Uber Eats and Co-op via Deliveroo.

I ordered the same basket from each shop.

Selecting the cheapest, pint of semi-skimmed milk, six-pack of eggs, punnet of strawberries, three-pack of Solero ice creams, loaf of white bread and two-pack of burgers. 

TESCO WHOOSH

• MIN SPEND: No minimum spend but baskets under £15 incur an extra £2 charge.
• BASKET COST: £16.55
• FEES: £2.99
• TOTAL COST: £19.54

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Tesco claims deliveries come in 20 minutes to 70 per cent of the UK from 1,500 stores. 

It was easy to order through the Clubcard app.

I did find the choice of items were fairly limited and more premium products on offer than basic ones. 

For example, only Tesco’s finest burgers and strawberries were available, plus the smallest carton of milk available was two pints as opposed to one.  

This pushed up the overall cost of the basket.

Although, it does have a low delivery fee compared to other supermarkets. 

My order arrived in 12 minutes, which was pretty speedy.

The strawberries did have a short best before date, which is annoying. 

RATING: 3/5

SAINSBURY’S CHOP CHOP 

• MIN SPEND: £15
• BASKET COST: £15.20 
• FEES: £4.99, plus carrier bag fee 30p
• TOTAL COST: £20.49

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It claims to deliver within an hour less from 800 stores.

You need to download the Chop Chop app. 

The choice of products was good and I was able to order everything I needed and keep costs relatively low.

For example, I was offered three different packs of strawberries to choose from. 

This means the basket cost was lower than rival Tesco, however, the fees were more than £2 higher and included a carrier bag fee making it more expensive overall.  

The order came exactly 10 minutes after placing it making it the fastest in the test.

And I can’t complain about the food which was all in great condition. 

You can also order Sainsbury’s through Uber Eats and Deliveroo but you can earn Nectar points when ordering through Chop Chop.

This was the quickest delivery and there was a great choice of food but the fee was at the higher end of the scale. 

RATING: 4/5

MORRISONS VIA AMAZON

• MIN SPEND: £15 for Amazon Prime members, £40 for non-members
• BASKET COST: £15.48 ( plus the extra sausages)
• FEES: Orders over £60 are free for Prime members, £2 for between £40 and £60, and £4 under £40. For non-members, fees are £3 for orders over £60 and £5 between £40 and £60.
• TOTAL COST: £19.48

Same-day deliveries within two-hour timeslots. 

When I logged on at 9.30am in the morning, I had the choice of three slots available with the earliest being 2-4pm, the next 4-6pm and then 6-8pm. 

I picked the later slot to make sure I didn’t miss the delivery while on the school run.

The choice of products was fantastic and the cheapest prices. 

I needed to meet a minimum spend of £15, as I’m an Amazon Prime member. I added on a pack of sausages to bring the total order up to £15.48.

By 8pm nothing had arrived. 

Then at 8.09pm I received a text message to say the order had been cancelled and that I would be refunded.

There was no reason given for the cancellation. 

Luckily we didn’t go hungry as the other orders were arriving – but I was not impressed.

The fees and minimum spends are offputting too. 

RATING: 0/5

WAITROSE VIA UBER EATS

• MIN SPEND: No min spend over £15, but under £15 it’s £3.
• BASKET COST: £13.11 (after discounts)
• FEES: £3.93 Made of three parts:
  *Service fee (10% of your subtotal capped at £2.99) £1.64 for my order  
  *Delivery fee (depends on variables including location and availability of drivers) £1.79 for my order.
  *Bag fee (depends on retailer) 50p for my order
• TOTAL COST:  £17.64

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On Uber Eats I can get Sainsbury’s and Co-op delivered as well as Waitrose.

The selection from Waitrose was great and my order arrived within 26 minutes. 

I also got 50 per cent off selected fruit and veg as there was an offer running, which knocked off £2.69 off my total bill.

The fees seem excessive as you’re charged for service, delivery and bags separately.

My order was also split into two bags, pushing up the cost. 

Good choice of food and it arrived in reasonable time and condition. 

RATING 3/5

CO-OP VIA DELIVEROO 

• MIN SPEND: No min spend
• BASKET COST: £13.55 (no eggs) changed to £8.10 after substitutions (no eggs, no strawberries) 
• FEES: £1.95
  *Service fee: £1.36
  *Delivery fee: 49p
  *Bag fee: 10p 
• TOTAL COST: £10.05 

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Through Deliveroo I can get Waitrose and Sainsbury’s delivered but I tested Co-Op.

Unfortunately, it was not long after the supermarket suffered from cyber attacks impacting its stock levels and product availability. 

However, I was still able to order burgers, milk, bread and ice lollies – and raspberries instead of strawberries. But there were no eggs at all. 

The original order total came to £15.50.

However, the raspberries were out of stock when it came to packing and my one pint of milk was changed to a two-pint carton, while the lollies were changed to Co-Op own brand. 

The order arrived in a reasonable 17 minutes. 

Unlike all the other deliveries, my Co-Op shopping arrived in a green compostable bag. 

This didn’t seem to offer the food as much protection as the brown paper bags from the other supermarkets. 

As a result, I wasn’t too happy with my loaf of bread which arrived seriously squished. 

Fees are split in a similar way to Uber Eats and made up of three parts.

The order arrived in good time but I wasn’t happy with my squashed bread and the choice also let down the experience but this seemed like bad timing.  

RATING: 2/5

OTHER SUPERMARKETS 

Asda and Ocado both offer speedy grocery deliveries.

Asda offers between an hour and four hours from 330 stores.

My closest branch is five miles away but I couldn’t get it delivered.

There’s no minimum spend and fees are £8.50 to £8.99. 

Ocado’s Zoom delivery is between 6am and 10pm.

It currently only covers parts of West and East London.

Minimum spend is £15 and fees start from £1.49. 

A BARGAIN banger has beaten big-name brands in a blind taste test, just in time for BBQ season.

Consumer champion Which? put a variety of supermarket and branded sausages to the test, including premium labels Heck and The Jolly Hog.

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The panel was made up of 65 people, and multiple factors were taken into consideration, including the texture, taste, and price.

Of the 12 tested, three superior sausages stood out and were made Which? Best Buys.

The testers crowned Lidl’s Deluxe Pork Sausages the winner with a score of 77 percent after they ticked all the boxes.

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The juicy texture got people’s taste buds tingling, and the flavour of the sausages was marked as “perfect” by an impressive 80 per cent.

Lidl’s sausages were also the cheapest of the 12 tested – so it’s good news all round.

The herb and spice seasoning also hit the spot with two-thirds of our tasters.

Around three-quarters liked the salt levels and two thirds said the texture was good – neither too coarse nor too fine.

The Which? team did point out that Lidl’s sausages are pretty high in saturated fat.

Two sausages contain 11.5g, which is more than half the recommended daily maximum for women and more than a third for men.  

Lidl Deluxe Pork Sausages are £2.49 for 400g, which works out as 62p per 100g.

Coming in second place was M&S Collection British Outdoor Bred Pork Sausages with a strong score of 75 percent.

Almost double the price of Lidl’s at £4.50 for 400g, the sausages are £1.13 per 100g.

The flavour, juiciness and salt levels won three-quarters of the voters over.

Two-thirds enjoyed the all-important texture, but while 58 Pper cent said seasoning was well-balanced, the remainder were divided on whether it was too much or too little.

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These succulent sausages from M&S are a Best Buy, but note that they are also joint priciest on test.

They are available in store only and at Ocado.

In third place is Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference British Pork Sausages, scooping 75 percent.

These are £3 for 400g, which works out 75p per 100 – so they are an excellent all-rounder.

The pork flavour was highly rated, while more than 70% said the juiciness, saltiness, and herb and spice seasoning were perfect. The texture was also enjoyed by two thirds.

They lost a few marks on plate-appeal compared with the other Best Buys, and around a third said these sausages looked too pale.

They are available in store and online.

In fourth place is the first brand, The Black Farmer Premium Pork Sausages.

Costing £3.50 for 400g (88p per 100g) they were well liked across the board.

More than three-quarters liked their juiciness, while around two-thirds said the pork flavour and salt levels were good.

A few points were lost on seasoning, as a third of our tasters wanted this to be punchier.

These UK-based artisanal sausages are available on Amazon, Asda, Co-op, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s and Tesco.

Last but not least, in fifth place was Asda with its Exceptional Classic Pork Sausages.

These are pretty good sausages at a pretty good price, third cheapest after Aldi and Lidl.

More than 70 per cent enjoyed the pork flavour and pleasing texture. A similar proportion thought they looked the part and that the salt levels were right.

Herb and spice seasoning didn’t always hit the spot, though: nearly half felt this was lacking. So if you prefer a spicy sausage you might find these ones a bit bland.

They cost £2.98 for 400g (75p per 100g) and are available in store and online at Asda.

Here is how the rest of the supermarkets did:

• Morrisons The Best Thick Pork Sausages – 70 percent. Mostly well-liked sausages that scored well on flavour and aroma, though barely a half were fans of their somewhat coarse texture. £3.25 for 400g (81p per 100g). 
• Aldi Specially Selected Pork Sausages – 69 percent. Worth considering with a satisfying texture, but somewhat bland compared with the higher-scoring sausages. £2.49 for 400g (62p per 100g).
• Co-op Irresistible Pork Sausages – 69 percent. These juicy bangers were reasonable all-rounders, though a bit on the pale side. £3.60 for 400g (90p per 100g). 
• The Jolly Hog Proper Porker Sausages – 69 percent. Pretty good all-rounders, though no particular highlights. Around a third of our tasters wanted a stronger meaty flavour. £4 for 400g (£1 per 100g). 
• Iceland Luxury The Ultimate Pork Sausages – 65 percent. Fairly juicy, but rather pale and bland compared to the higher scoring sausages. They come in eight-packs, rather than the standard six. £4 for 400g (£1 per 100g). 
• Waitrose No.1 Free Range Pork Sausages – 62 percent. Juicy sausages, but they lost marks for looks and aroma. Less than half of our tasters found the texture and the seasoning worked for them.  £4.50 for 400g (£1.13 per 100g). 
• Heck 97 percent Pork Sausages – 54 percent. Low in saturated fat, but also low in enjoyment factor for our tasters. More than 60 percent said the pork flavour of these pale sausages was too weak while over half wanted more seasoning. Note that the casings of these sausages are made from beef collagen. £3.25 for 400g (81p per 100g). 

Natalie Hitchins, Which? Head of Home Products and Services, said: “Sausages are a summer barbecue staple for many, so it’s important to pick the right ones that will have your guests queuing up for more.

“Lidl came out on top for our taste tests, impressing with their juicy texture and meaty flavour. While pricier than Lidl’s, M&S and Sainsbury’s also dished up impressively succulent sausages.”

The sausages were tested in April 2025 at Which?’s specialist test lab.

The sausages were cooked according to pack instructions.

The taste test was blind, so the testers didn’t know which brand they were trying.

They tasted the sausages in a fully rotated order to avoid any bias.

Each tester had a private tasting booth so they couldn’t discuss what they were tasting or be influenced by others.

The tasters rated the flavour, aroma, appearance, and texture of each sausage, and told Which? what they liked and disliked. 

The overall score was based on: 50 percent flavour, 20 percent appearance, 15 percent aroma and 15 percent texture.

How to save money on your food shop

Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how you can save hundreds of pounds a year:

Odd boxes – plenty of retailers offer slightly misshapen fruit and veg or surplus food at a discounted price.

Lidl sells five kilos of fruit and veg for just £1.50 through its Waste Not scheme while Aldi shoppers can get Too Good to Go bags which contain £10 worth of all kinds of products for £3.30.

Sainsbury’s also sells £2 “Taste Me, Don’t Waste Me” fruit and veg boxes to help shoppers reduced food waste and save cash.

Food waste apps – food waste apps work by helping shops, cafes, restaurants and other businesses shift stock that is due to go out of date and passing it on to members of the public.

Some of the most notable ones include Too Good to Go and Olio.

Too Good to Go’s app is free to sign up to and is used by millions of people across the UK, letting users buy food at a discount.

Olio works similarly, except users can collect both food and other household items for free from neighbours and businesses.

Yellow sticker bargains – yellow sticker bargains, sometimes orange and red in certain supermarkets, are a great way of getting food on the cheap.

But what time to head out to get the best deals varies depending on the retailer. You can see the best times for each supermarket here.

Super cheap bargains – sign up to bargain hunter Facebook groups like Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK where shoppers regularly post hauls they’ve found on the cheap, including food finds.

“Downshift” – you will almost always save money going for a supermarket’s own-brand economy lines rather than premium brands.

The move to lower-tier ranges, also known as “downshifting” and hailed by consumer expert Martin Lewis, could save you hundreds of pounds a year on your food shop.