A UK food blogger has put Iceland's budget-friendly Christmas dinner box to the test, offering a candid assessment of whether the £25 frozen feast delivers on its promise of a convenient festive meal for four.
The Grumpy Northern Foodie's Festive Experiment
Stuart Snowden, a father-of-three better known online as Grumpy Northern Foodie, documented his experience with Iceland's controversial offering in a recent TikTok video. The supermarket claims its box provides a complete Christmas dinner for four people, eliminating the hours of kitchen labour typically associated with the festive meal.
The box contains eight key components: beef dripping roast potatoes, a turkey breast joint, honey glazed parsnips, pork, sage and onion stuffing balls, sprouts with bacon, maple glazed carrots, twelve pigs in blankets, and gravy. It also includes cooking instructions designed to simplify the process.
Cooking, Plating, and The Gravy Shortage
Stuart followed the instructions precisely, cooking all items from frozen before plating up four complete dinners. His immediate observation was a significant issue with the provided gravy. The small pot was far from sufficient for four portions, a problem he highlighted as needing an easy fix with some instant gravy.
Once plated, he moved on to the crucial taste test, sampling each component individually before delivering his overall verdict.
The Final Verdict: Surprising Score Despite Flaws
Stuart acknowledged that the frozen turkey would not beat a freshly prepared one, but emphasised that this wasn't the product's purpose. He suggested the box is ideal for individuals spending Christmas alone, those working shifts, or people who struggle with cooking but still want a traditional meal.
He noted improvements in the turkey compared to previous years and praised the roast potatoes as being 'spot on'. The stuffing balls were a welcome addition, and the vegetables met expectations. Beyond the gravy, his other criticism was the absence of Yorkshire puddings, which he felt would have 'topped it off nicely'.
Despite these shortcomings, the £25 Christmas dinner box scored a solid eight out of ten, positioning it as a convenient and affordable option for specific circumstances during the festive season.
