Be it fry-ups, bangers and mash, or sunny BBQs - sausages are almost always on the menu for hungry Brits. But those wanting to tuck into a meaty meal need not splurge, as a budget supermarket's 62p sausages have beaten posh Waitrose's offerings in a new taste test.
Which? Taste Test Results
According to consumer rights champion Which?, Lidl's Deluxe Pork sausages - which are £2.49 for six - were top of the scoreboard for a panel of 60 blind tasters 'who regularly buy and eat sausages'. Ten own-label products including Aldi, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco were surveyed, as well as two popular brands - The Jolly Hog and Porky Whites.
Judges looked at flavour, appearance, aroma and texture to make their verdicts. Jess Carson, Which? taste test expert, said: 'With the sun finally out and a long weekend ahead, many of us will be thinking it's time to start BBQ season with friends or family - but with so much choice, finding the most succulent sausage can feel like a chore.'
'If you want the most banger for your buck, our results show a 62p sausage comfortably beats rivals costing twice as much, meaning you can savour the best sizzle of the season without overcooking your budget.' Lidl's sausages were praised for 'overall eating pleasure' by 73 per cent of the tasters. Meanwhile, 83 per cent of the panel enjoyed the 'moist consistency' and 77 per cent found salt levels to be 'just right'.
Top Performers and Best Buys
As well as being the winner, Lidl was one of the top two cheapest options. The second, which was also £2.49 for six, was Aldi's Specially Selected Pork Sausages - which scored 72 per cent. These 'impressive all rounders' also wowed judges with looks, aroma and 'a meaty flavour'. However, due to a 'slightly stronger herbal kick' they just missed out on the top spot.
Morrisons The Best Thick Pork Sausages scored as highly as Aldi with 72 per cent, but were more expensive at £3.25 for 400g, or 54p a sausage. However, those wanting a 'classic' pork flavour loved the option, 'even if the texture was slightly coarser'. This secured it a Best Buy endorsement, which was also granted to Lidl and Aldi. The top two also received the Great Value label from Which?.
Bottom of the Scoreboard
However, bottom of the scoreboard was Waitrose No.1 British Free Range Pork Sausages - which was also the most expensive of all surveyed at £5.25 for 400g, with a panel score of 53 per cent despite having the highest meat content of the products tested (98 per cent). Around 77 per cent of tasters wanted 'more herb and spice seasoning, and only a quarter approved of the texture'.
Waitrose said: 'We are very surprised by this result as our customers love these sausages. They are second to none for animal welfare, produced from Free Range pork, have a very high meat content, and have come top in other reputable taste tests.'
Both of the non-supermarket brands, The Jolly Hog Porkers and Porky Whites Premium Traditional Pork Sausages, also scored 65 per cent, and failed to make the top five. Tasters enjoyed the look and smell of Jolly Hog's sausages, but 'some of the panel were disappointed with the taste'. Meanwhile, Porky Whites looked great but were 'somewhat bland flavour-wise'.
How the Brands Measured Up
- Best Buy & Great Value: Lidl Deluxe Pork - 73 per cent - £2.49
- Best Buy & Great Value: Aldi Specially Selected - 72 per cent - £2.49
- Best Buy: Morrisons The Best - 72 per cent - £3.25
- Exceptional by Asda - 71 per cent - £3.17
- Co-op Irresistible - 71 per cent - £4.25
- M&S Collection British - 71 per cent - £4.25
- Sainsbury's Taste the Difference - 70 per cent - £3.25
- Tesco Finest - 67 per cent - £3.30
- The Jolly Hog Proper Porkers - 65 per cent - £3.50
- Porky Whites Premium Traditional Pork Sausages - 65 per cent - £3.50
- Iceland Luxury Pork - 56 per cent - £3
- Waitrose No.1 Free Range - 53 per cent - £5.25
