For many in the UK, the annual unveiling of the supermarket Christmas sandwich is as much a part of the festive build-up as opening an advent calendar. This year, a host of high street retailers have once again rolled out their seasonal offerings, from classic turkey feasts to inventive vegan creations and retro seafood cocktails.
The Ultimate Festive Sandwich Taste Test
To separate the truly celebratory from the merely seasonal, we conducted a rigorous taste test of eight of the most prominent Christmas sandwiches, wraps, and rolls available on supermarket shelves in December 2025. The judging panel, led by Alice Reynolds of The Independent's IndyBest team, assessed each contender on key criteria including taste, texture, quality of ingredients, value for money, and packaging.
The goal was to find sandwiches where the bread enhanced the experience, fillings were generous and well-balanced, and festive flavours shone through. Both creative twists and perfectly executed classics were in with a chance.
And the Winner Is…
After careful consideration, one sandwich emerged as the clear champion. The M&S Turkey Feast Sandwich was crowned the best Christmas sandwich overall for 2025. Priced at £4.25, it impressed judges with its high-quality, tender British turkey breast, delicious pork, sage and onion stuffing, and clever use of onion mayonnaise and cranberry chutney.
The panel praised its generous filling and robust malted bread, which held together without becoming soggy. Notably, five per cent of sales from this sandwich go to the housing charity Shelter, adding a feel-good factor to the purchase.
Category Champions and Standout Contenders
Beyond the overall winner, several other sandwiches earned top honours in their specific categories:
Best Seafood Christmas Sandwich: Aldi's Specially Selected Seafood Cocktail Sandwich (£2.75) won plaudits for its whole king prawns and moreish Marie Rose sauce, offering great value.
Best Vegan Christmas Sandwich: Waitrose's Christmas Vegetable Festive Feast Sandwich (£3.75) was celebrated for its flavourful spiced butternut squash, chestnut, and braised red cabbage filling, providing a tasty plant-based option.
Best Christmas Wrap: Asda's Magical Three Little Piggies Half and Half Wrap (£2.88) delighted testers by offering two flavours in one – pulled pork with apple sauce on one side and pork sausages with bacon on the other.
Other notable entries included the Co-op Turkey Feast Christmas Sandwich (£3), which offered a solid, cheaper alternative to the M&S winner, and the Sainsbury's Christmas Cracker Club Sandwich (£4), which provided a peppery chicken option for those bypassing turkey.
How We Reached Our Verdict
The testing process was thorough. Each sandwich was judged primarily on taste and texture, with a focus on creating a satisfying, non-soggy, and flavourful meal. The quality and compatibility of the bread was scrutinised, and packaging innovation – particularly efforts to reduce plastic – was rewarded.
With meal deal prices rising, the cost of each sandwich was also evaluated independently to determine true value for money. The testing took place in December 2025, with the IndyBest team sampling products purchased directly from supermarket shelves to replicate the genuine consumer experience.
In conclusion, while the M&S turkey offering sets the gold standard this year, there are worthy and delicious alternatives across budgets and dietary preferences. Whether you're after a traditional feast, a seafood treat, or a vegan delight, the 2025 festive sandwich lineup has something to spark joy during the busy Christmas season.
