A taste test comparing classic pies from major UK supermarkets has crowned Sainsbury's as the winner, with its steak and ale pie praised for its red wine gravy and generous filling. The test, conducted by a journalist for the Daily Mirror, evaluated pies from M&S, Tesco, Lidl, and Sainsbury's based on price, appearance, value for money, filling amount, and pastry flakiness.
M&S's pie was described as rich with a nice hint of ale but lacking in filling. Tesco's pie looked luxurious but also suffered from insufficient filling, despite its delicious slow-cooked beef chunks and flaky pastry. Lidl's pie, the cheapest option, was praised as a great budget buy with a rich onion gravy, though the steak chunks were small.
Sainsbury's pie stood out for its flaky pastry, decent filling, and the addition of bacon and red wine gravy, which enhanced the steak's rich flavours. The tester noted that while the bacon was not necessary, the overall pie was excellent value for money.
The test highlights that while all supermarkets offer quality pies, Sainsbury's version ticked every box, particularly with its distinctive red wine gravy. The article also notes that Brits consume £1 billion worth of pies annually, and National Pie Week is a celebration of this beloved dish.
