With the final days before Christmas ticking away, the last major task for many households is the crucial festive food shop. The pressure is on to find the perfect turkey, the most delicious trimmings, and show-stopping desserts that will delight family and friends, all without spending a fortune.
The Ultimate Festive Food Showdown
To save you from a last-minute supermarket scramble, we conducted a comprehensive taste test of seasonal offerings from all the major UK retailers. Our experts rigorously assessed everything from salmon starters to Christmas puddings, judging them on flavour, ease of preparation, value for money, and their potential to be the star of the dinner table. The results reveal that you don't need to spend excessively on premium brands to create a memorable feast, with standout products starting from under £3.
Here is our quick list of the very best Christmas food products for 2025:
- Best starter: Tesco Finest Smoked Salmon Terrine
- Best pâté: Tesco Finest Three Bird Pâté
- Best cranberry sauce: Waitrose Christmas Cranberry Sauce
- Best carrots: Waitrose Honey Roasted Chantenay Carrots
- Best pigs in blankets: Exceptional by Asda Maple Pigs in Blankets
- Best stuffing: Waitrose No.1 Stuffing Balls
- Best potatoes: Marks and Spencer Irish White Potatoes
- Best beef main: Tesco Finest Beef Wellington
- Best turkey: Tesco Finest Bronze Turkey
- Best dessert: M&S Collection 12 Month Christmas Pudding
- Best cheese: M&S Cheesemongers Selection
Supermarket Champions: Where to Shop This Christmas
For the overall best balance of quality, variety, and cost, Tesco emerges as the top supermarket for Christmas food this year. Its Finest range delivered exceptional quality in key categories, particularly for starters and mains. The Tesco Finest Scottish Salmon Terrine (£15) was a stunning centrepiece that impressed guests, combining smoked salmon with a lemon mousse and king prawns. Their Finest Three Bird Pâté (£8 for 375g) offered a decadent and filling starter, while the Finest Free Range Bronze Turkey, priced at £11 per kg, provided succulent, flavourful meat that fed a crowd with plenty of leftovers.
For those seeking an alternative to turkey, Tesco's Finest Beef Wellington (£35) proved to be a magnificent and convenient showstopper, featuring 21-day matured beef fillet and porcini mushrooms in a golden pastry case. It can be cooked from frozen, making it a great option for advance planning, though it serves around four people.
Specialist Picks from Waitrose and M&S
While Tesco took the overall crown, other supermarkets shone in specific areas. Waitrose excelled with its sides and condiments. Its Christmas Cranberry Sauce (£2.50), infused with orange, clove, and cinnamon, was hailed as "Christmas in a jar." The Honey Roasted Chantenay Carrots (£2.25 for 500g) were a sweet, time-saving veg option, and the No.1 Stuffing Balls with Bacon and Smoked Chestnuts (£4.95) offered a luxurious twist on a classic.
For the grand finale, Marks and Spencer is the destination for dessert and cheese. The M&S Collection 12 Month Matured Christmas Pudding (£14) was rich, boozy, and packed with fruit, brandy, and cognac. Their Cheesemonger Selection (£25) provided a perfect, fuss-free cheeseboard with Red Leicester, Cornish Cheddar, Stilton, and more. Furthermore, M&S's Irish White Potatoes were judged the best for making perfect, fluffy roasties.
Asda also scored a hit with its Exceptional Maple Pigs in Blankets (£3.97 for 10), which added a sweet and spicy kick to the traditional favourite.
Final Verdict and Shopping Tips
The testing proves that a spectacular Christmas dinner can be assembled from supermarket offerings without requiring a celebrity chef's budget. For the widest selection of quality mains and starters at reasonable prices, Tesco is our top recommendation. For exceptional desserts, cheese, and potatoes, head to Marks and Spencer.
When planning your shop, it's wise to book online delivery slots early for a delivery close to Christmas Day. If shopping in-store, aim to purchase your fresh items, like vegetables, cheese, and the turkey, just a few days before the 25th to ensure peak freshness and avoid the disappointment of pre-bought items spoiling.
