Remember when a French stick was considered a fancy loaf? Those days are long gone, replaced by the era of sourdough. This tangy, fermented bread has become a modern staple, with some artisan bakeries selling out daily. Naturally, supermarkets have responded by filling their shelves with their own versions.
But with so many options, from budget bloomers to high-end artisan loaves sold in-store, how do you know which one is worth your money? To find out, we conducted a rigorous taste-test of more than 20 sourdough loaves available in UK supermarkets.
The Ultimate Supermarket Sourdough Ranking
Our testing was thorough. We analysed ingredient lists, heeding the advice of Swie Joo, head baker at The Palmerston in Edinburgh, who notes that sourdough is not a legally protected term. A genuine sourdough should be made with a live starter and undergo slow fermentation, without added commercial yeast.
We judged each loaf on its crumb (the internal structure), crust, taste, and shelf life. After extensive tasting—plain, in sandwiches, and as toast—we whittled the selection down to the eight best supermarket sourdough loaves you can buy in 2025.
1. Wildfarmed White Sourdough Bread: Best Overall
Price: £4 | Weight: 600g | Stockist: Waitrose.com
Co-founded by Groove Armada's Andy Cato and presenter George Lamb, Wildfarmed brings its regenerative farming ethos to the supermarket aisle. This loaf is made with regeneratively grown wheat, is slow-fermented for 32 hours, and is hand-shaped.
We were impressed by its slight tang and pleasing chewiness, making it perfect for a weekend bacon sandwich. As the only B Corp certified brand in our test, it’s a loaf that tastes good and does good.
2. Gail’s San Francisco Sourdough: Best Runner-Up
Price: £5 | Weight: 650g | Stockist: Waitrose.com
A classic for a reason, Gail's sourdough has a deliciously dark, crunchy crust and a complex flavour profile thanks to a mix of grains including spelt, emmer, and rye. It boasts the most open crumb on our list, though it can sometimes be a little too airy. While it's a premium choice, the quality is undeniable.
3. Bertinet Bakery Rustic Country White Sourdough: Best Pre-Packaged
Price: £2 | Weight: 500g | Stockist: Waitrose.com
From the esteemed Bertinet Bakery in Bath, this pre-sliced loaf is a fantastic everyday option. Made with heritage grains and containing no preservatives, it has a lovely tang and a flavour that leans more towards a wholesome wholemeal than a plain white. We found it made particularly excellent toast.
4. Waitrose No 1 White Sourdough Bread: Best for Flavour
Price: £2.25 | Weight: 500g | Stockist: Waitrose.com
This pre-sliced loaf from Waitrose's premium range was a standout in the taste department. It possesses an intense, tangy depth that surpassed all others. While it lacks a crusty exterior—a common trait in pre-sliced loaves—it has a good spring and produced some of the best toast of the entire test.
5. Exceptional by Asda White Sourdough Loaf: Best Everyday
Price: £2 | Weight: 500g | Stockist: Asda.com
Asda's offering exceeded our expectations for a pre-sliced loaf. It features a fairly even crumb with a good structure, suggesting successful fermentation. The flavour is nicely tangy, and it stands as one of the best packaged sourdoughs available.
6. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference White Sourdough Half Bloomer: Best for Toast
Price: £1.95 | Weight: 400g | Stockist: Sainsburys.co.uk
This affordable option is soft and lacks a traditional crusty exterior, tasting more like a high-end white bread than a classic sourdough. However, its springy crumb makes it a reliable choice, especially when toasted.
7. Good Grain Bakery Gluten Free Seeded Sourdough: Best Gluten-Free
Price: £5.30 | Weight: 550g | Stockist: Ocado.com
Finding a decent gluten-free sourdough is a challenge, but this seeded cob is a solid replica. As expected, it's dense, but it's made with organic, gluten-free flour and is a welcome option for those avoiding gluten.
8. Co-op Irresistible Slow Crafted White Sourdough Bloomer: Best Even Crumb
Price: £3 | Stockist: Coop.co.uk
This dinky bloomer boasts a better crust than many rivals and features a crumb with beautifully even, well-distributed air pockets. While its rise is a little low, it makes for a great piece of toast and is a reliable mid-range pick.
The Verdict: Is Supermarket Sourdough Worth It?
Our investigation proves that you don't always need to queue at an artisan bakery for a great loaf. Supermarkets are now producing sourdough that can hold its own, with options to suit every budget and purpose.
For the best overall experience, Wildfarmed's white sourdough is unbeatable, combining superior taste with a positive environmental ethos. For those on a tighter budget, Lidl's large white sourdough bloomer (£1.99) offers incredible value, while Waitrose's No.1 sourdough remains the champion of flavour.
