Consumer group Which? conducted a blind taste test of 10 supermarket own-label sausages alongside branded products The Jolly Hog and Porky Whites. The results placed own-brand sausages from Lidl, Aldi, and Morrisons at the top, outperforming their branded competitors.
Top Performers in the Taste Test
Lidl Deluxe Pork Sausages achieved the highest score of 73%, praised for their eating pleasure, moistness, texture, and value at £2.49 for 400g. Aldi Specially Selected Pork Sausages followed closely with 72%, described as impressive all-rounders, also priced at £2.49 for 400g. Morrisons The Best Thick Pork Sausages matched Aldi's score of 72% but cost £3.25 for 400g.
How Other Supermarkets Fared
Asda took fourth place, with testers commending the well-balanced meaty flavour and seasoning; two-thirds approved of the texture. At £3.17 for 400g (79p per 100g), they are slightly more expensive than Lidl and Aldi. The Co-Op sausages, retailing at £3.90 for 400g (98p per 100g), also fared well, though some tasters felt they lacked depth of flavour.
Branded Sausages Underwhelm
Neither The Jolly Hog nor Porky Whites claimed a top position. The Jolly Hog scored 65%, with tasters finding the flavour disappointing and the texture too coarse. Porky Whites also scored 65%, with fewer than half happy with the texture; despite being visually attractive, they fell short on flavour.
The blind test involved 60 participants who assessed sausages on flavour, texture, and aroma. Which? awarded Best Buy recognition to the three top-scoring own-brand products, highlighting that shoppers do not need to pay a premium for quality bangers.
