A Sainsbury's customer has sparked online excitement after discovering a hot, ready-to-eat curry included in the supermarket's famed meal deal. The find, shared on social media, has been labelled a potential "game-changer" for lunchtime choices across the UK.
The Discovery That 'Changed Everything'
While browsing the shelves for a quick lunch, one astute shopper spotted a Thai Style Green Chicken Curry available as an 'upgraded main' option. The meal, which came complete with rice and was already heated in a hot cabinet, represented a significant departure from the usual sandwich or pasta salad fare.
The customer paired the curry with a Strawberries 'n' Cream Pepsi Max and an Arla Protein Blueberry Yoghurt, completing a substantial £5.50 meal deal. Upon sharing a photo online with the caption "never seen a curry in a meal deal before," the post quickly garnered hundreds of upvotes in the popular r/MealDealRates community.
Shoppers React to the Premium Upgrade
The reaction from fellow meal deal enthusiasts was one of widespread surprise and approval. One user declared the find had "changed everything," while another noted, "If there’s a hot food cabinet in Sainsbury’s then you know there’s going to be a good meal deal combo on offer!"
Questions about the curry's quality and temperature were swiftly answered by the original poster, who confirmed it was "nice and hot straight from the cabinet" and tasted "really good for a convenience curry." Other comments praised the combination as a "10/10" and "possibly the Trinity of meal deal items," with some suggesting Sainsbury's was "about to move up" in the competitive lunch market.
Understanding Sainsbury's Meal Deal Tiers
This curry is part of Sainsbury's premium meal deal offering, which has recently seen a price increase to £5.50, up from £5. This contrasts with the standard lunchtime meal deal, typically priced around £3.95. The premium tier often features items from the supermarket's Taste the Difference range and other branded, higher-end products.
Other premium options currently available include:
- Hot Smoked Salmon & Baby Potato Salad
- Steak and Caramelised Onion Sandwich
- Roast Vegetable and Pesto Wrap
- YO! Teriyaki Chicken Katsu Poke
- Pollen + Grace Mezze Houmous Rainbow Veg Grain Bowl
The introduction of a hot, substantial dish like a curry marks a notable evolution in the UK's meal deal landscape, traditionally dominated by cold items. It reflects a growing demand for more diverse, restaurant-quality options available at a quick-service price point, especially as consumers continue to seek value amidst cost-of-living pressures.
