Preparing Christmas dinner for a long-list of family and friends can be a daunting task. Will people actually eat the Brussels sprouts? Is the turkey going to be dry?
But Which? has attempted to take the stress away from this festive season by revealing the best supermarket to buy your ingredients from ahead of December 25.
After surveying over 8,000 of its members on what they had recently bought for their festive fare in January 2024, Which? ranked British supermarkets based on their Christmas dinner essentials.
Whether you’re looking for a mouthwatering turkey or the perfect stuffing that will leave your guests wanting more, this is where you should buy the ingredients for your best Christmas dinner yet.
And the results are surprising – with one budget retailer ranking within the top five of every category while several other big supermarkets failed to impress.
Which? has attempted to take the stress away from this festive season by revealing the best supermarket to buy your ingredients from ahead of December 25 (Source: Aldi)
Aldi, which was previously crowned the UK’s cheapest supermarket in October, has been revealed as the best place to do your Christmas food shop by Which? members – for the second year in a row.
Achieving a score of 84 per cent to take first place, Aldi beat the likes of Marks & Spencer (82 per cent), Waitrose (80 per cent) and Lidl (78 per cent) to take the crown.
The German-born budget supermarket is a deserving winner, having gone all out this year with its Christmas range including a multitude of turkey options and a festive Wagyu beef range.
It has also introduced its ‘biggest ever’ vegan and vegetarian range with vegan-friendly pigs in blankets, meat-free vegetable tarts and a cheesy mushroom Wellington.
Rating taste, quality and value for money, Aldi was also named as the best supermarket to stock up on pigs in blankets and fresh vegetables.
And it tied in first place with Marks & Spencer as the best supermarket to buy stuffing.
Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, said: ‘We’re thrilled to be recognised by Which? as the best place to buy Christmas essentials, for the second year in a row!
‘This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teams, who are committed to delivering great value, quality, and service to our shoppers.
‘Christmas is a special time for many, and we’re proud to help families across the UK make the most of their festive celebrations, all while keeping their budgets in check.’
Aldi was named as the best British supermarket to stock up on a Christmas classic – pigs in blankets
Aldi’s 2024 festive range features its ‘biggest ever’ vegetarian and vegan range which is filled with old favourites and appealing new additions
Aldi also emerged victorious from Good Housekeeping’s annual Christmas taste test.
The budget brand’s Veuve Monsigny Premier Cru Champagne was awarded Best Champagne by Good Housekeeping, making it the perfect tipple to kickstart the festivities.
The £22 bottle beat competitors on taste as well as price, with Selfridges £34.99 and M&S’s £28 bottles, failing to make for the perfect fizz.
Wine expert and Mistress of Wine, Sam Caporn, hailed the winned bubbles as the ‘best supermarket champagne in the UK’ following a recent tasting.
The retailer even won on mince pies, with a panel of judges salivating over their ‘soft, flaky pastry’ and ‘sweet, caramelised fruit filling’.
Aldi’s Specially Selected Mince Pies, costing a a budget friendly 38p, or £2.29 for a pack of six, overtook steeper supermarket treats, and can already be bought in store.
And for the perfect centerpiece, the German brand are selling a succulent Specially Selected Roly Poly Whole Turkey – which was named Best Whole Turkey for its ‘natural sweet flavour’ and ‘umami depth’.
The budget retailer even won on mince pies, with a panel of judges salivating over their ‘soft, flaky pastry’ and ‘sweet, caramelised fruit filling’
The prize winning poultry will reach the retailers shelves on December 19, just a few days before the big day.
The specially selected orange and maple pudding, costing just £9.99, was named best flavoured Christmas pudding, for its scrumptious sweet flavours, and already hit shelves on November 1.
And one returning favourite has also wowed the judges – Aldi’s specially selected ultimate five-year vintage cheddar bake – which was awarded with top place for vegetarian starter.
The cheesy treat will be available in store from December 6 and will cost £6.
The award-winning supermarket clearly has everything you need for a traditional yuletide meal, alongside some interesting alternatives to spice up your festive season.
