I tried Tesco, Sainsbury's, M&S, Asda and Aldi mince pies — 1 was so bad I couldn't finish it
While one was so bad I couldn't finish it, another was so good it trounced all the others
An iconic Christmas staple has returned to supermarket shelves in full force. Loved by many, loathed by a few, mince pies are as much a part of British Christmas tradition as carol singers and questionable novelty jumpers.
But with dozens of options on offer which supermarket delivers the perfect pie? Who's bringing the Christmas cheer and who's just peddling pastry? I sampled a wide range of premium mince pies from the UK's biggest supermarkets, including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Aldi, Asda, Morrisons, and M&S, judging each on taste, texture, filling-to-pastry ratio, appearance and, of course, value for money.
From buttery melt-in-the-mouth pastry to overly sweet fillings that could double as jam the results were anything but predictable. Some budget brands punched well above their weight while certain premium selections failed to justify their luxury labels. So who came out on top – and who crumbled under pressure? Here's my verdict on this year's premium range supermarket mince pies from best to worst.
1. Tesco
There was a clear winner: Tesco's Finest Mince Pies. With a buttery pastry and a perfectly-spiced, generously-filled mincemeat centre Tesco managed to create the perfect mince pie. At £3 for a box of six, they also offered impressive value for money: a premium pie without the premium price tag. When they said 'live well for less' they really meant it, which is more important now than ever. Tesco took the crown — easily. I loved everything about their mince pies — a festive win for both the palate and the purse.
2. Morrisons
Morrisons delivered a strong mince pie this year, coming in just behind Tesco. The pastry was crisp and light, with a good buttery flavour, and the mincemeat struck a solid balance between sweetness and spice. It wasn't overly rich or fussy – just a well-made, well-balanced pie that felt properly festive. At a reasonable price point of £3 a pack it offered excellent value and broad appeal. A dependable choice that got almost everything right!
3. Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's mince pies were a strong contender, landing solidly in third place. The mincemeat was well-balanced – rich, spiced, and not overly sweet – and had a homemade feel to it. The only let-down was the pastry which, while nicely golden, was a little too dry and crumbly. It didn't quite hold together on the bite, which affected the overall experience. Still, a very respectable effort that delivers on flavour and seasonal comfort – though definitely not the best of the bunch. At a price point of £3.50 for a pack they will do just fine – but there are better options out there.
4. M&S
M&S is known for polished presentation and premium ingredients but this year's mince pies felt like they were trying too hard. The pastry was rich, almost to the point of being heavy, and the mincemeat was densely packed with flavours – brandy, orange zest, spices – but instead of harmonising it all felt a bit overdone. The mince pie is rich – almost too rich, at least in my opinion. Technically impressive but lacking the simple warmth and balance that makes a mince pie satisfying – and at £4 a pack you can find better options elsewhere.
5. Aldi
Aldi's mince pies were passable, but didn't stand out. The pastry was on the dry side and lacked the buttery flavour of some of the stronger contenders. The mincemeat had the right basic components but tasted slightly synthetic – more sweet than spiced and without much depth. At a lowest price point of £2.49 a pack they'll do in a pinch but there are better budget options available this year.
6. Asda
Asda's mince pies were the only ones in the tasting that I genuinely did not like and could not finish. The pastry was dense and dry, lacking flavour or texture, and the filling had a sharp, synthetic aftertaste that overwhelmed any real fruit or spice. While budget-friendly at £2.84 per pack they didn't meet even basic expectations for a supermarket mince pie. Overall, disappointing.