Preparing Christmas dinner for a long list of family and friends can be a daunting task. Will people really eat Brussels sprouts? Will the turkey be dry?
But Which? has attempted to take the stress out of this festive season by revealing the best supermarket to buy your ingredients before December 25.
After surveying more than 8,000 of its members about what they had recently bought for their festive meal in January 2024, Which? ranked British supermarkets based on their Christmas dinner staples.
Whether you’re looking for a delicious turkey or the perfect stuffing that will leave your guests wanting more, this is where you should shop for the ingredients for your best Christmas dinner.
And the results are surprising: one budget retailer made the top five in each category, while other large supermarkets failed to impress.
Which? has tried to take the stress out of this festive season by revealing which is the best supermarket to buy your ingredients before 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 Christmas food shopping by Which? members – for the second year in a row.
Scoring 84 per cent to take first place, Aldi beat brands such as Marks & Spencer (82 per cent), Waitrose (80 per cent) and Lidl (78 per cent) to take the crown.
The economic supermarket of German origin is a deserved winner, having gone all out this year with its Christmas range including a multitude of turkey options and a festive Wagyu beef variety.
It has also introduced its “biggest yet” vegan and vegetarian range with vegan pigs in blankets, meatless vegetable pies and a cheesy mushroom Wellington.
Valuing taste, quality and value for money, Aldi was also named the best supermarket to stock up on pigs in blankets and fresh vegetables.
And it tied for first place with Marks & Spencer as the best supermarket to buy stuffing.
Julie Ashfield, managing director of purchasing at Aldi UK, said: ‘We are delighted to be recognized by Which? as the best place to shop for holiday 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 providing great value, quality and service to our buyers.
“Christmas is a special time for many and we are proud to help families across the UK make the most of their festive celebrations, whilst keeping their budgets under control.”
Aldi was named the best British supermarket to stock up on a Christmas classic: pigs in blankets
Aldi’s festive 2024 range features its “largest ever” vegetarian and vegan range, which is packed with old favorites and exciting 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 drink to kick off the festivities.
The £22 bottle beat the competition on both taste and price, while the £34.99 Selfridges and £28 M&S bottles failed to achieve the perfect fizz.
Wine expert and wine lover Sam Caporn praised the winning bubbles as the “best supermarket champagne in the UK” following a recent tasting.
The retailer even won in mince pies, with a panel of judges salivating over its “soft, flaky pastry” and “sweet, caramelised fruit filling”.
Aldi’s specially selected Mince Pies, which cost an affordable 38p, or £2.29 for a pack of six, have outperformed the supermarket’s steepest treats and can now be bought in store.
And as the perfect centerpiece, the German brand is selling a specially selected succulent Roly Poly whole turkey, which was named Best Whole Turkey for its “naturally sweet flavor” and “depth of umami.”
The budget retailer even won in mince pies, with a panel of judges salivating over its “soft, flaky pastry” and “sweet, caramelised fruit filling”.
The award-winning poultry will hit retailers’ shelves on December 19, just days before the big day.
The Specially Selected Orange and Maple Pudding, which costs just £9.99, was named Best Tasting Christmas Pudding for its deliciously sweet flavours, and has now arrived in stores on 1 November.
And one returning favorite also wowed the judges: Aldi’s specially selected five-year aged cheddar bake, which received first place for vegetarian starter.
The cheesy delight will be available in stores from December 6 and will cost £6.
The award-winning supermarket clearly has everything you need for a traditional Christmas meal, along with some interesting alternatives to spice up your festive season.