Pigs in blankets are a beloved festive treat, but not all are created equal. The Sun recently conducted a taste test of pigs in blankets from various supermarkets, comparing popular options from Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, and Lidl against the more premium offerings from Waitrose. The results reveal significant differences in taste and value, with some brands emerging as clear winners.
Top Performers in Taste and Value
The standout in this year’s test was Tesco’s **12 Juicy Pigs in Blankets**, priced at **£4.50** for a **400g** pack, or **£1.13 per 100g**. The product featured a combination of thin, crispy bacon and sausages that, despite being somewhat bland, achieved a solid taste score of **8/10**. Tesco’s offering is not only the best in taste, but it also provides excellent value, resulting in a total score of **16/20**.
Asda followed closely with its **Delicious Pigs in Blankets**, which retail for **£2.78** for a **222g** pack, costing **£1.25 per 100g**. With a higher pork content of **72%**, these had a satisfying meatiness. However, testers noted a synthetic smoky flavor, leading to a taste rating of **6/10** and a total score of **14/20**.
Sainsbury’s **Butcher’s Choice Pigs in Blankets** were priced at **£3.25** for **260g**, equating to **£1.24 per 100g**. While the sausages were appreciated for their cocktail-like flavor, the bacon fell short, resulting in a taste score of **7/10** and an overall score of **15/20**.
Comparative Analysis of Other Brands
Morrisons offered their version at **£2.75** for **222g**, or **£1.24 per 100g**. Despite having a thick, meaty sausage, the overall flavor was deemed cheap, earning a taste score of **7/10** and a total of **14/20**.
Lidl’s **Birchwood Butcher’s Choice Pigs in Blankets** were priced at an attractive **£1.99** for **222g** (90p per 100g). Though the **72%** pork content was a plus, the product’s smaller size after cooking detracted from its appeal, resulting in a taste score of **7/10** and a value score of **8/10** for a total of **15/20**.
Waitrose’s offering, priced at **£5.25** for a **252g** pack (or **£2.08 per 100g**), scored poorly overall. Despite the premium price, testers found the bacon overly sweet and the sausage mushy, leading to a disappointing taste score of **6/10** and a total of **11/20**.
Aldi did not participate in the test this year, only offering premium options to The Sun ahead of the launch, leaving their products unassessed.
In conclusion, as consumers prepare for the festive season, Tesco’s and Asda’s pigs in blankets stand out as the best options in terms of both taste and value. Meanwhile, Waitrose’s premium offering did not live up to expectations, suggesting that shoppers may want to explore more budget-friendly alternatives when planning their holiday meals.
