COCKTAIL sausages always go down well at picnics and are often a favourite with youngsters who can’t get enough of the savoury snack that are delicious heated or cold.
The mini-sausages are believed to have originated in America in the late 19th or early 20th century and these days are often served with a dollop of ketchup.
7
Natasha Harding tried six supermarket own brands and rated them out of 30.
Sainsbury’s 20 Cocktail Sausages
- £1.50, .75p per sausage
- Per 100g: calories: 312 fat: 22.4g sugar: 1.3g salt: 1.27g
7
These were quite small at Sainsbury’s, but perfectly formed and incredibly moorish – I could have happily snacked on them all afternoon.
They were nicely flavoured without being too spicy and there were enough to satisfy four or five people during a picnic.
My winner – without a doubt.
- Taste: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
- Overall rating: 9/10
- Out of 30: 28
Waitrose 20 Pork Cocktail Sausages
- £3.25, 16p per sausage
- Per 100g: calories: 217 fat: 20.1g sugar: 1.8g salt: 1.08g
7
The sausages were the largest so you wouldn’t need many to get your fill.
They were nicely moist and hit the spot – you could taste the onion and other spices, but it wasn’t overbearing.
However, they were also significantly more expensive than the others that I tried – and I’m not sure that the extra cost is justified.
- Taste: 10/10
- Value: 5/10
- Overall rating: 8/10
- Out of 30: 23
M&S 30 Mini Sausages
- £3.00, 10p per sausage
- Per 100g: calories: 290 fat: 22.3g sugar: 1.4g salt: 1.60g
7
The ones at M&S were a much darker colour than the other sausages I tried and had a spicy, peppery flavour.
The distinctive flavour would go down well with people who have a mature palate but it might put some people – who aren’t so keen on strong tastes – off.
- Taste: 7/10
- Value: 7/10
- Overall rating: 7/10
- Out of 30: 21
Asda 24 Cocktail Sausages
- £2.15, .89p per sausage
- Per 100g: calories: 250 fat: 17g sugar: 1.4g salt: 1.2g
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Initially these had a waxy consistency but they improved with each bite and they went down a treat with the family.
The sausages had a nicely balanced flavour, with just the right amount of seasoning.
I’d be happy to buy these again.
- Taste: 7/10
- Value: 7/10
- Overall rating: 7/10
- Out of 30: 21
Tesco 25 Pork Cocktail Sausages
- £1.50, .75p per sausage
- Per 100g: calories: 224 fat: 12.9g sugar: 1.8g salt: 1.55g
7
These were a bit small and dry – but significantly improved when I warmed them up and if I was to buy them again, I’d only eat them hot.
They had a sweeter taste which could be a hit with children.
- Taste: 6/10
- Value: 6/10
- Overall rating: 6/10
- Out of 30: 18
Aldi 40 Pork Cocktail Sausages
- £1.99, .49p per sausage
- Per 100g: calories: 284 fat: 21.6g sugar: 1.7g salt: 1.45g
7
A good price for a big box of sausages at Aldi that would be ideal for a large family gathering but the taste let them down.
They managed to be both gristly and tasteless – I didn’t want to eat more than one. I did warm them up which helped a bit.
It’s a shame as they’re a bargain.
- Taste: 3/10
- Value: 10/10
- Overall rating: 4/10
- Out of 30: 17
How to save money on your supermarket shop
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they’ve been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you’ll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you’ll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching “finest” or “luxury” products and instead going for “own” or value” type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they’re misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you’re on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
