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Although it’s still November, the festive season is well and truly upon us, and every supermarket is decked out with Christmas trees and fridges full of seasonal sandwiches to help get us excited for a joyful December.
This year’s offerings include all the traditional fillings you’d expect, from pigs under blankets to brie and cranberry.
However, more unconventional flavours and ingredients such as curry and falafel are also on offer for those who don’t want to dine on too much turkey in the run up to December 25.
The Daily Mail’s Lifestyle Reporter Gina Kalsi, with the help of some hungry colleagues, has tried a whopping 88 sandwiches which are currently available in supermarkets and popular high street chains across the UK.
Fillings include everything from roast beef to lobster, while some plant-based products using fake meat and tofu as protein sources scored highly with vegetarians.
But while some delicious, innovative sandwiches were rated highly, other soggy lunches came in last place and unimpressed journalists vowed to leave them on the shelves.
Read on to find out which sandwiches you should snap up, and which varieties are a bit of a turkey.
THE BEST
Rating: 5/5: By Eleanor Dye
This is a sturdy wrap, packed with filling from top to bottom. Supermarkets often use a wrap as an excuse to scrimp on the filling – but this one definitely doesn’t disappoint.
The combination of the dip and breadcrumbs is so good, but very messy, so make sure you have the setup to do it properly, as you may end up with gravy-stained clothing if you’re in the office.
It tastes very Christmassy and the hints of rosemary make you think about the stuffing at Christmas dinner. The honey-roasted carrots are also a delicious addition.
Rating 5/5: By Gina Kalsi
This has to be one of my favourite rolls of all time, as Starbucks has completely nailed what Christmas should taste like. Pigs in blankets, for me and many others, are the best part of a festive dinner and putting it all together into a roll is a recipe for deliciousness.
The sausages and bacon were flavoursome and just the right amount of salty. The highlight for me was the stuffing, which helped bring the whole roll together, marrying up the cranberry sauce with the cheese. It gets top marks from me.
5/5: By Kate Ng
This delectable baguette brings Christmas morning to mind – all that’s missing is a glass of champagne. The crust of the bread is crisp but not stale or soggy, delivering much-needed texture in a sandwich otherwise full of soft fillings. There’s always a fear that a crusty bread might tear apart the roof of your mouth, but that isn’t the case here – it’s got the right amount of bite to it and a delicious malted flavour that lends itself well to the accompanying sunflower seeds and linseeds within and on top of the bread.
A generous amount of smoked salmon and cream cheese brings those salty, smoky, creamy flavours together, with plenty of sprigs of fresh, zesty dill to brighten up the palate. Lemon juice also lends zing to the sandwich, cutting through the fattiness of the salmon and cream cheese. Overall, this is a surprisingly refreshing and satisfying sandwich that doesn’t leave you feeling overly full.
5/5: By Kate Ng
Now this is how you do a Christmas sandwich. From the very first bite, it ticks all the boxes for taste, texture, aroma and satisfaction. One might initially think that the thin slices of rye flatbread won’t fill you up, but the crisp carbs are actually the perfect vehicle for the Boxing Day-inspired fillings, which smell exactly like a roast dinner. The sandwich is packed with a generous amount of turkey slices, crunchy slaw and peppery rocket that offer acidity and a hint of bitterness for balance.
But the real flavour bomb in here is the layers of sauces that comprise a gravy mayonnaise and red cabbage ketchup that deliver bite after bite of umami deliciousness, and may just inspire you to try and make your own gravy mayonnaise this Christmas to recreate it. It’s a sandwich that doesn’t get bogged down by multiple proteins or thick bread, instead focusing on making simple leftovers as tasty as it can, and it’s all the better for it.
5/5: Poppy Atkinson Gibson
Not necessarily an obvious festive wrap, my expectations were limited but M&S have delivered a tasty, flavour-filled tortilla with a moist falafel.
The shredded pickled cabbage added a piquant-ness to the sandwich, which was complemented by the sweet but not overpowering apricot and cranberry harissa, leaving a spiciness that lingered after the final bite.
5/5: Poppy Atkinson Gibson
The wrap felt light but there was certainly no skimping on the filling. Avoiding a common mistake, Waitrose had included only a light spread of mayonnaise and the festive wrap was packed full of turkey, stuffing and unusually large chunks of roasted carrots and parsnip, which added a delightful fresh bite of sweetness and made it a cut above the rest. I’d choose this over a regular chicken wrap any day of the week
5/5: By Alice Wade
By far the best of the Christmas sandwiches I have sampled so far this year, Paul’s hit the nail on the head with this delicious concoction of creamy brie, pickled carrot, and creamy cabbage slaw.
The cheese itself was of high quality and had a good taste, unlike some cheaper alternatives, and the varying textures, including the crunchy vegetables, helped balance it all out.
It’s probably not a sandwich that would keep very well, though, since the bread was on the tough side and could become quite solid if left overnight. Overall, a solid five stars for a really delightful sarnie that I would pay good money to enjoy again.
5/5: By Poppy Atkinson Gibson
Delicious! Pret’s Christmas Lunch is one of the few, if not only, sandwiches that feel and taste like it’s been made with a Christmas dinner cooked that very day. The turkey was plentiful, thickly sliced and succulent, and the stuffing was not a paste like so many others, but full of flavour and crunch – helped by the crispy onions.
Pret’s Christmas Lunch is one of the few, if not only, sandwiches that feel and taste like it’s been made with a Christmas dinner cooked that very day. The turkey was plentiful, thickly sliced and succulent, and the stuffing was not a paste like so many others, but full of flavour and crunch – helped by the crispy onions.
The addition of spinach wasn’t strictly necessary, but a nice vegetable option as they go and the port and orange sauce was a cut above the others on supermarket shelves, with a deeper, more citrusy taste.
5/5: By Gina Kalsi
I am a huge fan of lobster, so when I found out that these were part of the festive menu at M&S, I leapt at the chance to try one. The supermarket has two brioche rolls on offer this year, one filled with lobster and prawns in a cocktail sauce, and the other is filled with rare British roast beef with a Dijon mayo dressing.
When I first bit into the lobster roll, it tasted like heaven. I have to admit, I was a little dubious at first because how does one offer lobster at a decent price? But I could definitely taste it. The sweet meat melted in my mouth and the prawns accompanied it beautifully. Then, it was time to try the beef one. I thought it couldn’t possibly come anywhere near what I had just tasted, but I was wrong.
The beef was so tender and full of flavour and the Dijon sauce was the perfect sauce to accompany it with. All in all, this sandwich duo is worth the hype and I would definitely try it while it is still on the shelves.
5/5: By Gina Kalsi
Pret has managed to make a toastie that encompasses my two favourite foods – truffle and brie, and if you’re a vegetarian, let me tell you, you’re in for a treat. As soon as truffle became trendy, many brands attempted to incorporate it into their dishes but I never felt like I could taste it. It felt like it was there for show. But Pret has nailed it this year. As soon as this toastie is taken out of the packaging, you can smell the aroma of the delicious truffle.
Upon the first bite, the creamy brie melted in my mouth and the sensation of the earthy truffle shortly followed. The chives and mushrooms were a really nice touch and helped tie the whole toastie together. The bloomer was the perfect bread in my opinion, as it didn’t become soggy. I found it to be quite rich and filling, so make sure you’re hungry when you try it!
5/5: By Elmira Tanatarova
This was absolutely scrumptious! I loved the baguette – a far superior bread when it comes to something so filling-heavy as a festive spread – and the fact that it was heated made all the difference.
Because of the warmth and melted cheese, everything felt like it came together quite nicely into one Christmassy bite rather than being disconnected fragments. My only criticism is that it’s a touch too big… I struggled to finish it!
5/5: By Eleanor Dye
This was delicious – there was crispy and juicy pulled turkey, festive cabbage and a good amount of cranberry sauce and mayo – even with a crumble topping of nuts and dried fruit.
It comes with a pot of brandy-infused gravy – you can add as much or as little as you like, but it really brought it all together for me. The sandwich is also helpfully pre-cut into two halves so it’s easy to eat. There’s some spinach too, for some bonus veg.
Mine was a plain bagel, but you can also choose to customise it if that’s not to your taste.
A bagel might not initially seem the most Christmassy, but I will definitely be thinking about this for a long time!
5/5: By Alesia Fiddler
The Pret Brie, Cranberry and Pistachio Baguette was a welcome twist.
The bread had a great crust and was very tasty. Packed with thick slices of brie and a generous helping of cranberry sauce, every bite was delicious.
Full-sized pistachio pieces added a pleasant crunch and flavour. The sweet cranberry and creamy brie went well together and complemented the pistachio, too.
4.5/5: By Poppy Atkinson Gibson
The three-tiered sandwich was packed with flavour and had an even ratio of ingredients. While the inclusion of roasted onion wasn’t strictly necessary, it didn’t detract from the mighty festive lunch offering.
The tomato chutney was a revelation and while it might be on the spicier side for some, it was definitely something different to the average Christmas bap.
4.5/5: By Eleanor Dye
While my first few bites of the Boxing Day bloomer toastie were a bit dry, when the melted cheese and chutney stepped in, it was lovely.
The idea of the Boxing Day toastie is a reimagined take on Christmas leftovers, including turkey, pulled ham and pork stuffing. While this is considerably meat-heavy, it was generously filled and there was lots going on.
The cheese had crisped up nicely on the sides, which was delicious! My only complaint was that the bread was a bit tough on the sides and quite hard to get through – possibly it had been slightly over-toasted.
4.5/5 : By Eleanor Dye
This Co-op beef and truffle wellington sandwich is truly tasty and deservedly part of their irresistible range. At quite a high price of £4.40, you can reduce the impact to your bank balance by having it as part of the premium meal deal – and it’s definitely one of the better supermarket sandwiches.
I enjoyed how this was basically a deconstructed beef wellington – there was a good amount of beef without being too dry, and it was balanced out really nicely by the red cabbage and truffle mayonnaise. There’s also some spinach and mushroom duxelles in there, so you at least feel like you’re having some vegetables too.
The cabbage gave it a Christmassy feel, but you could definitely enjoy this at other times of the year too (I would definitely want to eat it all year round!).
My only criticism was that it would have benefited from one more flavour, perhaps – maybe a fruity jam or chutney for a tangy edge and more moisture.
4/5 : By Elmira Tanatarova
This was yummy! The heavy, fragrant savoury qualities of the porchetta and sage were lightened by a nice crisp apple and tart dried cranberries, which balanced everything.
However, as is often a problem with baguettes, you don’t really get to taste all the ingredients working together until you get to the middle, so it takes a while for you to appreciate how nice this sandwich truly is.
4/5: By Cameron Roy
This is a proper Christmas sandwich – but with a delicious twist. It takes plain old turkey breast and dresses it up in a yummy tikka masala sauce, reduced-fat Greek-style yoghurt and mango chutney. They combine with onion and cranberry bhaji curry mayonnaise, alongside yoghurt and mint dressing – creating a winning combination. Together, the flavours produce something that tastes like a coronation chicken sandwich, but with festive cheer.
Definitely worth purchasing as it’s not something I think you could replicate easily in the house. I thought about marking it down for not being Christmassy enough, but honestly, the taste was so good I didn’t mind. The spinach and onion bread are also there, but doesn’t get much of a look-in compared to the flavour-packed filling. And for all those watching the waistline after a holiday season food-a-thon, the whole sandwich only comes in at 440 calories and is low in saturated fats and sugar. A treat you can feel good about eating.
4/5: By Ella Rayment Ward
This festive panini was delectable from the first bite.
Going into it, I thought the combination of pigs under a blanket between two sourdough slices might be a tad heavy or dry, but this wasn’t the case at all. The pork sausages and bacon are balanced with a yummy balsamic chutney and melted cheese. The star of the sandwich has to be roasted onion chutney, which complements the meat just perfectly without being too sweet.
I enjoyed every bite of this sandwich spin on a festive treat. The only thing I would say is that it could do with even more cheese to ratio the chutney and meat. As an Aussie living abroad, this was the perfect way to soft-launch what to expect of a Christmas spread in the UK.
4/5: By Cameron Roy
Wow. This was something special. I’m not a big sushi fan, but it was unlike any sushi roll I’ve eaten before. The encasing of crumbly sushi rice and seaweed hide had been deep-fried to form a lovely crispy tempura batter shell.
Inside the roll lay a delicious combo of cranberry teriyaki charsu chicken, a whole pig in a blanket, pickled red onion, sautéed garlic brussels sprouts, all topped with carrot and mayo-dressed red cabbage. The result was a roll where each bite of the sweet and sharp ingredients burst with flavour.
Served warm, it is a real treat. The only reason I couldn’t give it 5 stars was simply that it wasn’t Christmassy enough. It doesn’t taste anything like a traditional roast (this is a good thing) and seems to be another type of food altogether now.
And in fairness, at a price point of £6.95, you should expect something far beyond a regular meal deal – which this yummy wrap does deliver. Definitely worth giving a go if you feel like treating yourself!
My only criticism was that it would have benefited from one more flavour, perhaps – maybe a fruity jam or chutney for a tangy edge.
4/5: By Gina Kalsi
Wow. Gail’s you have outdone yourselves this year. I adore the regular Ham and Cheese croissant from the bakery, but this one was delightful. The crunch as soon as you bite into the dish is sublime and, in my opinion, is the mark of a well-made croissant, as so many can be soggy on the high street.
The ham was succulent and melted in the mouth and the cheese was hot and gooey; however, I didn’t appear to taste the chestnut and sage, which was a shame. The croissant is also topped with spiced redcurrant barbecue sauce and nigella seeds, which looks appealing to the eye, but can be quite messy and impractical if you are eating in the office. Overall, this is a perfect Friday treat to indulge in the lead-up to Christmas.
4/5: By Perkin Amalaraj and Sabrina Penty
Sitting atop some sliced malted bread, a meal deal sandwich staple, were three nicely meaty layers of filling. The trifecta of turkey, stuffing, and bacon worked in harmony with each other, with the oniony and herby stuffing leading its meaty brothers to a delicious finish. But we can’t forget the cranberry and red chutney, which played a vital role in keeping the rest of the band in time.
Our only wishes are that there was a touch more of the chutney to really make the sandwich sing, and that the bread was just a bit less bog standard. Perhaps next year, Waitrose could serve this on a mini baguette.
4/5: By Cameron Roy
A relatively simple sandwich with great flavour. It was stuffed full of turkey breast, with the perfect amount of cranberry chutney spread across the malted bread. Combined with the seasoned mustard mayonnaise, smoked bacon and stuffing with oats, it created a delicious Christmassy sensation with every bite.
The secret to its success was that it didn’t skimp on the fillings, and they worked well together to enhance each other’s flavours, instead of overwhelming one another. And 26 grams of protein per pack is pretty solid for all the gym goers out there. I felt like I couldn’t quite give it five stars, as I personally reserve that honour for only the best sandwiches. But amongst the usually poor selection of supermarket budget options, this meaty meal is at the top of the league.
4/5: By Cameron Roy
Who knew that smoky bacon and gooey brie, lathered with cranberry sauce, made for an excellent toasted panini? I was happy to make this discovery for £5.70 this week and thoroughly enjoyed it as a step up from my usual go-to: a rather sad supermarket meal deal. Although I could have done for slightly more indulgent cheese (who wouldn’t?), the flavours worked perfectly together.
The bacon was very crispy and had been cut into small chunks, ensuring the disaster of pulling out a whole slice when you bite in was gone. Although a word of warning, the cranberry jam could be overpowering for some. When I gave a bite to my friend, they said it tasted more like a jam sandwich than a Christmassy delight. I didn’t find this, although feedback obviously varies. Overall a solid option for those cold lunchtimes when you find yourself needing a treat.
4/5: Poppy Atkinson Gibson
Don’t worry if you can’t face the queue for the German hot dogs at your local Christmas market, because Tesco have the perfect sandwich. The hot dog bun filled with plump sausages and smothered with ever so slightly spicy curry ketchup is finished off nicely with the sweet roasted onions and is a delicious Christmas offering among the piles of turkey baps.
4/5: By Alice Wade
As far as meat alternatives go, this was really quite delicious. A tasty combination of well-seasoned, flavourful sausages and smoky faux bacon, this sandwich made a meaty punch and was very satisfying. It was also brought to life with a creamy, gravy mayonnaise that helps bind the bread’s softness with the sausage’s bite.
Were I to make my own version, I think it could benefit from a bit of greenery or a vegetable addition. A bit of pickled cabbage or rocket would really help add crunch and marry it all together. The distribution of filling could also have been better. I did notice by the time I’d gotten to the crusts that it was somewhat lacking around the edges.
4/5: By Alesia Fiddler
Brie, cranberry and bacon have to be one of my favourite Christmas flavour combos – and Caffe Nero’s panini didn’t disappoint.
When I took a bite, I was pleasantly surprised to find thick slices of creamy brie with a generous helping of cranberry sauce and plenty of bacon. It was the perfect winter warmer to tuck into on my lunch break and a very generous size.
The brie oozing out of the sides as I took a bite left me craving more and the soft bread was another lovely addition. My only criticism is there was slightly too much cranberry sauce, but that’s more my personal taste.
4/5: By Eleanor Dye
The Costa turkey feast sandwich was very pleasant, and I would definitely seek to buy it again if I ever find myself there.
It contains turkey breast, sweetcure bacon, sage & onion stuffing, savoury mayonnaise & cranberry sauce on malted bread.
I found that the turkey was moist, the bacon was flavoursome, and the bread was good quality. The cranberry was a good amount, but definitely not too much.
The sweet sensation complemented the turkey, and the bacon provided extra salty goodness to top it all off.
4/5 By Eleanor Dye
I was pleasantly surprised by Aldi’s luxury take on a prawn cocktail sandwich. It had lovely soft bread and was an elevated version of your classic prawn cocktail.
It was a mixture of really chunky prawns and other tasty seafood and was delicious from start to finish.
At £2.75, it seems like a bargain to me – I reckon you would be paying up to £8 for this at a more expensive supermarket.
The only thing is, it’s not hugely Christmassy!
4/5 By Elmira Tanatarova
Despite looking fairly normal fare, I was surprised by how tasty this sandwich ended up being. The fried onions added a nice subtle addition that made the turkey and pork feel festive rather than simply two types of meat mushed together, and while I’m not typically a fan of stuffing, here it was subtle enough to amplify the flavour.
4/5 By Alice Wade
From the outside, this looked like a fairly bland vegetarian wrap, but it was, in fact, a tasty triumph for Pret. The filling contained a flavourful mix of roasted vegetables, which were pleasantly hard, a nutty stuffing and creamy, pesto-like sauce running through it. Encasing these delicious ingredients in a wrap was definitely the right choice too, as it allowed the flavours to shine through without having to chew through mounds of crust. A really delicious sandwich that I would definitely return to.
4/5 By Poppy Atkinson Gibson
Gail’s might be best known for their selection of mouthwatering pastries but their Christmas sandwich is also a triumph.
The festive offering was absolutely full of succulent turkey, unexpected cheddar cheese, salad, and balsamic onions, which added a touch of sweetness. The bread was the crowning glory – fresh, tasty sourdough made it a cut above the regular supermarket meal deal. The only drawback? Too much mayonnaise.
4/5 By Elmira Tanatarova
I couldn’t believe how tasty this was! It’s rare (but very welcome) to see a seafood option offered in a festive range, and it added a nice hint of something fresh outside of your usual roast trimmings. My only complaint is that I wish there was more lettuce for added crunch, but it was very good, and the oatmeal bread had a delightfully delicate aftertaste.
4/5 By Kate Ng
Boxing Day sandwiches are elite and Asda knows it. Right off the bat, this sandwich looks and smells appealing, from the soft, pillowy white bread – the ultimate sandwich vehicle – to the generous filling of chicken breast and oak smoked ham slices and lashings of colourful coleslaw. Initially, coleslaw may seem like an odd choice. But in fact, it’s a great way of combining leftover vegetables like cabbage, carrots or anything else from Christmas dinner into a manageable filling, so this is a small stroke of genius from Asda, actually. The fillings are well spread out, reaching even the furthest corners of the bread. It’s a delicious combination of tender chicken and salty ham, with a hint of sweetness from the coleslaw and balsamic onion chutney. A worthy Boxing Day sandwich – or simply Thursday’s lunchtime meal deal.
4/5
By Gina Kalsi
As far as festive sandwiches go, I think Sainsbury’s has nailed this. I am partial to a cheeseboard, or two, on Christmas and believe that cheese should always be served with a good chutney. So the fact that this supermarket has paired it with scrumptious chilli chutney is an A+ in my book. In my opinion, it is just the right level of heat – not too spicy, but a subtle kick.
The brie was wonderfully creamy and flavourful; however, I am not sure the mayo added anything to the sandwich, though. The bacon was standard, but it would’ve got a 5/5 if Sainsbury’s chose to swap it out for prosciutto ham – then it really would taste like a heavenly cheeseboard. It is worth every penny at £3.40.
4/5
By Cameron Roy
A Christmas sandwich staple done well. Every supermarket has a roast turkey dinner lunchtime offering, but this one stands above the rest. The juicy meat is accompanied by a tasty pork, sage and onion stuffing and smoky bacon. But more importantly, these flavours shine through and are not drowned out by the cranberry chutney, which is far too common in Christmas sandwiches.
The filling was given a hand to stick to the malted brown bread by a yummy, creamy onion mayonnaise. You can also feel like you have completed a (very minor) good deed for the day by eating it, as M&S are donating 5% of the price to housing charity Shelter.
4/5
By Cameron Roy
What better way is there to use up leftover turkey than with a delicious curry? M&S seems to have the same logic as it once again struck gold with this spicy marinated pulled British chicken breast and bhaji-style onion wrap. The star of the show is the rich buttery sauce, combined with a refreshing mint and coriander yoghurt dressing to give it a zing.
To those who enjoy a regular curry, it won’t be very spicy, but for those who avoid spice, it will give your mouth a slight tingle – but in a good way. However, the filling is slightly let down by the oversupply of dull lettuce and the boring seeded wheat flour tortilla. I feel four stars are fair, but for curry lovers, it will be a five.
4/5
By Poppy Atkinson Gibson
Tesco’s take on the BLT tastes more like a New York deli-style sandwich than a Christmas classic and is the better for it. The filling is light, peppery and smoky and the gherkin mayo (as a pickle lover) is an excellent addition. While there is definitely room for a bit more salad, the sarnie truly hit the spot.
4/5
By Cameron Roy
A meat-lover’s paradise. Coming in at a whopping 27grams of protein, this sandwich packs a delicious combo of turkey breast, pork, sage and onion stuffing, and Beechwood smoked bacon. It really didn’t skimp on the stuffing either, which I’m a fan of as turkey is quite bland really.
The filling is given some moisture by the tangy cranberry sauce and mayonnaise. One ingredient which you won’t find in most supermarket turkey sandwiches is the crispy fried onions, which I thought was a great addition as it pairs perfectly with the meat. There is definitely a sort of mass-produced feel and taste to the filling, but it’s still enjoyable to eat. The malted bread was soft and flavourful. All in all, a very solid option, and for a reasonable price of only around £2.
Rating: 4/5
By Eleanor Dye
This sandwich is a tasty combination of soft bread with a generous filling of sausage and bacon. The subtle balsamic running through it also makes for a nice touch.
All in all, it’s a yummy and fun twist on a Christmas classic – pigs in blankets are many people’s favourite Christmas lunch treat, so it’s great to see them be reinvented in sandwich form.
It’s a great reminder of the pigs in blankets coma I shall be experiencing on the big day itself.
3.5/5
By Gina Kalsi
This Twisted Trimmings Sandwich by Leon was a delightful surprise and different to others on offer this year. The turkey is marinated in buttermilk and Baharat spices, which really give this sandwich a je ne sais quoi compared to others on the market. The sweetness comes from the apricot & pine nut stuffing and then you get a delightful salty sensation from the grilled halloumi. The sub is absolutely stuffed with red cabbage, honey mustard mayo, and a bold cragnberry, pomegranate molasses & Aleppo pepper sauce, so much so that I struggled to finish it! It would be great to share with someone and get five stars for value for money.
The fact that Leon worked so hard to create their very own toasted stone-baked artisanal ciabatta bread really does shine through. It gets a 3.5/5 because I found the different flavours to be too strong for their own good at times, but it does not take away the fact that this is a very nice festive option to tuck into or share.
(price may vary based on location)
3.5/5
By Eleanor Dye
While this sandwich was perfectly nice, I just wasn’t getting a ‘wow’ factor and I was left still feeling a bit hungry afterwards.
New for 2025, the festive turkey sandwich combines the meat with bacon, gravy-style mayonnaise sauce, cranberry sauce and herby stuffing. It was a really yummy range of flavours, and I was certainly feeling pretty festive afterwards.
I’m not a massive fan of turkey, which is maybe why I wasn’t blown away, but if I were to have this again, I would probably choose the toastie version.
Including cranberries in the bread was a nice inventive thought, but they went a bit unnoticed, while the singular slice of bacon was also overshadowed by the turkey. Perhaps a more substantial bread choice would have bulked this sandwich contender out a bit more.
3/5
By Alice Wade
Overall, this was a perfectly pleasant Christmas sandwich. It did have many of the right components: cabbage, vegetable, and that distinct Christmassy herb taste, often reminiscent of pre-packaged sage-and-onion stuffing, but generally lacked a diversity of flavours.
While it was an improvement on many of the other offerings, with most supermarkets only coughing up a bland brie-and-cranberry option for veggies, I do think it could have done with some kind of cheese or something to balance out the ingredients, many of which blended together to taste the same. There was also a creamy, mayonnaise-type condiment that was quite tangy and could have done with some to balance it out. Generally, I found it enjoyable but probably wouldn’t rush back for another.
3/5
By Shannon McGuigan
This was overall a tasty meal, but I would rate it a solid seven out of ten, because it fell short of my expectations on some factors.
Its chicken and stuffing innards were well flavoured and proved to be a delight for the taste buds; however, this joy was somewhat short-lived.
The spinach, which had been dampened by the moisture of the flavourful chicken and stuffing, ruined what would have been a perfect Christmas wrap.
The sweet cranberry sauce was not evenly spread out either, and while the burst of flavour at the end was delightful, it felt wasted as it hadn’t been experienced alongside the other components.
However, the wrap was perfect – not too soggy but not too hard either. Overall, the wrap could have been improved with the sauce more evenly spread out and no spinach. The spinach was redundant and ruined the experience.
3/5
By Cameron Roy
Bursting with pork sausage and smoked streaky bacon, this is a proper Christmas treat. You will have to ignore the festive bah humbugs who preach about avoiding processed meats to enjoy this sandwich, though, as it really doesn’t skimp on the fillings. The sausage quality wasn’t great, but better than most you will find in a supermarket sandwich.
You are paying a premium at Waitrose after all. Alongside the meat is a tangy cranberry and redcurrant chutney, paired with some mayo. Together they give the sandwich some much-needed moisture, and help the meat stick to the soft malted bread. But health watchers should look away now as it comes in at a whopping 510 calories and is high in fat, saturates and salt. But who said Christmas was meant to be healthy anyway?
3/5
By Jordana Seal
The texture of gluten-free bread is usually the same as sand or cardboard. In this case, the bread was quite dry, but it didn’t disintegrate after one bite and soaked up the flavour of the sandwich well.
It would have been nice if there were more chutney and mayo so that the average bread was less noticeable; in saying that, they both tasted great. The meat was good quality and all the flavours worked really well together; it felt festive but stayed within the realm of casual lunch. I would recommend it if you’re looking for a gluten-free grab-and-go option to get in the mood for the festive season.
Rating: 3/5
By Eleanor Dye
The best bit about Leon’s ‘twistmas’ sandwich was the ciabatta, which was really tasty – it’s also so nice to have a sandwich that’s warm, and that made it feel really festive.
However, I don’t believe butternut squash should belong in a sandwich, and I don’t understand why so many companies are doing this for Christmas. It’s really stodgy (especially when the bread is already really thick), and it turned the entire inside into mush. It also overpowered the pine nut stuffing, which I would have liked to have seen more of.
The halloumi (which I was really looking forward to) was a bit on the thin side. Everything was nicely flavoured – but by the time I reached the end, it was really a bit too spicy.
By Alanah Khosla
I was pleasantly surprised by this wrap. I’m not usually a fan of fake meat, but this was really tasty – I especially enjoyed the chunky festive vegetables, which made it feel very Christmassy! To get a higher rating, it needed a bit more filling inside though, but overall it’s a decent wrap.
3/5
By Eleanor Dye
The Morrisons ham and brie sandwich is a good festive twist on the classic cheese and ham sandwich. The orange chutney added to the festivity and was really tasty and unique.
For £4.45 though, I was disappointed. The bread was too soft and I was surprised to find that it was spicy. This is the fault of the garlic aioli – I just didn’t feel that it was necessary in a Christmas sandwich.
It’s a shame, as I really liked the thought behind it – if it had been better, it would have become a staple for me over the Christmas season.
Rating: 3/5
By Eleanor Dye
If you like herbs, you’ll be a fan of Subway’s Ultimate Festive Sub (there’s so many and they’ll go everywhere when you open it). Otherwise, I would probably avoid this footlong sandwich.
When they call it an ‘ultimate’ festive concoction, they’re not joking, and it comes with rotisserie-style chicken, sage & onion stuffing, cheese, streaky bacon, lettuce and cranberry sauce. The stuffing, I would say, is the highlight, and the bread, unusually for Subway, is actually quite tasty.
I couldn’t really taste the cheese, however, with everything else going on, and I found the cranberry sauce to be very thin and overly sweet. The lettuce looked a bit sad, but I appreciated the attempt to include some veg.
If you’re looking for a, frankly, huge sandwich to keep you full for the rest of the day, this is the Christmas sandwich for you. It could easily last you two lunches, without being left hungry at either.
3/5
By Kate Ng
A ham and cheese sandwich can rarely go awry, but something is off balance with this one. Between the honey-glazed ham, the apple and pear chutney and the cranberry-and-sage-studded bread, the sandwich almost veers off into dessert territory with how sweet it is. Red Leicester, while nutty and creamy on its own, is a little too mild to stand out on its own between all the sweet flavours, and so fails to provide that much-needed salty hit.
Tesco has attempted to provide some texture with fresh lettuce leaves, but they are forgettable and don’t actually add much to the overall experience. This could have been a really good sandwich had the flavours been better balanced out and the sweetness taken down a notch – a nice, hearty wholegrain bread could have been just the ticket to bring everything together a bit more.
3/5
By Gina Kalsi
As first impressions go, I believe Co-op needs to up its festive packaging game, as the bright blue didn’t feel very seasonal. However, this sub roll is soft and moist, which is a bonus as many grab-and-go sandwiches can often be dry. I liked that there was not a lot of cranberry sauce; it was just the right amount for me, as some sandwiches are saturated with it. The chicken and bacon were flavourful with the rosemary gravy mayo, however, I would’ve liked it if there had been another element to the sub – perhaps some brie or mini stuffing balls. Otherwise, it is a good all-rounder for £3.30.
3/5
By Alice Wade
I was pleasantly surprised by how tasty this sandwich was. The bhaji-style sage and onion fritter had more flavour than I had expected and paired well with the crunch of the spiced slaw and chutney. The cranberry was a pleasant addition and not completely overwhelming, as it often is in Christmas sandwiches. My only real complaint is that the filling wasn’t particularly well distributed through the sandwich, and you do end up with several mouthfuls of plain bread. Overall, a perfectly good option for a veggie or anyone who’s already sick of turkey.
3/5
By Alanah Khosla
All in all, this is a decent sandwich. As a vegetarian, every year we get the same fillings – and Co-op hasn’t pushed the boat out with this one. But that being said, it does taste pretty good. To score higher, I think it needs more filling – and just some other ingredients to make it more exciting.
3/5
By Poppy Atkinson Gibson
The filling was pleasant and tasted exactly like a hoisin shredded duck wrap, but the texture of the duck itself was so soaked by the mayo gravy that it had turned to mulch, resembling a duck pate.
The spring onions and red cabbage offered a nice sharpness that contrasted with the sweet bun, but the whole thing was ultimately let down by its lack of an obvious link to Christmas – I’d be perfectly happy to simply buy a regular shredded duck sandwich.
3/5
By Elmira Tanatarova
While this was undeniably a good idea – and the brioche bun was a perfect choice for the sandwich, my only criticism is that I felt like the filling was overall a touch flavourless, which made the experience a little underwhelming. Perhaps it could do with a stronger sauce or more seasoning.
3/5
By Poppy Atkinson Gibson
It’s difficult to go wrong on a classic, and while Waitrose didn’t miss the mark entirely, it’s not the best cranberry and brie on offer. The fruity jelly was too faint and a little gooey. When there was a lovely splodge of it, the sandwich was a delight but there was just not enough and without the burst of fruity sweetness, the sandwich was slightly bland with a strange texture
3/5
By Cameron Roy
A perfect Christmas lunch for those feeling extra peckish. As it is a club sandwich, there is an extra slice of white bread between the malted pieces, and it is almost like two sandwiches put together. The chicken breast, bacon, stuffing and cranberry chutney on one side, with the cheddar cheese, mayo, and lettuce on the other. The flavours work well to balance each other, like a festive yin and yang. Although, I did find the cheese a little plasticky. I would still have given it four stars if there were more chicken and bacon, but it’s still worth a try (if you have the appetite).
3/5
By Gina Kalsi
For sandwich hunters who are sick of picking from the same options every year, this could be the lunch option for you. This sarnie was lovely and moist from the truffle mayo, which was earthy and scrumptious, as you would expect. However, I do believe Waitrose could’ve added in a bit more truffle extract – it is their No1 range after all. The chargrilled chicken was fine, but I was expecting a much more smoky flavour, which I did not get. Unfortunately, the Emmental seemed to have gotten lost in all the sensations as I could not taste it all all, which is a shame, as it is one of my favourite cheeses. I do not believe the cream cheese was necessary in this sandwich, as I think it took away from some of the biggest advertised flavours. Overall, it was an average sandwich for a premium price. I did enjoy it, but with some tweaks, it could be great.
3/5
By Cameron Roy
A very solid festive sandwich. The turkey breast and smoky bacon with mayo stuffing is a perfect combo, making up the bulk of the flavour. But like most sausages I find in supermarket sandwiches, they were not the best quality (although they tasted fine). The cranberry chutney was spread thinly on the malted bread, which I viewed as a good thing, as often this can be ladled on in Christmas sandwiches, making it the only thing you taste. Although cranberry lovers may disagree.
3/5
By Gina Kalsi
I was really looking forward to trying this Christmas sandwich, as PAUL’s vegetarian brie sandwich topped our charts last year. However, the meat version was a bit lacking in comparison. The sage and onion baguette itself was absolutely scrumptious and baked to perfection, as you would expect from a French company. Although the turkey came across as dry at times, which was disappointing. The bacon, however, was great at bringing together a saltiness that helped wrap together the dish. I wonder whether smoked ham would’ve gone better rather than turkey?
The horseradish mayo was super delectable and the right amount of spicy. I could also taste the Brussels sprouts and red cabbage, fine but the savoury stuffing got lost in the flavours. It was a good, solid choice, but it didn’t blow me out of the water.
3/5
By Elmira Tanatarova
This sandwich claims to have cranberry sauce, which is a very needed hit of acid in an otherwise very meaty concoction, but was severely lacking. I sort of felt like I was tasting everything and nothing at once because it disappeared into a stuffing-heavy selection with little else to go for it. It’s probably one for those who enjoy sagey flavours, but it was much too dry for me.
3/5
By Eleanor Dye
The Asda Christmas lunch wrap is a true meaty feast with sausage, bacon, chicken and stuffing.
The sweet cured smoky bacon was especially good – and I felt very festive. It’s on a plain white wrap, which some people might find boring, but there’s a lot going on in the sandwich itself.
The cranberry sauce is also a nice touch for moistness. However, I wasn’t blown away by it and I’ve definitely had better Christmas wraps – it’s nice, but I probably wouldn’t pick it out again.
£9.50 takeaway, £11.50 eat in
3/5
By Alice Wade
Finally, a vegetarian option that wasn’t either flavourless falafel or bland brie. This bagel was a welcome relief from the majority of other festive veggie options by other brands. The chewy bagel was filled with tasty Christmas flavours, including stuffing, spinach, cranberry and cabbage, all in the right quantities.
The main filling was tofu, which was strangely unmarinated. Although it was nice to have a proper filling, I do feel there was an opportunity missed to make this truly spectacular, and a bit of marinating could have easily brought it to life. That being said, the dipping gravy made a lovely festive addition, despite not being something you’d imagine dunking your sarnie into. Overall, a pleasant change from many of the other vegetarian offerings, but slightly lacking in creativity.
3/5
By Gina Kalsi
This toastie was mediocre at best, unfortunately, and I think a 3/5 is a fair rating. The pork sausage and smoked bacon were nice and flavourful, but I didn’t get too much of the caramelised onion chutney, which is a shame, as it is one of my favourite ingredients.
I do find that Costa toasties can get very tough and hard to bite into about five minutes after they come out of the oven. The crust was almost rock hard, but as soon as you rip your way through to the middle, you begin to enjoy it more. I would’ve preferred the garlic, onion and sage crumbed cheese inside the toastie rather than on top. I would’ve rated this higher if it had been in a different type of bread.
3/5
By Poppy Atkinson Gibson
The tortilla wrap had everything you could want for a full Christmas lunch sarnie – meat and stuffing and not a vegetable in sight.
The wrap itself was filled to the brim with sausage, bacon and chicken but the stuffing was somewhat lost in the over-mayoed construction. It would be great to grab on the go.
3/5
By Eleanor Dye
Sainsbury’s take on a smoked salmon sandwich was tasty, and I was impressed by the generous amount of smoked salmon included (it’s expensive and we’re in a cost-of-living crisis) – and the good amount of tasty cream cheese.
Sadly, that’s where my praise ends, as I thought it was a bit plain on the whole – it could have done with some salad leaves, or maybe a touch of citrus or even pickles.
I would even say the amount of salmon was almost a bit much in places – it was layered quite high, and I would have preferred to swap it out for something with a bit more variety.
I wouldn’t say it’s that festive either – I could imagine it on the shelves all year round if it didn’t have the festive packaging.
3/5
By Elmira Tanatarova
This was fine, but dried out very quickly – it felt like within minutes of me unleashing it from the wrapper, the cheese and bread began to harden. However, extra points for the generous slices of brie provided!
THE WORST
Tesco Finest Brie and Bacon Brioche Bagel £4.50
2.5/5
By Eleanor Dye
Senior Lifestyle Reporer Eleanor Dye rated the Tesco Finest Brie and Bacon Brioche Bagel (£4.50) a 2.5/5
This brioche ‘bagel’ has a good amount of tasty brie – but for £4.50, you would certainly hope so. Sadly, the apple wood smoked bacon fell a bit flat, and I could only really taste the brie, and I wasn’t getting the kick from the chilli chutney either.
The brioche was also way too sweet for the sandwich- it was a nice idea but it didn’t have much structural integrity and dominated the taste.
I think the whole thing would be nice heated up – I’m just not sure the brioche would have survived.
Lidl Falafel and Cranberry Christmas Wrap £2.19
2/5
By Sabrina Penty
Journalist Sabrina Penty rated the Lidl Falafel and Cranberry Christmas Wrap (£2.19) a 2/5
I had high hopes for this wrap, especially as a condiment-lover who’s always up for an interesting flavour combination.
But the Lidl falafel and cranberry festive wrap missed the mark for me
The falafel had almost no flavour and was surprisingly dry, which made the whole wrap feel a bit disappointing right from the first bite.
The cranberry element, while intriguing in theory, didn’t pair well with the falafel at all. It felt like two completely separate flavour palettes awkwardly sharing the same space rather than complementing each other.
In addition, there wasn’t much else going on in the wrap – just some limp lettuce, the bland falafel, and a small smear of cranberry sauce. A few more veggies or some sort of additional texture could have saved it.
The beetroot tortilla was a nice touch visually, but it didn’t add anything in terms of flavour. Overall, this wrap had potential, but it ended up being very underwhelming.
Co-op Boxing Day Feast Sandwich £3.50
2/5
By Cameron Roy
Data writer, Cameron Roy, rated the Co-op Boxing Day Feast Sandwich (£3.50) a 2/5
As far as Boxing Day treats go, there are far better options out there than this sandwich.
The main problem I had was the strange combo of coleslaw and balsamic onion chutney, which I felt clashed rather than complemented each other.
They also overpowered the chicken breast, as although it was advertised as ‘beachwood and hickory smoked’ on the packet, I didn’t get any hint of that, as it was hidden beneath the sauce flavours.
Likewise for the wafer thing and ultra-processed looking oak smoked ham.
The white bread it was served on was completely tasteless, which can be a good thing if you want to just taste the filling, but in this case just meant the coleslaw/chutney combo came across even stronger.
If you like those two sauces together, however, this would be the perfect sandwich for you.
WHSmith King Prawn Cocktail on Malted Bread Sandwich, from £4.50 to £6
2/5
By Cameron Roy
Data Writer Cameron Roy rated the WHSmith King Prawn Cocktail on Malted Bread Sandwich, (from £4.50 to £6) a 2/5
Not terrible, but there are definitely better options available. Of all the king prawns I have seen in my life, this sandwich had the smallest I’ve ever seen.
They would be on the small size, even if they were regular-sized prawns, never mind king-size.
The Marie Rose sauce (known in some areas as cocktail sauce or seafood sauce) was good, but there wasn’t enough of it (unlike most supermarket sandwiches, which are dripping with sauce).
The lettuce was soggy and didn’t give the satisfying crunch I’m looking for in a bite.
Perhaps the unexpected star of the show was the malted bread, which, although looking totally unremarkable, tasted fresh.
Its soft but not soggy texture might have actually been the biggest source of flavour too, as the prawns and the thin scraping of sauce never packed too much of a punch.
WhSmith Christmas turkey, bacon and stuffing with cranberry on a pretzel roll, from £4.50 to £6
2/5
By Marti Stelling
Trainee Reporter Marti Stelling rated the WhSmith Christmas turkey, bacon and stuffing with cranberry on a pretzel roll (from £4.50 to £6) a 2/5
Your enjoyment of this sandwich will very much depend on how much you enjoy the thick pretzel roll.
I found it was closer to a dry hot dog bun than a pretzel, not helped by the lack of cranberry sauce. For the parts of the sandwich with enough sauce, it was pleasantly sweet – another good few dollops of cranberry would have made this rather nice.
The small amount of filling was also disappointing. The thin slice of turkey would have made even Tiny Tim demand a bit more. And as a big stuffing fan, I was saddened by how little there was.
Overall, this is a passable roll; however, if you are looking to taste the magic of Christmas, I would suggest looking elsewhere.
Greggs festive flatbread, from £3.65
2/5
By Eleanor Dye
Senior Lifestyle Writer Eleanor Dye rated the Greggs festive flatbread (from £3.65) a 2/5
The Greggs flatbread features sage and onion style chicken mayo, sweetcure bacon and a cranberry and red onion relish. It’s served hot, which was nice, and I was pleased to note the relish had actual cranberries in it.
Overall, it felt a bit flat – it’s part of the ‘balanced choice’ range, which is quite rare for a festive lunchtime dish. But if you’re looking for taste, I would go for the pastry equivalent.
The flatbread was, like its name, a bit too ‘flat’ and it was really quite dry.
It was tasty but not very filling and I was a bit tired of it by the end.
Morrisons The Best Festive Chicken Feast Sub £4.25
2/5
By Jessica Green
Assistant Lifestyle Editor Jessica Green rated the Morrisons The Best Festive Chicken Feast Sub (£4.25) a 2/5
Fruity, tangy and fresh – words you’d often use to describe a dessert or a sweet breakfast treat… It’s not, however, what you’d expect from a festive sandwich.
Called a Christmas Chicken Feast Sub Roll, this offering was rather less Yuletide and more summer lightness.
It had none of the obvious flavours of roast chicken, stuffing or gravy (despite those ingredients being included) and instead the cranberry slaw and spiced cranberry hot honey sauce completely overpowered everything else.
I have no complaints about the sandwich in general, it was filling, refreshing and a rather nice lunch.
Think a light sandwich, perfect to pair with a Pimm’s rather than a hot chocolate. But sadly, it wasn’t the festive sub I was expecting.
Aldi Specially Selected Honey Roast Gammon Ham & Christmas Slaw Bloomer £2.75
2/5
By Cameron Roy
Data Writer Cameron Roy rated the Aldi Specially Selected Honey Roast Gammon Ham & Christmas Slaw Bloomer (£2.75) a 2/5
A lunch devoid of all festive cheer. The roast gammon was, in fairness, quite succulent, but it was let down by the utterly tasteless seasonally spiced slaw and hot honey mayo.
There is little in the way of spicy kick, with the only real flavour coming from the caramelised apple and pear chutney. The most disappointing of all was the terrible spread of ingredients.
The ham had predictably been placed in the middle (no doubt to make it look like an attractive purchase), making it so that every bite from the side was pretty much only bread.
There was a distinct lack of Christmas flavours too. I can’t help but think it was really only a dressed-up ham sandwich that could be from any time of the year. The only positive saving it from a 1 star was the reasonable price of £2.75.
Morrisons Pigs Under Blankets Sandwich with an onion balsamic chutney £3.25
2/5
By Maanya Sachdeva
Royals Associate Editor Maanya Sachdeva rated the Morrisons Pigs Under Blankets Sandwich (£3.25) a 2/5
The Christmas sarnie inspired by one of the great British snacks, should, in theory, be a smash hit.
A twist on Pigs in a Blanket, Morrison’s offering gives it a cosy twist by tucking the sausages under slices of brown bread.
But it was not inspired in any other way – the only addition was an onion balsamic chutney that was so sparsely spread over the bread, it took me a few bites to realise what I was tasting.
It was something that I – or indeed any university student- could whip up on the busiest morning of their life. This one was not festive – just fairly average.
Co-op Festive Wrap (chicken and pork) £3.50
2/5
By Kate Ng
Lifestyle Writer Kate Ng rated the £3.50 Co-op Festive Wrap (pictured left) a 2/5
First impressions of this ‘festive’ wrap as that it wasn’t very festive looking at all.
In fact, it looks rather unappealing with its congealed filling peeking out of the clear plastic window of the packaging, the smallest sliver of green spinach hugging the inside of the wrap being the only thing to give it colour.
Had the packaging not told me explicitly that it was a festive food, I would have had zero clue it was anything other than an ordinary wrap.
But, as The Great British Bake Off’s Paul Hollywood likes to repeat, it comes down to the flavour – so did this Christmassy (or so I’m told) Co-op wrap instil feelings of comfort and joy in me? I’m afraid to say it did not.
The filling, comprised of very small pieces of chicken, bacon and fried onions, is amalgamated with stuffing-flavoured mayonnaise into a paste of sorts.
Not that any of these individual components can be detected on the tongue, considering it all tastes overwhelmingly of onions.
This isn’t to say that’s a bad thing – onions are very good indeed – but if the whole thing is going to just taste of onions anyway, they may as well be crispy so as to provide some texture. The filling is quite generous, but overall it’s an uninspired wrap that lacks good tidings.
Morrisons Christmas Vegan Festive Falafel Wrap £3.25
2/5
By Taryn Kaur Pedler
Reporter Taryn Kaur Pedler rated the Morrisons Christmas Vegan Festive Falafel Wrap (£3.25) a 2/5
At first bite, this so-called festive falafel wrap was a letdown. The falafel itself was astoundingly dry – so much so that it clung to my teeth – and the ‘spiced’ red cabbage brought little more than disappointment, lacking any real flavour or warmth.
I found myself instantly put off, debating whether to even finish it.
But, in a surprising twist, things began to improve the further I went. The sage and onion mayo gradually made its presence known, softening the dryness and adding a gentle sweetness that paired nicely with the cabbage.
The wrap, soft and light, held everything together without overpowering the fillings.
A particular highlight was the spinach – used in perfect moderation. It added just enough texture without overwhelming the other ingredients, a rare and welcome balance.
However, the ‘festive’ label remains highly questionable.
Without the packaging to tell me about the supposed mulled wine spices, I’d have never guessed they were there.
In the end, what began as a disappointing lunch turned into a mildly enjoyable one, though certainly not the holiday-inspired experience it promised.
Starbucks Spinach & Pea Falafel Wrap
2/5
By Elmira Tanatarova
Starbucks Spinach & Pea Falafel Wrap was rated a 2/5 by Assistant Lifestyle Editor Elmira Tanatarova
This was a perfectly nice falafel wrap, but the Christmas element was so subtle I’m afraid it nearly passed over my head.
The pea taste is not strong and doesn’t lend itself to a very festive feel – but in terms of the integrity of the sandwich, it’s nice and firm (not soggy). While it was inoffensive taste-wise, I’m afraid it lacked soul.
Starbucks Festive Feast Toastie £6.65 (price may vary based on location)
2/5
By Gina Kalsi
Lifestyle Writer, Gina Kalsi, rated the Starbucks Festive Feast Toastie (£3.65) a 2/5
I had high hopes for this toastie, which is a new product on the Starbucks shelves this year.
However, it unfortunately fell short of my expectations. It contains chicken breast with sage & onion stuffing, rich gravy, sweet maple-cured bacon, cranberry sauce and Cheddar cheese, but I didn’t taste many of those flavour profiles at all.
In comparison to their Pigs Under Blankets roll, this was a letdown.
I think if they added more festive herbs, such as thyme and rosemary, more maple-cured bacon and a tad more stuffing, this would be a success.
But as for now, it tastes of almost nothing.
Asda Three Little Piggies Hog Roast and Pigs Under Blankets Half & Half Wrap £2.88
2/5
By Gina Kalsi
Lifestyle writer Gina Kalsi rated the Asda Three Little Piggies Hog Roast and Pigs Under Blankets Half & Half Wrap (£2.88) a 2/5
I commend Asda for attempting to be creative by offering two different wraps, but unfortunately, for me, it didn’t work.
I preferred the flavours from the Pigs Under Blankets side, which I found to be more flavourful. However, the Hog Roast half, which contained apple sauce and pulled pork, didn’t make the cut for me.
The spinach to pork ratio was off and although the flavours were supposed to work, they just didn’t – perhaps because they also added stuffing.
Also, the fact that you have to eat one completely different side to another with contrasting flavours left a sour taste in my mouth.
But it gets a 2 out 5 because I do appreciate the concept and I think this could work amazingly well if the flavours all matched each other.
WHSmith Vietnamese Turkey Wrap from £4.50 to £6
2/5
By Alesia Fiddler
Travel Writer Alesia Fiddler rated the WHSmith Vietnamese Turkey Wrap (from £4.50 to £6) a 2/5
On first glance, the wrap looked colourful and tasty. The festive packaging added to the overall appearance, too.
However, taking a bite was where it all went wrong. The wrap was thick and good quality, but the contents didn’t quite meet my expectations.
It certainly had flavour and some spice, which was pleasant, but the ingredients blended to mush with no distinguishing textures or crunch.
I could barely taste the turkey, which was the most festive part of the wrap, but I appreciate the attempt at trying to do something a little different.
Tesco Gluten Free Festive Chicken & Trimmings £3.40
2/5
By Cameron Roy
Data Writer Cameron Roy rated the Tesco Gluten Free Festive Chicken & Trimmings (£3.40) a 2/5
I’m so sorry to everyone who is gluten intolerant, because that bread is revolting. Is all gluten-free bread tasteless and has the texture of a wet mattress, or just this loaf from Tesco?
As someone who has only eaten it once before (by accident) I was completely uninitiated to its unique flavour.
But I realise for those who grew up eating it, this seeded bread might be just like all the others, so I will move on from it now. When it came to fillings, this sandwich was pretty bang on.
It used classic Christmassy ingredients: chicken breast layered with pork, sage, and onion stuffing, mayo, and fruity cranberry sauce.
Together, they offer a reliable (though somewhat overused) taste of Christmas dinner in a sandwich.
It could have done with a bit more stuffing and a bit less mayo in my book, but still provided good flavour. Overall, I would say this sandwich should be avoided like the plague for gluten eaters, but for gluten intolerants, it’s a decent choice.
Asda Brie & Cranberry Festive Sandwich £2.62
2/5
By Alice Wade
Lifestyle Writer Alice Wade rated the Asda Brie & Cranberry Festive Sandwich (£2.62) a 2/5
Having been a vegetarian for the last 11 years, I have sampled a wide variety of brie-and-cranberry sandwiches.
This, I must admit, came out extremely average. While I was impressed by the quantity of filling, the brie was well distributed from mid-section to crust, the actual flavour of the contents was fairly bland.
The mayonnaise running through the centre was a nice addition and helped blend the flavours, but felt somewhat at odds with the very tart cranberry sauce.
Overall, it was a pleasant sandwich, but I wouldn’t rush to have another.
Caffe Nero Festive Feast Panini, from £5.55
1/5
By Cameron Roy
Data writer Cameron Roy rated the Café Nero Festive Feast Panini a 1/5 and said there was too much jam-like cranberry sauce
An utter disappointment. The plain chicken and fatty bacon were no match for the lashings of very tangy cranberry sauce, which seemed to have been lathered all over so thoroughly that even the stonebaked sourdough panini had gone slightly soggy.
It tasted like a sandwich you might make after a drunken night out at 2am.
There was supposedly cranberry & apricot stuffing in it, but all traces of it had been washed away by the ocean of the jam-like cranberry sauce.
To make matters worse, this is not a cheap and cheerful supermarket sandwich you get in a good value meal deal.
This is meant to be the more premium option from a cafe, often costing more than £5, making this flop all the sadder. Definitely avoid this one; there are plenty of better lunchtime options for your hard-earned cash.
Asda Festive Ham & Brie Brioche Roll £3.26
Rating: 1/5
By Eleanor Dye
Senior Lifestyle Writer Eleanor Dye was looking forward to Asda’s Festive Ham & Brie Brioche Roll (£3.36) however, she was disappointed
I was really excited to try Asda’s ham and brie brioche roll – it’s a Christmas sandwich combination I haven’t really seen before. I was sadly disappointed by the results, however.
For starters, the roll is really thick and quite dry, and I was having mouthful after mouthful of plain bread, without getting any filling.
I’m not sure why they chose to add both cream cheese and brie into the sandwich – both lacked flavour and pretty much blurred into one, and made it all very dense. The ham was thin and lacked flavour too.
The one redeeming quality was the sweet cranberry chutney – I definitely could have done with a bit more of that!
Asda Pigs Under Blankets Sandwich £2.86
1/5
By Gina Kalsi
Lifestyle Writer Gina Kalsi said she had high hopes for the Asda Pigs Under Blankets Sandwich (£2.86), but they did not meet her expectations
Unfortunately, this sandwich did disappoint me massively, not only from a taste perspective but also by its appearance.
I do believe customers eat with their eyes first, and if a product looks unappealing, it can put them off. Sometimes sandwiches may look revolting but end up being delicious, sadly, this was not the case.
For me, the onion chutney and mayonnaise did not gel well and ended up creating a bizarre taste in my mouth. The bread was also quite soggy, which made for a weird sensation.
The bacon was pleasant, but I found the sausages to be lacking in flavour.
It is odd, considering I liked the wrap, which was inspired by this sandwich. Perhaps Asda should look into making this into a wrap instead, and picking either onion chutney or mayo – not both.
Waitrose Vegetable Feast Sandwich £3.75
1/5
By Alice Wade
Lifestyle Writer Alice Wade rated the Waitrose Vegetable Feast Sandwich (£3.75) a 1/5
This was by far the worst of the selection I’ve sampled so far. Dry, tasteless, and lacking any kind of sustenance, I certainly would not recommend to a friend.
The filling looked promising from the outside, with squash, cabbage, chestnuts, and cranberries in the cross-section.
Sadly, though, the only thing that I could taste was the overpowering tang of cranberry, with all the other ingredients being completely tasteless.
Given the main ingredients are vegetables, I would also expect that the sandwich was at least properly filled, but this was flimsy, and when opened up, it revealed only a small smattering of ingredients – far from a satiating lunch and certainly no ‘feast’.
Morrisons Pigs Under Blankets sandwich £3.25
1/5
By Cameron Roy
Data writer Cameron Roy rated the Morrisons Pigs Under Blankets sandwich (£3.25) a 1/5
A very sad excuse for a sandwich. The overarching issue was that the Lincolnshire sausages simply tasted cheap, like eating a large, but utterly tasteless, cocktail sausage. I even got a bit of gristle in mine.
The overarching flavour coming through was from the balsamic onion chutney, which was strong but enjoyable if you are a fan.
The mustard mayonnaise and smoke-flavoured streaky bacon seemed overwhelmed, leaving only the faintest traces of either.
Another issue was that the bread was very stale, especially the crusts, which seemed as solid as a rock.
I feel like the sausages and bacon would both taste much better warm, and the stale bread could also be rescued by being toasted.
If you were to take this home and heat it in a pan, perhaps with a layer of melted cheese, you could bump it up a few stars. But straight out of the pack, it thoroughly deserves a one-star rating.
Sainsbury’s Mince Pie Brioche Style Wrap £3.40
By Elmira Tanatarova
1/5
Assistant Lifestyle Editor Elmira Tanatarova rated the Sainsbury’s Mince Pie Brioche Style (£3.40) Wrap a 1/5
Simply put, this was awful. It was not as bad as I thought it was going to be, which is why I’m giving it one star instead of zero.
It’s exactly what you’d expect mincemeat mix in a cold, thin wrap with eclectic shortbread bulbs laced through it to taste like, and that is to say, it tastes like a cavity but in the worst way possible.
Sainsbury’s has great ready meals and ranges, so I’m entirely sure this is just ragebait marketing.
Sainsbury’s Ho Ho Half & Half – Pigs Under Blankets and Brie and Cranberry £3.40
1/5
By Poppy Atkinson Gibson
Lifestyle Writer Poppy Atkinson Gibson was not impressed with the Sainsbury’s Ho Ho Half & Half sandwich (£3.40) and rated it 1/5
I had high hopes starting off with the brie and cranberry, a classic and well-loved combo, but was thoroughly disappointed. After chomping through a thick layer of overly sweet cranberry jam, I eventually managed to find the brie but it didn’t save the sandwich half.
The cheese was bland and overshadowed by the inclusion of spinach, making for a strange combination of clashing flavours.
Moving on to the pigs in blankets-inspired half, I was once more met with more cranberry jam, which overpowered the sausage and bacon, which added little to the Christmas-inspired sarnie other than an interesting texture.
Perfect for someone with a sweet tooth, but not for me
Lidl Pigs Under Blankets Sandwich £1.99
1/5
By Cameron Roy
Data Writer Cameron Roy rated the Lidl Pigs Under Blankets Sandwich (£1.99) a 1/5 and said it tasted ‘cheap’
An absolute let down. The pork sausage and bacon tasted cheap, and I had to spit out not one, but two, pieces of hard, gristly bone.
I know this can tend to happen with mass-produced and ultra-processed meats, but all the same, it’s not what I had in mind when I sat down for lunch.
It had the nasty after effect of putting me off the whole thing, and made me wonder if I accidentally swallowed any other pieces… But even if I ignore the gristle, there just isn’t a whole lot to be excited about here.
The cranberry sauce added a nice sweetness, but it really needs something more to give it a bit of joy.
And to make matters worse, the crusts were very stiff, despite there being another day before the use-by date. Avoid it at all costs.
