Ahead of the festive season, I tried a range of mince pies from popular British supermarkets – but not all of them are created equal.
Isobel Pankhurst Audience Writer
16:03, 07 Dec 2025
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Supermarkets have launched their own takes on the classic mince pie this festive season(Image: Kinga Krzeminska via Getty Images)
When it comes to decking out your kitchen for the Yuletide season, there’s a whole host of factors to weigh up – from cost and quality to catering to your guests’ dietary needs and tastes.
One Christmas classic that’s non-negotiable is the humble mince pie, but with every supermarket putting their own spin on this festive favourite, how do you know which ones to bag?
With Christmas fast approaching, I decided to sample some of the mince pies on offer at popular UK supermarkets, including Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury’s. From traditional mince pies to gingerbread twists and even a limoncello-infused version, there’s a pie to please everyone this Christmas. But not all can claim the crown.
Mince pie supermarket taste testTesco
Tesco customers are in for a treat this year, with the supermarket rolling out a number of different mince pies, two of which have won my heart — the Snowy Mince Pies (£2) and the Tesco Finest Brandy Butter Mince Pies (£3.50).
Both put a tasty, yet distinct, spin on the classic pie. The snowy pies give a nod to a Bakewell tart, while the brandy butter option is scrumptious whether you’re tucking in hot or cold.
For those hankering after a more traditional mince pie, Tesco has got your back with the Tesco Finest All Butter Pastry Mince Pies (£3). Infused with French Brandy and Port, these are a mouth-watering pick, but they also pack the booziest punch of all the pies – so if you’re not a fan of a strong alcohol flavour, you might want to opt for something else.
Snowy Mince Pies: 4.5/5
Brandy Butter Mince Pies: 5/5
All Butter Pastry Mince Pies: 3.5/5
Tesco has a number of mince pies on offer this Christmas(Image: Isobel pankhurst)Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s Mince Pies (£1.25) are a bargain choice for those who love to tuck into a warm mince pie alongside a steaming cup of mulled wine or cider. But if you’re more of a cold mince pie muncher, these might not hit the mark as they were a tad on the soggy side and didn’t quite deliver on flavour.
Sainsbury’s Mince Pies: 3/5
Asda
Asda’s Exceptional Luxury Mince Pies (£1.42) offer another pocket-friendly way to indulge in the festive favourite without breaking the bank. These pies had a gentler taste compared to others on the market but still packed a tasty punch.
I also gave Asda’s Caramel Florentine Mince Pies (£2.98) a whirl. Despite my initial doubts about this unusual combo, I was pleasantly surprised and found myself rather taken with this quirky twist on the traditional Christmas treat.
Luxury Mince Pies: 3/5
Caramel Florentine Mince Pies: 3/5
Sainsbury’s mince pies are perfect straight from the oven(Image: Isobel Pankhurst)Morrisons
Morrisons Best Signature Collection Mince Pies (£2) were among the fruitiest of the lot (only pipped by Waitrose’s Limoncello pies), making them a top pick for anyone after a less boozy-tasting pie.
However, at £2 for a pair, they’re not exactly a bargain and might not be the top pick for those throwing big festive bashes this season.
Morrisons Mince Pies: 3/5
Waitrose
Waitrose’s All Butter Mince Pies (£2.25) took the crown as my favourite standard mince pies, delivering everything you’d want from this Yuletide delight, whether served warm or cold. Their Brown Butter Mince Pies with Cognac (£3) also hit the spot, especially fresh from the oven.
This year, Waitrose has shaken things up with their Golden Limoncello Mince Pies (£3), which left me unsure of what to expect. While they didn’t win the speciality pie category for me, they were still pleasant enough, though I might feel a tad let down if someone promised me a mince pie and handed me one of these without a heads-up.
All Butter Mince Pies: 5/5
Brown Butter Mince Pies with Cognac: 4/5
Limoncello Mince Pies: 3/5
Morrisons mince pies are are delicious, but perhaps aren’t the most budget-friendly(Image: Isobel Pankhurst)Co-op
While they didn’t clinch the overall top spot, Co-op’s Merry Mince Pies (£1.50) did boast my favourite pastry, both among the basic and the fancy pies.
These pies also come with the bonus of being vegan-friendly, yet just as nice as non-vegan alternatives, so there’s no need to stock up on different packs if you’ve got vegan guests popping round this Christmas.
Co-op’s Gingerbread and Maple Mince Pies (£2.85) were another standout, blending a medley of festive flavours into one scrumptious bite.
Co-op’s Merry Mince Pies: 4/5
Gingerbread and Maple Mince Pies: 3.5/5
The verdict
When it comes to the classic mince pies, Waitrose’s All Butter Mince Pies took the crown for me, with their buttery pastry and festive fruit filling that just screams Christmas.
As for the speciality pies, Tesco Finest’s Brandy Butter Mince Pies won my heart, and I’ll definitely be snapping up more once they’re back on the shelves at my local store.
All prices are accurate at the time of writing.