Each day millions flock to the nearest supermarket to pick up their favourite meal deal, but we’re often spoilt for choice, so which one finishes in first place?
Every day, millions of Brits head to their local supermarket to grab their favourite meal deal. With a vast selection from nearly all major supermarkets and varying prices, it can be challenging to determine which offers the best value for money.
So, I took it upon myself to find out once and for all which supermarket reigns supreme in the meal deal competition. To keep things fair, I tried to select the items that would be most expensive if purchased individually at each supermarket. Over the week, I sampled meal deals from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Co-Op – and there was one clear champion.
Tesco
First on the list was Tesco’s meal deal offering, starting with a chicken and stuffing sandwich nestled between slices of malted bread. Purchased alone, this sandwich would usually cost you £2.75.
While chicken and bacon is typically my go-to, I was pleasantly surprised by Tesco’s take on the chicken and stuffing sandwich. Unlike some competitors, they used smaller, more bearable chunks of chicken breast rather than the larger pieces often found in other supermarkets.
Next up was the snack, the priciest one available in the well-stocked fridge was a packet of “summer edition – two pork and chorizo sausage rolls”. They seemed too substantial to be considered a snack alongside a typical main meal like a sandwich or pasta dish, but perhaps that simply highlights the good value.
For the drink, it was the “Emmi – Caffe Latte Skinny” that will sting you more than any other option (if it’s not purchased as part of the meal deal) with a hefty £3.20 price tag.
While I never usually purchase an iced or cold coffee from anywhere other than the usual coffee shops, I think this one holds up fairly well in comparison.
Meal Deal – £4.25 (without Clubcard)
Cost of items individually:.
Chicken and stuffing sandwich – £2.75.
Pork and chorizo sausage roll twin pack – £1.50.
Emmi Caffe Latte Skinny – £3.20.
Total bought separately – £7.45.
Score: 6/10.
Sainsbury’s
Next up was Sainsbury’s, where I opted for the chicken and chorizo sandwich that absolutely delivered on flavour.
While the chicken filling was fairly standard, the real star was undoubtedly the chorizo that paired brilliantly with a lemon and paprika mayo, bringing a welcome zesty kick and spicy heat to the sandwich.
Nevertheless, much like Tesco’s range, Sainsbury’s fell short with its snack option.
The “ready to eat chargrilled salt and chilli chicken thigh fillets” were undoubtedly a more nutritious choice than some alternatives but failed to be remotely satisfying.
I washed it all down with a “Naked – Protein Machine” smoothie which blended pineapple and mango.
Despite not being the biggest smoothie enthusiast, I reckon this one was easily worth the £3.20 it would typically cost individually.
Meal Deal – £3.95
Cost of items individually:
Chicken and chorizo sandwich – £3.20
Salt and chilli chicken thighs – £1.70 Naked – Protein Machine smoothie – £3.20
Total individually – £8.10
Score: 7/10
Asda
Out of all the meal deals sampled, Asda’s was by far the one that took me most by surprise.
To start with was the “All-day Breakfast Triple” which, as the name suggests is three sandwiches in one box.
It was exceptionally filling with a mix of eggs, sausage and bacon as well as brown and tomato sauce, and in fact was up there with the best supermarket breakfast options I have had.
However, it didn’t exactly go with the other two most expensive options, a “white Twix extra” and a “Naked blue machine”, which was a protein packed mixture of blueberry, goji berry and blackcurrant.
The combination perhaps didn’t work (obviously there’s plenty of others to try) but considering buying each individually would total £8.50, it was hard not to be impressed by the offering.
Meal deal – £4.74
Cost of items on their own:
All-day breakfast sandwich – £3.62
White twix extra – £1.42
Naked – Blue Machine smoothie – £3.46
Total individually – £8.50
Score: 7.5/10
Co-Op
It was a matter of saving the best until last when it came to my final supermarket meal deal.
The Co-Op managed to come out on top with its delicious bacon and chicken sandwich.
The sandwich was slightly seasoned with pepper and was given much needed texture with the addition of mayo. Accompanying it was a “Ginsters steak slice”.
It was substantial enough to serve as a main course on its own – demonstrating just what excellent value the meal deal represented – and tasted absolutely delicious.
Finally came the “Innocent – berry energise” which I reckon just about edged it as the finest smoothie of the trio since it boasted a slightly thicker consistency.
Meal deal – £4.15
Chicken and bacon sandwich – £3.30
Ginsters pepper steak – £2.10
Innocent berry energise – £2.75
Total individually – £8.15
Score: 9/10
Conclusion
Having eventually tried all four meal deals, what surprised me most was that the priciest items don’t necessarily deliver the best value when bundled together as part of the meal deal promotion.
It’s fair to say that I’ll be returning to my regular chicken and bacon, salt and vinegar McCoys and Pepsi Max meal deal from here on out.