With three major supermarkets offering pre-made Christmas dinners in a box, Mirror writer Cally Brooks put them to the test to see which came out on top ahead of the big day
Christmas Day is supposed to be magical, but for the designated chef, it often feels more like a military operation. Between the timing, the peeling, and the mountain of washing up, the “most wonderful time of the year” can quickly become the most stressful.
This year, retailers are offering a lifeline. Aldi, Iceland, and Sainsbury’s have all launched “Christmas Dinner in a Box” solutions designed to feed a family of four with minimal fuss. But can a pre-packed box really replace the homemade heroics? And more importantly, are they actually good value? I put all three to the test – judging them on price, taste, portion size, and the dreaded “faff factor” – to find out which retailer deserves a spot at your table this December 25th.
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Iceland’s Christmas Dinner for 4 – £25
Iceland has launched the only frozen option this Christmas, perfect for those saving their fridge space for other festive foods. The box, which comes very well packaged, features a turkey breast joint, beef dripping potatoes, stuffing balls, pigs in blankets and three types of veg – including sprouts!
The Verdict:
If you have a hungry family to feed on a budget, Iceland is the heavyweight champion of portion sizes. The amount of roast potatoes and parsnips provided was genuinely impressive – you will not run out of carbs. The cooking process is largely hands-off, though the final 20 minutes does require some active pan-frying of the vegetables, which adds a little stress at the finish line. The result? A mixed bag.
The vegetables were buttery, sweet, and delicious, but the parsnips were a little plain and the roasties lacked that essential crunch. The turkey joint was, admittedly, on the dry side – a common peril of frozen breast meat. However, the gravy was sweet and tasty, and the pigs in blankets were a highlight. For £6.25 a head, you simply cannot argue with the value.
Price 10/10
Taste 7/10
Portion size 10/10
Ease of cooking 8/10
Sainsbury’s Slow Cooked Proper Christmas Dinner Box – £50
The most expensive of the three, Sainsbury’s offer a fresh ‘Taste the Difference’ experience with slow-cooked turkey wrapped in streaky bacon, beef fat potatoes, chestnut and thyme stuffing, parsnips and carrots in a honey mustard glaze, classic pigs in blankets, and a sachet of turkey and chicken gravy.
The Verdict:
At double the price of Iceland, Sainsbury’s has to work hard to justify the cost. The biggest selling point here is speed: the entire dinner cooks in just 55 minutes. I was also impressed with the size of the box, with all the dishes being vacuum sealed meaning more free space in the fridge – a big bonus at Christmas time. The star of the show is undeniably the turkey. Thanks to the bacon wrapping and juices, it came out incredibly soft, moist, and delicious – miles ahead of the competition. The stuffing was equally impressive, and the turkey infused gravy packed a punch.
However, there are two major gripes. First, the lack of crispiness on the roast potatoes and parsnips. Second, and perhaps unforgivably for a Christmas dinner… no Brussels sprouts. For £50, omitting the most divisive yet essential vegetable feels like an oversight. But when it comes to taste, this box definitely came out on top. I also appreciated the addition of a foil tray for the turkey, saving on washing on Christmas day.
Price 6/10
Taste 9/10
Portion size 10/10
Ease of cooking 9/10
Aldi’s Ultimate Christmas Dinner in a Box – £29.95
A nice mid-market option for those wanting fresh while still keeping costs down, Aldi have brought out their very own Christmas Dinner in a Box. Complete with a slow-cooked turkey joint, pigs in blankets, honey-mustard coated parsnips, maple-butter coated carrots, roast potatoes and delicious turkey gravy, I was interested how this budget-supermarket version would compare.
The Verdict:
Aldi lands right in the middle on price, but punches well above its weight on quality. The cooking time is a very manageable 75 minutes, and the instructions are fool-proof. Throw everything in the oven on a timer, and you’re good to go. Like Sainsbury’s, they also include a foil tray, saving on washing up time on the big day. Taste-wise, Aldi gets a lot right. The turkey is delicious – very similar in quality to the more expensive Sainsbury’s option. But where Aldi really shines is the potatoes; they achieved a nice, crispy exterior that the other two boxes failed to master. The pigs in blankets were lovely and a generous size.
The only downsides? Like Sainsbury’s, Aldi has inexplicably ditched the Brussels sprouts. The overall portion sizes were also the smallest of the three boxes – fine for most, but big eaters might want extra sides.
Price 9/10
Taste 8/10
Portion size 9/10
Ease of cooking 9/10
The Overall Winner
- For the Foodie: If budget isn’t an issue and you want the best meat and impressive portions, Sainsbury’s wins on the turkey alone, but cook the potatoes a little longer than the instructions for the ultimate crispiness.
- For the Big Family: Iceland takes the crown for sheer abundance. It includes sprouts, endless potatoes, and costs just £25. It’s the inflation-busting hero we need – and can save a lot of fridge space!
- The Best All-Rounder: Aldi edges it for me. It balances a high-quality, moist turkey with genuinely crispy potatoes for under £30. Just remember to buy a separate bag of sprouts!
Winner: Aldi Ultimate Christmas Dinner in a Box
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Source: Mirror
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