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The Good Housekeeping Christmas taste test winners for 2023, revealed

Good Housekeeping Institute Christmas Taste Test 2023
Best Christmas food for 2023

The Good Housekeeping Institute’s Christmas Taste Test is back! Now in its 24th year, our expert panel has once again been hard at work, trying more than 542 festive products from over 129 brands and retailers, to find the very best Christmas food – so this year’s feast is one to remember.

Meet the experts

good housekeeping institute christmas taste test experts
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At our state-of-the-art testing facility in west London, the expert panel tucked into 37 categories. From pretty canapés and pigs in blankets, to traditional and flavoured smoked salmon, and fresh and frozen turkeys. New categories for this year also include Christmas crisps, sweet stollen, dessert wine and sherry.

For those with a sweet tooth, we’ve tracked down the most show-stopping Christmas desserts, alternative Christmas puddings and the tastiest mince pies — whether you’re a traditionalist or prefer a fun twist.

From supermarket champagne, prosecco and cava, through to fun festive liqueurs, you’ll also want to read the full results of our alcohol taste tests before refreshing your bar cart this season.

And with the cost-of-living crisis at the forefront of everyone’s minds this year, we’ve also included an exceptional budget buy in every category, to ensure no one goes without.

The results...

We’re pleased to reveal that Waitrose is the overall winner of our 2023 Christmas taste test, scooping the top spot in six categories. These include whole turkey, flavoured salmon, roast potatoes, prosecco, meat centrepieces and Christmas cake.

In second place is ASDA, where you’ll find the best champagne, starters, dessert and Christmas pudding.

Read on to discover the top Christmas food and drink products available for 2023…


christmas taste test
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The GHI tried a mix of fresh and frozen whole birds and turkey crowns. Waitrose came out on top for its Medium Free-Range Bronze Feathered Whole Turkey with Giblets (87/100), sharing joint first place with Tesco and its faff-free two bird ballotine. (87/100).

For those keen on a change, we’ve also tested the best alternative Christmas meats, including glazed gammons, decadent three bird roasts and bone-in joints. Waitrose and Tesco finished in joint first place again, scoring 84/100 for their respective pork entries.

Catering for a meat-free crowd? Tesco proved popular for vegetarians, scoring 82/100 for its Roasted Butternut, Spinach & Sage Galette, while budget retailer Aldi picked up 80/100 for its vegan entry.


best christmas food
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This year, we’re hoping to entertain more friends and family than ever before, so our expert panel sampled 44 meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan canapés to pair with your festive fizz.

Special mentions go to Lidl’s Deluxe Chip Rosti Baskets with Mushy Peas and Battered Fish (90/100), Marks & Spencer’s Rosti Pulled Beef Tower (89/100) and Lidl’s Deluxe Mini Soufflette Selection (83/100).

To make hosting that little bit easier, we’ve also tested the best Christmas starters. ASDA excelled in this category with its Scallop & Prawn Vol au Vents with Spiced Rum & Brown Butter Sauce (93/100).

For a special Christmas Day breakfast, why not indulge in the best smoked salmon from luxury retailer Fortnum & Mason, which came out top with its welfare-accredited fish (85/100).

For a subtle festive flourish, the Waitrose Old Fashioned Smoked Salmon (81/100) is finished with whisky, orange and bitters, winning first place in the flavoured smoked salmon taste test.

Christmas dinner isn’t complete without our favourite sides, and this year they are ultra-decadent. Sainsbury’s scored 86/100 for its premium pigs in blankets, while Waitrose beat the branded buy with its herby roasties (80/100).


christmas taste test
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The festive season doesn’t really start until you take your first bite into a warm mince pie. The GHI sampled 44 classic, flavoured and gluten-free varieties across this popular category.

Scooping the top spot are Iceland’s Luxury All Butter Mince Pies, achieving an impressive score of 85/100. Meanwhile, Cartwright & Butler Cranberry & Orange Mince Pies are our top-rated alternative (85/100). Coeliacs will want to head to Costa where they’ll find the tastiest gluten-free mince pies (88/100).


best christmas food
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From classic Christmas cake and puddings to show-stopping dessert centrepieces, the testing team were presented with 94 festive sweet treats to evaluate.

For traditionalists, the top-rated Christmas pudding was the ASDA Extra Special 6-Month Matured Jewelled Topped Christmas Pudding with a score of 86/100. For a delicious alternative, Meg Rivers’ Gin Christmas Pudding (84/100) appealed to our panel.

Waitrose scored an impressive 86/100 for its iced No.1 Rich Fruit Cake, while also reigning supreme in the new stollen category, scoring 77/100 for its fruity festive bread.

And for all-out decadence the whole family will enjoy, ASDA took the top spot in our Christmas dessert categories for its Extra Special Chocolate & Honeycomb Avalanche Dessert (87/100), while online retailer Amazon was best for its budget-friendly, own-brand yule log.

The GHI also tried a selection of panettone, with commendations going to Ocado's Tre Marie Panettone Capolavoro Noir (94/100).


christmas alcohol
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Get the party started, without spending a fortune, with our best supermarket fizz.

Taking the top spot in our champagne taste test is the ASDA Extra Special Louis Bernard Champagne Vintage Brut (81/100). Meanwhile, if you’re looking for inexpensive Italian fizz, Waitrose won first place for its Blueprint Prosecco DOC (80/100).

Sandeman 10 Year Old Tawny Port (88/100) is our most highly rated entry in this category, with notes of light caramel, dates and walnuts.

Morrisons proved to have the best mulled wine for a second year running, while Ocado proved your best bet for dessert wine, with this Stellar Organics Heaven on Earth.

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