Preparing the perfect Christmas dinner is a festive marathon, filled with decisions about the turkey, the trimmings, and the all-important accompaniments. Amidst the chaos, one classic component often gets overlooked: the humble stuffing. Journalist Stewart Carr decided to put this festive staple under the microscope, conducting a taste test just in time for the 2025 holiday season.
The Festive Stuffing Line-Up
On 15 December 2025, Carr compared five popular options to find the ultimate partner for a roast dinner. The contenders were the market leader, Paxo Sage & Onion Stuffing Mix, pitched against four supermarket own-brand versions: Tesco Finest Sage & Red Onion, Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Roasted Chestnut, Hazelnut & Thyme, Waitrose No1 Pink Lady Apple and Apricot Stuffing Mix, and M&S Sage & Onion Stuffing Mix.
His method was straightforward: prepare each according to packet instructions, with a crucial tweak. He advised home cooks to ignore the "outrageous" butter suggestions on the packs, noting that a modest half-inch slice is perfectly sufficient.
The Taste Test Results Revealed
The results were surprising for a nation raised on a certain classic brand. Paxo's classic sage and onion offering scored a disappointing 1 out of 5. Carr found it bland and doughy, with only a faint hint of sage, failing to live up to its iconic status.
Sainsbury's chestnut and hazelnut mix fared only slightly better with a 2/5. While visually appealing with vibrant ingredients, its flavour was underwhelming, and the texture from the nuts provided a chewiness that might not suit all palates.
Occupying the middle ground was M&S's sage and onion stuffing, which earned a solid 3 out of 5. It was deemed a reliable, benign all-rounder—vastly superior to Paxo but lacking the exciting flavours of the top two contenders.
The Clear Winners of the Christmas Stuffing Test
The competition was decisively won by two standout products. Waitrose's innovative Pink Lady apple and apricot mix scored an excellent 4 out of 5. Carr praised its sharp, robust apple flavour which added a refreshing, sweet lift to the savoury roast, making it an ideal pairing for pork.
However, the ultimate champion, with a perfect score of 5 out of 5, was Tesco Finest's Sage & Red Onion Stuffing Mix. Described as "strong, aromatic and utterly delicious," it boasted a rich herbal base and a punchy red onion flavour. Its texture was praised for avoiding doughiness, making it the perfect sponge for turkey juices and gravy.
Carr concluded that while Tesco doesn't always get it right, its festive stuffing proves Britain's biggest supermarket can compete with loftier foodie brands. For a show-stopping Christmas dinner centrepiece, it seems the gold standard for stuffing has a new home on the supermarket shelf.
