The annual battle of the Christmas sandwiches has commenced, with UK supermarkets unleashing their festive creations for the 2025 season. For sandwich aficionados, this marks the start of the most wonderful time of the year, a period dedicated to sampling every turkey-filled offering on the shelf.
The Festive Four: A Supermarket Sandwich Crawl
This year's taste test adventure took our journalist to four major retailers: Tesco, Sainsbury's, Marks and Spencer, and Waitrose. The shopping experience varied dramatically, from the meal deal frenzy of Tesco to the serene, stylish aisles of Waitrose and M&S. The mission was simple: to find the ultimate Christmas sandwich, judging on flavour, value, and festive spirit.
The Sandwich Verdicts: From Triumph to Turkey Tragedy
First in the lineup was the Sainsbury's Turkey Feast, priced at £3.45. Presented in lurid red and gold festive packaging, this sandwich impressed with its surprisingly prominent, moist, and succulent turkey. The trimmings enhanced rather than masked the flavour, earning it a solid 4 out of 5.
Next was the Marks and Spencer Turkey Feast at £4.50. The initial impression was its high cost and disappointingly un-festive packaging. While the retailer donates five per cent of sales to Shelter, the sandwich itself was a letdown. An overpowering onion mayonnaise created a mushy concoction, resulting in a sarnie that was more sauce than substance. It scored a low 2 out of 5.
The Tesco Turkey and Trimmings sandwich, costing £3.40, was the epitome of reliable mediocrity. As part of its famous meal deal, it offers no surprises. It's inoffensive and charming but lacks excitement, with a noted desire for more cranberry sauce. It received a middle-of-the-road 3 out of 5.
The clear winner was the Waitrose Turkey, Stuffing, and Bacon sandwich, also £4.50. Despite its underwhelming purple and snowflake packaging, the contents were exceptional. It featured plenty of cranberry, moist turkey, and sage and onion stuffing that shone through. The layering of flavours was masterful, finished with a subtle kick of pepper, earning a perfect 5 out of 5.
Bonus Bites: Sausage Roll and Curry Surprise
The investigation didn't stop there. The M&S Turkey Bacon Roll (£3.50) promised redemption but delivered a too-salty, ordinary sausage roll inside a buttery pastry, scoring a dismal 1 out of 5.
In a final push for greatness, the Waitrose Festive Turkey Curry sandwich (£4.50) proved to be a revelation. A fresh, zingy alternative to the heavy meat feasts, it was packed with flavour and a satisfying crunch from spinach. It also earned a top score of 5 out of 5.
The Final Christmas Sandwich Ranking
For those seeking a reliable meal deal, Tesco and Sainsbury's provide solid, festive boosts, with Sainsbury's slightly edging ahead. However, for the true sandwich enthusiast, Waitrose is the undisputed champion of Christmas 2025. Its classic turkey feast and innovative curry sandwich make it the destination for a superior festive lunch.
