These are the showstopping Christmas products our experts ratedHow we test Christmas hero products
Within this varied category, our experts were looking for products that felt extra special and festive. To earn its place on this list, a dish had to have well-balanced flavours and an enticing aroma, and accurately convey the flavours described. Everything was served as per the brand’s instructions, and presented “blind” to our panel, to ensure we avoid bias.
Bring on the magic with the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Taste Approved buys of the festive season.
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1
Best Christmas hero product
ASDA Exceptional Bone Marrow Beef Pie 1kg
Score: 91/100
We’ve noticed indulgent pies filled with luxe ingredients coming through as a big trend this year, and this extra-large, bone-in centrepiece shows how special they can be.
Ideal for entertaining in the run-up to Christmas or during Twixmas, ASDA’s all-butter pastry houses tender Aberdeen Angus beef, which had a stew-like quality. Flavoured with caramelised onions, mushrooms and smoked bacon, the slow-cooked filling melts in the mouth, without being too heavy. Superb!
Available: 18th December 2024
2
Runner-up Christmas hero product
Aldi Specially Selected Honey Roast Hot Smoked Salmon Side 500g
Score: 90/100
This outstanding side of salmon is excellent for entertaining. It’s lightly smoked, with a subtle sweet honey glaze to ensure the meaty fish remains deliciously tender. It’s the ultimate catch this Christmas.
Available: 19th December
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3
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Slow Cooked Proper Christmas Dinner Box 3.35kg
Score: 88/100
A slow-cooked turkey is the ultimate in Christmas convenience, and this year, Sainsbury’s has simplified the process further by also supplying all the trimmings — including roast potatoes, parsnips, carrots, pigs in blankets and gravy — in a meal kit.
The turkey comes with bacon, keeping the meat moist and tender, while the roasties remained perfectly crisp. Our testers were impressed, declaring it “a great all-rounder” for those who aren’t interested in cooking, but still want a good ‘home-made’ meal.
4
COOK Duck & Venison Pithivier Pie 1020g
Score: 83/100
Serving six people, COOK’s impressive dinner-party pie is a real showstopper. Packed full of flavour, the filling consists of slow-cooked duck and wild venison, with bacon and roasted celeriac, in a rich red wine sauce. Our testers thought it looked fantastic too, with flaky golden pastry and a scattering of thyme on top.
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5
ASDA Charcuterie Wreath Platter
Score: 81/100
Asda has gone big on party food and grazing this year. This fantastic “charcuter-wreath”, takes the faff out of creating a showstopping spread, with an easy to assemble, perfectly balanced selection of prosciutto, peppery chorizo, Manchego, tangy cornichons and sweet red peppers. Leaving you more time to get ready for your guests…
Available: TBC
6
Waitrose No.1 Starry Night Hot Chocolate Coins 98g
Score: 78/100
Gold chocolate coins have long been a stocking filler-staple, but these – made with rich milk chocolate and finished with shimmer – are the best we’ve found.
Perfect for Christmas eve boxes, they can be gobbled up straight from the pack or melted in milk for an indulgent hot chocolate. This tempting Christmas treat is already online and in-store, so you may find you need to re-stock before the big day if our testers’ rave reviews are anything to go by.
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7
ASDA Exceptional Lightly Smoked Salmon Plait with Fig, Whisky & Spiced Honey 1037g
Score: 78/100
Asda has announced “fig, whisky and spiced honey” as the brand’s new flavour concept for 2024, applying it to 16 festive products across the range.
It provides a sweet glaze here, ensuring that the uniquely designed festive fish “plait” remains nice and juicy, while the figs and rosemary on top elevate the impressive centrepiece visually.
Available: 21st December 2024
8
Riverford Organic Farmers Panettone Kit 1.3kg
Score: 76/100
If you’re a fan of panettone (and let’s face it, who isn’t?), you might fancy making your own this year. If that sounds too tricky, don’t panic – Riverford Organic has taken the liberty of rounding up everything you need to make your own super buttery, oh-so-fluffy festive bake.
The instructions were easy to follow, and the benefit of making your own is that you get to enjoy it fresh out of the oven – heaven!
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9
Iceland The Daily Bakery Christmas Donuts 212g 
Score: 70/100
Doughnuts may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think “Christmas”, but with bright red icing and green, white and red sprinkles, there’s no mistaking what Iceland’s sweet doughnuts are celebrating. A classic doughnut, with a little festive magic on top.
Available: 12th November 2024
Joanna Anastasiou is our Food and Drinks Tester, and has completed certifications in Sensory Foundation and WSET Wine Level 2 training. Prior to this she studied geography with conservation biology at the University of Exeter and trained at Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland. Through this she has developed a passion for sustainability within the food and agricultural sectors. Joanna also volunteers in kitchens with FoodCycle, as well as on multiple wildlife conservation projects, where she formed a particular love for bees!
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