Gravy is a staple item in British larders, perfect for drizzling over roast dinners, pies and more. While it comes in various forms today, granules remain the most traditional and accessible.
With an array of options lining supermarket shelves, I decided to strip it back to basics.
In a world brimming with artisanal and homemade recipes, sometimes the simplest and most convenient option for families is right there on the supermarket shelf. So, I put convenience to the test and sampled nine supermarket gravies to determine which one packed the most flavour.
The contenders included Aldi, Lidl, Waitrose, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Asda, Tesco, and the classic Bisto.
M&S – £2 for 200g
Marks and Spencer’s chicken gravy was a delight. Infused with sage and onion, the flavour evoked memories of stuffing, making it a perfect companion for roast chicken. The packaging, flavour, and consistency were all top-notch, although it was slightly on the salty side. However, this was easily fixed by diluting the gravy a bit.
This gravy was unlike any I’ve tasted before, and it has now become a staple for my roast dinners. While it’s a tad pricier than some of the other options, it’s still significantly cheaper than Bisto’s standard chicken gravy.
Score: 9/10
Lidl – £1.09 300g
Lidl’s gravy was a treat, boasting a rich taste, good consistency, and robust flavour. When prepared as per the packet instructions, the gravy was thick but not overly so, and it wasn’t salty at all.
The texture was a bit peculiar for my liking, which is why it doesn’t top the list, but it’s a decent budget gravy.
Score: 8/10
Aldi – £1.09 for 300g
Aldi’s gravy was quite palatable, boasting a rich flavour with an acceptable salt content, albeit a smidgen too much for my taste. The texture didn’t quite hit the spot for me, which brought down its score, but it’s certainly one I’d eat again, and I have done so.
Score: 8/10
Asda – 69p for 200g
In my opinion, Asda’s gravy offers excellent value for money, coupled with a delightful taste. It had a pleasingly thick consistency, requiring fewer spoonfuls of granules than the packet instructions suggested.
It paired perfectly with my roast dinner, and also complemented toad in the hole nicely, making it a versatile gravy. I might even consider this one for next Christmas.
Score: 10/10
Sainsbury’s – 62p for 170g
Likewise, Sainsbury’s own-brand chicken gravy took me by surprise. I had sampled it a few years back and wasn’t keen, which deterred me from purchasing it again.
However, for this taste test, I was curious to see if anything had changed, and to my astonishment, I found myself thoroughly enjoying it. Much like Asda, it offered good value for money, with a fantastic flavour and consistency.
Score: 10/10
Morrisons – 99p for 200g
On the pricier end of supermarket gravies, Morrisons’ offering fell short of my expectations. It was somewhat thin, lacked flavour, and adding more granules only resulted in it becoming overly salty.
Score: 4/10
Tesco – 73p for 200g
Tesco’s chicken gravy was palatable, but it didn’t quite measure up to the offerings from M&S, Sainsbury’s or Asda. The flavour was passable and the consistency commendable, but a hint of excess saltiness marred the overall experience.
Score: 6/10
Bisto – £2.95 for 190g
A long-standing favourite, Bisto is a common sight in many kitchens. However, with prices on the rise, you’re shelling out for a premium product that doesn’t quite deliver. Despite its pleasing taste and good consistency, the price tag doesn’t match the quality. Other gravies in the taste test boasted superior flavours at more reasonable prices. I’d only consider purchasing Bisto when it’s on sale, as supermarket gravies seem to have the upper hand.
Score: 6/10
Waitrose – £1 for 170g
This gravy was somewhat of a letdown, especially considering its higher price point for a supermarket brand. It lacked any distinctive flavour, although its lack of excessive saltiness was a plus. Its watery consistency was better suited to a toad in the hole rather than smothering a roast dinner.
Score: 5/10
Verdict:
Sainsbury’s, Asda and Marks and Spencer emerged as the winners of this taste test. While Asda and Sainsbury’s offered standard chicken gravies at affordable prices, I found myself repeatedly reaching for Marks and Spencer’s due to its irresistible sage and onion flavour.
