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Best pigs in blankets for Christmas 2024
Christmas dinner isn’t complete without this festive favourite, but which brand has the tastiest PIB?
Tested by JoJo Anastasiou and Georgia Turnell
Pigs in blankets are undoubtedly a key component of our Christmas dinner, and increasingly we’ve noticed brands offering the traditional side dish year-round, due to unprecedented consumer demand.
If you were one of those who has been secretly pining for a bacon-wrapped sausage since July, you’ve come to the right place.
The Good Housekeeping Institute has tested 26 varieties – including flavoured and DIY PIBs –comparing options from budget supermarkets to the big-name brands and independent butchers, to see which offer the most bang(er) for your buck.
Best pigs in blankets 2024
- 1
Best classic pigs in blankets
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Proper Pig in Blankets 290g
Read review - 2
Best flavoured pigs in blankets
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Caramelised Onion Chipolatas 260g
Read review - 3
Runner-up flavoured pigs in blankets
Aldi Specially Selected Caramelised Onion Chipolatas Wrapped in Bacon 247g
Read review - 4
- 5
Alongside the traditional chipolata and crispy bacon, this year you’ll also find fresh new flavours including truffle, cheese, and jalapeno.
So, whether you plan to serve them alongside the Christmas turkey with roast potatoes and all the trimmings, as a canapé for a drinks party, or just eaten out of the bowl as an evening snack (absolutely no judgement), we’ve got you covered.
How we test pigs in blankets
The Good Housekeeping Institute tasted 26 pigs in blankets from all the major supermarkets and online butchers, to find the tastiest bangers for Christmas 2024.
Each was cooked and prepared according to packet instructions and served blind to a panel of consumers. They were looking for well-seasoned sausage meat and evenly crisped bacon.
Read on to find which porky picks impressed our panel.
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Proper Pig in Blankets 290g
Score: 86/100
It’s not just the size that makes these winning pigs in blankets stand out – a bigger sausage means they also retain loads of juicy, fatty flavour, while the bacon provides the perfect level of sweet, salty smoke.
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Caramelised Onion Chipolatas 260g
Score: 85/100
Our winning flavoured pigs in blankets wowed with their “robust aroma”, which struck the perfect balance between smoky and sweet, thanks to the addition of caramelised onion. The sausage meat is tender and juicy – with a hint of black pepper on the finish – while the bacon is “perfectly crisp.” Delicious.
Available 12th November 2024
Aldi Specially Selected Caramelised Onion Chipolatas Wrapped in Bacon 247g
Score: 82/100
Caramelised onion reigned supreme when it came to flavoured PIBs this year – here, it brings a delicious, honeyed sweetness to the sausage, without overpowering the flavour of the meat. Due to the generous sugar content, they achieved a delicious sticky texture on cooking, with testers crowning them the perfect canapé for Christmas parties.
Available: 19th December 2024
Score: 81/100
The Jolly Hog’s outdoor-bred and RSPCA-assured pigs in blankets are wrapped in thick, double smoked, black treacle-cured back bacon for an extra tasty treat. They are also seasoned to perfection, with sage, nutmeg and black pepper all vying for attention.
Score: 81/100
These flavourful bangers are exceptionally well-seasoned, with cracked black pepper at the fore. The bacon was gorgeously crisp, and testers liked the “mellow, maple sweetness”, which helped bring balance to the saltier pork.
Available: 15th October 2024
Score: 80/100
It’s clear from the get-go that these are quality sausages; despite the rich treacle note, the natural pork flavour remains prominent. They’re exceptionally well-seasoned, with black pepper and sage at the fore, and our testers loved the satisfying texture, too.
Available: 20th November 2024
Score: 80/100
Honey and rosemary are a match made in heaven; here, the honey brings balance to the saltiness of the bacon, while the rosemary lifts the natural smokiness of the sausage. It’s by no means a break-the-mould flavour, but we reckon it will have the whole family requesting seconds (and thirds).
Score: 79/100
Moreish and meaty, testers loved these Piper’s Farm pigs in blankets. Enjoy them piled into a soft, buttered bloomer for your Boxing Day breakfast.
Score: 78/100
These succulent sausages certainly didn’t shy away from seasoning. There’s sweet nutmeg, rosemary, and thyme right from the off, which means they’d make a delicious canapé for Christmas parties (or enjoyed by themselves) but may overpower milder flavours when served as part of the festive spread.
Score: 78/100
While ready-made pigs in blankets are convenient, if you fancy building them yourself, this handy pack contains everything you need for the job. The salty cocktail sausages come with a generous supply of dry-cured streaky bacon, ready for you to wrap 24 delicious individual piggies.
Lidl Deluxe Caramelised Onion Pigs in Blankets 210g
Score: 78/100
The bacon stole the show here, with its pronounced smokiness and moreish char. In contrast, testers found the sausage and caramelised onion flavour a little mild, making these cocktail-sized pigs in blankets a great option for kids this Christmas.
Available: 5th November 2024
Morrisons The Best Christmas Cheese & Jalapeno Pigs In Blankets 210g
Score: 77/100
Looking to bring a kick to your Christmas party spread? Look no further. The punchy jalapeno flavour pairs perfectly with the sweet, smoky bacon and cheese, without overpowering the sausage meat.
Score: 77/100
Our panellists had nothing but high praise for the “moist, juicy” texture of these pigs in blankets. The herb and black pepper blend is reminiscent of a traditional breakfast sausage, and we reckon they’d make a delicious take on toad in the hole during the build-up to the big day.
Score: 76/100
These indulgent pigs in blankets are infused with rich truffle and nutty parmesan, which pairs well with the saltier bacon and pork. They’re neatly rolled, but it’s worth noting that, when cooked according to packet instructions, they were a little too charred for our liking, so we recommend keeping an eye on them to avoid barbecued bangers!
Available: 16th November 2024
Score: 76/100
If you prefer a classic, bite-size pig in blanket, ASDA is a top choice for the big day. Following the cooking instructions to the letter meant the bacon was extra crispy, adding a lovely roasted element to the grassy yet sweet pork sausages.
Score: 76/100
Testers loved the “moreish, meaty flavour,” which was well seasoned with salt, pepper, sage, and parsley. After cooking, they were golden brown, with a slightly sticky finish. Serve with creamy mash, peas, and a generous drizzle of gravy for an easy family dinner during the busy festive season.
These also passed...
- ByAmazon Our Selection Pigs in Blankets, £4 for 252, Score: 75/100
- COOK Pigs in Blankets, £6.50 for 400g, Score: 75/100
- Morrisons The Best Pigs in Blankets, £3.25 for 210g, Score: 74/100
- Co-op Irresistible Honey & Truffle Flavour Pigs in Blankets, £3.50 for 220g, Score: 72/100
- Waitrose Free Range Pork Chipolatas Wrapped in Bacon, £5.25 for 258g, Score: 71/100
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
Millie is freelance journalist and editor with five years’ experience writing product reviews, buying guides, breaking news and about the latest trends.
Millie has also reviewed countless restaurants and written travel features for British GQ, The Telegraph and the Independent, and has interviewed a number of leading chefs, including Jamie Oliver, Heston Blumenthal and Raymond Blanc.
Founder of creative catering brand @grazeandgorge, Millie also spends her time creating seasonal recipes and tablescape content, as well as planning her next golden retriever-friendly getaway and rearranging her own home bar cart (... again).
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!
Georgia has been part of the hospitality industry for the last nine years. Her starting point was the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu culinary school where she gained a Diplôme de Pâtisserie. She has worked at a number of well-known restaurants and bakeries including The Club at the Ivy and Ottolenghi, Notting Hill where she was the head pastry chef. Most recently, Georgia worked at The Clink Bakery inside HMP Brixton, which aims to reduce reoffending through teaching. She is an expert in all things baked goods and holds a WSET level 2 in wine.
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