From manchego burgers to arancini, all the best picky bits from Waitrose’s new summer range
Kick back and relax with these easy eats
Whether you call it British tapas or picky tea, when that great big ball in the sky makes a welcome return, we'll be hotfooting it to our nearest Waitrose to stock up on the tasty new summer treats.
This year's range is the tastiest yet, so fire up the grill, build your BBQ, and lay out the best of the deli for friends and family to tuck into. That's summer, sorted.
And, even better, you can currently save on your BBQ and picnic essentials with mix and match summer deals.
Best Waitrose summer food & drink 2025
These are our favourite products in one handy shopping list, but keep reading to discover the tastiest new additions to the range.
Waitrose Middle Eastern Inspired Chicken Thighs with Amba Sauce
Read review
Waitrose Summer Beef Smash Burgers with Bone Marrow 454g
Read review
BBQ Builder: Mix and match 3 for £12, plus sides, desserts and drinks. Or keep it classic or mix it up with two packs of sausages for £6. Deli offer: 3 for £8 on deli items
You’ll find all our testers’ favourites below marked with the Good Housekeeping Institute Taste Approved logo, from pork, chorizo and manchego burgers to Middle Eastern-inspired chicken. The other products on our list have all been chosen by our senior food and drink editor (and picky tea super fan).
The premium supermarket’s summer range has been inspired by all the latest food and drink trends, whether that’s Beef Smash Burgers with Bone Marrow, the delicious-sounding 'Nduja & Mozzarella Arancini or Cheddar & Hot Honey Pinwheels. But you’ll also find those nostalgic British classics, such as the Pork & Apple Pies and the (GHI Approved) Cornish Sea Salted Caramel Brittle Ice Cream.
Feeling hungry all of a sudden? Us too. Scroll on for your summer to-eat-and-drink list.
Best BBQ buys
A full-flavoured alternative to your classic beef burger, Waitrose has mixed things up with these pork patties made with spicy chorizo and manchego. The Spanish-influenced ingredients are impactful – try serving with a spicy slaw.
This flavour-packed veggie skewer is coated with the condiment of the season – hot honey. The spicy marinade perfectly complements the creamy cheese, and the halloumi retained a squishy but firm texture.
These pork belly slices are honey sweet and smoky with delicious tender meat and a hit of spice from the smoked paprika and chilli rub. Serve with Greek salad, buttery potatoes and sweetcorn fritters.
We loved the balance of sweet honey and lemon you get from these sticky chicken thighs, which are packed with spices including turmeric, cumin, cinnamon and garlic. They're also deliciously soft and juicy. We suggest serving Greek mezze style with flatbreads and this Greek-inspired dip trio.
Smash burgers are a huge foodie trend at the moment. Simply flatten these thick patties in the pan and cook until the edges are perfectly crispy.
With the addition of bone marrow bringing a rich depth of flavour, these are made to be served with crisp lettuce, generous melted cheese, grilled onions and all the sauces and sides.
These succulent pork meatball skewers are so flavour-packed (that'll be the feta, lemon and mint), that I'm never going to bother making my own again. Catch all the gorgeous juices in these hot honey flatbreads, and serve with a dollop of tzatziki
Best picnic bites
Picky tea simply isn't complete without a dinky pork pie, and these ones come highly rated from our expert testing team. The beautifully seasoned pork is flavoured with apple, onion and sage, and incased within top-notch pastry for the perfect bite.
Made with all-natural ingredients, these earthy, spinach-spiked falafel are surprisingly light, with a delicious, crispy texture. Like a saag dish in convenient snack format, we love them stuffed into pitta with a dollop of yoghurt.
We're a little bit obsessed with hot honey at the moment so these puffy pastry pinwheels caught our eye. Wrapped up inside you'll find tangy Cheddar cheese, hot honey sauce and creamy mozzarella.
They're then finished with a smoky chilli and herb crumb for a final burst of heat. They can be enjoyed cold on a hot day (or we think they'd be delicious in the air fryer).
Whether you’re dunking your crisps in or slathering it onto fresh bread, this flavourful summer dip turns simple snacks into something spectacular.
A ready made cheese and charcuterie platter adds impact to the table, with zero prep. This is the perfect plate for guests to nibble on while you fire up the grill.
A Sicilian speciality, arancini never fails to make us feel like we're on holiday, especially served alfresco, alongside a spritz.
Vegetarians (and meat-eaters alike!) will love this basil, spinach and burrata version too, which have a particularly gooey centre.
This Middle Eastern-inspired mezze is best served warm, fresh from the oven. The cigar-shaped filo pastry rolls are generously stuffed with feta and flavoured with honey, for a sweet and salty hit we can't get enough of.
Tender pork, seasoned with caramelised onion – these juicy bangers are the perfect one-bite mini morsel and a picnic must-have.
For dessert
If you're in the mood for dessert, we suggest grabbing a tub of this indulgent ice cream, a spoon, and a quiet place. It's that good.
Our testers devoured this tub, commenting on the rich salted caramel flavour and indulgent creamy taste (from the West Country cream). One word: “moreish”.
These refreshing ice lollies will be loved by the whole family (and they're a great price!). Perfect for handing out at the end of a sunny BBQ.
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
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