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Our expert team of Good Food judges blind-tested products across eight picnic categories to bring you our definitive shopping list for summer 2021. From hummus and falafel, to ready-made salads and picnic pastries, read on to discover which supermarket products came out on top in our picnic categories
For more, visit our Summer Taste Awards winners page, plus read about which barbecue products we loved.
Best ready-to-eat quiche
WINNER
M&S hand-finished Barber’s cheddar & caramelised shallot quiche
This generously filled quiche is well seasoned with a rich, creamy, mature cheddar and sweet caramelised shallot filling. Just as delicious cold as it is hot, it’s our number one choice of quiche for taking to a picnic.
Available in-store at M&S (£4)
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Morrisons The Best British maple bacon & cheddar quiche
A nice, updated take on a classic quiche Lorraine, this has a creamy, cheesy filling, crisp pastry and nice big pieces of smoky-tasting bacon. Although pleasant enough both hot and cold, our judges commented that ‘when heated, it could pass as homemade’.
Available online at Morrisons (£3)
Best coleslaw
WINNER
Morrisons The Best burger coleslaw
Our judges loved this colourful, nicely acidic slaw, packed with white and red cabbage, carrot, red onion, gherkins and mature cheddar cheese (a fun addition) and coated in a tangy mustard dressing. Great in a burger, a kebabs or wrap, or served as it is at a picnic.
Available in-store at Morrisons (£2)
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Waitrose deli-style coleslaw
For a more classic coleslaw option, this one is seriously creamy (thanks to the addition of whipping cream alongside the classic mayo base), with nice long shreds of cabbage, red onion and chives.
Available online at Waitrose & Partners (£2.25)
Best hummus
WINNER
M&S extra smooth houmous
Our judges were seriously impressed with this silky-smooth hummus, which could pass as home- or even restaurant-made. It’s well-salted, heady with garlic and fresh lemon and beautifully topped with chickpeas in a slick of olive oil.
Available in-store at M&S (£2)
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Waitrose Levantine Table houmous with roasted butternut squash & red pepper
Our judges loved the warming chilli, cumin and paprika coming through in the roasted butternut squash and red pepper topping, while the hummus itself has a soft, creamy texture. This feels like an extra-special hummus option for a picnic, or serve at home as part of a mezze-style feast.
Available online at Waitrose & Partners (£2.50)
Best falafels
WINNER
Waitrose Levantine Table herb falafels
Described as ‘superior for a shop-bought falafel’, these have a nice chunky texture, warm spicing and plenty of fresh parsley and coriander.
Available online at Waitrose & Partners (£3)
Best sausage roll
WINNER
M&S handcrafted foot-long sausage roll
This extra-long sausage roll has a moist, onion-heavy pork filling and crisp, buttery pastry, topped with a salty crackling and bacon crumb. At a foot long, you can cut it up in pieces as small or big as you like, so it’s great for sharing at picnics.
Available in-store at M&S (£5)
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Waitrose pork, serrano ham & cheese sausage rolls
These rolls have really golden, flaky pastry and a well-seasoned pork filling with a subtle cheesy savouriness and extra porky goodness from the Serrano ham.
Available online at Waitrose & Partners (£2.75)
Best vegetarian pastry rolls
WINNER
M&S handcrafted roasted root vegetable rolls
These crowd-pleasing pastry rolls are full of colourful, chunky veg including parsnip, swede and squash. The filling is well-seasoned and nicely spiced, while the pastry is golden, flaky and topped with seeds. Just as good cold as they are hot, these are a great veggie option for a picnic.
Available in-store at M&S (£3)
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Waitrose No 1 four cheese & caramelised onion mini rolls
These golden, buttery pastries are well seasoned and have a great mature cheddar cheese flavour, thanks to the use of two types of cheddar, as well as Red Leicester and cream cheese in the filling. This is nicely complemented by subtle notes of sweet onion. For best results, serve warm alongside a punchy salad.
Available online at Waitrose & Partners (£2.50)
Best ready-made picnic salad
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Middle Eastern-inspired chickpea salad with tangy beetroot yogurt dressing
This well-seasoned salad combines chickpeas, dried fruit and fresh mint with a nicely acidic yet creamy beetroot yogurt dressing. Great for a picnic or barbecue.
Available in-store at Sainsbury’s (£2.25)
Ready-made handheld pastry
Waitrose No. 1 mozzarella & pesto swirls
These pastry swirls combine golden layers of crisp, buttery pastry with a super cheesy pesto, cream cheese and mozzarella filling. Just as good cold as they are heated, they’re perfect for a family picnic.
Available online at Waitrose & Partners (£3)
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Tesco Finest Melton Mowbray pork pies
For many, a pork pie is a picnic staple. Our judges liked these ones for their thick, golden pastry and peppery pork filling.
Available online at Tesco (£3.30)
This review was last updated in May 2021. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
