TURKEY/MEAT STUFFING
WINNER
Marks & Spencer British Oakham Turkey Crown with Pork, Sage & Onion Stuffing with Bacon Lattice
88/100 Around £27 (average 1.68kg, serves 4-5) An attractive centrepiece that delivers on flavour. Tender, juicy turkey wrapped in a crisp, sweet bacon lattice for a wonderfully textured slice. Our testers were won over by the mixture of aromas of the salty bacon, turkey and herbs. Stock basted for a richly infused savoury flavour, while sage-and-onion-packed sausage stuffing adds a herby taste that cuts through the saltiness. RUNNERS-UP
Marks & Spencer British Whole Turkey
87/100 £11.25 per kg (average 3kg, serves 4-5) A whopper of a bird, ideal for large families. This turkey is simply basted with stock to enhance the natural flavours – making it the perfect blank canvas for your own stuffing and gravy. Crisp, golden skin was complemented by a gamey aroma. A rich, buttery, fatty and juicy offering.
Cook Stuffed Crown of Turkey 83/100 £45 for 2.1kg; Cookfood.net Sweet-cured bacon gives the bird a delicately smoked, honeyed flavour, while the turkey itself is stuffed with apples, cranberries, hazelnuts, sage and leeks, creating a delicious fruity, herby taste. However, some testers felt there was a little too much going on for the palate. We loved the orange slice and rosemary twig decoration.
Tesco British Frozen Medium Turkey Breast Crown 80/100 £13 for 2-2.3kg The gentle, buttery scent blends well with roasted, smoky notes. Its gorgeously crisp skin, as well as the meaty, slightly sweet flavour will impress guests. Though mostly moist, parts of the turkey were a little dry. Sainsbury’s Large Whole British Turkey 77/100 £19.50 for 5.3-6.9kg This feast-worthy bird, wonderfully bronzed, looks and tastes the part. The family will fall in love with the buttery saltiness of the crisp skin and the fresh, wholesome turkey flavour. Good news if you’re a fan of dark meat, which was juicy and tender, but many testers noted some dryness when it came to the bird’s white meat.