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Which "Value" items are really good value?
24 Answers
Which supermarket value items are good and which are horrible? Some suggestions appreciated. I do most of my shopping at Tesco/Sainsbury's and rely heavily on value products.
One thing I wont do is buy value sausages or processed meat.
I am happy with the value toilet paper, especially Sainsbury's, value toothpaste, and chopped tomatoes. Any others?
One thing I wont do is buy value sausages or processed meat.
I am happy with the value toilet paper, especially Sainsbury's, value toothpaste, and chopped tomatoes. Any others?
Answers
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(Multi-part post):
I think you're becoming nocturnal, Ed, like me!
I used to buy 'value' chopped tomatoes, to make up various sauces for pasta dishes, curries, etc. However, I've now discovered that Tesco 'Value' pasta sauce (24p per jar) is a great base for lots of things.
For a very simple, cheap, veggie dish, it can just be poured over pasta. However, I use it as a 'cook in' sauce, adding minced beef (or whatever else comes to hand) to knock up a quick curry, chilli or bolognese-type dish. (It's perhaps a little sweet but a bit of black pepper soon sorts that out). A single jar will help make 2 (or even 3) meals.
Tesco's 'Value' curry sauce is also well worth a try. For ages they were selling it for an incredibly low 4p per can. (That wasn't a special offer; it was the regular price). Then someone in their pricing department must have realised their error and it went up to 23p. (I think that it's currently around 20p). It's a very 'fruity' (rather than 'hot') sauce, which is a good starting point for a very pleasant mild curry. (I usually chuck � a can, or sometimes a full can, in a frying pan with a bit of cooked chicken and whatever else I can find).
I think you're becoming nocturnal, Ed, like me!
I used to buy 'value' chopped tomatoes, to make up various sauces for pasta dishes, curries, etc. However, I've now discovered that Tesco 'Value' pasta sauce (24p per jar) is a great base for lots of things.
For a very simple, cheap, veggie dish, it can just be poured over pasta. However, I use it as a 'cook in' sauce, adding minced beef (or whatever else comes to hand) to knock up a quick curry, chilli or bolognese-type dish. (It's perhaps a little sweet but a bit of black pepper soon sorts that out). A single jar will help make 2 (or even 3) meals.
Tesco's 'Value' curry sauce is also well worth a try. For ages they were selling it for an incredibly low 4p per can. (That wasn't a special offer; it was the regular price). Then someone in their pricing department must have realised their error and it went up to 23p. (I think that it's currently around 20p). It's a very 'fruity' (rather than 'hot') sauce, which is a good starting point for a very pleasant mild curry. (I usually chuck � a can, or sometimes a full can, in a frying pan with a bit of cooked chicken and whatever else I can find).
With reference to cooked chicken, take a look in Tesco's frozen food section. They sell their own-brand cooked Sliced Chicken very cheaply. (It's not actually marked as a 'Value' brand. It's in an orange bag). The labelling suggests defrosting the slices and using them in sandwiches, etc. but I usually bung a few slices in the microwave (on the 'defrost' setting) and then use them in a curry or stir-fry.
Tesco's 'Value' canned meatballs make a pleasant snack when served on toast, or they could be used as the basis for a more elaborate meal.
I've previously mentioned Tesco 'Value' minced beef, and I think you referred to it as 'processed meat'. It certainly doesn't match my definition of being 'processed'. It's simply 'normal' beef that's been minced. When I was 16, I worked in a pork pie factory, which used 'mechanically recovered' meat. That put me off pork pies for quite some time but the stuff which goes into supermarket mince doesn't include such products. I've watched the supermarket staff mincing it up in Morrison's (which charges the same price as Tesco, �2 for 800g) and it's perfectly acceptable (non-processed) beef.
Tesco's 'Value' canned meatballs make a pleasant snack when served on toast, or they could be used as the basis for a more elaborate meal.
I've previously mentioned Tesco 'Value' minced beef, and I think you referred to it as 'processed meat'. It certainly doesn't match my definition of being 'processed'. It's simply 'normal' beef that's been minced. When I was 16, I worked in a pork pie factory, which used 'mechanically recovered' meat. That put me off pork pies for quite some time but the stuff which goes into supermarket mince doesn't include such products. I've watched the supermarket staff mincing it up in Morrison's (which charges the same price as Tesco, �2 for 800g) and it's perfectly acceptable (non-processed) beef.
So, having got that out of the way, I'm happy to recommend the 'Value' minced beef. I divide it into 100g portions, which I wrap in clingfilm and then freeze. (So that's 25p per portion, as the basis of a main meal).
Like you, I use 'Value' loo rolls. I also use 'Value' kitchen towels and disposable razors. Tesco's 'Value' roll-on antiperspirant, at 30p, is a bargain. (If you don't like strong-smelling toiletries, it's actually better than the more expensive products).
Tesco 'Value' chicken stock cubes (10 for 10p) are also really useful in cooking. I've recently bought their vegetable stock cubes (10 for 19p) but not tried them yet.
I avoid the ultra-cheap instant coffees (but the normal Tesco Rich Roast is still quite cheap, and just as good as the competition). I also shun the 'dusty' cheap teabags and the awful cheap lasagne.
Tesco's 'Value' rice and pasta are, for me, just as good as the dear stuff. Their instant custard needs a bit of extra sugar added to it, but it's really cheap. Their tinned rice pudding is fine with plenty of jam added to it. Their instant potato is fine if you add plenty of butter (and/or something like mustard).
Chris
Like you, I use 'Value' loo rolls. I also use 'Value' kitchen towels and disposable razors. Tesco's 'Value' roll-on antiperspirant, at 30p, is a bargain. (If you don't like strong-smelling toiletries, it's actually better than the more expensive products).
Tesco 'Value' chicken stock cubes (10 for 10p) are also really useful in cooking. I've recently bought their vegetable stock cubes (10 for 19p) but not tried them yet.
I avoid the ultra-cheap instant coffees (but the normal Tesco Rich Roast is still quite cheap, and just as good as the competition). I also shun the 'dusty' cheap teabags and the awful cheap lasagne.
Tesco's 'Value' rice and pasta are, for me, just as good as the dear stuff. Their instant custard needs a bit of extra sugar added to it, but it's really cheap. Their tinned rice pudding is fine with plenty of jam added to it. Their instant potato is fine if you add plenty of butter (and/or something like mustard).
Chris
really partly a matter of taste... I found a while ago I actually liked Tesco's cheapest lasagna more than their most expensive. Unfortunately not true of all their lines. But I'm assured that if you can get to an Aldi or Lidl their food is cheaper again and just as 'good' (if you like it). There;s a Lidl near us but unfortunately no Aldi so I haven't been able to check the latter out.
And unbagged fruit is generally cheaper but I guess you know that.
Regrettably as I get older and my skin thinner, only luxury toilet paper will do.
And unbagged fruit is generally cheaper but I guess you know that.
Regrettably as I get older and my skin thinner, only luxury toilet paper will do.
filthie I posted last week about printer ink; apparantly that is good though I have yet to try. We got some little drinking yogurts for the kids, 4 for 65p and they love them. Value spices are good and the veg stock is fine. I get value savoury rice and then gently fry meat and veg and add the rice and some stock.
Value bin bags and tin foil , why bother paying more. I like the new Tesco 'Daisy' brands too, just got 9 loo rolls very good value, also their cleaning materials.
Value bin bags and tin foil , why bother paying more. I like the new Tesco 'Daisy' brands too, just got 9 loo rolls very good value, also their cleaning materials.
My mum uses the Tesco value printer ink and she says it's just as good as the "proper" brand.
I buy Tesco value bananas, athough it's worth having a feel as I got a bunch last week and the tops of all the bananas were black mush, though this is the first time it has happened to me. I buy value tinned fruit, which is fine - it's worth checking whether the fruit is in season though as it might be cheaper to buy fresh.
Recently I have been buying their "Discount brand" milk for weeks without realising, and haven't noticed a difference atall.
Also, I buy value fromage frais - 65p for 6, but Little Stars / Petits Filous are around �1.20 for 6. My 9month old can't tell the difference and there are no more nasty ingredients than in the branded products! I buy value frozen peas and tinned sweetcorn and tinned tomatoes.
I find their value yoghurts to be runny, and I don't use value toilet tissue or coffee.
I know this isn't answering your question and you may already be doing it, but I buy meat and fresh fruit and veg from a butchers and greengrocers and find it saves me huge amounts of money.
I buy Tesco value bananas, athough it's worth having a feel as I got a bunch last week and the tops of all the bananas were black mush, though this is the first time it has happened to me. I buy value tinned fruit, which is fine - it's worth checking whether the fruit is in season though as it might be cheaper to buy fresh.
Recently I have been buying their "Discount brand" milk for weeks without realising, and haven't noticed a difference atall.
Also, I buy value fromage frais - 65p for 6, but Little Stars / Petits Filous are around �1.20 for 6. My 9month old can't tell the difference and there are no more nasty ingredients than in the branded products! I buy value frozen peas and tinned sweetcorn and tinned tomatoes.
I find their value yoghurts to be runny, and I don't use value toilet tissue or coffee.
I know this isn't answering your question and you may already be doing it, but I buy meat and fresh fruit and veg from a butchers and greengrocers and find it saves me huge amounts of money.
I'm in love with Tesco value curry sauce! I like it much better than "normal" curry sauce in jars. It's very liquid, but you can thicken it with some flour while cooking, and it's just mild enough for me. Just add a chopped onion and more spices if you fancy.I use it all the time, with chicken or mince even.
Lakitu:
The British Meat Manufacturers' Association 'Standard for the Preparation of Mechanically Separated Meat' defines 'MRM' as
". . . residual material, off bones, obtained by machines operating on auger, hydraulic or other pressure principles in such a manner that the cellular structure of the material is broken down sufficiently for it to flow in puree form from the bone".
Chris
The British Meat Manufacturers' Association 'Standard for the Preparation of Mechanically Separated Meat' defines 'MRM' as
". . . residual material, off bones, obtained by machines operating on auger, hydraulic or other pressure principles in such a manner that the cellular structure of the material is broken down sufficiently for it to flow in puree form from the bone".
Chris
To add to the list: Value vegetables, 100g chocolate bars, biscuits, fruit n fibre cereal, skimmed milk, soya milk, photocopying paper, grated cheese, wholemeal breadfrozen vegetables/peas, baked beans, frozen chips, kitchen paper, duvets, kettle, toaster...
Items that having tried I would not recommend: foil (too flimsy), sausages, diced beef (tough even after considerable cooking time), burgers, nuggets etc, mixed fruit jam, long grain rice (tried Tesco's value long grain, was all broken bits, awful gunky stuff once cooked. Avoid)
eggs (caged hens)...I'm sure I can think of more.
Generally, I would say that Sainsbury's offers the best quality when it comes to their value range.
Items that having tried I would not recommend: foil (too flimsy), sausages, diced beef (tough even after considerable cooking time), burgers, nuggets etc, mixed fruit jam, long grain rice (tried Tesco's value long grain, was all broken bits, awful gunky stuff once cooked. Avoid)
eggs (caged hens)...I'm sure I can think of more.
Generally, I would say that Sainsbury's offers the best quality when it comes to their value range.
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