Brown sauce elevates classic dishes like bacon sandwiches, sausages, and full English breakfasts. A longtime favorite, it adds depth to recipes such as shepherd’s pie and beef stew. With HP sauce setting the standard for over a century, a recent taste test compared it against cheaper supermarket alternatives, all priced under £3.90 for 600g. The lineup included options from Sainsbury’s, M&S, Daddies, Lidl, Asda, and Aldi to find the top performer.
Taste Test Breakdown
Sainsbury’s Brown Sauce (1/10)
The sauce pours thin and diluted compared to the benchmark. It lacks the bold intensity expected, delivering a flavor that misses the mark entirely.
M&S Brown Sauce (2/10)
Expectations ran high, but the taste veers off course with excessive sweetness reminiscent of mango chutney. It packs more punch than Sainsbury’s yet fails due to the overpowering sugar.
Daddies Brown Sauce (6/10)
This branded option brings the desired spice and punch. It outperforms Sainsbury’s and M&S, though a generous squeeze is needed for full flavor development.
Lidl Brown Sauce (7/10)
A strong aroma hits immediately upon opening. It delivers spice and tang, ideal for those preferring a milder profile, but craves slightly more boldness.
Asda Brown Sauce (9/10)
The most expensive entry looks pale at first pour, raising doubts. Yet it closely mirrors the benchmark with balanced spices and tanginess, narrowly missing the top spot.
Aldi Brown Sauce (10/10)
The budget champion at 99p steals the show. It matches HP’s consistency, richness, and tang, offering every essential flavor note. This winner edges out the original and promises savings on future buys.
Supermarket brown sauces provide strong value, with Aldi’s standout proving price does not dictate quality in this blind taste test.
