Fish fingers are a freezer staple in households across the UK, whether they’re going into a sandwich, a quick dinner or a light lunch.
With so many versions on shelves, from budget own-brand options to well-known names like Birds Eye, it’s important to figure out whether paying more for the branded version is actually worth it. A recent taste test comparing six different supermarket fish fingers found some surprising results.
Sainsbury’s came out at the bottom of the ranking.
Despite looking the darkest of the bunch, with a batter that tasted pleasant enough on its own, Sainsbury’s fish fingers were let down by fish that turned out excessively chewy, along with a strange metallic aftertaste that lingered after each bite. That lingering flavour was ultimately what dragged it down to the bottom of the list, scoring just 3 out of 10.
Asda’s batter didn’t hold together well during cooking.
Asda’s fish fingers had a bigger structural problem than a flavour one. The batter noticeably peeled away from the fish during cooking, breaking apart more than any of the other products tested. While the underlying taste was fine, the fish itself was a touch too chewy, and the batter issue was enough to bring the overall score down to 4 out of 10.
Tesco’s fish fingers came out slightly misshapen.
Something clearly went a little wrong during cooking with Tesco’s version, which emerged from the oven slightly misshapen and even caught in places. Overall, this option seemed to contain considerably more batter than actual fish, and the finished product tasted a bit greasy. It landed in the middle of the pack with a score of 5 out of 10.
Lidl offered good flavour, if a slightly messy bite.
Lidl’s fish fingers, priced at £1.99, had an appealingly golden batter, though it tended to separate somewhat while eating, detaching from the fish partway through each bite. Despite that minor issue, the fish itself was well flavoured and noticeably less rubbery than several of its rivals, earning a solid score of 7 out of 10.
Birds Eye held up well, but didn’t quite take the top spot.
Birds Eye, priced at £4.25, also experienced some splitting during cooking, similar to the issue seen with Asda’s version. Despite appearing a little thin, the batter actually stuck better than most of the competition, and the fish inside was delicate rather than chewy, helping explain why the brand remains such a popular choice. It scored a strong 8 out of 10.
M&S came in as a close runner-up.
Marks & Spencer, priced at £2.80, narrowly outperformed Birds Eye overall. Its fish fingers featured a generous amount of fish, with a buttery texture that avoided any chewiness. The batter offered a satisfying crunch and stayed firmly attached from start to finish, earning it an impressive 9 out of 10.
Aldi took the top spot by some distance.
Topping the entire ranking was Aldi, whose fish fingers featured a gloriously golden, crunchy batter that stayed intact throughout. The fish itself was thick, well flavoured, and delivered a satisfying crunch without ever turning soggy. Coming out ahead of Birds Eye despite its lower price tag, Aldi’s version earned a perfect score of 10 out of 10, making it a strong new option for anyone looking to switch from the branded favourite.
For anyone keen to save a bit of money without compromising on taste, this comparison suggests it’s well worth giving the budget supermarket options a try, since a couple of them held up just as well, if not better, than the more expensive branded alternative.
