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Original poster

To boycott Sainsbury’s for their mince packaging!!

185 replies

daydi · 23/10/2025 09:55

Light hearted (ish) but I shop at Sainsbury’s and since they changed their mince packaging I’ve always hated it every time I buy it! It’d be a pain to buy only mince from a different shop so thinking it’s time to part ways!! It’s all so compact together and doesn’t cook as nicely anymore. Does anyone else have this issue or is it just me? Grin Or does anyone have any tips for cooking it?!

OP posts:
OriginalUsername2 · 23/10/2025 15:22

NewEnglandWeekend · 23/10/2025 10:14

I didn’t like it at first either (ours is from Aldi but the same) but now I leave the mince out out of the fridge to come to room temperature before frying which makes it softer, and I got myself one of these tools. Honestly one of the best things I’ve ever bought and so satisfying to use!
https://amzn.eu/d/2gy7N3b

That looks like good stocking filler for cooks! I’m going to get one for DP.

PractisingMyTelekenipsis · 23/10/2025 15:15

Its not the breaking up that I dislike, its the nasty texture when its cooked. It tastes like the cheap frozen mince

BankfieldForever · 23/10/2025 15:14

BallerinaRadio · 23/10/2025 15:03

Well isn't this the hottest take!

It cooks exactly the same 🙄

It really doesn’t 🙄

BankfieldForever · 23/10/2025 15:13

I only buy mince from Tesco or M&S now because Lidl use thus compressed packaging as well - it ruins the texture of the mince,

I made a spag bol and even DH thought it was awful and he’ll eat anything.

BallerinaRadio · 23/10/2025 15:03

Well isn't this the hottest take!

It cooks exactly the same 🙄

Arlanymor · 23/10/2025 14:30

Pinkfluffypencilcase · 23/10/2025 14:23

I don’t have the power in my left.
I do try to do things with my left but it’s not as efficient as a painful right.

Show quote history

I used to play rugby so I do sympathise re. rotator cuffs - if you were near me I would offer to come around to your place and bash your mince for free! Alternative is just to chuck the mince in a food processor on a low setting - same outcome, but not as emotionally satisfying.

InSlovakiaTheCapitalOfCourseIsBratislava · 23/10/2025 14:27

Open the mince packet when you start cooking (before you’ve even skinned the onions). It sort of reinflates after a few minutes and is easier to break up like normal mince.
It reinflates better if you have quartered the block (I guess bigger surface area?)

Pinkfluffypencilcase · 23/10/2025 14:23

Arlanymor · 23/10/2025 14:05

Injury on both arms? Ambidextrous bashing is encouraged...

Show quote history

I don’t have the power in my left.
I do try to do things with my left but it’s not as efficient as a painful right.

Arlanymor · 23/10/2025 14:05

Pinkfluffypencilcase · 23/10/2025 13:08

Rotator cuff injury makes such vigorous bashing impossible

Injury on both arms? Ambidextrous bashing is encouraged...

SheilaFentiman · 23/10/2025 14:04

I pull it apart with my fingers before I drop it in the pan and then wash my hands thoroughly. Forks also an option, but fingers came first!

Hoppinggreen · 23/10/2025 13:55

Skybluepinky · 23/10/2025 13:53

all our local supermarkets do it in those packets now, just put on plastic gloves and break it up, it’s not an issue.

or buy it elsewhere?

Skybluepinky · 23/10/2025 13:53

all our local supermarkets do it in those packets now, just put on plastic gloves and break it up, it’s not an issue.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 23/10/2025 13:50

Iloveeverycat · 23/10/2025 11:24

So do I. It comes out just like a massive burger and really hard to break up.
I won't go anywhere else though as I have a discount card for Sainsburys.

Show quote history

It’s not at all hard to break up if you use 2 forks.

Cakeandusername · 23/10/2025 13:11

I’m not a fan but more are swapping to it. I find it hard to break down, get big lumps and texture weird. I should use local butcher more as it’s nicer.

Pinkfluffypencilcase · 23/10/2025 13:08

Rotator cuff injury makes such vigorous bashing impossible

Arlanymor · 23/10/2025 13:02

It makes it last longer and it's better for the environment, so....

Step one: Open packet
Step two: Get a rolling pin
Step three: Think of something/someone you dislike severely.... for example: My Ex-H who decided to have an affair with someone from a company we both worked for while I was working abroad for said company to make more money to pay off our wedding from the year before...
Step four: BASH, BASH, BASH, BASH, BASH, BASH, BASH, BASH.
Step five: Cook beautifully separated voodoo doll mince.

Idontknowhatnametochoose · 23/10/2025 13:01

I started a thread on this a while back.

I hate the vacuum packed mince. I'm disabled and can't spend ages breaking it down so it turns out lumpy when cooked. It's revolting and now I buy mince from the local butcher.

Dbank · 23/10/2025 13:01

I hate it, and have changed supermarkets twice to avoid it. It may save on space and plastic and be more profitable, but it's completely unusable.

I currently use Asda, as they still do a premium mince in conventional packaging, but will move to M&S or Waitrose if it's no longer available.

Pinkfluffypencilcase · 23/10/2025 12:57

Yeah I’ve stopped buying lamb mince from Sainsbury’s since the packaging change. I go to Tesco or M&S now.
i can’t even look at it!
im ok with the the lamb steaks - that has slightly different packaging and is easier to open

MoominMai · 23/10/2025 12:55

Thepeopleversuswork · 23/10/2025 12:30

It absolutely enrages me. I have literally stopped buying Sainsbury’s mince for this reason alone.

I really dont understand the justification. It’s widely loathed and it can’t make much difference to the sustainability profile.

A PP said it extends longevity significantly longer so that’s probably a major factor as well as the supposed ecological less packaging reason.

ChatNoire · 23/10/2025 12:44

Mince has been packaged this wayat Tesco's for a couple of yearsnow and you are not being unreasonable. This is the third thread I've seen on the subject. I guess enough people still buy it for them to carry on selling it like this.

Raquelos · 23/10/2025 12:43

Yeah, it really isn't very nice and such an extra faff to cook with. I have swapped it for their frozen mince, which is a much better texture (and a better price)

lazyarse123 · 23/10/2025 12:41

You can taste the difference. I shop in Morrisons usually and so far their's isn't vacuum packed. We have an Asda a bit further away and their's is apart from the Aberdeen Angus which is dearer but so much nicer. We only have it once a week.

PandoraSocks · 23/10/2025 12:33

XenoBitch · 23/10/2025 11:24

YANBU
I shop in Lidl, and they have switched to mince paste vacuum packed too. It costs more, but I now get my mince from Tesco.

Mince paste! That is exactly what it is like. 🤢

HollyhockDays · 23/10/2025 12:31

Same. I stopped buying it. So annoying

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