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Original poster

AIBU to think Heinz is poor value and overrated?

105 replies

stoow · 09/05/2026 17:32

I’m wondering if those people who ‘have’ to have Heinz Tomato Ketchup, Heinz Baked Beans, Heinz soups, Heinz salad cream etc. Have never tried other brands including supermarket own lines?

Heinz is a brand which is a rip off and products don’t taste nice or have some weird texture.

I have no Heinz products at all in my home.

One of my friends’ DH used to be ‘everything has to be Heinz’. My friend got fed up with the rip off prices and bought the supermarket own. Then one day, she and DH had beans on toast for lunch. He said the beans are very nice and nicer than before. She confessed that the beans were Aldi’s own. Plus could buy almost 4 cans for the price of 1 Heinz can.

OP posts:
reptilemad1985 · 09/05/2026 20:25

Imlyingandthatsthetruth · 09/05/2026 20:19

Do you think. Sainsbury's or Tesco have a baked bean factory? Bet they don't. Wouldn't be at all surprised if many of these "so much better than Heinz" supermarket products are actually Heinz anyway. Happy to be proven wrong.

Regardless of that, I only eat Heinz vegetable soup. Too many years ago than I care to remember they completely changed the recipe and made it much thicker than it had been. I still crave the original, even though I'd probably prefer the newer version now!

I actually watched a programme that showed a lot of baked beans etc are made in the same place just have different labels its a trick of the mind that you think some taste diffrent

Imlyingandthatsthetruth · 09/05/2026 20:25

WongLynchFellini · 09/05/2026 20:23

They’re definitely not all the same because often the beans are different sizes and the sauces have different colours and thicknesses between brands but I wouldn’t be surprised if a few of the own brands are basically the same.

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"Those beans are a bit small, Bert, and the sauce is a bit thin, slap a Tesco label on that one!"

redhatpurplehair · 09/05/2026 20:24

Only buy Heinz ketchup. Everything else shops own.

Matronic6 · 09/05/2026 20:24

intrepidpanda · 09/05/2026 17:57

I'm not huge on buying brands but ketchup is always heinz as it is miles ahead of the other minimally processed options

I was a heinz ketchup devotee until about 3 years ago when I had to grab a bottle of M&S own brand. So much more tomatoey and a nicer, less sugary flavour. Converted many friends as well.

WongLynchFellini · 09/05/2026 20:23

Imlyingandthatsthetruth · 09/05/2026 20:19

Do you think. Sainsbury's or Tesco have a baked bean factory? Bet they don't. Wouldn't be at all surprised if many of these "so much better than Heinz" supermarket products are actually Heinz anyway. Happy to be proven wrong.

Regardless of that, I only eat Heinz vegetable soup. Too many years ago than I care to remember they completely changed the recipe and made it much thicker than it had been. I still crave the original, even though I'd probably prefer the newer version now!

They’re definitely not all the same because often the beans are different sizes and the sauces have different colours and thicknesses between brands but I wouldn’t be surprised if a few of the own brands are basically the same.

reptilemad1985 · 09/05/2026 20:23

LemonandLimesoda · 09/05/2026 18:08

BATTS Mayonnaise from Lidl is the best we have tried, better than branded.

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I agree with this as well

Imlyingandthatsthetruth · 09/05/2026 20:19

Do you think. Sainsbury's or Tesco have a baked bean factory? Bet they don't. Wouldn't be at all surprised if many of these "so much better than Heinz" supermarket products are actually Heinz anyway. Happy to be proven wrong.

Regardless of that, I only eat Heinz vegetable soup. Too many years ago than I care to remember they completely changed the recipe and made it much thicker than it had been. I still crave the original, even though I'd probably prefer the newer version now!

BloodandGlitter · 09/05/2026 20:10

I was a heinz ketchup snob until I tried M&S ketchup and preferred that. MILs cupboard was full of heinz beans when she died so now ours are temporarily.

DogBallad · 09/05/2026 20:10

We only eat Heinz beans and ketchup. We’ve tried other brands including supermarket ones and we didn’t like any as much as Heinz, some were actually terrible and got binned. Tesco and Asda beans were particularly bad.

Soups, I buy fresh soups or make my own. I don’t eat salad cream but do buy Heinz or Hellmans vegan mayo.

My mum tries to tell me (and others) that the supermarket own are better but she just likes the fact that they’re cheaper. I’d rather pay more and buy ones that taste better.

FudgeFudy · 09/05/2026 20:04

I always found paying a premium for branded beans a bit odd as they all seem much of a muchness to me, and (much) cheaper ones certainly no worse. Ketchup I sort of get though; while I don't like ketchup myself when it comes to mustard I've yet to find anything that matches the pukka Colmans stuff so I'm happy to pay the extra there.

WongLynchFellini · 09/05/2026 20:00

JackandVictor · 09/05/2026 17:46

I have recently bought a bunch of Heinz tinned soups while they were on offer and I've remembered the main reason I don't buy Heinz is because the tins don't stack and I have high cupboards and it makes retrieval a hazard! If anyone has any suggestions I'd be grateful 😅

Surely you should be buying Baxters? Best of gear.

7catsisnotenough · 09/05/2026 19:53

My go to when ill or upset always used to be Heinz tomato soup and sliced white bread... Sadly Heinz tomato soup is no longer the same (could it be because of the reduced sugar so the tomatoes are still acidic? No idea, just a thought?)
if anyone can suggest a comparable comfort soup for a vegetarian I'd be very grateful!

sugarandcyanide · 09/05/2026 19:37

I've never liked Heinz beans, way too much watery sauce! I prefer own brand beans. Asda oxtail soup is fine too.

I do like Heinz ketchup though.

Ottersideofthebridge · 09/05/2026 19:32

I buy Heinz pasta sauces, not upf, no sugar and only contain decent ingredients.
But I agree, they've ruined their tomato soup, it's so sweet now.

ToffeeCrabApple · 09/05/2026 19:31

I find all the beans v similar. I just don't really think about it and do tend to just chuck in heinz ones by default. I have a lot of money so don't really faff about the cost of a tin of beans.

Nottinghillrose · 09/05/2026 19:28

JackandVictor · 09/05/2026 17:46

I have recently bought a bunch of Heinz tinned soups while they were on offer and I've remembered the main reason I don't buy Heinz is because the tins don't stack and I have high cupboards and it makes retrieval a hazard! If anyone has any suggestions I'd be grateful 😅

Buy Marks and Spencer soup. It’s great value and is gorgeous. And they stack.

BleedinglyObvious · 09/05/2026 18:44

Myblueclematis · 09/05/2026 18:14

I fine a lot of their products are way too sweet. Beans, tomato soup, spaghetti. I can't eat any of those.

I buy Branston beans now and they are so much better and they do small tins. Aldi beans are also nice but only do big tins.

Buy the 28p tin and put any you don't use in the fridge (or food bin).
Save 47p.

cariadlet · 09/05/2026 18:40

I agree but it's the same for most brands. I've always bought supermarket own brands. I tend to only buy branded products if there isn't a supermarket alternative (mostly when I'm looking for something vegan).

I will admit that I do make an exception for brown sauce. I always buy HP because I've had some horrible brown sauce over the years when I've treated myself to an all day cooked breakfast at various cafes.

Original poster
stoow · 09/05/2026 18:39

Myblueclematis · 09/05/2026 18:14

I fine a lot of their products are way too sweet. Beans, tomato soup, spaghetti. I can't eat any of those.

I buy Branston beans now and they are so much better and they do small tins. Aldi beans are also nice but only do big tins.

Why not put half a tin in a tuppaware style pot? Then use it within 4 days of opening the can.

I live alone and never buy the small sizes of everything as it’s usually cheaper per 100g/ml. I do the above.

OP posts:
Sprinkleofspice · 09/05/2026 18:33

I prefer Heinz mayo to any other brand 🙈. But might try another type of ketchup next time as we get through a lot and it seems pricey for basically tomato, vinegar and sugar

BebbanburgIsMine · 09/05/2026 18:31

I don’t like beans so can’t comment on that, DD likes a few different brands though.

I like Heinz Tomato Soup, and Carrot and Coriander.

I’m not a big fan of Tomato Sauce either but DD insists Heinz is the best, so that’s what we get.

FlorenceBlack · 09/05/2026 18:24

M&S ketchup is really nice, about a third of the price of Heinz.

FOJN · 09/05/2026 18:17

Heinz products often have a very strong artificial sweetener taste. I used to prefer Branston beans but bought some from Aldi to try and now I know why they often come top in blind taste testing. I refuse to pay £1 for baked beans when a product which costs less than half that tastes better.

Myblueclematis · 09/05/2026 18:14

I fine a lot of their products are way too sweet. Beans, tomato soup, spaghetti. I can't eat any of those.

I buy Branston beans now and they are so much better and they do small tins. Aldi beans are also nice but only do big tins.

Duvetdayneeded · 09/05/2026 18:12

M&S soup is fab and just 65p a tin!!!