Ocado - what do you buy?

[KenAdams]

After lockdown I'll move from Ocado, but for now I need the regular delivery slots I'm offered so I'll have to stay.

I'm really struggling to find something to buy every week. Because the M&S range is so ready meal heavy, things to make actual meals from aren't in abundance and are often out of stock. For example I wanted a bit of pork shoulder this week and it was either Ocado (OOO) or Packington for over 3 times the price. When they had Waitrose at least you'd get a few more options.

Can you tell me of anything that you but regularly from Ocado please that's half decent and am I missing any M&S gems? All I've discovered so far is their pizza.

My app was switched back on for about 2 weeks sometime last year and then closed again seemingly forevermore!

I’ve been able to use the app for a while now - one click adding doesn’t seem to work any more though

The M&S veg quality is crap (IMO) compared to what the Waitrose ones were like. Smaller, less taste and go off much quicker. I’m alternating between Ocado and Waitrose now, as I do like some Ocado own brand stuff, and like the variety of other producers they have (though this seems to have gone down too, as several things I used to buy regularly have disappeared).
Thoughtful producers whole chicken is the best, worth a bit extra.
Black farmer chicken thighs and drumsticks pack are a regular. Their wings are good too.
If you like pizza the crosta and mollica pizza bases (with tomato sauce on) are great for a build your own pizza thing. Often on offer.
The M&S Thai style curry stir fry sauce is good.
The frozen Picard range is generally good, though a bit expensive.
Love the Russell’s side of salmon, but only buy it when it’s on offer (pretty regularly half price).
Edwards welsh beef quarter pounders are really good burgers.
Deli kitchen folded flat bread thins are lovely.
The curry sauce co. range are really good.

I like the M&S Best Ever Steak Pie and the Juicy Meat Co
I like the Beluzu products too - but yo can get them anywhere.
Bertinet Bakery Sourdough in a square loaf shape

Also, fresh yeast had just completely disappeared which is really annoying, we make bread every day! Not even showing as out of stock, it looks like it’s just been removed.

I ordered a large chicken for Christmas day - it was supposed to be 2.5kg - I got a scrawny 1.3kg bird that was so tough and stringy I couldn't eat it - so in the end I was glad it was so very small and scrawny.

Another cancelling after this pandemic is over or in fact anytime I can get a Waitrose delivery.

There ready meals are generally very unhealthy and taste pretty awful. Nothing is as good quality and it’s expensive.

Not impressed at all

I'll have to have this thread open when I do my next order.

Avocados have been rotten for 3 weeks on the trot.

Fruit and veg hasn't been all that bad actually.

@TheChosenTwo

Also, fresh yeast had just completely disappeared which is really annoying, we make bread every day! Not even showing as out of stock, it looks like it’s just been removed.

I buy fresh yeast from eBay if that's any help?

We have stopped using Ocado now too, after being fairly regular shopper for the past few years. Everything always out of stock and the quality hasn't been great. I'm gutted as they have always been good until recently!

I bought fresh yeast about 3 weeks ago on ocado. Perhaps it’s a local out of stock.

@icelollycraving

The app works. It got switched off in lockdown one but I’ve been using it for months.

Doesn't work for me - sends me to the website instead. I've switched to click and collect from Morrisons due to lack of Ocado delivery slots for less than £6.99 at anything other than 10.30pm at night and due to the lack of choice in the M&S range compared to what I used to buy that was Waitrose branded. We particularly liked the 3 for £10 range of prepared meat dishes like marinated chicken breasts, gammon steaks with a salsa, etc and the M&S replacement is largely breaded chicken products. Their fresh veg is pricey and there's a lack of things like mixers unless you pay for Schweppes. All the other supermarkets do own brand versions for at least half the price.

I can get to Morrisons and back within half an hour on a Saturday morning and, let's face it, I'm not doing anything else so it suits me at the moment.

@icelollycraving yes we bought some a few weeks ago too, definitely after Christmas. Totally gone now!

I got so excited about the app, but unfortunately its still not working for me.

The Cornish Cruncher cheese biscuits are very delicious.

@KenAdams

I agree

Gazpacho, Fillet steak, frozen chopped tomatoes, soffritto mix.

I prefer Waitrose now, tried them when I couldn't get an Ocado slot, now alternate between the two as Morrison's slots are like getting an appointment with the Queen.

Their sirloin steaks are fine as is the diced beef. We also like the lamb steaks - fine to eat as they are or in a stew. The meatless mince is good for veggie days

Tbey dont sell flatiron/feather steaks any more.This cut is such good value and so tasty

Frozen organic fruit and veg, some M&S but also Picards and Pack'd. I bulk buy Picard wild blueberries ( and shop at Ocado solely based on the fact they are the only place I have found in the UK stocking them!) The frozen spinach, green beans, mixed berries, mango and peach is really useful too though. Mostly a fraction of the price of fresh organic.

We did have the organic mixed tomatoes from the Isle of wight but I think they are out of season at the moment.

M&S organic boneless chicken thighs ( when they have them) really good price but sell out a lot. Leap Tuna, haddock and salmon ( although I also buy Leap from Tesco if I'm shopping with them that week).

Daylesford organic soups particularly the bone broths ( not just because they are organic but very low in carbs & sugar) and freezable.

Every 3 weeks we do a Tesco shop to stock up on the parbaked/long life Slooow organic rolls (only available in this country at Tesco), organic baby potatoes and Tesco's ribeye as it is top quality and cheaper than anywhere else ). They also used to upgrade for free, to the larger packs if out of the smaller steak but they have wised up to that one of late :)

We top up £20-£25 at Abel & Cole each week, any soups,veg or meat out of stock on delivery plus the odd cheap meat cut not available at the supermarket. Beef Bavette & chicken hearts!!!

A & C also do goat's milk kefir , a large number of goat's & sheep cheeses I haven't found anywhere else as convenient. Starting from £1.75 All organic.

As I have major problems with cow's milk I am still looking for an organic goat's butter and normal milk.

The Picard frozen veg are a cut above - the baby onions and pan fried Mediterranean veg are particularly good.

Packington pork and chicken is absolutely worth buying.

The rest is fine. There’s a few things I miss from Waitrose but I’m another one where the app is working again, including one click, and reserved is also working again. There’s no difference to pre-covid times.

I'm the same op. I find it difficult ordering from ocado as it's limited and never have anything in stock. I only use them for emergencies and always select the 1 hour slot and they always deliver it in 1 hour 10 mins so it means I always have a free delivery voucher otherwise I wouldn't use them.

What’s pissing me off is that the larger bags of, eg, pasta aren’t available any more. Only small bags, at the same price as the 1kg ones 🤬
However, I did find an Ocado brand only tab last night so I’ll be exploring that further for my next order.