Budget swaps that are better than the expensive, branded versions.

[CommanderBurnham]

I confess I now have very little supermarket loyalty, and as result will shop at virtually any supermarket, and I tart around buying what's on offer and trying different things.

So my question is, what do you buy that's budget/cheaper than the real thing but better?

I'm not a particular brand snob so I will buy own brand Greek yogurt, cream cheese etc but they're just cheaper, not better per se

So far I've only got:

Sondey Jaffa cakes
Asda coleslaw mix
Aldi brioche burger rolls
Aldi pineapple cheese roulade
Asda ready made pizza dough

I'd love to hear what other's recommendations are

I think virtually all baked bean brands are better than Heinz. The beans in Heinz are too hard and the sauce is pale and watery. I don't understand why they are so popular. Tesco's own are nice, though my favourites are Branston.

We will give anything a go but aldi and Lidl mayonaise is yuck

I never would have thought I would have thought I would say this but Lidl mayonnaise.... happily go with out Hellmans for this only

This is proves my point from above, I don't get these threads at all

Tesco no added sugar baked beans
Tesco black pepper crisps (Kettle Chips dupe)
Sainsbury’s hash browns
Sainsbury’s or Lidl wholegrain malties - I think these equate to Shreddies?
Sainsbury’s dark chocolate double take (kitkat)
Sainsbury’s Pitchers (Pimms)
Lidl sloe gin
Controversially, Sainsbury’s diet cola!

Exactly Ch3rish

Everyone should try cheaper brands for themselves, with an open mind, because everyone's opinion on this matter is different and many can't get past a label.

@BarbaraofSeville

Exactly Ch3rish

Everyone should try cheaper brands for themselves, with an open mind, because everyone's opinion on this matter is different and many can't get past a label.

I totally agree, I buy next to no branded products, I couldn't care less what it says on the label.

What I don't get is assuming that because someone else prefers a particular label product that everyone will find it better .

Is anyone going to go round all the different supermarkets buying all the things that randomers tastebuds like better? It seems like an odd way to do your shopping and surely would cost more unless you live in walking distance of the major supermarkets and certainly isn't covid friendly

Actually even Lidl cheap own brand white loaf is lovely, it stays soft and squashy for a good 4 days.

@SuperSange

I love Aldi's flavoured gins-the violet, blood orange and pink grapefruit and there's an other pink grapefruit one that are lush.

Lidl's raspberry gin - fabulous !!

Lidl seem to be doing well out of this thread . I buy their tomato ketchup. It is lovely. I much prefer the fruit and veg from there too, compared to my local Tesco.

Ok so far on my list is:

Gin from Aldi
Bounty from Lidl
Ketchup from Lidl
Tonic from Lidl
Fake azera from Lidl.

I'm fortunate I have everything but a Sainsbury's near me so I will get to eventually trying a lot of these recommendations. Far better than randomly trying them and being disappointed, so thank you for sharing. Aldi is closest to me but I've bought so much from there and been disappointed (I rarely buy their fresh produce) so it's good to know what works for others.

There's also a salt and pepper seasoning in Home bargains that is amazing. It's by a brand called Kerala.

Aldi tonic water is nicer than Schweppes

I have to disagree with Lidl muesli, tastes like cardboard!

Oh, Lidl wholemeal seeded (farmhouse?) bread is nice too.

Almost everything In Aldi is as good as or better than brands imo

Morrisons tartare sauce is much better than Colman's.

Also Morrisons, although not a swap for anything, is their Peanut Crunch chocolate (large bar in an orange wrapper). It's actually not really crunchy, but has a gooey peanut flavoured filling.

I agree that whilst this thread is interesting, it really only tells you about others preferences. Maybe it would be more useful to mention items where you can’t tell the difference between branded and non brand items.

Aldi ground coffee, Italian or French blend is good.It’s already been mentioned ( the green and white or blue and white bags). I prefer the taste to other brands I have tried.

Not a foodie item but Aveeno beats all the expensive face creams I've tried every time.

Superdrug own version of e45 is amazing too

Aldi coarse cut marmalade
Lidl shortbreads
Lidl stir fry sauces
Aldi real mayonnaise

Aldi espresso blend ground coffee (purple and white pack, £1, I think) is amazing when made in the stove-top espresso maker.

the lidl dupes for twix bars are better than real twix!

I love their fake Mars Bars.

And I think the dairy section is good.

But I don't think much of their fresh produce. If you don't use it immediately, it goes off quickly.

Any own brand ketchup instead of Heinz. Always much thicker and richer flavour.

Branston beans (usually available in B&M) instead of Heinz. Ditto thicker and richer sauce.

Lidl rye sourdough. Just as good as the artisan loaf at the bakers down the road but literally half the price.

Just remembered my favourite gin is good old cheap and cheerful Gordon's sloe. I've got loads of half opened fancy ones but this always gets finished and repurchased.

Sainsburys tomato ketchup
Sainsburys cheese curls, so much better than Quavers
Sainsburys tinned spag Bol - guilty lunchtime pleasure in lock down

@CommanderBurnham

Ooohh. You've just reminded me. The black scoured from Wilko's is amazing. Lifts off all naked on crud with minimal effort. It's the equivalent of the damp dishwasher tablet. It's defunct so many sponges and chemicals:

Oooh...naked crud...