I tried haggis from Aldi, Tesco, M&S and more — One of them reminded me of dog food

Burns Night takes place annually on January 25 and sees ardent fans of the country’s national bard come together to commemorate his life and impact on global literature.

While many people don’t take part in organised gatherings, most will indulge in the national dish to mark the occasion.

To find some of the best haggis brands on the market, I decided to visit various supermarkets, including M&S, Aldi, Asda, Tesco and Lidl and try the offerings.

I taste-tested haggises for Burns Night — One of them reminded me of dog food

To find the best, I assessed the haggises on their taste, spiciness and texture to give them a rating out of five.

M&S 

M&S haggis (Image: NQ) One of the stronger brands on the list, M&S’ own-brand haggis rises above much of its supermarket competition.

One of the things that stood out to me about the brand was its peppery kick which ensured it had that unique haggis taste we’ve all come to know and love.

It also had a notably meaty taste and texture, relying far less on filler ingredients like oatmeal.

Rating: 4.5/5

Macsween – Sainsbury’s, Asda and Waitrose

Macsween haggis (Image: NQ) MacSween’s haggis is a great pick for those who love an oaty crunch, rather than the totally smooth consistency associated with meatier offerings.

Like the M&S haggis, this one also contains a generous serving of black pepper, giving it that sought-after kick.

Rating: 4/5

Macaulay’s – Aldi and Lidl

Macaulay’s haggis (Image: NQ) Macaulay’s haggis offering, which can be found in a number of popular supermarkets, proved a strong contender in the list thanks to its reasonable price of £1.95.

While that peppery kick and meatiness were less prevalent here, consisting of an oaty texture and understated taste, it was definitely an enjoyable experience.

Rating: 3.5/5

Simon Howie – Tesco and more

Simon Howie haggis (Image: NQ) This upmarket brand is known for producing top quality Scottish foods and the same can be said for its haggis product.

Those looking to make their Burns Supper extra special should have no problem sparing the extra expense for this.

Much like its M&S counterpart, the haggis has a smooth taste, spicy kick and a succulent meaty taste, making it ideal for those looking to introduce a newcomer to the meal.

Rating: 5/5

McKinlay’s – Lidl

McKinlay’s haggis (Image: NQ) In terms of overall taste and texture, McKinlay’s probably isn’t at the top of the list but considering the time it took to cook in the microwave (three and a half minutes at full power) and the fact that it comes with neeps and tatties, it’s a winner in my book.

Overall, the meal was satisfactory and something I’d eat any day of the week, never mind Burns Night.

Rating: 3/5

Recommended Reading: 

Who was Robert Burns and why do we celebrate Burns Night every year?

Here are all the things you should not do when celebrating Burns Night

How well do you know Scotland’s national bard? Take our Burns Night quiz

Grant’s tinned haggis – Asda and more

Grant’s haggis (Image: NQ) I have to admit, I had my reservations about trying tinned haggis before grabbing it off the shelf but I’m certain this feeling was justified.

By the time I opened the tin and started painstakingly scraping it into a bowl, the clumpiness and off-putting smell reminded me of dog food.

Trying the dish was no better with its lumpy and moist texture making every agonsing chew a chore.

Its taste was somewhere between particularly cheap tuna and mince that’s gone off, making this a rather unpleasant experience and a real dampener on an otherwise fun review.

If you’re looking for one of the cheaper options (£1.25 in Asda) and you’re not that bothered by the state of the product, this might be the haggis for you.

Rating: 1/5

Conclusion – The best haggis

Rather unsurprisingly, the slightly dearer options scored higher for me with the offerings over at M&S and Simon Howie proving both delicious and filling.

If I had to choose between them, I would pick the Simon Howie product which only slightly edges in front of its supermarket counterpart.

The rest of the products, with the exception of one, all hold their own as viable haggis meals for those looking to celebrate Burns Night.