I compared Birds Eye fish fingers to six supermarket versions - clear winner

A freezer staple put to the test

Fish fingers are a staple in many UK freezers, whether for sandwiches, main meals, or quick snacks. With a wide range of options available, from supermarket own-label products to established brands like Birds Eye, shoppers often face a choice between price and brand loyalty. Birds Eye is among the most popular brands, but its fish fingers typically come with a higher price tag than unbranded alternatives.

A recent taste test set out to determine whether supermarket versions could rival Birds Eye in both flavour and value. The findings, as reported by Cambridge Evening News, Daily Post, Teessidelive, and Surrey Advertiser, surprised the tester, who discovered a new go-to option. All fish fingers were prepared following their oven cooking instructions.

The results: from last to first

Sainsbury's fish fingers, priced at £2.25, came in last with a rating of 3/10. The tester noted that the fish fingers had the darkest appearance of the group and the batter tasted pleasant, but the fish was excessively chewy and left a peculiar, metallic aftertaste. It was this lingering flavour that let it down.

Asda's fish fingers, at £1.61, scored 4/10. They broke apart more than any of the others during cooking, with the batter peeling away from the fish as it was removed from the baking tray. While the taste was fine, the fish was a touch too chewy, and the batter problem knocked off marks.

Tesco's fish fingers, priced at £1.30, received 5/10. The tester noted that the fish fingers emerged from the oven misshapen, and this was one of the few that caught slightly during cooking. Overall, the Tesco fish finger appeared to contain considerably more batter than fish and tasted slightly greasy.

Lidl's offering, at £1.99, scored 7/10. It boasted an appealingly golden batter, though it tended to separate while being eaten, with the batter beginning to detach from the fish upon taking a bite. Nevertheless, the fish itself was pleasantly flavoured and less chewy than some of the others.

Birds Eye fish fingers, priced at £4.25, scored 8/10, performing well but not taking the top spot. Marks and Spencer's fish fingers, at £2.80, scored 9/10, coming in second place.

The clear winner was Aldi's fish fingers, priced at £1.99, which scored a perfect 10/10. The tester described the findings as surprising, noting that the budget option comfortably outshone Birds Eye, which is often considered the firm favourite.

Value for money

The test highlighted a significant price disparity: Birds Eye, the most expensive option at £4.25, did not win, while Aldi, at less than half the price, took the top spot. Marks and Spencer, at £2.80, also outperformed Birds Eye, suggesting that shoppers may not need to pay a premium for quality. The results, as reported across the four outlets, indicate that supermarket own-label fish fingers can offer both better flavour and better value than the established brand.