Christmas sandwich season is officially back. We’ve already seen the launch of Boots’ festive meal deal last week, now it’s Tesco’s turn to jump aboard the eagerly anticipated sandwich train.
Hot on the heels of the supermarket’s general Christmas food range release, Tesco’s new festive meal deal comes packed with seasonal fillings, indulgent sides and a few unexpected twists.
Available in stores and online from Monday 12 October, the standard meal deal includes a main, snack and drink for £3.85 with a Clubcard or £4.25 without. There’s also a Premium Meal Deal, with prices starting at £5.50 for Clubcard members.
Leading the new range is Tesco’s Fully Loaded Chicken, Stuffing, Braised Red Cabbage & Cranberry Sauce Sandwich (both a mouthful to say and, we imagine, to eat!). It’s essentially a Christmas dinner between two slices of bread, with chicken, bacon, rosemary gravy, sage and onion stuffing, red cabbage and cranberry sauce – the works!
For something a bit different, you can try the Tesco Finest Turkey Pastrami Panettone Style Roll. The soft, glazed, enriched buns lend a subtly sweet element to the filling of turkey pastrami, emmental and pickled red slaw. It may sound like a slightly unusual combination but we love this festive mash-up of popular deli-style sandwiches and Italian sweet bread.
Indecisive shoppers will delight in the Christmas Triple Sandwich. This generously sized sarnie offers three different festive bites in one: chicken, stuffing and cranberry; red leicester with chutney; and a pork pie-style filling inspired by Boxing Day buffets.
Fans of a classic chicken caesar salad will also be intrigued to try the new festive twist on this popular trend, a Chicken, Brie, Bacon & Cranberry Caesar Salad. This sounds like a good option if you want something lighter, but still unmistakably Christmassy.
Returning favourites include the Brie and Cranberry Sandwich, Currywurst Sausage Sub and Turkey & Trimmings Sandwich. Plant-based shoppers can choose the new Plant Chef Festive Feast Wrap, while there’s also a gluten-free Chicken and Trimmings Sandwich.
And it’s not just sandwiches we’re getting excited about – this year’s snacks sound just as enticing. You can pair your sandwich with returning mini pork pies or pigs in blankets sausage rolls, or try the new Pretzels with Salted Caramel Soft Cheese Dip. The dip taps into the ongoing ‘swalty’ (sweet meets salty) trend, while the Mini Cheese Twists with Cheddar Dip and the Chicken & Stuffing Dip offer a more savoury grazing option. There’s also Cinnamon Bun Overnight Oats, combining cinnamon, Greek-style yogurt and a soft cheese frosting – effectively breakfast and dessert in one pot.
If you’re not ready to embrace full-on festive lunching quite yet, Tesco’s wider range also includes some standouts such as a new Pork Meatball Wrap with smoky sage and onion mayonnaise, plus a Honey Roasted Gammon Ham & Barber’s Cheddar Sandwich with semi dried tomato chutney.
To wash it all down the meal deal is complete with a Spiced Apple & Pear Lemonade, bringing warming vanilla, nutmeg and winter fruit flavours.
So if you’re ready to start your Christmas countdown, Tesco’s festive lunch is arriving with plenty of time to go. As a panettone fan, I’ll personally be seeking out the turkey pastrami roll, followed by the pretzels with salted caramel soft cheese dip – it is the season for indulgence, after all.
For more festive lunching, check out our collection of Christmas sandwich recipes and Christmas snack ideas. Also read about more supermarket Christmas food launches:
M&S’s Christmas range
Tesco’s Christmas range
Morrisons’ Christmas range
Waitrose’s Christmas range