After months of dreary weather, many Britons will be keen to fire up their barbecues this bank holiday weekend as temperatures are expected to climb as high as 26C.
And coming just in time to help nail your menu are the results of the Good Housekeeping Institute 2026 BBQ Blind Taste Test, revealing all the best foods to indulge in over the long weekend, which will see some parts of the country enjoy hotter temperatures than Athens.
The institute taste-tested a record 233 products across 16 categories, including burgers, kebabs, and sausages, and analysed taste, texture and aroma to find the best on offer in UK supermarkets.
The supermarket to claim the top spot was Tesco, with five category wins across BBQ heroes, desserts, cocktails and meat-free sausages; Waitrose came shortly behind as runner-up, thanks to its standout chicken and sides offerings.
Meanwhile, it was Aldi that triumphed in the best value categories, with six wins for its trademark low prices.
Callum Black, Deputy Head of Testing at the Good Housekeeping Institute, said: ‘This is our biggest BBQ taste test to date, and the standard has been incredibly high across every category.
‘Retailers are pushing flavour boundaries this year, taking inspiration from global cuisines with products ranging from miso-glazed burgers and Thai-style marinades to chimichurri steak butter and hot honey sauces.
‘Whether you’re planning a garden gathering, feeding a crowd or looking for quick summer dinner inspiration, there are standout products at every price point.’
The Good Housekeeping Institute’s 2026 BBQ Taste Test results are in – and Tesco has come out on top this year
Tesco Finest Thick Cut Rump Steak with Green Peppercorn Butter was the joint-highest savoury product, with a score of 94 out of 100.
The institute wrote: ‘Tesco’s British rump steak is matured for 30 days and coated in a traditional American-inspired dry rub, making it a standout choice for BBQ season.
‘GHI testers praised its juicy texture and rich aroma, while the accompanying peppery butter baste added an extra layer of flavour.’
Also scoring 94 was Tesco’s Red Thai Style Pork Belly Slices, with judges praising the product’s ‘fragrant marinade’, which ‘balances sweetness with gentle heat’ – and with a price of £6 for 500g, it was also the Best Value winner in the BBQ heroes category.
Other products that impressed included Aldi’s Specially Selected Caramelised Onion & Vintage Cheddar Ultimate Sausages, Waitrose No.1 Curried Spatchcock Chicken with Coronation Sauce and Waitrose Sweetcorn with Garlic Butter.
In the hot sauce category, Waitrose’s Pineapple Habanero Hot Sauce secured the top spot, thanks to its fruity, fiery flavours.
No course was left behind by the Good Housekeeping Institute, and the winner of the best ice cream was Häagen-Dazs Tiramisu Ice Cream.
‘Inspired by the classic Italian dessert, this indulgent ice cream combines mascarpone ice cream with coffee and cocoa swirls plus sponge pieces throughout,’ the results read.
The taste test results can be found in full on the Good Housekeeping UK website.
