The best mince pies for Christmas 2026 revealed, and the winner might surprise you
Discover which buttery bake earned top marks from the Good Housekeeping Institute this year
Tested by Georgia TurnellGHI Food & Drink Tester
Nothing marks the beginning of Christmas quite like that first mouthful of mince pie. And if you’re a fan of all that buttery pastry packed with spice and a generous dash of booze, you're definitely not alone. In fact, the UK eats around 800 million mince pies each year and, thankfully, the shelves are stocked from as early as September.
While the Good Housekeeping Institute can't be held responsible for eating all the pies, our panellists did each manage to sample 42 varieties from leading supermarkets and artisan bakeries to find the very best to stock up on this year.
Alongside the classics, the panel sampled a selection of flavoured bakes, including brown butter, pistachio and chocolate varieties, plus gluten-free options that more than hold their own.
Best mince pies for Christmas 2026
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The best Christmas food and drink for 2026
How we test mince pies
The Good Housekeeping Institute's panel of experts and consumers tested 42 classic, flavoured and gluten-free mince pies, looking for rich, decadent bakes with a hearty filling and buttery crumb. Each was presented blind to avoid brand bias, and assessed on its aroma, flavour and appearance.
These are the ones that came out on top for Christmas 2026.
Aldi Specially Selected Mince Pies 6pk
Aldi Specially Selected Mince Pies 6pk
Score: 86/100
Proving you needn't spend a lot for a standout mince pie, Aldi takes this year's top spot. Rich, fruity and gently spiced; testers compared this pie’s festive aroma to a glass of mulled wine.
The filling was the star, packed with juicy vine fruit, a mouthwatering hit of orange, and a warming hint of alcohol. It looks the part too, finished with a classic snowflake topping.
Brownie and the Bean Mince Pies 4pk
Brownie and the Bean Mince Pies 4pk
Score: 86/100
Better known for its next-day postal brownies, this family-run micro bakery proved it knows a thing or two about mince pies, too. Granted, at £3.38 a pie they're considerably more expensive than our supermarket winner, but testers felt they were worth it for sheer indulgence.
The festive aroma of gingerbread, cinnamon and vanilla gives way to crisp, buttery pastry, a crunchy crumble topping and generous, jammy mincemeat packed with plump, juicy fruit. One tester called it ‘a really, really great mince pie’.
Tesco Finest Amaretto Mince Pies 4pk
Tesco Finest Amaretto Mince Pies 4pk
Score: 85/100
A delicious twist on the traditional, Tesco has spiked this year's mincemeat with a generous glug of amaretto, giving it an unmistakable marzipan flavour. Buttery, crumbly pastry and Bakewell tart-like sweetness make this a delicious alternative to the usual festive spice, with one tester declaring it ‘just what I want from a mince pie’.
Aldi Specially Selected The Ultimate Brown Butter Mince Pies 6pk
Aldi Specially Selected The Ultimate Brown Butter Mince Pies 6pk
Score: 84/100
Aldi also impressed with its flavoured mince pie, delivering the butteriest pastry we tasted this year. The flavour twist is subtle but effective, with brown butter adding a rich, nutty depth, while the sugared top complements the naturally sweet, moist fruit for a beautifully balanced bite.
Available 22 November 2026
Co-op Irresistible Amaretto & Frangipane Mince Pies 4pk
Co-op Irresistible Amaretto & Frangipane Mince Pies 4pk
Score: 84/100
Co-op's boozy bakes are generously filled with amaretto-spiked, zesty mincemeat and topped with soft frangipane sponge. Testers loved the combination, which delivers an indulgent, citrus-led twist on a classic.
Waitrose Free From Milk & Gluten Free Mince Pies 2pk
Waitrose Free From Milk & Gluten Free Mince Pies 2pk
Score: 84/100
These well-spiced bakes may be free from gluten, but that's the only thing lacking. The fruity mincemeat has notes of orange and treacly sweetness, while testers loved the 'perfectly crisp, rich pastry'. Deeply flavoured and delicious, this isn't just a great gluten-free mince pie, it's a great mince pie in its own right.
Costa Gluten Free Vegan Mince Tart for 1
Costa Gluten Free Vegan Mince Tart for 1
Score: 83/100
For a festive pick-me-up on the go, Costa's mince tart, which is sold individually, is both vegan and gluten-free. The sweet, jammy filling is packed with bright citrus notes, contrasting nicely with the ‘crisp, well-structured pastry’. Testers would have liked a little more spice, but its concentrated fruitiness still impressed.
Available 22 October 2026
Waitrose No.1 Brown Butter Mince Pies with Cognac 6pk
Waitrose No.1 Brown Butter Mince Pies with Cognac 6pk
Score: 80/100
Brown butter gives these festive bakes an indulgent, nutty flavour, complementing the moist, generously spiced, Cognac-laced mincemeat. Testers praised the ‘luxurious and velvety’ texture, making these a rich alternative to the classic mince pie.
Abel & Cole Large Sharing Mince Pie (8-10 Servings)
Abel & Cole Large Sharing Mince Pie (8-10 Servings)
Score: 80/100
This supersized mince pie is big enough for eight to share – although we wouldn't blame you for keeping it all to yourself, Bruce Bogtrotter-style. Inside the buttery pastry is a generous fruity filling reminiscent of a booze-soaked Christmas cake, while its rustic finish gives it a charming homemade feel.
These also passed...
- Bettys Classic Mince Pies, £21.95 for 12pk, Score: 78/100
- Mr. Kipling All Butter Mince Pies, £1.75 for 4pk, Score: 78/100
- Morrisons The Best Signature Collection Mince Pie, £2 for 2pk, Score: 78/100
- Iceland All Butter Mince Pies, £3 for 6pk, Score: 77/100
- Biscuiteers Frangipane Mince Pies, £16.95 for 8pk, Score: 76/100
- Biscuiteers Chocolate Orange Mince Pies, £16.95 for 8pk, Score: 76/100
- Tesco Finest Mince Pies, £3 for 6pk, Score: 75/100
- Daylesford Plum & Apple Mince Pies, £15 for 6pk, Score: 75/100
- Bettys Speciality Mince Pies, £24.95 for 12pk, Score: 74/100
- Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference All Butter Mince Pies, £3.50 for 6pk, Score: 73/100
- Lidl Deluxe Ultimate Mince Pies, £2.69 for 2pk, Score: 72/100
- Cartwright & Butler Cranberry & Orange Mini Pies in Tin, £7.50 for 8pk, Score: 72/100
- Cutter & Squidge The Ultimate Golden Spiced Mince Pies, £15.99 for 6pk, Score: 71/100
- Lidl Deluxe Crumble Pies Apple and Salted Caramel, £2.99 for 6pk, Score: 71/100
- Costa All Butter Mince Pie, £TBC for 1, Score: 71/100
- Daylesford Organic Traditional Mini Mince Pies, £16 for 12, Score: 70/100
- Co-op Irresistible All Butter Pastry Luxury Mince Pies, £3.25 for 6pk, Score: 70/100
- Morrisons The Best All Butter pastry Chocolate Orange Mince Pie, £3.50 for 4pk, Score: 70/100
- Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Double Chocolate Mince Pies, £3.50 for 4pk, Score: 70/100
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
Georgia has been part of the hospitality industry for the last nine years. Her starting point was the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu culinary school where she gained a Diplôme de Pâtisserie. She has worked at a number of well-known restaurants and bakeries including The Club at the Ivy and Ottolenghi, Notting Hill where she was the head pastry chef. Most recently, Georgia worked at The Clink Bakery inside HMP Brixton, which aims to reduce reoffending through teaching. She is an expert in all things baked goods and holds a WSET level 2 in wine.
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