We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
The best roast potatoes to serve with your Christmas dinner (and the winner isn't Aunt Bessie’s!)
The ultimate roasties, as rated by the Good Housekeeping Institute
Tested by Georgia TurnellGHI Food & Drink Tester
Roast potatoes may be a humble side dish, but achieving that perfect crispy exterior and soft, fluffy middles isn’t easy, and we’re not settling for anything less than perfect roasties this Christmas.
Well, you can ditch another task on your to-do list, because we’ve found the best ready-made roast potatoes to serve alongside your roast turkey. Our spud specialists reckon these perfectly golden roasties are just as appetising as homemade but without the time-consuming prep. Hurrah!
The Good Housekeeping Institute sampled a selection of ready-made roast potatoes from the leading brands and supermarkets to find the ones worthy of a spot on your plate. Trust us, your guests will never know the difference.
Best roast potatoes 2026
- 1
- 2
- 3
Joint runner-up roast potatoes and best value
Lidl Maris Piper Roast Potatoes with Goose Fat 800g
Read review - 4
- 5
Best wagyu fat roast potatoes
Aldi Specially Selected The Ultimate Wagyu Beef Fat Roast Potatoes 800g
Read review
How we test roast potatoes
Our panel of experts and consumers tasted batch after batch of ready-made roast potatoes, awarding marks for a delicious crunch, golden colour, buttery yet fluffy interior, and balanced seasoning. The potatoes were cooked and prepared according to the packet instructions and served blind to avoid brand bias.
These are the spuds that came out on top.
Tesco Finest Roast Potatoes with Confit Garlic 800g
Tesco Finest Roast Potatoes with Confit Garlic 800g
Score: 84/100
Our winning spuds feel extra fancy – and therefore perfect for the big day – thanks to the addition of slow-cooked confit garlic, which adds an earthy depth of flavour. Seasoned with rosemary, parsley and thyme, they impressed our testers with their crisp, caramelised edges and fluffy centres. God-tier tatties, worthy of the big day.
Available 1 December 2026
Morrisons The Best Goose Fat Roast Potatoes 800g
Morrisons The Best Goose Fat Roast Potatoes 800g
Score: 82/100
Cooked in traditional goose fat, these rich, meaty potatoes crisp up beautifully on the outside while staying soft and fluffy in the middle. Testers said the comforting flavour was 'reminiscent of homemade roast potatoes', with one describing it as 'the hallmark of a traditional Sunday roast'. They'd be a welcome addition to the Christmas feast.
Lidl Maris Piper Roast Potatoes with Goose Fat 800g
Lidl Maris Piper Roast Potatoes with Goose Fat 800g
Score: 82/100
Alternatively, Lidl’s goose fat spuds scored equally well and will save you a few quid. Rich and buttery with an indulgent caramelised finish, the texture was a hit, with one tester saying they were ‘left wanting more’.
Available 14 December 2026
M&S Roast Potatoes Frozen 800g
M&S Roast Potatoes Frozen 800g
Score: 81/100
It's always wise to have a bag of frozen roasties on standby, and M&S's are the ones to reach for. Well-seasoned with a satisfyingly crunchy coating and fluffy, melt-in-the-middle centre, they impressed across the panel, with one tester describing them as 'perfect'.
Aldi Specially Selected The Ultimate Wagyu Beef Fat Roast Potatoes 800g
Aldi Specially Selected The Ultimate Wagyu Beef Fat Roast Potatoes 800g
Score: 80/100
If you can't cook your roast potatoes in wagyu fat at Christmas, when can you? These spuds smell fantastic, with a rich, buttery aroma and indulgent flavour. Testers also praised the crisp, golden exterior and light seasoning, which lets the richness of the wagyu shine through.
Available 19 December 2026
Exceptional by ASDA Beef Dripping Roast Potatoes 800g
Exceptional by ASDA Beef Dripping Roast Potatoes 800g
Score: 80/100
Part of ASDA’s most premium “Exceptional” range, these golden roasties are cooked in beef dripping to create a fluffy, creamy texture and comforting flavour (our test kitchen smelt incredible!). The parsley and rosemary really enhances the taste without overpowering, making them a top choice for your Christmas roast.
Available TBC
COOK Roast Potatoes 400g
COOK Roast Potatoes 400g
Score: 79/100
COOK’s roasties impressed us with their perfectly crispy skin and ‘rich, earthy’ flavour, which is well-balanced with a hint of natural sweetness.
And while others rely on goose or duck fat for crunch, COOK’s potatoes are 100% plant-based, making them a great option for everyone this Christmas, veggies and vegans included.
Waitrose No.1 Wagyu Beef Roast Potatoes 600g
Waitrose No.1 Wagyu Beef Roast Potatoes 600g
Score: 75/100
Rich and savoury, with inviting notes of garlic, Waitrose's premium roast potatoes make a great first impression. The wagyu fat adds a meaty depth of flavour that's balanced by the potato's natural sweetness, while caramelised edges give way to a 'beautiful soft potato' within. They do break up a bit in the oven, but we think the crispy crumbled bits are the best part.
Available 2 December 2026
Score: 72/100
Not to be confused with Aunt Bessie’s duck fat roasties, these are cooked in oils, making them vegan-friendly. Although not quite as crisp as we’d have liked, the simple, comforting flavour provides a good base for you to add your own herbs and flavouring.
Sainsbury’s Wagyu Beef Fat Roast Potatoes 1kg
Sainsbury’s Wagyu Beef Fat Roast Potatoes 1kg
Score: 72/100
Sainsbury's has also used luxurious wagyu fat to create these golden roasties. Fluffy and comforting, with a homely appeal, testers praised the lightly crisp exterior and soft, pillowy centres. A classic crowd-pleaser for the Christmas table.
Available 22 December 2026
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.
