They’re a staunchly British sweet pastry that have been synonymous with the festive season for, well, as long as anyone can remember. The best mince pies are the perfect treat to keep in the cupboard for any impromptu visitors during the Christmas period, and a no-fuss addition at drinks parties with a glass of mulled wine.
Though the name confuses practically everyone (including many of us Brits), they're no longer filled with actual meat, as they were until around the 19th century. Now the festive version of mince meat refers to a sweet mixture of dried fruits like sultanas, raisins, orange peel, apples, and festive spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, which is often steeped in brandy or rum.
So, whether you wait until 1 December to munch on a little pastry-filled bite of Christmas, or you're buying them as soon as they appear in the shops, remember to keep at least a few back for Father Christmas to place beside the fireplace on 24 December.
Below I’ve included mince pies from a range of supermarkets, as well as independent bakers. Read on for my verdict on the best mince pies to munch on this Christmas.
The best mince pies for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Farm Shop short crust mince pies: £12, Farmshop.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Waitrose Christmas mince pies: £2.25, Waitrose.com
- Best luxury – Twelve Triangles bakery frangipane mince pies: £18, Twelve-triangles.com
- Best frangipane pie – Tesco finest frangipane mince pies: £3.50, Tesco.com
- Best rustic looking mince pies – Cook mince pies: £4.50, Cookfood.net
How I tested
Unlike practically everyone else, I've tucked into barrow-load of mince pies before September was even over. I tried them both fresh out of the packet, and after heating them through for a few minutes in the oven. While tasting, I assessed the quality of pastry, the filling to pastry ratio, appearance and value for money.
Farm Shop shortcrust mince pies
Best: Mince pie overall
Number in packet : 6
Why we love it
- Delicious filling
- Charming, homemade appearance
Take note
- Pricier than most
These large mince pies have a thick, non-crumbly shortcrust pastry, and are deep filled with delicious mince meat. The filling is well spiced, not too jammy or sweet and has well-balanced fruits, with a touch of brandy for good measure too. They look homemade and not too uniform, and have a lovely light dusting of sugar on the top for a touch of sweetness.
From Farm Shop, which started life in Somerset and has also opened another outpost in London's Mayfair, these mince pies have been lovingly made in-house at the Somerset outpost. These are the mince pies for your favourite guests, or just yourself. They're not ones to dish our willy-nilly, or even to be left on the fireplace for Father Christmas.
Buy now £12.00, Farmshop.co.uk
Waitrose Christmas mince pies
Best: Budget mince pies
Number in pack: 6
Why we love it
- Very affordable
- Delicious fruity filling
Take note
- Thick pastry texture might not be for everyone
Despite not usually being synonymous with having the lowest price point, when it comes to comparing Waitrose to its supermarket peers, these mince pies are very affordable. They’re even cheaper than others I tested from Aldi and Mr Kipling.
However the low price doesn't mean low quality, and aesthetics wise it's actually quite nice to see something other than a star atop the pastry. The simple design of a rope-effect around the edge makes them look more like old fashioned chunky meat-filled pies. Inside is a decent amount of filling that's very fruity and not cloying, and you can definitely eat more than one without feeling too indulgent.
With a little granulated sugar on top, and a thicker pastry texture, they tasted a little like shortbread. They're both great quality and reasonably priced, so are worth stocking up on if you’re expecting a lot of mince pie-loving visitors.
Buy now £2.25, Waitrose.com
Twelve Triangles bakery frangipane mince pies
Best: Luxury mince pies
Number in packet: 4
Why we love it
- Large in size
- Excellent ingredients
- Nutty frangipane flavour
Take note
- Expensive for just four
Arriving in a box with a branded bow, you know these mince pies from Edinburgh bakery , Twelve Triangles, are going to be a step above the rest. The mince meat ingredients include decadent cherries as well as festive cranberries, which have all been soaked in Port of Leith Distillery's Oloroso sherry from just outside Edinburgh.
The little layer of frangipane isn't too sweet and instead is much nuttier, owing to being made with walnuts and brown butter from the Estate Dairy (which specialises in unhomogenised milk).
These large mince pies have some of the most rich, buttery pastry I tried. The pastry is slightly thinner than some, but it's wonderfully soft and moist, and won't crumble when it's cut into. They're incredibly moreish (even when I’d tasted many, many mice pies) and despite their chunky size, you'll likely be going back for more. Selfishly, keep these to yourself.
Buy now £18.00, Twelve-triangles.myshopify.com
Sainsbury's taste the difference all butter mince pies
Best: Everyday mince pies
Number in packet: 6
Why we love it
- Buttery and flavoursome pastry
- Well balanced filling
Take note
- Pastry is a little crumbly
From Sainsbury's 'Taste the Difference' range, this is a really solid mince pie that's hard to fault. The pastry, though a little crumbly when cutting into it, has a really excellent creamy buttery flavour to it, which makes it a cut above the rest of the supermarket mince pies.
The mince meat is balanced and has a decent tang from the brandy, though it’s not too boozy. It's also not jammy and sticky like some can be. These are excellent quality, whether that's for your everyday mince pie, or for bringing out at festive gatherings.
Buy now £3.50, Sainsburys.co.uk
Cook mince pies
Best: Rustic looking mince pies
Number in packet: 6
Why we love it
- Rustic look
- Great spice in the filling
- No tinfoil cases
Take note
- Pastry has an almost underbaked feel
Unlike the majority of Cook's offering, these mince pies aren't frozen. Instead they're fresh with delicious thick pastry and look like they've been made by your granny, with rustic looking cookie-cutter style lids on them.
The filling is generous and really nicely spiced, while the pastry is soft and buttery but quite crumbly when you cut them to eat. It almost tastes like it’s slightly underbaked, which might not be to everyone’s taste.
Dinky in size, the Cook mini mince pies are a great addition for drinks parties. They also get extra points for not including unnecessary tinfoil cases.
Buy now £4.50, Cookfood.net
Made in Oldstead mince pies
Best: Mince pies made by Michelin star chef
Number in packet: 6
Why we love it
- Tasty alternative mince pie
- Deep filled
- Plastic-free packaging
Take note
- Pricier than most
These little mince pies are one of the tallest in the list, that look more like a little muffin with pretty crimped pastry edges. They have a very deep filling that’s more purple-hued than others, and much less sticky.
The key difference here, though, is that these creations are the only ones to shun the use of the usual sultanas and apples in minced meat, and instead use root vegetables. It’s still flavoursome and instead of a tangy excessive sweetness, it has a much earthier taste that stands out from the rest.
Made by Michelin-starred chef Tommy Banks, known for his family's restaurant The Black Swan in Oldstead and his own, Roots in Yorkshire, he's created a range of feasting boxes, canned wine and bakery items. They're the mince pies to serve to people who say they don't like mince pies, and I’m almost completely convinced they'll be won over.
Buy now £15.00, Madeinoldstead.co.uk
Tesco finest frangipane mince pies
Best: Frangipane mince pies
Number in packet: 4
Why we love it
- Frangipane flavour
- Buttery pastry
Take note
- May be too sweet for some
Last year, frangipane was everywhere within the festive food category, and it was especially popular in mince pies. I’m a big fan, but the sweet almond flavouring isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
Though these little pies might speak to those who aren't traditional mince pie lovers, as here there is limited mince meat filling with more of a frangipane layer. It's topped with flaked almonds, and the pastry is decadent and buttery.
Buy now £3.50, Tesco.com
M&S all butter puff pastry mince pies
Best: Puff pastry mince pies
Number in packet: 6
Why we love it
- Delicious puff pastry
- Flavoursome filling
Take note
- Not for traditionalists
When it comes to fantastic festive food, you can rely on M&S to come up with a subtle difference to a classic sweet treat. Here, that small change is swapping shortcrust pastry for puff pastry, which has more of a pillowy texture thanks to lots of layers. The mince meat has a delicious festive flavour, bursting with plenty of orange and cranberry, as well as a touch of alcohol.
They look like scones with a crinkled edge, but the top has a pleasant crunch and is also decorated in sugar.
Buy now £3.00, Ocado.com
Gail's mince pies
Best: Bakery mince pies
Number in packet: 6
Why we love it
- Beautifully browned pastry
- Nationwide delivery
Take note
- Pricier than most
Baked until gorgeously browned, these pies make everything else look pale in comparison.
They have a deliciously satisfying crunch to the pastry casing, and each is topped with a generous amount of chunky sugar too.
Inside is a deep-filling mince meat that's very well balanced in terms of fruitiness and spice, and isn't too heavy or jammy. Considering the height of the pies, it's also good to see there aren't any deceiving air pockets inside making them look fuller than they are. A luxury mince pie to save for the special guests.
Buy now, Gails.com
Asda exceptional luxury mince pies
Best: Orange flavoured mince pies
Number in packet: 4
Why we love it
- Luxury ingredients
- Excellent orange flavour
With an appealing star design on the top, these mince pies look the part, and much more rustic than you'd expect from a supermarket. But when biting into it, the pastry is very crumbly.
The filling isn't very deep, but that's not necessarily a bad thing with sweet treats. The mince meat here has a really delicious taste, as it is very orange forward. It's made with some more luxurious ingredients, including ruby port, cognac and Valencian orange oil, giving it a really delicious flavour that's packed full of citrus.
Buy now £2.84, Asda.com
Mr Kipling all butter pastry mince pies
Best: High street brand mince pies
Number in packet: 4
Why we love it
- Very affordable
- Generous filling
Take note
- A little too sweet for some
It would be remiss to have a taste test of a sweet pastry without including the high street stalwart, Mr Kipling. These all butter pastry mince pies look festive with an intricate snowflake on the top, and more expensive than their sub-£3 price tag.
They've stepped away from the traditional stout pie shape and instead are much wider and flatter. Though they has a good amount of filling, it's quite jammy tasting and rather sweet. Fine for those with a real sweet tooth, but maybe not everyone's bag.
Buy now £2.75, Ocado.com
Co-op irresistible all butter pastry luxury mince pies
Best: Boozy mince pies
Number in packet: 6
Why we love it
- Attractive design
- Rustic, homemade look
Take note
- Might be too boozy for some
These mince pies are steeped in both brandy and port, so are quite quite boozy in taste. They might not be the best one to dish out to the children, and are best saved for adults and served after dinner.
They have a pretty topping design that isn’t too uniform, and instead look much more homemade than other supermarket options. This is another one that's much better tasting after it's been heated in the oven for a few minutes.
Buy now £3.25, Coop.co.uk
Aldi speciality selected all butter mince pies
Best: Sweeter mince pie
Number in packet: 6
Why we love it
- Affordable
- Pretty design
Take note
- Might be too sweet for some
A classic looking mince pie with a pretty star design on top. There's plenty of filling inside, but it's quite sweet. The pastry is quite sugary, and so combined, you'd only need one of these mince pies, and probably a cup of tea alongside it to balance the sweetness of it.
As they're already quite cloying, the icing sugar on top is probably not needed. It's better (and less sweet tasting) once it's been heated in the oven for a few minutes.
As Aldi doesn’t stock its food items online, you’ll have to head in store to pick these mince pies up.
Buy now £2.49, Aldi.com
Morrisons deep filled mince pies
Best: Mince pies with cider-steeped filling
Number in pack: 6
Why we love it
- Good value
- Aren't too boozy
Take note
- Pastry is a bit doughy
As it says on the tin, these have plenty of mince meat inside. There is plenty of fruity flavour from cranberries and, unlike any other pies in the test, they’ve also been steeped in cider, as well as brandy, but aren’t overly boozy.
There are plenty of festive warming spices too. However the shortcrust pastry is a little doughy and harder that others on the list, so is very crumbly.
Buy now £2.50, Morrisons.com
Waitrose golden mince pies with limoncello
Best: Mince pies for lovers of lemon puddings
Number in pack: 4
Why we love it
- Creative flavour
Take note
- Not for traditionalists
- Slightly dry pastry
The purists out there may not accept these as a traditional mince pie, but it's always fun to play around with the classics and push the boundaries at Christmas. Brand new for this year, these mince pies look exactly the same as most mince pies on the outside, but one cut open reveal an entirely yellow filling of sultanas, golden cherries and even apricot. And, as the name suggests, are steeped in limoncello instead of the usual brandy or rum.
They're not as festive tasting, of course, but for those who aren't usually fans of mince pies, these might just be the ticket. They're a little sweet, very tangy, citrusy, and taste almost exactly like a shot of limoncello once they've been heated in the oven.
Buy now £4.00, Waitrose.com
What are the best mince pies?
Farm Shop's mince pies are excellent quality, both in their pastry and decadent filling. They look great too, including the packaging – often the proof really is in the pudding and you get what you pay for.
For more everyday mince pies, the Sainsbury’s taste the difference all butter mince pies, or the very affordable Waitrose mince pies are a great buy. For something different, try the M&S puff pastry mince pies.
I also really loved the Twelve Triangles luxury mince pies, though they are a splash out item, but totally worth it. While the Made in Oldstead mince pies are a fun alternative for those who prefer a savoury treat.
How I selected the best mince pies
I tucked into a wide range of mince pies from supermarkets, independent bakeries and even from Michelin star chefs. While tasting each mince pie, I assessed the following:
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Emma Henderson is a writer and editor who specialises in covering food and drink. As the former editor of IndyBest, Emma has written plenty of reviews, from the best supermarket sourdough to best orange wines, to help you find the best products to buy in each category. She was also the editor of IndyEats, The Independent’s monthly digital food magazine, and was twice shortlisted for “best food magazine” at the Guild of Food Writers Awards. She has been testing Christmas food for almost a decade, making her ideal to crown the best mince pies.
Looking for more festive food? Read our rundown of the best supermarket Christmas food
