Brown sauce is a staple for many, especially when enhancing classics like bacon and sausage sandwiches. I’m a devoted HP sauce fan — its bold, tangy flavour is a must-have at my breakfast table and a key ingredient in dishes like Shepherd’s pie and beef stew.
HP has a rich history dating back over a century and hails from my hometown of Nottingham. Curious to see if any supermarket brand could match its iconic taste, I sampled brown sauces from six major retailers: Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Lidl, M&S, Asda, and the branded Daddy’s sauce.
Starting with Sainsbury’s, I was immediately disappointed. The sauce felt watered down and lacked the robust flavour I expect. It just didn’t hit the mark.
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Rating: 1/10
M&S’s sauce raised my hopes, but the flavour was far too sweet — almost like mango chutney — which threw me off. It had more punch than Sainsbury’s but the sweetness was overwhelming.
Rating: 2/10
Daddy’s branded sauce delivered a decent spicy kick and was more in line with what I anticipated from a brown sauce. However, to get the full flavour, I needed to use it generously.
Rating: 6/10
Lidl’s sauce was promising from the first whiff, with a strong aroma, spicy notes, and a pleasant tang. It just needed a bit more intensity to truly impress. For a milder option, though, it would be ideal.
Rating: 7/10
Asda’s offering was the most expensive in the lineup and looked lighter in colour initially, which made me sceptical. But the taste surprised me — it was remarkably close to HP, packing all the right spices and tanginess. A very close contender for the top spot.
Rating: 9/10
The winner, however, was Aldi’s sauce — the cheapest at just 99p. It closely matched HP in flavour and consistency, delivering all the depth and tanginess I love. In fact, I’d choose Aldi’s sauce over HP any day to save a few pounds without compromising on taste.
Rating: 10/10