Brown sauce is a beloved condiment that elevates many dishes, especially bacon and sausage sandwiches. For me, HP Sauce has long been the gold standard, a staple in my kitchen when preparing everything from fry-ups to Shepherd’s pie and beef stew. With its rich, robust flavor, HP is hard to beat.
Originating over a century ago in my home city of Nottingham, HP Sauce has set a high bar. But curious to see if any supermarket own-brand brown sauce could challenge this classic, I decided to conduct a taste test featuring six options: Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Lidl, M&S, Asda, and the HP brand.
Starting with Sainsbury’s, I immediately knew it wouldn’t make the cut. The sauce felt watered down and lacked the boldness that defines great brown sauce. Its flavor was simply off, leaving me disappointed.
Rating: 1/10
Next was M&S, which I expected to impress. Unfortunately, it tasted more like mango chutney than brown sauce, with an overwhelming sweetness that overshadowed any spice or tang. Despite a stronger flavor than Sainsbury’s, it missed the mark for me.
Rating: 2/10
The HP branded sauce delivered the familiar kick I anticipated, offering a well-balanced blend of spices and tang. It was significantly better than Sainsbury’s and M&S, though I needed to use a generous amount to fully enjoy its flavor.
Rating: 6/10
Lidl’s brown sauce immediately stood out with a strong aroma and the right combination of spiciness and tanginess. While I wished for a slightly bolder flavor punch, it’s a great option for anyone who prefers a milder brown sauce.
Rating: 7/10
Asda’s sauce, the most expensive of the bunch, surprised me at first glance with its lighter color. Yet upon tasting, it closely matched the classic HP profile, ticking all the boxes for spice and tang. It was a close call, but Asda just missed the top spot.
Rating: 9/10
The winner was Aldi’s brown sauce, the cheapest option at just 99p. It was the closest in flavor to HP, perhaps even outperforming it. With excellent consistency and a perfect balance of depth and tanginess, Aldi’s sauce became my new favorite — proving you don’t have to spend a fortune for great taste.
Rating: 10/10
If you’re on the lookout for a high-quality brown sauce that won’t break the bank, Aldi’s offering should be your first stop. It combines flavor, value, and versatility, making it an exceptional rival to the iconic HP.