As temperatures rise and barbecues fire up across the country, new research has revealed where shoppers can get the best value barbecue spread this summer, with Aldi coming out on top as the cheapest supermarket for both meat-eaters and vegetarians.
The study, carried out by finance experts at Fast Loan UK, analysed the cost of a typical family barbecue for four people across nine of the UK’s biggest supermarket chains.
The findings come as National BBQ Week coincides with the current spell of hot weather, with barbecue-related searches soaring to 2.6 million in the past month. According to industry estimates, Britons host around 150 million barbecues every year, highlighting the nation’s love affair with outdoor cooking.
For a traditional family barbecue, Aldi was found to be the most affordable option, with a complete spread costing £24.83 for a family of four.
That placed it just ahead of Asda, where the same basket of barbecue essentials came to £25.22, a difference of only 39p.
Aldi’s victory was driven by a number of low-priced items, including beef burgers at £3.49, burger gherkins at 29p and potato salad for 99p.
Morrisons ranked third at £29.31, helped by some of the cheapest condiments on the market, including barbecue sauce at 75p and coleslaw at 50p.
At the other end of the scale, Marks & Spencer was found to be the most expensive supermarket for a family barbecue, with the basket costing £47.15. That’s more than £22 higher than Aldi.
The research found M&S beef burgers cost £5.50, while chicken kebabs for a family of four came to £11.
The budget retailer also topped the rankings for vegetarian barbecues.
Aldi’s veggie barbecue spread cost £20.25 for a family of four, ahead of Asda at £21.80.
The supermarket’s lower prices were helped by veggie burgers costing just £1.75 and burger gherkins remaining the cheapest at 29p.
Morrisons and Tesco were virtually tied for third and fourth place, with barbecue baskets costing £25.06 and £25.11 respectively.
Once again, M&S ranked as the most expensive option, with a vegetarian barbecue costing £37.65, almost £17.40 more than Aldi. Halloumi skewers were priced at £5, while vegetarian sausages cost £7 for a family-sized serving.
The research highlights how choosing the right supermarket can make a significant difference to household budgets during the summer months.
Experts also recommend opting for own-brand products rather than premium branded alternatives, while taking advantage of seasonal promotions on burger buns, rolls and barbecue essentials.
Joe Brunt, Consumer Finance Expert at Fast Loan UK, said:
“A summer barbecue is one of those occasions where costs can creep up quickly, particularly when you’re catering for a family.
“Our research shows that the gap between the cheapest and most expensive supermarkets for a BBQ spread is significant, with shoppers potentially paying over £22 more at M&S compared to Aldi for the same meal.
“What’s encouraging is that budget supermarkets like Aldi and Asda perform strongly across both meat and veggie options, so whether you’re firing up traditional burgers or going veggie, there are good value choices available without compromising on the spread.”
With the current heatwave expected to keep many people outdoors, the findings are likely to be welcome news for families looking to enjoy a summer barbecue without burning a hole in their wallets.
