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We first published this article off the back of Sainsbury’s increasing the price of their meal deal, then we updated this page when Tesco follwed suit; now, we’re reupdating this page now that Asda has thrown their meal deal hat into the ring.
With prices going up left, right, and centre, we rerun through the best value supermarket meal deals to see if newcomer Asda changes the standings.
Recent price rises
Back in June, Sainsbury’s quietly hiked the price of their meal deal from £3.75 to £3.95, the second increase in a year (it was £3.50 in July 2024). Given the rate of two increases a year, it won’t be long until the Sainsbury’s meal deal hits four quid. The more the prices go up, it becomes less meal deal and more Freddo.
While a Sainsbury’s spokesperson told the Grocery Gazette that the store “continued to offer one of the best value meal deals around”, shoppers were, quite rightly, pissed off.
Sainsbury’s hasn’t been the only supermarket to increase their meal deal price: Tesco’s regular price went from £4 to £4.25, with Clubcard members also getting a 25p hike.
For Tesco customers, it’s looking like meal deals get an annual price rise; it was only last August when the prices went up 20p. Like a little summer treat.
So much for valued customers, ey?
We had a look at the different lunch meal deals on offer from the UK’s major supermarkets to see how much each cost, what you can get, and whether taking advantage of loyalty schemes was worth it.
Quick look
| Best value supermarket meal deal | Cheapest supermarket meal deal | Cheapest member’s meal deal |
| Waitrose | Asda | Co-op and Morrisons |
Aldi Meal Deal
On this occasion, our usual King of Cheap is not in the running. Aldi doesn’t offer a lunch meal deal. Aldi also doesn’t offer home delivery, but at least the shop’s cheap enough to overlook it not having a meal deal or delivery.
Asda Meal Deal
Since Asda launched their lunchtime meal deal on the 17th of September, Asda has overthrown Co-op and Morrisons to be the home of the cheapest supermarket meal deal for all. If you include member’s only prices, then Co-op and Morrisons still reign supreme, however you can take advantage of Asda’s £3.74 meal deal even if you leave your loyalty card at home.
Co-op Meal Deal
For £4, you can get a main, a drink, and a side. Co-op members will be treated to a meal deal for 50p less – £3.50 and that meal deal is yours. Since it costs £1 to become a Co-op member, if you’re exclusively doing so to save on your meal deal, you’ll need to buy two before you break even. Three meal deals and you’re in the money.
For your Co-op meal deal, you can choose from a sandwich, wrap, pasta, kastu bites, and sushi; pre-prepared fruit or veg, a bakery item, cooked meat snacks, or a cake; and you can wash it down with water (stay hydrated, kids!), a bottle of pop, or a smoothie. We picked out a chicken mayo sandwich, watermelon wedges, and Lucozade (pictured above).
Iceland Meal Deal
Nope, nothing to see here, lads. There’s plenty of offers at Iceland but a lunchtime meal deal ain’t one of them.
Lidl Meal Deal
Like Aldi and Asda, Lidl doesn’t have a specific meal deal, you can, however, put your own together for less that £4 if you choose wisely.
Morrisons Meal Deal
Morrisons’ Food To Go Meal Deal will set you back £3.50, or £4 for non-members. Yet another win for loyalty card holders.
Morrisons has far more variety in their meal deal section than Co-op – you’ll still only get a main, a side, and a drink, however there’s far more choice and some items that make you go “hmmmm”.
For your main, you can choose between a sandwich, wrap, or pasta tub. Or, you can pick the only soup included – you do you. Snacks are where things get broad: a pack of two hard boiled eggs (I’m sure your colleagues will love you), yoghurt, chilled cooked meat products, pre-prepared fruit or vegetables, grab bag of crisp, Indian picky bits, and cake bars. Beverages in the deal include iced coffee, fizzy pop, fruit squash and juice, smoothies, water and energy drinks.
Not bad.
M&S Meal Deal
At one point, M&S offered a meal deal that competed with the mid-range supermarkets on price; now though, in 2025, there’s no such promotion. M&S does have a ‘Food on the Move’ shelf, however there are no deals to be had. It’s not just full price, it’s M&S full price.
Ocado Meal Deal
Keep scrolling, Ocado has meal deals, but no specific lunch one. Afternoon tea? Yes. Pizza night in? Yes. M&S Gastropub? Yes? Big BBQ? Yes. Chicken dinner? Yes. Stir fry and ramen? Yes. Pasta? Yes. Lunch? No.
Sainsbury’s Meal Deal
The hot topic in meal deals: Sainsburys. For £3.95 (ouch), you get a choice of a main, a side, and a drink. Unlike Tesco and Co-op, Sainsburys doesn’t even offer Nectar card holders a discounted price (double ouch).
The usual pasta, sandwiches, and wraps are in the mains section, along with yoghurt and sushi. For a side, you could get a second yoghurt, pre-prepared fruit or veg, fresh fruit, a chocolate bar, nuts, crisp, and chilled picky bits.
Be careful what you pick up, though. Sainsburys offers a two tier meal deal – the £3.95 one, and a more premium £5 version. Much of the branded options are in the premium meal deal.
Tesco Meal Deal
Like Sainsburys, the Tesco meal deal has two tiers: one for £4.25 (£3.85 with a Clubcard), and a premium option for £5.50, again, with more branded products included.
Sandwiches, subs, wraps, sushi, salad, and rice/pasta bowls are on the Mains shelf; yoghurt, Indian picky bits, a selection of egg products, cold meat and pastries, packed lunch staples, crisps, and choc for your side; and water, fizzy drinks, smoothies, and fruit juice for your drink.
There’s quite a choice.
Waitrose Meal Deal
Forget complaining that Sainsbury’s meal deal has almost topped £4: Waitrose starts at £5. You do, of course, get better quality food and of all the supermarkets here, you get the biggest saving in Waitrose’s lunch deal compared to buying each product individually.
At Waitrose you get the usual offering of sandwiches, wraps, sushi, and pasta, except with that added pizzazz and posh sounding ingredient combinations. The sides include those that are separated into ‘premium’ deals at Tesco and Sainsburys: branded crisp, chocolate, and biscuits, as well as picky bits, porridge (huh?), cake and sweet bars, nuts, fruit and veg. Drink-wise, you can pick from fizzy pop, squash, fruit juice, smoothies, health drinks, water, iced coffee or tea, and energy drinks.
Looking at what’s on offer, we think Waitrose offers the best value for money and the best choice.
