The great British picnic has had a gourmet glow-up and it's not just sausage rolls and scotch eggs anymore.

After putting a staggering 219 snacks, dips and 'picky bits' to the test, the Good Housekeeping Institute has unveiled its definitive guide to the best supermarket buys for summer 2026 - just as Brits embrace the return of warmer weather and alfresco dining.

From truffle-topped charcuterie and garlic butter olives to bold, globally inspired crisps and even savoury twists on sweet pastries, this year's results show that the nation's love of 'picky teas' has reached delicious new heights.

Experts and consumer testers sampled everything blind - judging on appearance, aroma, texture and flavour - to find the standout stars for picnic blankets, park meet-ups and easy midweek grazing at home.

And while there's no shortage of inventive, flavour-packed options lining supermarket shelves, one retailer has come out on top for its impressive range of crowd-pleasing nibbles - proving that building the perfect picnic has never been easier (or tastier).

Callum Black, Deputy Head of Testing at the Good Housekeeping Institute, says: 'This year's results show just how much this food category has evolved. What was once a simple spread has become something far more exciting, with global flavours, premium ingredients and inventive twists on classics.

'Whether you're planning a picnic, hosting friends or just putting together an easy dinner, there are some brilliant options available this year at every price point.'

Standout winners

Among the highest-scoring products this year:

• Tesco Finest Garlic Butter Nocellara Olives (92/100): the top-scoring product overall
• Tesco Finest Prosciutto Crudo with Truffle (91/100): a premium picnic showstopper
• Co-op BBQ Lamb Kofta & Tzatziki Crisps (90/100): bold, flavour-packed sharing crisps
• Tesco Finest Savoury Pastel de Nata (88/100): a creative savoury twist on a classic
• Waitrose Chocolate Flapjack Mini Bites (88/100): a simple but indulgent sweet treat

Supermarket Awards

Tesco was crowned Best Supermarket for Picnics in 2026, securing an impressive eight podium spots, including five category wins across key picnic staples such as falafel, dips, olives, charcuterie and picnic pastries.

Waitrose was named runner-up, with six podium finishes and two category wins, impressing judges with its meat-based pastry and sweet treats, alongside strong performances across multiple savoury categories.

Other retailers including Asda, Co-op, M&S, Sainsbury's and Morrisons also performed strongly, highlighting the breadth of high-quality options now available for summer grazing.

THE ULTIMATE PICNIC TASTE TEST: COMPLETE RESULTS

Falafel

WINNER

• Tesco Sweet Potato Falafel

• £3 for 152g

86/100

If you're looking for a classic falafel, Tesco's own-brand version scored highly with the panel. 

They're deliciously soft, with notes of cumin and coriander to liven up chickpeas and sweet potato. The Good Housekeeping team loved them stuffed into pitta with a dollop of yoghurt.

RUNNER-UP

• Waitrose Sweet Potato Falafel

• £4 for 192g

83/100

Dips

WINNER

• Tesco Finest Whipped Feta & Tabbouleh

• £3.25 for 230g

87/100 

This full-flavoured yoghurt dip is packed with salty feta and vibrant mint, while the fresh tabbouleh topping gives everything a lift – the perfect companion for wraps or pitta served on a summery plate.

RUNNER-UP

• Asda Garlic & Herb Houmous

• £1.40 for 200g

86/100

Sausage Roll

WINNER

• Waitrose No.1 Harissa Sausage Roll

• £3.25 for 160g

85/100

Waitrose has reimagined a picnic classic with the help of warming harissa, and our testers loved it – giving it a 85/100 score and the title of 'Best Sausage Roll'. 

The team noted that this Harissa Sausage Roll's generous filling made it feel 'artisanal', while the inclusion of parsley and coriander cuts through the richness.  

The GHI team add: 'It's big enough to share, although we'd understand if you want to keep it all to yourself.'

RUNNER-UP

• Morrisons The Best Shawarma Sausage Roll

• £2.30 for 160g

79/100 

Veggie Sausage Rolls

WINNER

• Tesco Finest Vintage Cheddar & Caramelised Onion Rolls

• £3 for 188g

77/100

Testers really enjoyed these vegetarian alternatives to sausage rolls – so much so that they kept going back for more. 

The rolls combine caramelised onions with rich mature Cheddar and could be served hot with salad for a tasty midweek lunch.

JOINT RUNNER-UP

• Abel & Cole Sundried Tomato & Cheese Rolls

• £11.35 for 350g

75/100

JOINT RUNNER-UP

• Greggs Vegan Sausage Roll

• £1.45 for 100g

75/100

TAPAS

Best Veggie Hot Tapas

• M&S Spanish Style Butter Beans

• £3.90 for 180g

83/100

Testers described this as 'the perfect tapas dish'. The legumes have a gorgeous creamy texture and are served in a rich, sweet tomato sauce. 

Perfectly seasoned, it's a substantial small plate to serve alongside a bigger spread.

RUNNER-UP

• Unearthed Spanish Spinach Omelette

• £3.25 for 250g

73/100

Best Meat Hot Tapas

• Co-op Irresistible Chorizo Bites with Port Glaze

• £4.50 for 230g

83/100

If you thought port was just for Christmas, think again – here, fortified sweet wine creates a sweet, sticky glaze that perfectly complements the salty pork, say our expert panel.

RUNNER-UP

• Waitrose Albondigas with Tomato Sauce

• £5 for 230g

81/100

Best Cold Tapas

• Asda Bravas Chicken Pot

• £3.24 for 150g

85/100

Keep your cool this summer with this chilled small plate from Asda. The combination of lightly spiced tomato sauce and creamy aioli layered over tender, charred chicken – instead of the traditional potato – really works, say the GHI. Testers likened the flavour to a rich ragù.

RUNNER-UP

• Tesco Finest Burrata with Semi-Dried Tomatoes

• £4.50 for 300g

84/100

Charcuterie

WINNER

• Tesco Finest Prosciutto Crudo with Truffle

• £3 for 80g

91/100

Tesco's premium prosciutto has had a decent upgrade with the unmistakable addition of earthy truffle. It adds an indulgent touch to the nutty, sweet, cured meat, says the GHI team, elevating it to 'hero status in any picky tea spread'.

RUNNER-UP

• Asda Exceptional Mediterranean Charcuterie Platter

• £5.56 for 200g

90/100

Olive Pots

WINNER

• Tesco Finest Garlic Butter Nocellara Olives

• £3.75 for 120g

92/100

These olives come with a garlic butter pat to melt and stir through before serving.

RUNNER-UP

• Waitrose No.1 French Petit Lucques Olives

• £4 for 110g

90/100

Crisps

WINNER

• Co-op BBQ Lamb Kofta & Tzatziki Crisps

• £1.70 for 150g

90/100

These limited-edition crisps were our experts' favourite sharing bag for the summer. The team noted that the thick, ridged crisps taste exactly like roasted lamb served alongside a creamy, garlicky dip. 'Serve these with a refreshing apéritif,' advise the GHI team. Cheers!

RUNNER-UP

• Mr Filbert's Chorizo A La Sidra

• £4.50 for 125g

89/100

Best Picnic Pastry

WINNER

• Tesco Finest Savoury Pastel de Nata

• £4.50 for 400g

88/100

Named by the GHI as 'best picnic pastry' this year, the GHI were enamored by Tesco's revamp of Portugal's iconic pastry offering. 

The traditionally sweet custard has been replaced with garlicky melted Chedder, encased with a buttery flaky case. 

GHI testers loved this too, with one describing it as 'delicious and cheesy without being sickly'.

RUNNER-UP

• Waitrose Coronation Chicken Quiche

• £3.75 for 400g

85/100

Salad Pots

WINNER

• Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Caesar Pasta Salad

• £3.25 for 200g

84/100

The GHI's team of testers particularly enjoyed the combination of creamy chicken Caesar with al dente pasta alongside plenty of parmesan and a rich sauce.

JOINT RUNNER-UP

• Asda Mediterranean Orzo Salad

• 200g

80/100

JOINT RUNNER-UP

• Tesco Texan BBQ Potato & Bean Salad

• £2.45 for 270g

80/100

Desserts & Sweet Treats

WINNER

• Waitrose Chocolate Flapjack Mini Bites

• £4 for 300g

88/100

Waitrose elevates the classic flapjack by building on the buttery golden syrup flavour with a layer of sweet milk chocolate. 'Simple but delicious,' say the GHI's team of expert testers; 'they're the perfect bite-sized sweet treat to round off your picky tea.'

RUNNER-UP

• Pots & Co Lemon & Lime Posset Twin Pack

• £3.95

81/100

The full taste test results can be found on the Good Housekeeping UK website.