Fish fingers are a go-to for a quick and satisfying meal, whether it’s a kids' tea or a nostalgic Saturday sandwich piled high with tartar sauce on crusty bread. Birds Eye is a popular choice but often comes with a higher price tag compared to budget supermarket brands. So, are the cheaper options worth it?
To find out, I sourced fish fingers from Asda, Tesco, M&S, Aldi, Lidl, Sainsbury’s, and Morrisons and compared them to the original Birds Eye. All, except Asda Just Essentials and Morrisons Savers, carried the Certified Sustainable Seafood MSC stamp, indicating responsible sourcing.
We evaluated each brand based on fish content, price, breadcrumb flavor, cooking instructions, and nutritional values. Here’s what the taste test revealed:
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Birds Eye Omega 3 Breaded Fish Fingers (£3 for 10; 30p each)
Made with 58% Alaska pollock, these fish fingers have a bright orange breadcrumb coating. They appeared flatter than others, likely due to lower fish content. Once cooked, they easily fell apart and tasted dry. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars.
Morrisons Savers Fish Fingers (80p for 10; 8p each)
Also containing 58% minced Alaska pollock, these were the smallest fish fingers with a very processed look. The fish was bland, and the breadcrumbs lacked crispness. Scored 1 out of 5 stars.
Tesco Hearty Food Co. Fish Fingers (80p for 10; 8p each)
With 64% Alaska pollock, these fish fingers looked homemade and stood out for their chip shop-style taste. They had a solid fish content and cooked to a great texture. Rated a full 5 out of 5 stars.
Sainsbury’s Cod Fillet Fish Fingers (£2.25 for 10; 23p each)
Made with 64% Atlantic cod, these had a crispy breadcrumb coating and a strong fish flavor, though slightly dry. Given 4 out of 5 stars.
Lidl Simply Fish Fingers (80p for 10; 8p each)
Containing 65% minced Alaska pollock, Lidl’s fish fingers were meaty with buttery, crisp breadcrumbs loaded with flavor. They held together well and were very satisfying. Awarded 5 out of 5 stars.
Aldi Everyday Essentials Fish Fingers (80p for 10; 8p each)
Also made with 65% minced Alaska pollock, these were chunkier than Birds Eye and featured a tasty, batter-like coating. The fish was substantial, earning them 4.5 out of 5 stars.
M&S Fish Fingers (£2.30 for 10; 23p each)
Made with 64% haddock, these fish fingers boasted chunky white flakes and a distinctive “chip shop” flavor. They smelled strongly of fish and impressed us with their quality. Rated 5 out of 5 stars.
Asda Just Essentials Fish Fingers (80p for 10; 8p each)
With 58% minced Alaska pollock, these had some chunky fish but were let down by an unpleasant aftertaste from the breadcrumbs. Scored 2 out of 5 stars.
Summary:
Birds Eye, Morrisons, and Asda products had the lowest fish content at 58%. Aldi and Lidl offered the highest fish percentages (65%) and delivered great taste. However, the standout flavors came from M&S and Tesco, both reminiscent of chip shop fish.
Considering price and taste, Tesco’s 80p fish fingers were the surprising winner, outperforming pricier brands while delivering excellent flavor and quality.