M&S Easter Meal Deal Review: £20 Roast Beats Pub Sunday Lunch
Marks & Spencer's highly anticipated Easter roast meal deal has returned this week, offering a fuss-free celebratory feast for four at just £5 per person. This bank holiday special promises to deliver a generous spread without requiring hours in the kitchen, making it an ideal solution for those caught unprepared by the Easter festivities.
What's Included in the M&S Easter Meal Deal?
Priced at £20, the deal allows customers to select one main dish and three sides, reportedly saving £12 compared to purchasing items separately. The main options include a whole seasoned chicken rubbed with chicken-fat butter for crispy skin, British slow-cooked boneless lamb shoulder in a zesty lemon, garlic and rosemary marinade, or a British outdoor bred pork crackling joint. For fish lovers, there's a roast-in-the-bag Scottish salmon fillet with herb mix and lemon-pepper butter, while vegetarians can opt for a mushroom stroganoff pie in puff pastry.
The side selection features roast potatoes, herby hasselback potatoes, honey roasted carrots, roots, spring greens, cavolo nero and peas, cheesy green vegetable bake, and Yorkshire puddings with two per person in each pack.
Availability and Testing
The deal will be available from Wednesday 1 April to Sunday 5 April 2026, perfect for last-minute Easter plans. Customers can check availability through M&S's online store locator.
Our testing involved cooking the British slow-cooked boneless lamb shoulder with herby hasselback potatoes and honey roasted carrots. We evaluated the dishes based on quality, ease of preparation, and whether they could realistically feed four people.
Cooking Experience and Results
The dishes proved remarkably easy to prepare thanks to clear packaging instructions. While not completely hands-off, the process only required occasional basting of the lamb, adding a glaze to carrots halfway through cooking, and heating the accompanying port and red wine sauce. The entire meal cooked in just over an hour.
The boneless lamb shoulder emerged as the star performer – incredibly tender with a rich, slow-cooked flavor despite the relatively short cooking time. The port and red wine sauce added beautiful richness without being overly heavy. The hasselback potatoes achieved a perfect crisp exterior with fluffy interiors and subtle garlic flavor, while the honey roasted carrots delivered just the right amount of sweetness.
Portion Considerations and Value Assessment
While £20 represents excellent value for a roast deal featuring lamb shoulder, the meat portion might stretch to feed four people only if servings are modest. The meal comfortably feeds three, especially when paired with generous sides, but don't expect significant leftovers when serving four.
Compared to dining out over the bank holiday weekend, which can prove expensive for families, M&S's Easter meal deal offers outstanding value. The dishes deliver restaurant-quality flavors with minimal preparation effort, making this an accessible option even for inexperienced cooks.
Final Verdict
M&S's Easter meal deal provides delicious, high-quality meat and sides that taste freshly prepared from scratch. The straightforward cooking process saves valuable time during the holiday weekend. While portions might be tight for four hearty eaters, this represents a compelling alternative to pub roasts for those seeking an easy, affordable Easter lunch solution.
