Tesco has stirred up its popular meal deal offering by launching four new limited edition items, prompting a mixed reaction from its customer base. The supermarket giant, which operates nearly 3,000 stores across the UK, has expanded its budget-friendly lunchtime range with fresh sandwich and wrap options.
What's New in the Tesco Meal Deal?
The new additions, which were highlighted by the popular Instagram food account New Foods UK to its 373,000 followers, are now available for a limited time. The standard meal deal, which allows customers to pick a main, a snack, and a drink, is priced at £4.25, or £3.85 for Clubcard members.
The four new mains joining the line-up are:
- Tesco Chicken Pepperoni and BBQ Sauce Sandwich: Featuring barbecue sauce, chicken breast, pepperoni, and mild cheddar cheese in tomato bread.
- Salt and Pepper Chicken Wrap: Containing chicken breast in a salt and pepper sauce with roasted pepper, onion, and spinach in a plain tortilla.
- Limited Edition Jamaican Style Jerk Chicken Sandwich: Made with chicken breast, pickled vegetable slaw, mango chutney, jerk sauce, mayonnaise, and spinach in tomato bread.
- 'Marry Me' Chicken Wrap: Comprising chicken breast, tomato, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, herb mayonnaise, marinated semi-dried tomato, and lettuce in a tomato tortilla wrap.
Shoppers Divided Over New Flavours
Reaction on social media has been split. Many customers expressed excitement, with one commenting, "OMG I can't wait to try every single one of these! They look incredible." Another eager fan wrote, "I'm gonna have to give these a go, they're calling my name." A five-star review for the Jamaican Style Jerk Chicken sandwich on Tesco's website praised its "nice combination and something new on the menu."
However, not all feedback has been positive. One shopper criticised the Salt and Pepper Chicken Wrap, stating it was "awful... no flavour to it." Another gave a lukewarm verdict on the Chicken Pepperoni and BBQ Sauce sandwich, noting it "barely had any chicken at all."
The Enduring Appeal of the Meal Deal
The meal deal remains a cornerstone of Tesco's appeal, offering a combination of value, choice, and convenience. The deal typically includes a main like a sandwich, wrap, pasta pot, or salad, paired with a drink and a snack. The introduction of these limited edition items on 15 January 2026 is a strategic move to refresh the offering and generate buzz among loyal customers.
With the UK's cost of living still a concern for many, the meal deal continues to be a go-to lunch option for millions. Whether these four new items become permanent favourites or fleeting experiments depends on customer uptake and feedback in the coming weeks.
