Consumer group Which? reveals UK's BEST ketchup and it's less than half price of Heinz

A supermarket own-brand tomato ketchup has matched best-seller Heinz in a taste test - but for less than half the price.

Consumer group Which? hailed Co-op’s red sauce, giving it a best buy score of 74%.

“Our tasters were particularly happy with the thickness of the ketchup, with 86% of them scoring it as ‘just right’,” it said.

It matched Heinz Tomato Ketchup, which also scored 74%.

But at £1.30 for a 550g bottle, the Co-op Tomato Ketchup is a whole budget-boosting less than Heinz’s £3.40 for 460g.

Which? said: “A bottle of Heinz doesn’t come cheap.

“It’s more than three times as expensive as the average ketchup in our test (per 100g).

“But if you won’t settle for anything but the original, it’s worth keeping an eye out for offers as this is typically the best time to buy.”

Just behind both was Hellmann’s Tomato Ketchup (£1.50 for 465g), with a taste test score of 73%.

The cheapest ketchup in the test was from Aldi ’s own-brand Bramwells range, which scored 72%.

A bottle of Heinz 'doesn't come cheap', Which? said (Getty Images)

And while only just below Heinz, it costs more than four times less, at 75p for a bigger 650g bottle.

Which? said: “Aldi’s cheap and cheerful ketchup scored well overall and is a bargain buy, so it’s definitely one to try if you’re looking to make the swap to a cheaper choice.

“Tasters particularly enjoyed the colour, texture and thickness of this ketchup.”

Bottom for taste was Marks & Spencer’s Tomato Ketchup (85p for a 495g bottle), with a score of 60%

“The majority of tasters found this ketchup too thick, too strong and too tangy,” said Which?

Which? top 10 red sauces

Source: Which?

• Co-op Tomato Ketchup - 74%

£1.30 for 550g (24p per 100g)

• Best Buy: Heinz Tomato Ketchup - 74%

£3.40 for 460g (54p per 100g)

• Hellmann’s Tomato Ketchup - 73%

£1.50 for 465g (32p per 100g)

• Aldi Bramwells Tomato Ketchup - 72%

75p for 650g (12p per 100g)

• Tesco Tomato Ketchup - 72%

£1 for 555g (18p per 100g)

• Morrisons Tomato Ketchup - 71%

£1.25 for 450g (28p per 100g)

• Asda Classic Tomato Ketchup - 70%

75p for 550g (14p per 100g).

• Sainsbury’s Tomato Ketchup Sauce - 69%

85p for 460g (18p per 100g)

• Waitrose Essential Tomato Ketchup - 69%

90p for 470g (19p per 100g)

• M&S Tomato Ketchup - 60%

85p for 495g (17p per 100g)