Classic choices such as cheese, bacon, tuna and egg mayonnaise topped the list. HelloFresh says that when lunch time rolls around, it’s clear that Brits prefer their sandwiches fuss-free and full of classic flavours.
The cheese sandwich reigns supreme as the UK’s favourite filling, with 37% of participants naming it their go-to lunchtime choice. Cheese also proved especially popular with Gen Z, with 45% of younger respondents picking it as their top sandwich choice.
Following closely behind is bacon that captured 37% of the vote. It was particularly popular among men, with over two-fifths (42%) choosing it, compared to just under a third of women (32%). Other less popular sandwich fillings included jam (13%), cucumber (15%) and prawns (19%).
Coming in third is the classic egg mayonnaise, preferred by almost a third (32%) overall and nearly two-fifths of women (38%). Egg and cress also made a solid showing, with a quarter (25%) of those surveyed naming it their favourite.
In Edinburgh (33%) and Southampton (36%) cheese and pickle sandwich took the top spot. Meanwhile, cities like Liverpool (44%) and Newcastle (42%) show a strong preference for tuna.
Mimi Morley, senior recipe development manager at HelloFresh, said: “It’s fascinating to see how the nation’s sandwich preferences continue to celebrate simple and timeless flavours. While food trends often push bold and adventurous tastes, the research clearly shows that these often don’t stick around, compared to classic, comforting flavours like cheese or egg mayonnaise. These staples clearly resonate across generations, proving that less really is more when it comes to lunchtime favourites.”