Hosts serving a larger group
Look at 900ml–2L tubs if several guests will share one flavour. Plan portions around the group and any other desserts, and make sure the tub will fit in your cool box or bag.
Who is each tub size for?
The useful starting point is how many people will share the tub and whether everyone wants the same flavour.
Small groups choosing a particular flavour
A 440–500ml tub makes sense when a named flavour or mix-ins matter more than having one large tub. Check the exact pack if anyone has an allergy or dietary requirement.
Picnickers planning the journey
Cold transport matters regardless of tub size. Food Standards Agency picnic guidance advises using a cool box or bag with ice or frozen gel packs for dairy foods that need to be kept cool. If you cannot keep ice cream at the temperature its label requires, choose a dessert that suits your travel plans instead.
What should you check before choosing?
Choose a workable size first, then narrow the options by flavour, guests’ dietary needs and the way you will carry the tub.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Tub size | Compare the stated volume and any serving guidance on the exact pack. Tesco Groceries and Sainsbury's list formats ranging from smaller branded tubs to 900ml and 2L options; volume alone does not determine how many portions you will serve. | Several people will share one flavour, or I need a smaller tub alongside other desserts. |
| Flavour | Check the exact flavour and any stated mix-ins. A 440–500ml tub can add a second choice without making it the sole tub for a larger group. | One particular flavour matters to my group, or I want to offer guests a choice. |
| Ingredients | Read the current ingredient, allergen and precautionary statements for the exact tub. Manufacturer information for Magnum Double Salted Caramel and an M&S Collection tub shows why declarations should not be assumed to match across flavours. | Someone in our group needs to check whether they can eat the specific product being served. |
| Cold storage | Check the pack’s frozen-storage and refreezing instructions. Food Standards Agency picnic guidance advises a cool box or bag with ice or frozen gel packs distributed throughout, kept shaded and opened as little as possible. | The journey or time outdoors could make it difficult to keep the tub cold enough to serve. |
What can go wrong at a picnic?
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Taking a large tub without a cold-storage plan
A larger tub may take longer to serve and can warm while guests help themselves. The Food Standards Agency advises keeping dairy picnic foods cool in a cool box or bag with ice or frozen gel packs.
Pack the tub into the cooler, keep it shaded, take it out to serve and return it promptly. Follow the frozen-storage instructions on its label.
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Assuming a familiar brand means familiar ingredients
Allergen declarations differ between products. Magnum’s Double Salted Caramel tub declares milk and soya, while the M&S Collection Toscano Olive Oil tub lists egg and milk and is marked unsuitable for people with nut or peanut allergies.
Check the current pack for the exact flavour before buying and again before sharing it with guests.
Which brands and ranges are relevant?
These ranges illustrate different tub sizes and flavour choices; check the individual product rather than assuming every tub from a brand is alike.
Häagen-Dazs
A branded flavour option for a smaller picnic group.
- Sainsbury's lists a 460ml Häagen-Dazs Vanilla tub.
- Check the exact flavour and pack before relying on its ingredients or serving information.
Ben & Jerry's
An option for a small group choosing a named flavour with mix-ins.
- Sainsbury's lists a 465ml Cookie Dough tub.
- A single 465ml tub may not match a larger group’s portion plan; check ingredients for the chosen flavour.
Magnum
A smaller tub format for guests who want a particular chocolate-and-caramel combination.
- Magnum describes its 440ml Double Salted Caramel tub as containing sauce, a chocolate shell and shards.
- That product declares milk and soya and has precautionary warnings for other ingredients; read the current label.
Tesco
A retailer range for comparing smaller branded tubs with larger own-label formats.
- Tesco Groceries lists a 900ml vanilla tub and a 2L Cornish ice cream tub.
- The exact flavour, ingredients and storage instructions depend on the product selected.
Sainsbury's
A retailer range spanning a large own-label tub and smaller branded flavours.
- Sainsbury's lists a 2L Vanilla Flavour Soft Scoop alongside smaller tubs.
- Check the selected tub’s volume and label rather than treating different formats as interchangeable.
M&S
A range to consider when a specific flavour or product line matters to a smaller group.
- M&S lists 500ml Collection tubs and Plant Kitchen products.
- Read the exact product’s allergen and storage information; the Collection Toscano Olive Oil tub says not to refreeze.
Joybuy tubs for different picnic groups
These options include 900ml and 1L tubs for sharing, plus smaller tubs for a particular flavour or an additional choice. Match the size to your guests, then check the current pack and plan how to keep it cold.
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Windy Bank Strawberries & Cream Tub 900ml
The stated 900ml format is an option when several picnic guests will share a strawberries-and-cream tub. Check the current pack for ingredients and frozen-storage instructions before serving.
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Kulfi Mango Ice Cream 1 L
This 1L mango ice cream is a larger-format choice when the group wants one flavour to share. Check the current pack for allergens and keep the tub at the temperature its label requires.
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XO ICE Mango and Coconut Gelato, Plant Based, 473ml
The 473ml mango-and-coconut tub is a smaller option or an additional flavour. Its plant-based designation does not replace a check of the current allergen statement for the guests who will eat it.
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Häagen-Dazs Dulce De Leche Ice Cream 460ml
This 460ml tub offers a named flavour for a smaller group or as a second picnic choice. Check its current allergen and frozen-storage instructions before sharing.
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Ben & Jerry's Phish Food Ice Cream 465ml
The 465ml tub is a smaller-group or additional-flavour option. If guests have dietary requirements, check the exact pack before serving and keep the ice cream cold during the picnic.
Picnic ice cream questions
What size ice cream tub should I take to a picnic?
A 900ml–2L tub is a useful starting format when a larger group will share one flavour; a 440–500ml tub suits a smaller group or an additional choice. Check any serving guidance on the pack and allow for other desserts before deciding how many tubs to take.
How should I carry ice cream to an outdoor picnic?
Use a cool box or bag with ice or frozen gel packs distributed throughout, and follow the tub’s frozen-storage instructions. Food Standards Agency picnic guidance also advises keeping the cooler shaded and opening it as little as possible.
Can I refreeze leftover ice cream?
Follow the exact tub’s label rather than assuming leftovers can be refrozen. For example, the M&S Collection Toscano Olive Oil ice cream instructions say to keep it frozen at -18°C and not to refreeze it.
How do I check whether everyone can share one tub?
Read the current ingredient and allergen statements for the exact flavour before offering it to guests. Declarations differ: Magnum Double Salted Caramel lists milk and soya, while the M&S Collection Toscano Olive Oil tub lists egg and milk and is marked unsuitable for people with nut or peanut allergies.