For a gravy-led roast, choose plain naan if you want a bread side without added garlic or sweetness; garlic-and-coriander naan suits an intentionally spiced menu, while mini naan makes individual portions easier to serve. If “best of both” means a white-and-brown or wholemeal blend, check the product name and ingredients rather than assuming that description applies to naan.
If naan is taking the place of a roll alongside gravy, roast meat or vegetables, plain naan avoids adding garlic or a sweet filling. The plain formats described by Waitrose and M&S still contain wheat flour and, in those examples, kalonji seeds.
Garlic-and-coriander naan is a deliberate flavour choice when the menu includes spiced vegetables, grilled meat or a garlic-led sauce. M&S lists garlic and coriander in its larger sharing format.
Mini naan can be served without dividing a larger bread at the table. M&S lists a freezable mini plain format; check the chosen pack’s freezing and defrosting directions if preparing ahead.
Start with the roast’s flavours, then choose a serving format and check the exact pack for ingredients and preparation instructions.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour | Check whether the naan is plain, garlic-and-coriander or sweet Peshwari. M&S describes its Peshwari naan as containing sultanas and coconut. | With gravy and a conventional savoury roast, I would choose plain naan. For a spiced menu, I might want garlic and coriander; I would choose Peshwari only if a sweet contrast suits the meal. |
| Portions | Compare the bread count and pack weight. Tesco lists four-piece mini plain naan; M&S lists a 380 g garlic-and-coriander sharing format. | Individual plates are easier to plan with mini pieces. If everyone will share bread, I would check how many larger naans the pack contains. |
| Flour | Read the product name and ingredients for any stated wholemeal or blended-flour content. Wheat flour alone does not establish a white-and-brown blend. | If “best of both” means a particular flour blend to me, I need that description on the actual pack rather than judging by the naan’s colour. |
| Ingredients | Check the current allergen and ingredient information for wheat, milk ingredients or ghee, and look for a product-specific vegan declaration where relevant. | When serving a guest with an ingredient or allergen requirement, I need to check their particular naan and avoid cross-contact during serving. |
| Storage and serving | Check whether the pack needs chilling, its date label, after-opening directions and any freezing, defrosting or warming instructions. Waitrose says its chilled 2 x 130 g tandoori plain naan must be kept below 5°C and consumed within one day of opening. | If I am buying before roast day, I need storage space and a serving plan that follows the instructions on the pack I choose. |
Garlic and coriander add savoury seasoning, while the sultanas and coconut in M&S Peshwari naan make it a sweet option. Either changes the flavour alongside gravy.
Choose plain naan for a roast where the bread should not add those flavours; choose a flavoured naan when it suits the rest of the menu.
The product names and wheat-flour ingredient details for the Tesco, Waitrose and M&S examples do not themselves establish a white-and-brown or wholemeal blend.
If the blend matters, look for it explicitly in the current product name and ingredients. Do not infer it from colour.
Chilled, after-opening and freezing instructions differ between products. Waitrose says its chilled tandoori plain naan needs refrigeration below 5°C and should be consumed within one day of opening.
Check the pack before buying ahead, then follow its date, freezing and defrosting instructions.
The cited product examples contain wheat ingredients, while milk ingredients or ghee vary by recipe. A vegan declaration on one plain naan does not apply to the whole category.
Check each current label against guests’ requirements and prevent cross-contact when serving someone with an allergen sensitivity.
These retailer and brand ranges illustrate formats to compare; the details below apply to the cited products, not every naan bearing the same name.
Tesco Groceries lists own-label plain, garlic-and-coriander and mini plain naan formats.
Waitrose lists plain naan in both a 220 g format and a chilled 2 x 130 g tandoori format.
M&S lists plain, mini, garlic-and-coriander, tandoori and Peshwari naan.
Sharwood's plain and mini formats appear in the cited retailer listings.
Tesco Groceries lists Aagrah plain and garlic-and-coriander naan as 2 x 200 g packs.
These Humza plain and garlic-and-coriander packs offer different flavours and pack sizes for serving naan alongside a roast. Choose the flavour for your menu and check the product details before planning portions or storage.
No image available
A plain option when you do not want garlic or a sweet filling alongside the roast. The family pack contains 12 pieces; check its ingredients and storage directions before serving.
No image available
A four-piece plain pack for a roast where added garlic is not wanted. Joybuy lists wheat flour and a wheat/gluten allergen declaration; follow the product’s warming directions.
No image available
Consider the garlic-and-coriander flavour for an intentionally spiced roast rather than a neutral bread side. The pack contains 12 pieces; check its current allergen and storage information.
No image available
A four-piece flavoured option for a garlic-led or spiced menu. Joybuy lists garlic at 2% and coriander at 1.5%, and declares wheat/cereals containing gluten.
Choose plain naan when you want a bread side without added garlic; choose garlic-and-coriander when that seasoning suits a spiced or garlic-led roast. Check the pack size as well as the flavour so you have a suitable number of pieces to serve.
Its appearance does not establish that. If you want a white-and-brown or wholemeal blend, look for that description in the product name and current ingredient list rather than assuming wheat flour means wholemeal.
Check the current label for every pack: the cited naan examples contain wheat ingredients, and some recipes also include milk ingredients or ghee. GOV.UK allergen guidance identifies cereals containing gluten and milk among the allergens for which food businesses must provide information when present as ingredients.
You can freeze a pack labelled suitable for freezing if you follow its specific directions. The cited Waitrose and M&S products include freezable formats, but check the chosen pack’s date, freezing and defrosting instructions before buying ahead.
Plan warming around the roast’s serving time and follow the instructions on the particular pack. The cited Waitrose plain and tandoori naan pages say to serve warm without reheating, so do not assume every naan can be warmed repeatedly.