Hosts serving a larger table
If several people will have a scoop alongside pudding, compare the volume of a sharing tub with the portions you plan to serve. Asda, Waitrose and Tesco list 2-litre options.
Who is this for?
Hosts serving a smaller table
A smaller tub may be enough when there are fewer dessert eaters or you want a particular flavour. Sainsbury’s describes its 480ml Taste the Difference Vanilla tub as approximately five servings; portion sizes still depend on how you serve it.
Hosts catering for dietary needs
If a guest avoids dairy or has an allergy, choose from the exact product’s ingredient and allergen information rather than its flavour name. Plant-based tubs offer another route, but that label alone does not settle every allergy question.
What matters when choosing a tub?
Start with the number of dessert eaters, then check the flavour’s role, the exact label and the space available in your freezer.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and size | Compare the tub’s volume with the number of people and the scoops you intend to serve. Use a pack serving statement where one is given. | I’m serving dessert to several guests and want enough to go round. For a small table, Sainsbury’s describes its 480ml Taste the Difference Vanilla tub as approximately five servings. |
| Flavour and role | Decide whether the tub will accompany a pudding, fruit or sauce, or be served on its own. Check the stated flavour rather than assuming every vanilla or fruit dessert has the same ingredients. | A familiar vanilla flavour would work alongside my pudding; if the frozen dessert is the focus, I might choose a more distinctive flavour. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the exact pack’s ingredients, declared allergens and precautionary statements. Check a plant-based tub for other ingredients relevant to your guests. | One of my guests needs a dairy-free option, or I need to check a specific allergy before serving. |
| Freezer and serving | Check that the tub fits your freezer and follow its storage, softening and refreezing instructions. Asda’s reviewed vanilla tub specifies a maximum storage temperature of -18°C; Sainsbury’s reviewed vanilla tub says not to refreeze once defrosted. | I need room to store the tub before Sunday and a way to serve it without leaving the whole pack out for the meal. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a small tub for a large table
A 460–500ml tub may suit a smaller gathering but leave too little for several guests. Retailer listings also include 2-litre tubs intended for a different scale of serving.
Count dessert eaters and decide on portions before choosing a tub size.
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Assuming plain vanilla has no relevant allergens
The reviewed Asda vanilla tub contains milk and may contain nuts and peanuts. Sainsbury’s reviewed Taste the Difference Vanilla tub contains milk and egg and carries nut-allergy advice.
Read the exact pack before serving and keep its ingredient information available for guests.
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Leaving the whole tub out throughout dessert
Storage and refreezing directions apply to the particular product. The reviewed Asda and Sainsbury’s tubs both say not to refreeze once defrosted.
Serve the amount you expect to use and follow the tub’s own softening and storage instructions.
Brands and their tub ranges
M&S
M&S Food lists Collection ice-cream tubs, frozen-yoghurt options and Plant Kitchen plant-based tubs.
- Its listing includes 500ml Collection tubs and a 785g Cornish Soft Scoop Vanilla tub.
- Check the chosen tub’s ingredients and your Foodhall’s listing before planning to serve it.
Waitrose
Waitrose lists tubs ranging from Essential Vanilla Soft Scoop 2 litres to smaller dairy and branded options.
- The range offers different volumes for a shared pudding or a smaller dessert.
- Check the volume and flavour of the particular tub rather than treating the range as interchangeable.
Tesco
Tesco lists a 900ml vanilla ice cream and a 2-litre Cornish ice cream among its tubs.
- The stated volumes give hosts two different starting points for portion planning.
- Neither volume alone establishes how many scoops your table will need.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s lists a 480ml Taste the Difference Madagascan Vanilla ice cream described as approximately five servings.
- Its serving statement offers a useful reference for a small table.
- The reviewed tub contains milk and egg and is not suitable for customers with a nut allergy because of its manufacturing methods.
Asda
Asda lists a 2-litre Soft Scoop Vanilla Flavour Ice Cream tub relevant to a larger dessert table.
- Its stated volume can be compared with the portions needed for a shared pudding.
- The reviewed tub contains milk and may contain nuts and peanuts; check the pack before serving.
Häagen-Dazs
Waitrose lists Häagen-Dazs tubs in several 460ml flavours and a 650ml vanilla option.
- Those sizes offer flavour choices to consider for a smaller table.
- Check the volume against your guest list before relying on one tub for everyone.
Joybuy tubs for a Sunday roast
These options include smaller dairy and plant-based tubs, plus 900ml and 1 L choices. Match each pack to your planned portions, flavour and guests’ ingredient needs.
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XO ICE Plant-Based Mango and Coconut Gelato 473ml
A smaller plant-based tub to consider when serving a mango-and-coconut dessert. Check its exact ingredient and precautionary allergen statements against each guest’s needs; 473ml does not establish a serving count for a larger table.
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Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Ice Cream 460ml
A smaller vanilla tub to consider alongside a Sunday pudding. Plan portions before relying on 460ml for a group, and check the pack for milk and egg if guests have allergies.
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Windy Bank Vanilla Gelato Ice Cream 900ml
This 900ml vanilla tub is an option when you want more than a small tub for dessert. Work out the portions you intend to serve, and check the pack for milk and precautionary nut information.
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Kulfi Mango Ice Cream 1 L
A 1 L mango-flavoured option to consider with a warm dessert. Decide how many portions you need, and check the pack for milk and precautionary nut information before serving.
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Ben & Jerry’s Caramel Chew-Chew Ice Cream 465ml
A caramel-flavoured tub to consider when ice cream is the dessert rather than a neutral accompaniment. Its product information describes five portions; check the pack for milk, egg, soya and precautionary nut information.
Questions about frozen dessert tubs
What tub size works for a Sunday-roast dessert?
For several dessert eaters, a 2-litre tub is a practical size to consider; Asda, Waitrose and Tesco list examples. For a smaller table, Sainsbury’s describes its 480ml Taste the Difference Vanilla tub as approximately five servings. Decide how generous your portions will be before buying.
Should I serve vanilla or another flavour?
Vanilla is a straightforward choice when you want a scoop alongside pudding, fruit or sauce. If the frozen dessert will be served on its own, choose a flavour your guests want and check that the tub holds enough for them.
Is a plant-based tub suitable for every guest with an allergy?
No. Check the exact tub’s ingredient list, declared allergens and precautionary statements against the guest’s specific needs. A plant-based description does not establish suitability for every allergy.
How should I store and serve the tub?
Follow the instructions on the tub you buy. The reviewed Asda vanilla tub specifies storage at a maximum of -18°C, while Sainsbury’s reviewed vanilla tub advises softening it slightly in the fridge before serving. Both say not to refreeze once defrosted.