This is the third and final post in our ALDI 101 series. But I have to be honest — I kind of don’t want this series to end!
I have been having so much fun reading your comments over email, tweets, Facebook, Instagram, and in the comment section below about Aldi! From those of you who have been longtime fans and have shared your great tips and favorite items, to those of you who may have never set foot in an Aldi but are considering giving it a try, it has been so cool to hear about each person’s unique experience with the store. I have to admit that a reader totally made my day when she shared that she ventured into an Aldi for the first time this week, and loved it. That is so cool!!!! :-)
Well after our first two posts — Why I Shop At Aldi and How To Shop At Aldi — today is the post that gets down to specifics on what to buy at Aldi. I feel like I should probably give a huge disclaimer that this post is based 100% on personal opinion. I have all of my own quirks and preferences, and as you will see below, there is a large section of the store (cereals, many non-organic meats, pet food, makeup, etc.) that I have not tried because those areas do not fall in my normal grocery shopping. And I’m sure there are plenty of items where our opinions may just simply differ! The pina colada popsicles that I adore just may not be your thing.
So please feel free to take this post with a a big grain of Aldi’s sea salt. ;) My hope is to offer a few starting points, and then hopefully you can try some new items and form your own opinions. To organize this post, I have included a few brief thoughts about each section of the store, and then a brief “to buy” and “not to buy” list of specifics. As always, I would love to have you share your thoughts on what you like to buy in the comments below.
This concludes our Aldi series! Thanks so much for joining in the conversation, and I look forward to resuming regular recipe posting with you tomorrow!
Pantry Items
The pantry items are where I recommend people start at Aldi. Almost everything I’ve ever tried in this section is high-quality and consistently way cheaper than anyplace else. Granted, again, there is only one of most items to choose from. So you do not get the option of white whole wheat flour, unbleached or barley flour — there is usually bleached all-purpose flour, and that’s it. But this is an awesome section to stock your pantry, and even try a few of their specialty pantry items in the process.
What To Buy:
- baking essentials (flour, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, basic spices, condensed milk, etc.)
- real vanilla extract
- chocolate chips (semi-sweet, butterscotch,
- nuts for baking (pecan halves, walnuts, almonds, etc.)
- garlic vinagrette (with the garlic floating on the bottom!)
- Fit & Active light balsamic vinaigrette
- natural peanut butter
- clover honey
- breadcrumbs
- whole wheat pasta
- potato gnocchi
- strawberry light & crispy cereal bars
- granola
- oatmeal (any kind — there are lots of options!)
- rice
- dried beans
What Not To Buy:
The only iffy pantry item I have tried at Aldi is their chili powder, but I’m a bit of a spice snob. I think that you get what you pay for anytime you buy $1 spices at a grocery store. I’m also not a big cereal connoisseur, but I do know that their version of Cheerio’s does not taste exactly like the original. Just like at any grocery store, many of the cereals or granola bars are made with extra sugar, so be sure to check out the labels if you’re going for healthy.
Snacks and Sweets
There is actually a really wide variety of snacks and sweets to choose from at Aldi! I don’t usually let myself buy potato chips at the grocery store, but when most all of their chips are under $2, I have to admit that I have now sampled quite a few. And they are pretty much awesome. :)
What To Buy:
- dry-roasted almonds
- waffle bowls
- tortilla chips (restaurant-style, blue and multigrain varieties)
- sweet potato chips
- kettle chips (sea salt & vinegar and jalapeno are my favs)
- moser roth chili chocolate bars
- anise pizzelle cookies
- Haribo cola candy
- chocolate-covered coffee beans
What Not To Buy:
I don’t have any no-buys in this section. I will just mention that occasionally the lower prices equal lower serving sizes in some products. Again, to use chips as an example, often their bags are only about half full. So plan accordingly. (Or just use it as an excuse for portion control!) ;)
Dairy & Refrigerated Items
This is one category where it is “to each his own”. The majority of Aldi’s dairy products are not organic, although more and more organic options (and alternatives like almond milk!) are starting to pop up. The refrigerated section also seems to have a lot of variety and turnover, so while there may be marscapone and brie some months, they might not be there year-round. Still, my cart is always filled with lots of items from this section each time I go! And I always stock up on butter each time I’m there. It tastes great, and it is always so cheap!
What To Buy:
- BUTTER!
- fresh mozzarella balls
- hummus (roasted red pepper, garlic and cayenne are my three favorites)
- fresh salsas (I love the medium)
- marscapone
- soft cheeses (gorgonzola, blue, goat and feta are usually available)
- cream cheese (regular and reduced-fat)
- greek yogurt (often they have the Fage brand, and I also like their black cherry)
- original organic soymilk
- natural almond milk
- skim milk, 2% milk, whole milk, half and half, heavy cream (none are organic, but they are pretty good!)
- eggs
- cinnamon rolls
What Not To Buy:
Obviously if you are looking for organic, anything that is not marked as such is a no. I also think that many of their block cheeses are ok, but probably about worth what you pay for.
Produce
Ok, people, this has become my favorite section of Aldi! Trust me — there is some amazing produce to be found here at some of the best prices I’ve found. But here’s the deal…
You must be smart about choosing your produce. Just like at the normal grocery store, not every piece of produce is going to be perfectly ripe or at its peak season each time you visit. Case in point — Aldi can have incredible deals on avocadoes. (They are $0.19 each this week!) But if the avocado is wilted, or hard as a rock, it’s probably not a good day to buy it. The same goes for if you see any produce that looks super over- or under-ripe. If it looks iffy, you should probably wait until your next trip. Or you may need to eat it immediately, or wait a week for it to ripen if need be. But most of the time, I am completely impressed with their selection of ripe, affordable, delicious produce.
Most of their produce is also not organic, so just a heads-up if that is an important factor to you. Also many of their produce items (onions, zucchini, oranges, apples, kiwi, etc.) come in bags or in bulk. So there is not always the option to buy a single of some items.
Still, I always load up my cart with Aldi produce, so here are some of my favs!
What To Buy:
- pineapple
- lemons/limes
- baby carrots
- celery
- mushrooms
- green onions
- sweet mini peppers
- specialty lettuce
- berries (strawberries, blackberries, blueberries)
- zucchini and yellow squash
- kiwi
- pears
- mangoes
What Not To Buy:
Again, anything that looks iffy. I find that their roma tomatoes typically are not very ripe or flavorful. And I would also offer a special note on the bananas — they are awesome, but often they are over- or under-ripe, so you need to eat them in the proper timeframe.
Refrigerated Meats
As I said above, I prefer to buy most of my meat organic, so I haven’t tried tons of Aldi’s refrigerated meat options. But they have some killer deals on meats, especially in their weekly fresh meat special buys! Be sure to always check for those specials when they are published each Wednesday, as they tend to disappear quickly! A lot of the meat at Aldi is also seasonal, so be sure around the holidays to check out their hams and turkeys. They are amazing!
What To Buy:
- turkey bacon
- ground turkey
- thick peppered bacon
- spiral-cut ham
- turkeys
What Not To Buy:
Just a heads up that their cheapest bacon is really thin and not very lean. I would “splurge” and go for one of the thicker cuts, since that is practically the same price as the inexpensive bacon at the regular grocery store!
Canned/Jarred Goods
Thus far, I have had 100% positive experiences with the canned and jarred section at Aldi. They have a great selection of your basic canned fruits and veggies, and lots of canned sauces and such to choose from. And the prices are fantastic! Once again, I would caution to read the labels. Their canned peaches have a ton of sugar, as the generic canned peaches do at most stores. And some of their sauces and soups contain more processed ingredients than I prefer, as is common in many jarred sauces. But still, don’t be scared of any of the canned produce from Aldi — it’s awesome!
What To Buy:
- canned veggies
- canned fruits
- canned beans
- jarred marinara sauce
What Not To Buy:
Anything that you might be iffy about being overly-processed. (Look for some Gimme Some Oven recipes for easy alternatives to make soups homemade!) And again, keep an eye on the sugar content with canned fruits.
Frozen Foods
To be honest, this is a section that I don’t know a ton about. I usually stick with pretty straight “ingredients” in the frozen food section — frozen fruit, fish, veggies, etc. So if any of you have insights on more of the prepared frozen foods, would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
What To Buy:
- jumbo shrimp
- tilapia
- fruit popsicles (pina colada, lime and strawberry)
- moose tracks ice cream
- frozen berries (strawberries, blueberries, mixed berries, etc.)
- edamame
- asparagus
What Not To Buy:
Any of their frozen shrimp that are not “jumbo” are tiny. I have also not been super impressed with their frozen salmon. Like most salmon in that price range in any grocery stores, it seems a little lacking in flavor. Also a heads-up that most of the frozen meats are not organic.
Beverages
Gah, I wish I had more experience here! I promise you guys I’m not a super health nut, but I also pretty much stick to water, tea, juices and coffee in life. So I have hardly any experience here when it comes to beverages. But my friends tell me that most of their options (like the Aldi brand of Crystal Light, teas and flavored sparkling waters) are pretty much identical to the originals. Here are a few that I have tried.
What To Buy:
- sparkling juice (I love all of them!)
- refrigerated 100% orange juice (go for the nicer of the two options for better flavor)
- Naked juice (when in stock)
- flavored sparkling water drinks
- iced tea
What Not To Buy:
I am definitely a big of a snob when it comes to my coffee. So I shy away from any of the bulk or super inexpensive coffee options, but I am sure they are comparable to their counterparts in the regular grocery store. I was also unimpressed by the cheap refrigerated orange juice — seemed to concentrate-y for me.
Alcoholic Drinks
First of all, it’s important to point out that wine and liquors are not available in all Aldi’s. I live in KC, and our Kansas stores are not allowed to carry alcoholic beverages, but most of the Missouri locations do. So this will depend on your state.
A reminder to all who are iffy about the cheap wine at Aldi — this store is owned by the same company that is the home of 2-buck-chuck, Trader Joe’s! So before you immediately write off the drink section, I would recommend you try a bottle or two. In my experience, you get what you pay for and a little bit more. The $3 wines taste maybe like a normal $5 wine. The Bailey’s knockoff isn’t precisely like Bailey’s, but it’s darn close and a great deal for a fraction of the price. But my favorite of all time is available seasonally, and I wish it was offered yearround — Aldi’s sangria! Oh man. I never knew that I would like sangria from a bottle, but this stuff is crazy good. And you get an enormous bottle for like $4. If you see it, you must try it.
What To Buy:
- SANGRIA! (seasonal)
- wines in the $5-10 range
- Bailey’s
What Not To Buy:
I think you get what you pay for with the super inexpensive budget wines — they are definitely hit and miss.
Household Items
For some reason, I held out on this section of Aldi for years, and now I have no idea why. They have some terrific household products at amazing discounts! Especially since I typically get annoyed at having to spend money on these things anyway, it’s awesome to have a more affordable option at Aldi. Two areas that I have not tried are their pet section and the makeup. Would love to have you chime in if you have experience with either of these!
What To Buy:
- disinfectant wipes
- plastic freezer and sandwich bags
- trash bags (they are thin, but they do the job)
- Crest toothpaste
- women’s razors
- pain relievers (ibuprofin, etc.)
- ultra soft & strong toilet paper
- paper towels and napkins
What Not To Buy:
You totally get what you pay for with the super cheap ($1 for 4 rolls) toilet paper. It is super thin and not very soft. But their thick TP is awesome!
My Top 10 Favorite Items At Aldi:
10. edamame
9. roasted red pepper hummus
8. fresh mozzarella balls
7. sangria
6. sea salt pita chips
5. pina colada popsicles
4. artichoke hearts
3. almond milk
2. butter
1. pineapple
Other ALDI 101 Articles:
I’m not sure if anyone commented on this, but in my area (southern Indiana) Aldi is the only store that has normal carts with TWO child seats side by side! At every other store you have to get the big ‘ol semi-carts to get an extra seat or two. So I think that’s awesome!
Yes, ours has these too! It threw me off the first time I went because I kept trying to put my baby in the middle but couldn’t buckle it right. Then I figured it out and thought it was so neat you could fit two kids in there!
YES! Great thinking Aldi! Multiple points on the double seats from this mom! :)
My friend and I bought the cheap-o ground coffee to be thrifty and we regretted every cup. I’m not a coffee snob by any means, but it was not good. I think after a couple pots we threw it out and stuck to just cheap brands from other stores.
Don’t throw anything from Aldi away. You can bring it back to the store with your receipt and they will refund your money! It makes all their products worth trying. If you just got a bad batch of something, you can get a new item AND your money back, if you so choose. I personally didn’t like their dishwasher liquid so I returned it and just got my money back. No need to get another one since I knew that bottle wouldn’t have been any better. You get what I mean.
if you don’t want it replaced, they will double the money they give you back… you can choose between money back and a replacement, or double money back! we have only done this once, but i was super impressed with their satisfaction guarantee policy.
After reading all of your tips, my husband and I decided to try out Aldi today. It was the first time I’ve been there in my adult life and I must say, I was pretty impressed!! The store was bright, clean, organized and the staff was crazy efficient! Since i was a child, Ive always viewed this store in a negative light… it was far different than i remember ( in a really good way).We were actually able to find organic milk and the avocados were a third of the price we pay at out local grocery store. I really had no idea you could buy so many staples and fresh items at Aldi!!Thanks so much for this series, it really opened my eyes!!
I drive around my local area a lot for work and always made it a point to stop when I was near an Aldi (it was about 45 minutes away!) I was super happy when they opened one only about 20 minutes away and typically along my work route – as a result I stop by now once or twice a pay period.
I typically shop at Aldi for meats, canned goods, chocolate treats (soo good!), milk, eggs, and of course PRODUCE!
The chicken breast (when on sale, frequently I may add) is 30 cents cheaper a pound than the cheapest name brand store sale price. I buy several packages, rebag into smaller containers and freeze. I also pick up the manager’s specials on meats or anything else that is appealing – got corned beef for St. Patricks day for $7 and that was regular price.
Products I absolutely love:
The shampoo and condition – it is knock off of matrix biolage and smells just like it. I also realized that my wavy hair is less frizzy.
Cocoa Rice cereal – I have always preferred the off brand of this type of cereal. No idea why :)
Coffee House coffee – it tastes great. The ground type has an uneven grind (and I recently read a story about many companies mixing in cheaper ingredients to ground coffee to offset price so I may invest in a coffee grinder and buy the whole bean). Back on topic, the taste is great even if the ground is not very consistent.
(Brown Bag) Tortilla chips – we eat lots of tortilla chips (and pretzels) and my husband commented on how tasty they were. I don’t like them as much as they are more like a homemade type as they are thicker but that is a personal preference.
And of course the produce and fresh meats. The take and bake pizzas look great but I haven’t tried them yet.
I get the refrigerated biscuit dough, frozen italian meatballs, lobster tails, triscuit-like crackers, chili con queso cheese, cajun rice mixes, pasta side dishes, small salad bags, German beer, Riesling wine, O’Donnell’s Irish Cream, Lambrusco wine, and butterball turkeys. One time I was there and they were selling gallons of whole milk for a quarter!
I never comment (just found you via Pinterest) but I’ve got some Aldi tips as well. I loved it, stopped going for a couple years, and I’m back now that I’m a better label-reader.
Don’ts (in my opinion): Soda (brand used to be called GT Cola – or as we dubbed it “Gross Tasting” Cola!), Aldi Oreos (ew – get the original!)
Loves: fresh mozzerella, shredded cheese, cream cheese, butter, pasta, mushrooms, frozen tilapia, bags of baby spinach
They used to have yummy frozen crab cakes (2 for $3.99, I believe) which were great for work lunches, but I haven’t seen them in awhile.
Just wanted to chime in on the pet product section. I’ve tried their cat litter and it has been hit or miss for me. The first time I bought it I really liked it and it was such a great deal! The next time I bought it I found it to be really dusty. Haven’t bought it in a while so might have to try it out again soon. Other than that I have really liked most things I’ve bought there! Thanks so much for your recommendations…looking forward to trying some new things out! Oh and my boyfriend really likes their brand of “Honey Smacks”, even says he likes it better than Kellogg’s.
I really love that Aldi labels its food so well since my son has Celiac disease and I need to shop gluten-free. I don’t have to worry at Aldi–things are almost always labeled gluten-free if they are and it is easy to find it on the packaging. My kids are huge fans of the Fit and Active Fruit Strips. Really I just love Aldi though. I have gotten to the point where I too buy probably 50% of our groceries there. My weekly routine involves buying milk, eggs, produce, chips, fruit strips and whatever else I need for that week. I did not care for the flour tortillas at our store. I noticed they carried different ones in FL (versus OH where we live). We love the generic Chex from there, and it is gluten-free. I have the same issue at my store where the bananas are always in bags. Sometimes they are okay and sometimes they are not.
I am fairly new to Aldi and like all stores and brands, you have to try it to see what you like and what you don’t. I definitely stock up on staples, cereal, eggs..etc… at Aldi. We like their juice, milk, most cereals, yogurt covered raisins…and I stocked up on canned pumpkin during the holidays!!! The only things I have had that I did not care for were the frozen tilapia and frozen salmon. And the bananas are always in the bags at my store so the inside ripens quicker than the outside so I have bought green bananas hoping to let them ripen at home only to find the inside had already ripened. But everything else I have tried has been great! Just a tip…I rarely have cash/change so I keep a quarter in my cup holder in the car and it is my “Aldi Quarter.”
I too have an “Aldi Quarter” in my van. :)
I keep my Aldi Quarter in the inside door handle of my car. :)
Aldi is a weekly stop for me. I buy my monthly shopping elsewhere, but my weekly milk-eggs-bread shopping is at Aldi. Where else can I buy honey crisp apples for $1 a pound?! I haven’t been very adventurous with their prepared items, but I haven’t had anything bad in the dairy, produce, or meat departments. One item that I haven’t seen mentioned is the Southern Style Chicken Breast in the frozen foods. For $5, you get 9 large servings of seasoned, breaded chicken breasts. It is delicous and easy to prepare. Also, I buy whole frozen chickens there for less than $5. Score!
We LOVE the Southern Style Chicken Breasts! I get those and we have chicken sandwiches on the weekends for lunch or for a quick dinner during the week. They are really tasty! I used to buy the Tyson breaded chicken patties – not anymore!