Best & Worst Choices While Shopping At Aldi

Published on February 16, 2021
German owned Aldi is a discount supermarket that has slowly spread throughout the globe. Aldi provides an alternative shopping option while serving up good quality products for often a fraction of the price of other big-name supermarkets. While many of the products Aldi offers are comprable, there are still some you should try your best to stay away from. These are the products you should absolutely buy as well as the ones you should think twice about purchasing.

Buy – Mayonnaise

The classic condiment can often get a bit expensive at the supermarket. Aldi has a selection of mayonnaise options available, including from brand Burman’s which costs just $1.89 per jar of 887 ml of mayo.

Buy Mayonnaise

Buy Mayonnaise

Buy – Pure Maple Syrup

There’s nothing quite like pure maple syrup, whether you want to top your pancakes with some or mix in to your oatmeal. The possibilities are truly endless. Good quality, real maple syrup can get very expensive, but Aldi has an affordable option. Good Housekeeping shares that Aldi maple syrup is “not overwhelmingly sweet” and has “rich, complex notes of floral, roasted grain, and Christmas spices.”

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Buy Pure Maple Syrup

Buy Pure Maple Syrup

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Skip – Aldi Cereals

Aldi has a large selection of off-brand cereals that will save you money, but here’s one thing where you’re better off with the real deal. The taste just is not the same, as Forbes says: You can often find better deals on name-brand cereals at your local store when combining coupons and sales.” 

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Skip Aldi Cereals

Skip Aldi Cereals

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Skip – Aldi Soda

Aldi sells both name brand and Aldi versions of popular drinks. While the off-brand sodas are disappointing, the name brand options may not be the most cost efficient either. Check with other supermarkets, since prices fluctuate and sometimes the prices are either the same or less at other supermarkets.

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Skip Aldi Soda

Skip Aldi Soda

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Buy – Gluten-Free Products

There has been increased awareness of gluten intolerances, leading to many new products that are gluten-free. Many times, these products are very expensive, but luckily Aldi has a wonderful selection of GF products at a very affordable and fair price. They’re also very tasty!

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Buy Gluten Free Products

Buy Gluten Free Products

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Skip – Fresh Produce

Fresh produce is critical to maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle, but often produce can get very pricey. While Aldi does offer produce at a great price, you should definitely inspect the produce first because quality is sometimes a mixed bag. Check packaged items like berries, where moldy items can be hiding at the bottom. You can definitely find great deals but make sure you check thoroughly to make sure you’re not getting spoiled goods.

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Skip Fresh Produce

Skip Fresh Produce

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Skip – Aldi Zipper-Top Bags

Aldi zipper-top bags are very affordable when comparing to Ziploc brand bags, but the quality just isn’t the same. Housekeeping blogger Frugally Blonde shares:  “Aldi ziplock bags have a plastic smell to them that I just can’t get past. The idea of putting my food in there grosses me out. They really aren’t that good of a deal either.”

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Skip Aldi Zipper Top Bags

Skip Aldi Zipper Top Bags

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Buy – Wine

Wine can get very very expensive very quickly, so it’s fantastic to know that Aldi has a wonderful selection of wines that are all $10 or less! The Guardian shares that one of the best options is the Exquisite Collection Limoux Chardonnay.

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Buy Wine

Buy Wine

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Buy – German Beer

If you prefer kicking back and relaxing with a beer instead of wine, Aldi has got some great offerings for you too. Of course, it makes sense, since Aldi is a German brand. There is a modest selection of very affordable and good quality beers. According to Kiplinger: Its six-packs of Broegel Bock Beer go for $6.99, not bad for an imported beer. Brewed in Belgium, this bock scores a 3.8 on a scale of 5 as rated by Beer Advocate.”

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Buy German Beer

Buy German Beer

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Skip – Frozen Sushi

To be fair, supermarket sushi is almost never going to be the best quality sushi out there. So it’s even worse to opt for frozen sushi. According to Aldi Nerd from Cheapism.com, “If I lived somewhere rural where sushi joints were few and far between and I had a serious hankering for it, I may buy this. But I live less than a mile from a really delicious sushi restaurant and the frozen Fusia just doesn’t compare.”

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Skip Frozen Sushi

Skip Frozen Sushi

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Buy – Speciality Cheeses

Speciality cheeses are a wonderful snack or appetizer, but more often than not they are very expensive. Aldi offers a large selection of speciality cheeses with many interesting flavor options at a very affordable price. They range from $2-$5 only! A Reddit user said: “I really like the specially selected roasted garlic cheese wedge. There are a few varieties in the box, but that one is my favorite. The vintage aged white cheddar is good too.”

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Buy Speciality Cheeses

Buy Speciality Cheeses

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Skip – Small Appliances

Aldi has a selection of small kitchen appliances for affordable prices, but they are very hit or miss. Before buying any appliances, make sure you do your research. As one Reddit user shared: “I bought the Ambiano single-serve coffee pot to replace a Keurig that died. WORST COFFEEPOT EVER! From the beginning, it blew out the k-cup (many different brands) and had coffee grounds over counter, cup and coffee machine every time.”

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Skip Small Appliances

Skip Small Appliances

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Skip – Cheap Coffee

For most of us, there’s no start to the day that doesn’t include a fresh cup of coffee. Good quality coffee is unfortunately very expensive. Aldi has a selection of coffees, but it’s important to note that their cheapest coffee from the Daily Basics brand (which costs 17 cents per ounce) is not worth it, quality-wise. There are even other options with similar prices at other supermarkets with much better quality.

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Skip Cheap Coffee

Skip Cheap Coffee

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Buy – Spices

Spices are essential for injecting flavor into your food, however many times they can be very pricey. Aldi’s brand, Stonemill, has a wonderful selection of spices at a fraction of the price of many other stores. Spices at Aldi are just 95 cents per bottle, so it’s a good idea to stock up on them.

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Buy Spices

Buy Spices

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Buy – Canned Goods

Canned goods can sometimes be very expensive per unit, but Aldi has a great selection of pantry basics at a very fair price. You can stock up on canned goods like vegetables, soups, applesauce, and much more. You can keep your pantry stocked at all times with these options!

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Buy Canned Goods

Buy Canned Goods

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Skip – Meat

Aldi sells a decent selection of fish, chicken, and meat at fair prices , often these won’t be the best quality. You can even find better quality meats at similar prices at other stores. One Reddit user shared: “The meat is a miss for me. Since they never have a sale, I can almost always get better prices from the draw sales at major chain supermarkets.”

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Skip Meat

Skip Meat

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Skip – Toiletries

There are many toiletries to choose from at Aldi at a very good price, but many times their quality is not up to par. According to Cheapism.com, Target offers better quality for less. They said: “For instance, we saw that a liter-size bottle of Aldi’s Dentiguard mouthwash was 10 cents more than Target’s store brand, Up & Up. Throw in Target’s better selection, frequent sales, and REDcard discounts, and it makes more sense to stock up there.”

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Skip Toiletries

Skip Toiletries

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Buy – Baking Products

Anyone who is an avid baker is constantly cycling through bags of flour and other baking staples. Aldi has a wonderful selection of products like flour, brown sugar, and pure cane sugar, all from the company’s private label Baker’s Corner, which sells these good quality products at half the price of other supermarkets.

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Buy Baking Products

Buy Baking Products

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Buy – Bread

Aldi has a fantastic selection of breads ranging from bagels, baguettes, bag bread, and much more. According to Kiplinger: “You can snag a 20-ounce loaf of Aldi’s L’oven Fresh white bread for just 85 cents. That same size loaf of bread at Walmart sells for 88 cents under the Great Value store brand. Giant was offering a 22-ounce loaf of its store-brand white bread for $1.89.”

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Buy Bread

Buy Bread

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Buy – European Sweets

Aldi is originally a European brand, which explains why there is a wide selection of European sweets at fantastic prices. These products tend to be marked up at other stores, but Aldi sells these for amazing prices. Hip2Save said: “Aldi dark chocolate is my crack. $1.99 for a decadent large 4.4 oz bar has made me an official junkie.”

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Buy European Sweets

Buy European Sweets

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Skip – Chips

Potato chips are a classic snack and are perfect to satiate that craving we all get for something salty and crunchy. However, not all potato chips are created equal, and sadly Aldi’s Clancy’s chips just don’t hold up. They are less expensive, but you’re better off going with the brand name for a better tasting chip.

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Skip Chips

Skip Chips

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Skip – Butter

Butter is a necessity in every kitchen, but it’s important to have good quality butter, whether you’re cooking, baking, or enjoying it on bread. There are some lower cost options at Aldi, but often their quality is sub par. It’s better to pay a bit more for better quality butter. Kerrygold is a fantastic option that isn’t too expensive.

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Skip Butter

Skip Butter

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Buy – Milk

If you’re a part of a family that consumes a lot of milk, there really is no beating Aldi. Walmart’s gallon of milk from its brand Great Value costs $2.53, while Giant sells their gallon of milk for $3.29. Meanwhile, Aldi’s Friendly Farm milk sells for $2.48 per gallon. That is a huge price difference!

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Buy Milk

Buy Milk

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Buy – Raspberry Lemon Spiked Lemonade

Every month, Aldi has something called “Aldi Finds,” which are limited edition products. During the summertime, Aldi sells raspberry lemon spiked lemonade, which is as delicious as it sounds. A six pack of 12 ounce cans sells for just $6.99, making this delicious boozy treat a great value.

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Buy Raspberry Lemon Spiked Lemonade

Buy Raspberry Lemon Spiked Lemonade

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Skip – Kitty Litter

Having plenty of kitty litter on hand is always a good idea. It might be tempting to go for the affordable option at Aldi, but unfortunately when it comes to quality, it just doesn’t stand up to competition. According to Aldi Reviewer: “This new Heart to Tail formula is still dusty, although maybe slightly less so than the old Fine Feline litter.”

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Skip Kitty Litter

Skip Kitty Litter

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Skip – Mini Bear Grahams

Aldi’s brand Benton’s Kids Mini Bear Grahams look a whole lot like Teddy Grahams, they’re unfortunately not the same when it comes to flavor. Opt for the real deal instead in this case. One Reddit user shared: “I bought their generic Goldfish crackers (penguins) and knock-off Teddy Grahams and they were completely inedible.”

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Skip Mini Bear Grahams

Skip Mini Bear Grahams

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Skip – Paper Towels And Toilet Paper

Although stocking up on toilet paper and paper towels at Aldi might seem like a great idea, you’d be surprised. Other supermarkets offer same or better quality for a better price many of the times. According to Kiplinger: “Once you stack frequent shopper discounts or manufacturer coupons on top of those low prices, the big chains sometimes come out ahead.”

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Skip Paper Towels And Toilet Paper

Skip Paper Towels And Toilet Paper

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Buy – Frozen Fruits

Frozen fruits are perfect for smoothies and many other healthy desserts, but sometimes they can get very expensive. Aldi sells frozen fruits at an incredible price, so definitely feel free to stock up. According to Mashable: “They’re very easy to use over cereal or to defrost and eat plain, contain plenty of that fiber we were talking about, and taste just as fresh and sweet as the real deal.”

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Buy Frozen Fruits

Buy Frozen Fruits

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Skip – Yogurt

Yogurt at Aldi is a very hit and miss product. The main issue is that the off-brand yogurt is just not very tasty. There’s even an entire Reddit thread dedicated to reviewing yogurt at Aldi. One user shared: “I have tried the yogurt at Aldi and I wasn’t a fan, I didn’t like the kids “gogurt” replica either, it tasted too sweet. I prefer the Chobani Greek yogurt over Aldi’s.”

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Skip Yogurt

Skip Yogurt

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Skip – Clothing

Also found in the “Aldi Finds” section is a variety of clothing options. They are very affordable, but sometimes that means lower quality. Aldi Reviewer says: “The tricky thing about almost all of Aldi’s adult clothing is that it comes packaged in cardboard or, in the case of these pajamas, in neatly folded ribbon-tied packages. It can be difficult to know what you’re getting because you can’t easily hold a shirt up to examine the dimensions.”

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Skip Clothing

Skip Clothing

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Buy – Peanut Butter

Is there anything in this world that’s better than peanut butter? Aldi has a wide variety of peanut butters, including Peanut Delight Creamy Peanut Butter, Peanut Delight Natural Creamy Peanut Butter Spread, and Simply Nature Organic Creamy Peanut Butter. Aldi Reviewer says: “All of the different varieties of Aldi peanut butter are good at what they do, whether you want a budget standard peanut butter or a minimally processed organic spread.”

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Buy Peanut Butter

Buy Peanut Butter

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Buy – Funnel Cake Mix

The beloved carnival treat has made its way to Aldi. Baker’s Corner Funnel Cakes Pitcher and Mix has become an absolute cult favorite, and we completely understand why. Not only do you bring the fun carnival treat to your home, the process of making them is fun and easy using the funnel that is provided. Of course, you’re left with a delicious final product.

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Buy Funnel Cakes

Buy Funnel Cake Mix

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Buy – Seasonal Items

The selection of seasonal items at Aldi will often have amazing finds at great prices. In the summer, you’ll find affordable and good quality camping gear. During the holiday season, you can find amazing deals on good quality candies and cookies.

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Buy Seasonal Items

Buy Seasonal Items

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Buy – Salsa

Salsa is quite versatile as it can be used for a chips and dip snack or in many different recipes, so it’s great to have in the pantry. Casa Mamita Salsa, the Aldi brand, boasts great flavor and is also quite affordable. The plain salsa variety is just $1.49, while specialty varieties go for $1.99.

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Buy Salsa

Buy Salsa

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Buy – Tortilla Chips

You can’t stock up on salsa without also getting some tortilla chips as well! MoneysavingMom shares: “We can’t tell one bit of difference between ALDI tortilla chips and any other store brand or even brand name of tortilla chips. Plus, we love the $1.19 regular price tag!”

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Buy Tortilla Chips

Buy Tortilla Chips

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Buy – Chocolate Chips

Chocolate chips are fantastic to have on hand both for baking projects and for some sneaky chocolate snacks as well! Sometimes chocolate chips can get pretty pricey, with bags costing $4 or even more. Aldi has a selection of delicious and good quality chocolate chips that cost just $1.79. There are several varieties available, all at the same fair price.

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Buy Chocolate Chips

Buy Chocolate Chips

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Buy – Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has increased in popularity as both an alternative cooking oil option as well as a natural beauty product. Jars of coconut oil, especially the organic variety, can get very expensive. Luckily, Aldi sells a jar of organic coconut oil for $4.49, which is way less than many other stores.

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Buy Coconut Oil

Buy Coconut Oil

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Buy – Olive Oil

Olive oil is another healthy oil option that is great on salads or cooking as an excellent source of healthy fat. However, good quality olive oil can be very expensive. Aldi has a selection of both organic and non-organic olive oils that is good quality, tasty, and affordable.

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Buy Olive Oil

Buy Olive Oil

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Buy – Sugar

Having sugar on hand is always a good idea, whether you’re an avid baker or not. The kitchen staple is readily found at Aldi, which offers a selection that includes regular, cane sugar, light brown sugar, powdered sugar, and more, all for incredible pries. These prices are much less than other supermarkets and offer the same exact level of quality.

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Buy Sugar

Buy Sugar

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Buy – Take-And-Bake Pizza

One very underrated Aldi product is Mama Cozi’s take-and-bake pizzas. They sell for $4-$6.99 and are not only affordable, but also massive: 16 inches! The Kitchn shares: “Unlike most frozen pizzas, these once-frozen-now-refrigerated pizzas don’t taste like freezer-burned cardboard. The toppings really cover every inch and they taste pretty close to fresh.”

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Buy – Take And Bake Pizza

Buy – Take And Bake Pizza

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Tortillas – Buy

While it is always great to make everything from scratch at home, in this case, you really don’t have to bother making your own tortillas because the ones from Aldi are just 99 cents for a whole package. You can even stock up on them if you’re always making wraps!

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Tortillas

Tortillas

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Canned Tomatoes – Buy

Canned tomatoes are incredibly useful to have around to add to soups, stews, sauces, and much more. You can stock up on canned tomatoes at Aldi, as the cans range from 45 to 49 cents each.

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Canned Tomatoes

Canned Tomatoes

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Canned Green Beans – Buy

The French style green beans from Happy Harvest at Aldi are a great way to add more greens to your diet, especially if you’re busy and find yourself tossing bags of vegetables that have been sitting in the back of your fridge for too long. At just 44 cents each, they truly are a great addition to your grocery haul.

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Canned Green Beans

Canned Green Beans

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Buy – Bananas

Bananas are an excellent source of potassium, a great breakfast food, or a perfect healthy snack. You can get them for 44 cents per pound at Aldi, so even if they’re not looking ripe yet, you can get a bunch and let them ripen at home.

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Bananas

Bananas

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Buy – Berries

Berries are so delicious, they really are like nature’s candy. The fact is they can be so expensive at regular grocery stores, so the fact that they’re sold at such affordable prices at Aldi is absolutely incredible. That being said, you always have to make sure to thoroughly check the boxes and make sure the berries haven’t started to get moldy, which unfortunately does happen at some Aldi stores.

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Berries

Berries

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Buy – Grapes

While it can be tricky to find good berries at Aldi, the grapes are usually in great condition. They’re a great item to buy there because they usually cost about $2 on sale for a 2 pound bag, while the usual price is $3.98 for green grapes and $1.98 for red, which is still better than many other stores.

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Grapes

Grapes

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Buy – Feta

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Feta

Feta

Adding feta cheese to your foods is a great way to add a creamy, salty kick. It goes great on pasta, salads, and in sandwiches or on top of open-faced sandwiches, especially on avocado toast. However, it can get quite pricey, which is why the $1.99 tub at Aldi is so great.

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Buy – Hummus

Any hummus lover will know that not all brands are created equal, so when you find one with the right consistency and delicious tangy flavor, you stick with it. Aldi sells Little Salad Bar hummus in a variety of flavors for just $1.99, and it’s a great deal for a delicious spread.

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Hummus

Hummus

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Buy – Frozen Chicken Breasts

Chicken breasts are an excellent source of lean protein, so anytime you can find them at a great price, you should absolutely get them. Buying fresh is always great, but these frozen chicken breasts are $5.49 for a pack, which is a great deal, and makes it easy to stock up and always have on hand in case you need to plan a quick dinner.

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Frozen Chicken Breasts

Frozen Chicken Breasts

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Buy – Frozen Vegetables

Having a lot of fresh vegetables on hand is great for your health, but busy schedules will sometimes mean not getting to them in time. Throwing away vegetables that have gone bad is just like taking money and throwing it into the garbage. Getting frozen vegetables is a great option, and Aldi sells them at a great price.

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Frozen Vegetables

Frozen Vegetables

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Buy – Macaroni & Cheese

Okay, so mac & cheese is definitely not a healthy option, but if you’re going to splurge on a delicious dinner, it’s even better if you don’t have to splurge when it comes to paying for it. At just 33 cents a box, it’s a very reasonable occasional treat to have.

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Macaroni & Cheese

Macaroni & Cheese

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Aldi Favorites

Aldi is best known for having cult favorites that keeps customers coming back. Whether they’re unique spices, frozen fruit blends, or delicious treats, these are the items that people always want more of. What are some of these unique Aldi finds?

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Aldi Favorites

Aldi Favorites

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Violet Sea Salt

Not only is this salt just absolutely lovely to look at, it also has a subtle flavor that’s a great addition to anything you add it to. Of course, it’ll add a special something to any food post you want to share.

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Violet Sea Salt

Violet Sea Salt

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Paradise Fruit Blend

Aldi’s frozen fruit section is quite robust, and in addition to the mainstays that are very fairly priced, you’ll find interesting blends like this paradise fruit blend that includes mango, dragon fruit, avocado, and passion fruit.

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Paradise Fruit Blend

Paradise Fruit Blend

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Petit Raspberry Wine Specialty

This raspberry wine specialty is a variation of the Petit Coconut Wine Specialty, which is also extremely popular. These can be added to shakes or even cocktails to add a yummy, fruity twist.

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Petit Raspberry Wine Specialty

Petit Raspberry Wine Specialty

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Belgian Cocoa Dusted Truffles

These seasonal treats are absolutely divine. If you’ve ever had one of these, you know how amazing these velvety truffles really are and how amazing they are when they simply melt in your mouth. You can enjoy them as a dessert on their own or use them as toppings on ice cream, cakes, or anything else.

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Belgian Cocoa Dusted Truffles

Belgian Cocoa Dusted Truffles

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Pumpkin and Sage Ravioli

This autumn specialty is truly a fan favorite for a reason. The pumpkin and sage filling includes five cheese as well, making it the perfect fall time dinner. You can also find other ravioli varieties, including a butternut squash and cheese filling.

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Pumpkin And Sage Ravioli

Pumpkin And Sage Ravioli

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Frozen Cocktails Popsicles

These popsicles are the perfect treat for adults who want to feel like kids again, but with the added benefit of being able to enjoy a frozen boozy treat. The frozen cocktail popsicles come in all of the flavors you enjoyed as a kid, but with 6% alcohol to enjoy on a hot summer day.

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Frozen Cocktails Popsicles

Frozen Cocktails Popsicles

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Funnel Cake Pitcher

These funnel cake pitchers (that include the mix) are a huge fan favorite, since they’re a dessert but also a fun activity. These cake kits come with everything you need to make the carnival food that we all know and love.

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Funnel Cake Pitcher

Funnel Cake Pitcher

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Crystal Farms Cheese Wraps

If you ever enjoyed a wrap and thought about how you could enjoy even more cheese with them, then these are perfect for you. Instead of using bread, you can use these cheese wraps that are the perfect size and keto-friendly.

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Crystal Farms Cheese Wraps

Crystal Farms Cheese Wraps

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