I love shopping at Aldi because it’s one of the easiest ways to save money on groceries, so I thought I’d put together a list of 30 things to buy at Aldi. Well, technically, this list includes over 30 items – and I have a feeling it’ll keep growing over time as I discover new favorites and through your suggestions!
This isn’t an all inclusive list and may vary from store to store (as can the quality of the produce at Aldi, unfortunately), but rather, items that were a good deal at the time I took this shopping trip. Please feel free to add your “must buy” suggestions in the comments, as well as the items you think we’re best to steer clear of while shopping at Aldi!
If you’re curious, we also found some serious cost savings at Lidl. Find out about the 30 things to buy at Lidl. I was really shocked at how much money I saved. Our local store is a little bit out of the way, but it was well worth the trip.
We used a Grocery Store Comparison Printable to keep track of the costs for similar products amongst the local stores. I had thought that my neighborhood store was the most expensive, but after writing it all out, I was wrong. After using this printable, I changed my grocery shopping habits and saved money!
P.S – If you haven’t shopped at Aldi yet, be sure to bring a quarter for the shopping cart and bring along some reusable bags (or purchase some inside for about 10¢ each). Just a couple things I wish I would’ve known before I went to Aldi for the first time! 🙂
Dairy
Aldi beats out just about every local competitor on dairy prices. I’ve found the best deals to be milk, eggs and shredded cheese, with shredded cheese being the best deal overall in the dairy section when compared to other local stores.
- Cream Cheese
- Feta Cheese
- Eggs
- Milk
- Shredded Cheese (1 lb. bags)
Produce
I could have easily listed the entire produce section, because Aldi typically has the best deal on produce overall. Unfortunately, I’ve heard that the quality of the produce can vary from store to store, but if your local Aldi has quality produce, it can be a reliable way to stretch your grocery budget!
- Bell Peppers (2 pack)
- Onions
- Mushrooms
- Squash
- Tomatoes
- Apples
Meat and Seafood
Meat is the one section where I think Aldi can be hit or miss. While I don’t think they always offer the best prices on beef, chicken is reliably inexpensive. In seafood, the best buys are salmon and tilapia.
- Frozen Chicken Breast
- Fresh Chicken Thighs/Drumsticks
- Pork Tenderloin
- Cornish hen
- Tilapia
- Salmon
Pantry Items
I’m lumping all “inner aisle” items into this section. My favorite buys in this section are almost anything from their line of organic products, as well as the maple syrup and dried beans.
- Organic Pasta Sauce
- White Rice
- Dried Beans (4 lb. bag was the best deal at my location)
- Sazon (I’m always asked where to purchase this, and Aldi has a great deal on sazon!)
- Canned Tomatoes
- Flour
- Granulated Sugar
- Olive Oil
- Baking Chocolate
- Raisins
- Peanut Butter
- Nuts
- Crackers
- Freezer Bags
- Maple Syrup
- Oats
- Organic honey
- Organic salsa
What are your favorite deals to buy at Aldi? How do the prices compare to other stores in your area? Please share your tips in the comments below!
Make sure to check out these other great posts on saving money at our favorite grocery stores!
30 Things to Buy at Lidl-such a great store to pick up some savings on your grocery budget! Lidl, like Aldie, keeps a good amount of their inventory the same, they do tend to mix it up a bit so make sure to check out what they have on special!
23 Things to Buy at Trader Joes-now this is one place that changes it out seasonally so this list is based on a regular visit! Try to take your time and really look to compare as their inventory is far superior and yet costs so much less!
Hi!
Ginny Collins is a passionate foodie and recipe creator of Savor and Savvy and Kitchenlaughter. Indoors she focuses on easy, quick recipes for busy families and kitchen basics. Outdoors, she focuses on backyard grilling and smoking to bring family and friends together. She is a lifelong learner who is always taking cooking classes on her travels overseas and stateside. Her work has been featured on MSN, Parade, Fox News, Yahoo, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and many local news outlets. She lives in Florida where you will find her outside on the water in her kayak, riding her bike on trails, and planning her next overseas adventure.
I love aldis. I buy almost eveything from there. I do get my meat from a local butcher though. Their price for mixed nuts is way cheaper than anywhere else also, i love their organic products. Aldis is my store. 🙂
Aldi’s is my favorite grocery store. I enjoy the no frills attitude of the quarter for the cart, with the return of the quarter when cart returned, and the stacked cardboard boxes on the shelves. I especially like their canned goods from veggies to soups. So much lower than other stores, yet very comparable taste and texture. Sugar, flour, and other baking needs like bakers chocolate are all very good. Their saltines (just normal saltine crackers taste excellent. The oatmeal is good, as are other cereals. The organic items like lentils and split peas are wonderful when on the shelves. Their canned stew and corn beef hash are good. Potatoes (5 lb bag) are always a good buy, and several times I found bag of fingerling potatoes. Cheese, milk and butter are good. Be on lookout for seasonal items, especially around holidays – good time to stock up on some staples that aren’t carried all the time. Some items you won’t find simply because Aldi’s carries a trimmed down list (what sells best in the area), and intentionally does not stock everything you might expect to find. That does not bother me because I understand their marketing strategy, and am willing to shop elsewhere for the few things I need that they don’t carry, in order to get the great prices on all the items I do find there. For me a fun shopping experience, and wow, how helpful the savings!
They have the best ketchup also and a great price on stevia and yogurt and the cheapest price on their lactaid free skim milk (2.79) .
I buy tons of things at Aldi. it is my favorite store by far. The only thing I have found so far that I do NOT like is their baking chocolate chips. They will NOT melt. I have tried several times in several different recipes and they are always still whole after baking………
Sometimes I find a gallon of milk for 2.99 at Walgreens and CVS in Orlando FL. Always compare prices.
I always purchase olive oil and coconut oil at Aldi’s, the price can’t be beaten. I also stock their canned goods, veggies, tomato sauce etc and their coucous is really good. I trnd to stay away from the mac & cheese as it isn’t as firm when cooked as some other brands. Also, their baked goods at my location tend to be stale really quickly.
i love aldi’s….. i have bought their spices, cereal, milk, frozen pizzas, canned vegies, fried rice (in the box), sugar, oil, sprays, toilet paper, trash bags, bread, milk, pepperoni, real bacon bits (for cheese balls), and they have a wonderful mix of snack crackers for spreads, cheese balls for a really low price – always get these at aldi’s for my parties, showers, new year’s eve get togethers.
I love Aldis. One word, grapes! Here in TN, they are usually 2 lbs for 1.98 or 2.98. I admit I “sample” a grape before buying, but I’ve been disappointed too many times not to, at all stores. Also, love their cheese, produce is good, frozen fruit, desserts, nuts, dried fruits, butter (so much cheaper) and I’m addicted to their baked potato chips! Like others, I’m amazed at what I can buy for 30.00! And, yes, their frozen chicken breasts are delicious.
LOVE Aldi’s! I was so excited when they opened one near my house. I probably save at least $100 per month shopping there. Their Cheez-It’s are just as good as the name brand. And their packaged Romaine Lettuce and shredded cheese are so much cheaper than other stores. Plus, because their stores are smaller and they don’t bag your groceries (which I prefer to bag my own anyway), you can finish your shopping in no time.
I love Aldi’s. I buy a lot of 8oz block cheese 1.59-1.79, sliced cheese 1.79, canned tomatoes, beans .59, mustard .69, english muffins .99, just got a fantastic deal on quinoa 16oz 3.49, love when I can get berries for .99.
Here’s a tip to make your berries last longer: Soak them leaves and all in a mixture of 1 part vinegar to 10 parts water for a few minutes, drain and let completely dry. Store in uncovered bowl in frig. You’ll love not having to throw away berries you didn’t get to fast enough.
I also freeze my bananas when they get to ripe to eat. I use them in my froze treat maker I got at Aldi’s for $15.99 instead of buying ice cream.
I don’t understand why, every time I buy the Organic bananas from Aldi, they spoil INSTANTLY. They’re green the day I bring them home. Next day, they already have brown spots… Am I just so used to the non-organic that I’m surprised by this?
I shop at our Aldi’s quite regularly. Milk is a fantastic buy, although our store does not carry 1% that I prefer. Cereal is a fantastic buy. Baking goods, canned goods, pasta. I usually look for empty boxes at the store to use instead of buying sacks. (I’m that cheap!) Their chips are a great price and taste good, too. All crackers (graham, saltine, butter) are a very good value and taste great, too.
The gluten-free line is the best deal for gf products I’ve found and the quality has been amazing. The gf pasta, cookies, pretzels and pizza dough have been really impressive.
I go out of my way to buy milk and eggs there. Best prices for best quality on those (if not mistaken both are hormone free). I love Aldi and so glad my town got one this past yr.
I’d say I buy 90% of our groceries from Aldi. I always look over produce carefully. Usually grapes and apples are always good. Bagged organic carrots too. I don’t usually buy red meat there because we buy our beef from a local farmer once a year. I love how they have expanded their choices. A friend of mine that is gluten intolerant loves their gluten free selection. She says their bread is the best she has tried and is cheaper than any other store in town.