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!
I love their German bratwurst. It taste the most authentic from when I lived in Germany. The hummus is also very good.
Our Aldi has a gallon of milk for $1.79 everyday but will drop it to $1.59 often.I also like their pulled pork bbq for our bbq baked potatoes. A pound is $3.99. I always go for their special products they bring in each week.
The prices you posted are very inflated. I have found our Aldi’s not any cheaper than our local chains. -many times more expensive. Very few items are cheaper-have to really look. I find the employees very rude and impersonal -rush rush rush no interaction with customers
I have never had any problems with the staff at out local Aldi’s as a matter of fact they go out of their way to be friendly and ours had eggs * grade A large * for 38c a dozen 1.99 at grocery store butter is always 2.00 a lb cheaper
Fish is the best deal here, yes it’s frozen but I usually put fresh fish in the freezer when I get home anyway since we don’t get to it right away. $4.99/lb for salmon or mahi. I also buy the pistachios for half what other stores charge, kalamata olives, flatbread, grapefruit as low as 1.95 for a 5lb bag, bananas as low as 29 cents/lb, eggs 1.29 dozen, almond milk 2.29, and I love the Survivor brand trail mix.
Definetly their Eggs, I am on a high protein diet and eggs are a main staple, butter ( i buy several when the prices get real low then freeze them). Their Salad ( romaine, spinach leaves), frozen broccoli, Bananas, Lemons, Some of the other produce when in season. Avocados. Their zip lock bags, Bustello coffee and their brand decaf ( for nite time drinking) Oatmeal. Laundry soap
I would add hummus, bread, avocados, red potatoes, slice cheese, and organic animal cookies! Love Aldi. It helps me save money.
I love their salad mixes, their dairy (gallon milk at my Aldi is $1.69), their raw nuts, their Boulder paper towels and zipper storage bags. Really the only thing I’ve purchased at Aldi that I won’t buy again is their canned spinach because it was gritty. I purchase the bulk of my groceries at Aldi now and the savings is wonderful. I purchase groceries for two weeks at a time and a packed full cart that cost me $215 at Aldi would have cost me $300-400 at Wal-Mart. I keep telling the girls I work with to go to Aldi, but I think they think there is a stigma attached to shopping there. Oh well, if they want to waste their money, that’s their business. I have more sense than money so it’s off to Aldi I go!
I love the specialty items they get in from time to time, Christmas is awsome with the German cookies. I recently purchase Iberico sliced pork, (I have never seen it locally). German sliced cheeses are great when available. Their dairy products are great quality and the prices are the lowest in the area. I always go for the produce specials, just be careful to check the quality. The only item I have regularly had problems with are onions, they are often moldy or you cut into them and they have a rottlon layer or two, This may be a local issue with mold in the warehouses in our area. Great deasl on hotdog and hamburger buns for summer BBQs (terrific potato rolls when available) and their chips and snacks are a great price. My family especially likes the kettle style potato chips and tortilla chips. I have not liked the frozen tortollini. Overall I stop by 1-2 times a week.
I shop at Aldi weekly. There are very few items that I do not like. Depending on the locale, the prices vary quite a bit. ie: milk was 1.69 a gallon yesterday. The produce is almost always cheaper than the competitor, it’s fresh and delicious. They are very conscientious in watching the quality of the produce and will mark it down. Give it a try, you will return.
Most people have a preconceived notion that this is a ” discount store”. It is, but it is very high quality. Read about it on their website. You will change your shopping habits.
I buy the cranberry almond chicken salad, it’s really good. The pancake mix is great, like it better than name brands. The oranges are 100x better than anything I have bought at our local grocer.
I so agree…their cranberry almond chicken salad is my favorite. Pare it with the croissants and you have a great treat.
I’ve just recently started shopping at Aldi.
Quinoa is less than $4 a bag here.
Cream cheese $.99
8 oz block cheese $1.80
Avocados are always less than a dollar. I purchased some last week for $.25 ea!
Animal crackers $1.25
Milk $1.80-$2.25 gal
The Aldi’s near us generally has a good selection in produce although not a huge variety the basics are usually there and in good condition. I love buying pears there! $1.49 for 4 good sized pears!
In addition to their great prices and quality in dairy products, chips and meats we always pick up their organic cashew butter. $5.99 at Aldi near us, $13.99 at the other grocery stores near us. Can’t beat it!
Appreciate the speedy checkout people. No talking while they are checking groceries. FAST! Bought small pears in produce and they NEVER did get ripe. Also bought potatoes once that weren’t too great. Otherwise, I like most items. Good frozen veggies and fresh, too. Cereal and cheese, milk/cream, eggs, all good. Baking products fine. But, I never buy meat there.
The 8 packs if AA or AAA alkaline batteries, $1.99, and they last longer & better than name brand batteries.
I love their sourdough square bread… Not a great deal but so good! I have bought some of their cleaning products and was impressed. Window cleaner really is streak free and laundry detergent …. Tandil I think is brand name … Is cheap and does a good job on my clothes!
I like to buy their bags of frozen fruit, its portion are larger and less expensive.