Inside: Want to save more money on your grocery bill? Aldi has the best prices, but not everything is a deal. Check out the best things to buy at Aldi. Leave the coupons at home and save more money and time at Aldi.
I was first introduced to Aldi by my college roommate. She took me there to shop one night and I fell in love. When you are a poor college student, ramen noodles for only $.08 is like a dream.
I stocked up on all kinds of great deals and have been going back ever since. Unfortunately, you can't get ramen noodles for $.08 anymore, but there are still so many great deals.
I shop at Aldi every week so I can keep my grocery budget low. Usually, I can shop for my family of 3 on my $50 a week grocery budget.
There are so many things that are a great buy at Aldi. It's not all junk food either. They have a fantastic selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. They also have a large variety of organic and gluten-free products.
No matter what your diet or budget you should be able to find some great deals. Check out the best things to buy at Aldi.
Best Things To Buy At Aldi
Chips & Pretzels
Most of their chips and pretzels are right around $1. I usually can't find a sale better than that, so I just buy them when I need them. I have found that most of their pretzels and chips are just as good as the name brands. One of the favorites around our house is their pita chips. That with a container of hummus is my son's favorite thing to buy at Aldi.
Breakfast Foods
Aldi has some great deals on breakfast bars, oatmeal, and cereal. I love that they have their version of Belvita breakfast biscuits. I often have a "belvita" with some yogurt for a quick breakfast.
In our house, both my son and my husband have a breakfast bar at least once a day. They grab them either for a quick breakfast or as a snack. I have found the price of their breakfast bars to be about half price of a name brand breakfast bar at the store. In my opinion, it is one of the best things to buy at Aldi.
Condiments
Although the selection of condiments isn't huge they are a good deal. I usually buy mayo, mustard, and salad dressing at Aldi. I think their condiments are some of the best things to buy from Aldi.
Their salad dressings used to be just the basic dressings but in the last year or two they have come out with lots of new flavors. We go through a lot of the balsamic vinaigrette here at the frugally blonde household.
Free Meal Planning Printable
Dairy
The dairy prices at Aldi are amazing. I can usually get a gallon of milk for around $1.79. That is almost half of what it is at some of our grocery stores.
Beyond the milk, they have fantastic prices on yogurt, butter, and cream. They have a generic Activia yogurt that is so good and only $1.69 for a four-pack. If you go through much milk and dairy at your home you can really save a lot by switching to Aldi.
Baking Products
Much like the condiments, their baking selection is fairly small. But, what they do have is a great deal. I buy almost all my sugar, flour, baking soda and yeast from Aldi.
Juices
I don't buy juice very often, so I don't know how the prices are on a lot of the fruit juices. However, the vegetable juice is about half the price that it is at the grocery store.
We go through a lot of vegetable juice for my favorite slow cooker meatball recipe. Usually I buy a couple of cans a month so it is nice to save money.
Canned Vegetables
They have fantastic prices on their canned vegetables. I love their green beans, stewed tomatoes, and tomato paste. If your family eats canned fruits or vegetables I recommend checking out the Aldi brand.
I also always buy canned tuna and salmon. Canned salmon can be pretty expensive, but they usually have it for right around $2. This is significantly cheaper than Meijer or Kroger.
Some More Of The Best Things To Buy At Aldi
Produce
Aldi has the best prices on their produce. I am just constantly amazed at how inexpensive everything is. Bananas are usually $.29-$.39 a pound. I can often find a 3 lb. bag of apples for under $1. Even if you don't want to do all your shopping at Aldi you could still save a lot just by getting your produce there. The produce, in my opinion, is one of the best things to buy at Aldi.
Meats
This is another thing that we buy a lot of at Aldi. Their chicken breasts regularly go on sale and I like to stock up and vacuum seal them. It's a great way to stock up while the prices are low.
I also buy their ground beef. I have found it is just as good as the ground beef from Meijer or Kroger. If your family likes lunch meat you also may like the lunchmeat at Aldi.
Frozen Foods
Aldi's prices on their frozen seafood is amazing! We mostly eat fish and shrimp in our house and I love their prices. You can get a pound of salmon for around $3.50. Their tilapia is usually under $3. If you eat much seafood you will find yourself saving a lot by shopping at Aldi.
If you haven't shopped at Aldi before and are kind of concerned about food quality they do have a double your money back guarantee. You can get a new product and your money back. So, really there is nothing to lose by trying them out.
Aldi can be a fantastic way to save some money on your grocery budget. Plus, because the store is smaller and has fewer choices you can be in and out a lot quicker than a regular grocery store. So stop spending all of your time clipping coupons to try to save and head on over to Aldi.
Don't forget to check out my list of things to skip buying at Aldi. Although a lot of things are a great deal I would recommend skipping some.
lori says
The biggest thing "new" Aldi shoppers get a bit upset over is selection. The average grocery store has 14,000 to 24,000 products to select from, Aldi's carries around 1,400. THAT'S where the savings is. There is not a lot of room for "junk" stuff to fill the shelves. It's all basic, good/decent quality foods, and they stand behind their products. Even the "special" items. If you don't like it, bring it (or the package) back. They'll take it every time.
They also have a nice selection of gluten free and/or organic foods at VERY good prices.
Another tip for shopping at Aldi's. If you see something special you better buy it right then. Often their "deals" are a one time thing and you might not be able to buy it again anytime soon. They also have sale cycles, that often run in 3, 6 or 9 months time periods. If you miss the German food in October, it will be back sometime in the spring. If you find a favorite, stock up then or rush right back and get more now!
The off-name brands are often FROM the "name brand" factories. My late husband used to work in a plant that made apple sauce. The same sauce went in separate jars for Musselman's, White House and Deep South (Winn Dixie brand). It's all the same stuff!!!
Bernice says
Since moving south from Wisconsin, I have to travel 45 minutes to the nearest Aldis, but worth the trip, being retired I don't need much , but! I reall stock up there, I save on their prices, since walmarts grocerys are high. As well as local small grocery, and I don't get variety like Aldis. Can't beat the product prices, though there are some of my favorite and they are seasonal which I don't like. The German chocolate is the best! Also when I can get German products! Just tried their mama cozi pizzas the best!have been shopping Aldis for over 20 yrs!
Julie says
I have found that it is completely worth the drive too! When I had to drive a greater distance to Aldi I would just really stock up and go every 2-3 weeks. I haven't tried their German chocolate. I will have to try it sometime. Thanks for the tip!
Theresa C says
Hi Julie,
Props to Aldis! The wine selection is great with good prices on Prosecco for Mimosas! I always get two cartons of heavy cream for soups and sauces and making frosting's and whipped creams. Cream cheese is just $1.00. Also I like the tortelloni in the refrigerated section. Toasted Raviolis are seasonal but so worth it. I REALLY stock p on garlic, 3 bulbs in a pack for $1.00. I throw 6 peeled bulbs in a chopper and then put them in olive oil - in little lidded containers from the Dollar Tree. I keep the garlic and oil in the freezer and pop one out whenever needed. Just microwave for 30 seconds and toss into your dish or saute pan. You can also freeze herbs inside the oils.
Julie says
I haven't tried their toasted raviolis yet. I will check them out next time I see them. I love freezing garlic with olive oil. It makes life so much easier doesn't it?
Ellen Ribolla says
One of my favorites at Aldi's is their American cheese: 1 lb of sliced real cheese, not the fake 'cheese food', for $3.69!
They have great buys around the holidays, too! You could make a lovely gift basket with their gourmet and imported foods for $10!
Julie says
Yes, we love their black forest cake mix that they get in during the holidays. You are right, they would be perfect for an inexpensive but nice gift basket!
Julie says
What year did you write this post? I have not seen $.33 a pound apples at Aldi in years.
Julie says
Hi Julie, it's a couple years old. I have found in my area I can still get apples for around that price in mid-October. If you can't find a good deal at Aldi on the apples Meijer usually has them for around $.50 a pound in the fall.
kathy says
I just went to my fav. ALDI yesterday and got produce, meat, dairy, canned beans and so much more. My bill was only 85 dollars and over 20 dollars was meat. We will eat like Kings for 2 weeks on what I got yesterday. If I had gone to amy of our other grocery stores in my area the bill would have been at least 150!!!!!! Love ALDI!!!!!!!
Amy says
One of my favorite things about Aldi is their app! It shows what is on sale and you can create a shopping list so you don't forget anything.
Julie says
I just downloaded the app. It seems so easy to make a list. Thank you so much for the suggestion!
Jacqueline says
I can vouch as a college student that Aldi is the best thing when you're on a fixed budget. I can get 2 weeks of solid groceries for less than $50 at the Waco location and as a vegetarian, that's something to shout from the rooftops. Vegetarian food typically isn't cheap but the store brand veggie patties are my absolute favorite things. They also have to-go hummus lunch kits with little tin of great hummus and crackers for around a dollar- my go to lunch that I can just throw in my bag when I know I'm studying all day.
Julie says
I haven't tried their store brand veggie patties. My son loves Morningstar so we will have to give those a try. Thanks!
Tanya says
2 years ago my husband got internship in US and we lived in NJ for six months in a happy location where we didn' have to own a car and where we had ALDI literally over the corner . I made 95% of my grocery shopping at ALDI. Our budget was not too big and the only fact that I had not to choose from millions of goods was a blessing. Just essentials or staples as you put it. The only foods I was disappointed were smoked sausages and franfurters. Milk, eggs, every kind of meat, produce, fish and shrimps, cheeses, salsa, canned goods, baking goods, coffee at 3.99 or like that, basic cleaning|washing suppplies. once I compared the prices to average grocery stores in NYC, I realized how lucky I was with ALDI.
Julie says
Your right, you are so lucky if you have a Aldi nearby. I am so thankful I have one right around the corner.
Kyle Suzanne says
We are getting an Aldi's in February, I am so excited about learning how to shop at Aldi. I'll be bookmarking this one. Thanks for linking up to Frugal Friday! I hope you've had a chance to check out a couple of the other posts. Blessings, Kyle
Erin @ Stay At Home Yogi says
I have an Aldi near me but I have only been in once. It was so different and I got overwhelmed and left (I also had a fussy baby in tow). I will have to give it another chance!
Julie says
I finally got my sister to switch, but it did take her a couple of times to get used how different it is. I hope you give it another try.
Christine @ The (mostly) Simple Life says
I LOVE Aldi. Unfortunately the closest one is about 45 minutes away. I used to shop there every week when we lived closer. Now I stock up every few months. I love how fast it is to zigzag through each isle and you don't have to figure out the best option from 40 different kinds of mustard! When I saw your title of The Best Things To Buy At Aldi, I immediately thought "everything!" But I'm sure it can seem a bit odd for a new shopper to go there. Great article! I stock up on their canned goods big time. Also, their taco seasoning is my favorite!
Julie says
I feel your pain. When we lived in Michigan Aldi was about 35 minutes away from. I would do a once a month trip there. They keep adding more, so hopefully you will have one near you soon.
Jamie @ Medium Sized Family says
My only problem with Aldi is that they close so darned early. I wind up shopping later at night so I can go without the kids. But I miss it! I might have to brave taking the 2 year old with me to go back. It really is an amazing savings.
Julie says
I know what you mean, they have very limiting hours. I am an early morning shopper and ours doesn't open until 9.
Allison @ Frugal on the Prairie says
Aldi just doesn't get the love and attention it deserves! So many of my friends have one near them but never use it. I'm always preaching, "They can save you so much money!" hahaha
Julie says
I know, right? After about 5 years I finally talked my sister into shopping there and now she is hooked. I love your new Aldi/Walmart price comparison printable. Happy to see that Aldi won out on most things.
Jackie says
I am so excited that we are getting one of these stores near me. I have heard about Aldi's from bloggers and my older sis for years. I was just resigned to that fact we would never get one. Now they have two spots in town. They are not open yet, but I am waiting in anticipation. Thanks for the tips.
Julie says
Yea! I hope you love it. I am amazed at the deals that I can get.
Franklin Graham says
Where is the country of origin on the low priced products?
Julie says
The Aldi that I shop in is in the United States.