Pantry Staples/Baking
– old fashioned oats ($2.29/2 lbs.) – this is a large container and it’s the cheapest “cereal” we can eat for breakfast!
– raisins ($1.89) – my girls think raisins are candy and love to have a few for “dessert”
– dried cranberries ($1.19) – we love to throw these in granola, cookies, oatmeal, and trail mix!
– whole dates ($1.99) – great price, but they just have them at Christmas time
– other dried fruit (prices vary)
– pure maple syrup ($3.99) – excellent price for Grade A pure!
– organic honey ($3.19)
– regular honey (around $2) – great for baking
– dark chocolate morsels 60% bittersweet ($1.69) – holiday special item, but I PROMISE these taste exactly like Ghiradelli chocolate chips and are half the price
– spices ($1.69) – pretty good quality for the price
– pure vanilla extract ($1.99) – I make my own vanilla extract now, but I used to buy this
– pure almond extract ($1.99) – seasonal, so I stock up
– nuts (prices vary) – all the nuts are very affordable
– natural peanut butter ($1.69) – our favorite peanut butter!
Canned Goods
– diced tomatoes ($.59)
– tomato sauce ($.25/small can)
– beans (prices vary)
– organic pasta sauce ($1.99) – a convenience food, but a good price for organic
– pumpkin ($.89) – seasonal item
Dairy
– milk (between $2-$3) – I buy whole and it’s a great price!
– half & half ($1.59)
– heavy whipping cream ($1.99) – I use this in white sauces, soups, and to make homemade ice cream
– butter (currently $1.69/lb.!!) – I stock up on butter when the price is this low! (Normal price not around the holidays is $2.49)
– cream cheese ($.99)
– yogurt – I make my own most of the time, but the small cups of Greek yogurt are really good and taste like Chobani. They also have larger containers of plain Greek yogurt.
– eggs ($1.29)
Cheese
– all the “regular” blocks of cheese ($1.79/8 oz.) – we’ve tried it all and it’s all good!
– specialty cheese (price varies) – we have enjoyed Gouda, havarti, goat, feta, asiago and more!
– Parmesan wedges ($2.99-$3.49/8 oz.) – this is very good and SO much cheaper than at other stores
– fresh mozzarella ($2.69/8 oz.) – ditto!
Produce
I buy TONS of produce at Aldi. Like anywhere, the produce that is currently in season is what will taste the best and be the best price, so that’s what I try to buy! (i.e., watermelon in the summer, squash in the fall, citrus in the winter, asparagus in the spring, etc.) Also like when shopping anywhere else, if it doesn’t look good, don’t buy it. It’s helpful to find out when your store gets its deliveries and shop accordingly. For me, Thursday is a great day to shop since the truck comes Wednesday.
The produce prices fluctuate based on season and region (check your weekly ad here), obviously, but here are some of my favorite rock-bottom prices for produce (some of this is from memory):
– pineapple ($.99 each)
– pomegranate ($.59 each)
– potatoes ($3.49/10 lbs.)
– lemons ($1.49/bag)
– cucumbers ($.29)
– carrots ($1.09)
– baby carrots ($.69)
– onions ($1.19/2 lbs.?)
– avocado ($.59 each)
– multi-color peppers ($1.99/3)
– mini sweet peppers ($1.99)
– blueberries ($1.69)
– red grapes ($2.58/2 lbs.)
– celery ($1.29)
– organic baby spinach or spring mix ($2.49)
– artisan lettuce ($1.99)
– grape tomatoes ($.99)
– garlic ($.49/3)
– Gala apples ($2.29/3 lbs.)
– grapefruit ($1.79/5 lbs.)
– butternut squash ($1.19 each)
Meat
– frozen wild-caught Alaskan salmon ($3.99-$4.49 for 4 fillets) – best deal on salmon that I’ve found! Quality is great too.
– ground beef ($1.79/lb.)
– grass-fed ground beef ($4.49/lb.)
– center-cut bacon ($3.89)
– whole chicken (price varies, but is around $.89/lb.)
Other Frozen
– broccoli ($1.09)
– corn ($.95)
– peas ($.95)
– green beans (around $1)
– mixed veggies (around $1)
– California blend (around $1)
– berries (prices vary)
Snacks
– blue corn tortilla chips ($1.69) – These are seriously the best chips we’ve tried, including name brands and ones from Trader Joe’s. They are made with organic blue corn and have just a few ingredients.
– kettle chips ($1.79) – not super-healthy, but they only have three ingredients and are delicious!
– organic salsa ($1.99) – we thought this was pretty good! The non-organic salsa is good too.
– chocolate ($1.99) – I loooove the dark chocolate (70% and 85%) and often snag a bar to keep on hand. One time they had organic Green & Black chocolate as a special buy!
Non-food
– aluminum foil ($1.99)
– plastic wrap ($1.49)
– zip bags in various sizes ($1.99)
– scrubby sponges (2/$1.19)
– tissues with lotion ($1.19)
– cheap paper towels ($.69) – great for cleaning up really gross stuff
Your turn! What are your favorite things to buy at Aldi?
I love their pasta sauce, salsa, and baggies!!! I grow my own veggies and make my own salsa, and when we run out, I love to use the organic salsa from Aldi!
Mmm… your salsa sounds yummy!
We love their produce. But the cereal, organic items, and can foods are always a go to for my family. Great prices. You are in and out in no time.
Yes, I love how fast I can get in and out! Under 30 minutes even for a really big trip!
their wine is good lol. but no really we loveeee aldis!! so excite they are carrying more organic.
Yes! Can’t believe I forgot to mention that. Their Reisling is very good!
oh and aldi’s is so close i could walk to it ;-D – even more reason to shop there! we love aldi’s. oh and they have those mints they give u at olive garden, can’t think of the name, oh their so good!! i buy a box every time i go just to treat myself.
Andes Mints!! 🙂
I’ve only been into Aldi a few times and it didn’t seem too much cheaper than Walmart/Sams. Do you know about how much you save by shopping there compared to somewhere like Walmart or Target? I’m curious if it would all add up and make a big difference or not!
Maybe in your area the prices are closer. I’ve found Aldi to be much cheaper than Walmart, but prices between Walmarts/Targets in different areas (or even within the same town) can vary. 🙂
Prices vary in areas, but in my town in central Oklahoma, most things at Aldi are about half the price as the Superwalmart.
Thanks for the input ladies! My husband informed me that milk was about $2 not on sale and I was SHOCKED so we went to check it out tonight. There were some things that were SO much cheaper than Walmart and some things that were about the same. I’m going to shop there next week and see how much I can save. Thanks for the great post, Aliesha. I’m excited to try something new to save money 🙂
Oh that’s awesome!
I love Aldi’s I wish Baltimore had more of them. Recently however I have found that Walmart has been raising their prices on everything in the food section atleast.
I SAW THE PRICES AT WALMART FOR VARIOUS PASTAS FOR $1.00 UP NOW TO $1.24 CENTS HERE IN OHIO. WALMART WAS BETTER A RETAIL STORE, THEN A SUPERWALMART, FOR SPECIALTY ITEMS I GO TO GIANT EAGLE (A COMAPRISON TO THIS STORE I THINK IS PUBLIX) OR A FARM MARKET IN TOWN.
ALDIS IS ALOT CHEAPER THAN WALMART OR TARGET. myself, I LIKE SAValOT. I get twice as many groceres there than anywhere else. Aldi’s always has the cheapest produce prices but Walmart will match it. I don’t like groceries at Walmart.
I thought this same thing before I gave in and tried it.. I save anywhere from $25-$50 depending on what I am getting that week.
Aldi has much better prices than Walmart or Sams.
I buy everything at Aldi except Pepsi products (because Aldi doesn’t carry Pepsi)
Milk prices are awesome (only $2.14/gallon) and we go through 7 gallons a week!
LOVE ALDI!!!!!
Those fresh produce prices are amazing!! I’m happy for you that you have Aldi’s as a resource for being able to shop “whole food” AND keep a lower grocery budget!
Oh my… I wish there was something even close to that in Canada! Our prices are waaaaaaay higher ;( At least double for most of the items you listed, if not a lot more.
You are inspiring me to make more effort to shop at our Aldi! I always get everything at Target so I only have to make one stop with kids but I really should check out Aldi I think!
Sometimes only having to stop one time with kids is more valuable than saving a few dollars on groceries!
We like a lot of the same things, we are big fans of their nuts. I just opened a jar of cranberry,walnut, dark chocolate trail mix and it is delicious- just as sweet as candy.
I am so happy to be able to buy good low cost produce. I like the tiny tomatoes, bags of red onions, boxes of field greens.m
Our bachelor attorney son is a bit of brand snob about clothes but he is now an Aldi fan for his groceries. He will call me and report that he just bought 3 bags full for $40, or whatever he did, after he shops there.
That trail mix sounds amazing! I can tell you raised your son well. 🙂
What a GRACIOUS gift of God in your life to be able to get such nice food so inexpensively!!! The prices are way lower than our grocery store!! Wish we had a ALDI!!
Gracious gift of God? Thank the scientists who increase farm productivity and allow us to have meat and veggies year round.
Id like to meet the scientist that invented the cow..lol
I’ve only been able to shop at Aldi’s a few times over the years, as it’s a 4 hour round trip to the nearest one. You are so fortunate to have it close. I have a bad case of envy!!
Wish our aldi’s was closer. Oh well…your milk price is amazing, some of the produce and butter, wow!!! So glad you have that close!
Where is your closest Aldi?
You wrote these Aldis posts at the perfect time for me as an Aldi just opened by me. I’m excited to used your Aldis grocery list when I go shopping on Saturday.
I’m excited for you!
We alternate between Aldi and Woodman’s (IL /WI store). We love Aldi. We won’t buy toilet paper anywhere else. You are right; you do have to check out the produce for the best quality. Sometimes it doesn’t look good. Frozen veggies, low sodium chicken broth/ beef broth is cheaper. Love it for a soup base. Veggie chips for when we don’t want to buy potato chips. Milk is the cheapest at Aldi, even the Soy Milk. Your list was great!
I think most people on here are missing the best aspect of Aldi. The products here you compare favorably to brand-name or Trader Joe’s products are THOSE PRODUCTS. Aldi’s “Bauman’s” brand mayonnaise IS Hellmann’s mayonnaise. The boxed white cake mix? DUNCAN HINES. They aren’t merely knockoff versions–they are identical, bought from the same manufacturer and repackaged. The reason those sweet potato chips taste “just like” the ones you used to buy at Trader Joe’s is because they ARE those chips. I rejoice daily about Aldi–it is a joy to shop at them and I am absolutely fortunate to have several of them convenient to places I am often.
You’re so right, Jessica! Aldi keeps it very “under wraps” what brands their “house brands” actually are, but they do a fantastic job of picking the best tasting brand to stock at their stores!
You should make your own butter. It tastes MUCH better than store bought.
You’re right… homemade butter is delicious! Have you found a way to make it cost effective?
Love me some aldi!! Lol
I was just there about an hour ago! I LOVE the Aldi! I always buy nuts, cheese, produce, and frozen fruit. I am eating a grain-free, refined sugar-free, meat free diet (I do eat fish–that I buy from Aldi), and I would NOT be able to afford that without Aldi’s help. I read labels like crazy, and a lot of their stuff is even healthier than things you get at other groceries, but for much cheaper prices.
They keep prices low because they are so seasonal. When something is about to go out, they mark it down dirt cheep to move it quickly so they can stock the space with new product. I once found fresh cranberries there for 10 cents a bag and bought 20 bags for cheaper than 1 at Publix. If you have a,freezer, you can really save. We used those in smoothes for months. Aldis slipping boxes double as their display boxes so they save on labor with simple stocking. They are German (efficient!) and owned by the Trader Joe’s brothers.Lots of gluten free items are showing up as well.
So many reasons to love Aldi!!
I love Aldi! I save a ton every time I shop there. After Christmas I bought a spiral ham for half price!! I went to the local grocery store later that day and their hams were in no way a close price comparison. I also saved a ton on my fruit and veggie platters for my Christmas party. *Don’t forget your quarter!!*
Great deals! A ham can go a loooong way!
The spiral hams are really good.
i LOVE Aldi! I lived in Arizona for 4 1/2 years and cringed everytime I went to the grocery store. There aren’t any Aldi stores there. I love the variety of more natural and healthful items they are carrying now. The Fit & Active items are great. Their F&A turkey bacon is the best I’ve had anywhere. And the seasonal items I often stock up on. Like the Butternut Squash pasta sauce in the fall. Yumm-O!
I love the butternut squash pasta sauce too, but my husband is not a fan. 😉
We are a real food Aldi family, too. I agree with everything listed above (great selection, quality and variety) PLUS their employees are paid well – a help wanted sign out front a few months ago listed starting pay at $13/hr. It always feels good to support a business that supports its employees.
Some of our favorite products are the organic grass fed beef ($3/lb cheaper than our target!), sweet potato chips, goat cheese, and the dried fruit. Also, their thick cut applewood bacon is delicious! It costs at least 50% less than other bacon and everyone always assumes it’s some super fancy/expensive kind.
I love Aldi’s but I also love TARGET CLEARANCE!
(And I’m not talking about that one clearance shelf that has 15% off.)
Next time you’re at Target, just look up and down the food isles for the little red clearance stickers- they are often hidden among all the “regular” food. I’ve gotten so, so many organic, all-natural, and/or expensive-brand items for up to 70% off!!
I never shop at Walmart now. 🙂
Great point! Target clearance is awesome!
Awesome job on this post! I too am a huge ALDI fan! My favorite is the specialty cheeses: smoked gouda, mozzarella balls as well as proscuitto. Charcuterie boards are delicious and easy but can be expensive to put together — ALDI makes it really cost-effective.
Just wonder why they don’t publicize more their Trader Joe connection? I feel some people mistrust ALDI, thinking it’s second-rate.
Nuts, Organic Fair-trade KCups, Produce, baking section, and most of their special German imports! Plus they sell the cheapest eggs and cases of water in my area!
I despise walmart, I live in a small area, walmart came to town & have closed three grocery stores to date. Rude & hateful employees.
I despise walmart, I live in a small area, walmart came to town & have closed three grocery stores to date. Rude & hateful employees.
Their huge specialty pizzas are amazing too!!
Yum! We’ll have to try those sometime!
Love Aldi!!! Yes, their pizzas are great! Sometimes Walmart does have cheaper prices but I can never just go to Walmart for groceries (not that I like to) and I always end up spending WAY more than I planned when i go there. I’ve got into Aldi with $20 and been able to feed my family of 6 for a week.
I absolutely love their kcup breakfast blend coffee. You cannot beat the price. I will not buy it from anywhere else.
I love Aldi’s. I buy everything I can. Their Applewood or Appleton Farm (can’t remember exact name) ham at Christmas was delicious. Their pork loin is double the size at regular grocery stores for the same price.
I can’t say anything there is bad. I love it all.
We love the pork loin too!
Ours has Bananas .29/lb and Avocados .49 each right now.
I always buy their breads and rolls. Their ice cream is always good, the spring water is great and only $2.79 for a case. The pasta and rice mixes are great also. we love the pork loins too – so tender and flavorful! We buy our breakfast cereal too from Aldi’s. The Aldi’s version of Frosted mini-speaker are my husband’s favorite. I could go on and on as Aldi’s is a great place to shop. I start there and get everything that I can. Then I got to a regular supermarket for things Aldi’s doesn’t carry.
Sorry – it should read Frosted mini-wheats
Well when they first open in our area a few years ago ,I said NO way ,I’m not baging my own groceries, no brand names and who pays to use a cart !
We’ll my daughter showed me the savings and I started to shop their ,found out the “no name ” brands were as good or in many case much better !
Now it’s my only store to shop ….love it
Friendly cashiers, quick in ,quick out and shelf always well stocked. Always very clean and no problem with parking
I bake a lot so I buy most of my baking ingredients at Aldi. I have not seen any difference in their brown sugar, flour, eggs, etc. from name brands and it cost so much less.
YES! And I also love that their baking line is nut-free (we have allergies in our family).
Definitely will be spreading the word since I know a lot of people who shop at Aldi!! Unfortunately, I don’t have one super close to me, but when I do shop there, I will be bringing this list! Thanks for your hard work.
Hope this is helpful!