What To Buy At ALDI: My 10 Favorite Food Items
I am becoming more and more of an ALDI addict, and I am saving a ton of money by doing so. I know that many of you also love ALDI – but some of you are uncertain of what to buy there. To help you out and hopefully provide some insight, I have assembled a list of my 10 favorite food items from ALDI. I hope you enjoy!
1: Take-and-bake pizza: $5.99
ALDI’s take-and-bake pizzas are gigantic and really tasty. An extra-large pizza will easily feed 5 people. So that’s $5.99 to feed five people. Pizza party, anyone?
These pizzas are just as good as any frozen pizza I’ve had. They have many different flavors, including supreme, pepperoni, sausage, Philly cheesesteak, four meat, and others.
2: Brie cheese round: $2.99
The Brie cheese round is the perfect size for an appetizer. The last time I bought one, I baked it for 10 minutes at 325F, topped it with orange marmalade, and served it with crackers.
3: Rice pudding $.89
Rice pudding is somewhat of a comfort food for me. The ALDI variety doesn’t disappoint. It’s the perfect size and only costs 89 cents!
4: Extra virgin olive oil: $3.29
ALDI also sells pure olive oil and extra light olive oil for $2.99, but I usually buy the extra virgin variety for 30 cents more.
5: Heavy whipping cream: $1.89
This is the cheapest heavy whipping cream I have ever come across. Just $1.89 for a whole pint. Trader Joe’s sells a shelf-stable cream for $1.29, but it’s a much smaller amount. Use heavy whipping cream to make:
- Homemade whipped cream
- Homemade cashew turtles
- Salty hot fudge
- Rich, homemade tomato soup
6: Organic coconut oil: $4.99
The ALDI coconut oil is as high quality as any other coconut oil I’ve used. I use it all the time to fry pancakes, vegetables, fritters, and other foods. I also use it in homemade beauty and body products. Use it to make:
7: Cream cheese: $.89
There’s nothing special, per se, about ALDI’s cream cheese, except for the price. Homemade cheesecake and cream cheese-based dips have never been more affordable! Use it to make:
- Old-fashioned cream cheese mints
- Cheesy Boston clam dip
- Turkey/cranberry wontons
- Minnesota-style pickle rollups
8: Goat cheese: $1.99
I used two packages of ALDI goat cheese to make this delicious sauteed grape dip. They sell plain, garlic and herb, and honey goat cheese. I’ve tried the first two, and they’re both great. Use it for:
9: Ready-made pizza crusts: $2.99 for two
Fresh, homemade pizza is 10 minutes away when you start with a ready-made crust. You can get either thin or regular crusts in a package of two from ALDI. I buy the thin crusts and they are fresh and homemade-tasting. One crust will feed 2 hungry people. Use them to make:
10: Gluten-free sea salt crackers: $1.49
I don’t eat a gluten-free diet, but these crackers are the bomb. They’re made with all-natural ingredients and they’re irresistible. Use them with any dip or eat them plain. They are so good!
Tips For Shopping At ALDI
- Shopping cart rental: Bring a quarter to “rent” a shopping cart (otherwise you’ll be stuck carrying your groceries around while you shop). Don’t worry, you get it back when you return the cart.
- Bring your own bags. Although you can purchase plastic bags at the checkout, it’s easier (and cheaper) to bring your own reusable bags.
- Inspect produce before buying. I have not had any problems with buying produce at ALDI, but I have heard that their produce is closer to the expiration date than other grocery stores.
- Prepare for an intense checkout experience. ALDI cashiers are extremely efficient. Have your payment ready to go and be prepared to bag your own groceries. Quickly.
How Much Cheaper Is ALDI?
Last year, I did a price comparison of 8 different grocery stores (including ALDI, Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, a co-op, a gourmet grocery store, and others).
I was shocked at the dramatic difference in prices among these stores. ALDI was by and far the cheapest.
I paid $33.60 for 21 common grocery items at ALDI. The same items at a natural foods co-op were $82.99. Shocking, right?
More ALDI Love: $30 Weekly Shopping Cart
See what $30 (approximately) buys at ALDI.
Lately, I’ve been trying new food items at ALDI and reviewing them. Check it out!
Now it’s your turn: What are your favorite food items at ALDI? Please share your favorites in the comments below. And be sure to follow me on Instagram where I often post exclusive recipes using ALDI items and money-saving tips.
You know…we don’t do much shopping at Aldi. But we keep hearing we need to give it a try. Maybe we finally will!
You really should. I used to go twice a year or so – but lately I’ve been going once a week and getting the majority of my groceries. Give it a try and let me know what you think!
Okay, that’s it. I had been trying to decide about doing the vast majority of my shopping at Aldi next month to price compare. I feel like every time I leave Cub, I feel so defeated, like no matter how much I meal plan / shop around what’s on sale & in season, I’m still spending more than I feel good about. So this post totally pushed me over the edge. I’m a little nervous that they won’t have items I want and I’ll be forced to make another stop (w/ 2 kids in tow!) but this post has convinced me to try!
Those prices are fantastic! I wish we had an ALDI close by. When cream cheese is on special here, it is $1.49. Price of cream? Wow!
Honey and Peanut Butter, cannot beat the prices!
I love Aldi. I haven’t had any problems with produce at all. In fact, every time I’ve gotten the large 1lb. Container of mixed salad greens, the use by date is at least 6 days out. And the Goat cheeses! I love all of them.
At aldis you can get double return on items. I bought Salmon and it went bad I returned it and received new Salmon and total refund of previous pay price. Who else does that? Love Aldis