Top Twelve Things to Buy at ALDI
A couple of weeks ago I told you about some of my favorite things to buy at Costco. Today, here are my top twelve things to buy at ALDI! Do you agree? What would you add?
Top Twelve Things To Buy at ALDI
1. El Milagro tortillas. These are, simply, made of awesome -- and at $.33 for corn or $.85 for flour? Totally awesome. Plus Chicago area ALDI stores get daily deliveries, so if you are lucky, you'll one day catch them as they're restocking. Because the only thing better than an affordable and tasty El Milagro tortilla is a fresh and warm El Milagro tortilla.
2. Produce. ALDI puts different produce items on sale each week, at a huge savings over conventional grocery stores. The quality of produce at my ALDI is almost always better than the produce at my Jewel -- and I can get 2-4x as much for my money, making this one a no-brainer. While they do have limited varieties, I count on ALDI for basics like cheap baby carrots, mushrooms, strawberries, avocados and more.
3. Baking supplies. Sugar for $1.38, flour for $1.38, baking morsels for $1.59... even the gluten free baking mix at $2.99 is cheaper than I can get gluten free Bisquick with subscribe & save on Amazon, with no noticeable taste difference.
4. Canned beans. We use a lot of beans in soups, stews, and chili, and they range $.59-$.79 a can every day. I can pick up organic beans at ALDI for less than the sale price of conventional beans most other places, and coupons for beans are few and far between.
5. Gluten free snacks. If you've priced out gluten free products, you're familiar with the sticker shock that can come with that diet. I have been buying the ALDI liveGfree gluten free pretzels ($1.89) and crackers ($1.49) for wheat free Junior High Guy, and he's a big fan of both. Note: If you're also dairy free one variety of the crackers contains milk, so check labels.
6. Clancy's tortilla chips. They recently changed the bag, but same great chips and same $1.19 everyday price. Cheaper and tastier than Tostitos!
7. Clearance items. Whenever you're in ALDI, make sure to walk the aisles looking for good clearance prices. It won't take long, as the store isn't that big! Your best bet here will be on perishables nearing their expiration date, and on special buys that need to be cleared out to make room for the next batch.
8. Bacon bits. They're $1.39. Enough said.
9. Organic soy milk. Coupons for non-dairy milk seem to go in waves -- sometimes I can get a better deal on Silk with a coupon combined with a sale, and sometimes it's stuck over $3.00 with no available coupons for weeks. Organic SimplyNature soy milk is $2.29 at ALDI every day. Dairy free Junior High Guy gives it a thumbs up, so this is where I buy soy milk in the absence of a great sale elsewhere.
10. Cheese cups. Aside from the rare ALDI sale or clearance price, regular shredded and block cheese are not a super buy at ALDI; it goes on sale for less almost every week at one or another nearby grocery store. However, shredded and crumbled cheese cups are a nice everyday price at $1.79-$1.99, and MashupDad is an especial fan of the Parmesan.
11. Weekly Special Buys. Every week ALDI brings in a new batch of products as limited-time Special Buys -- and how fun is that? Some of these are better prices than others, so watch that, but sometimes you can get a great deal. My kitchen alone sports everything from a cushy floor mat to a big rolling pet food container to a metal strainer, all good prices at one time or another on an ALDI Special Buy.
12. Meat (with a caveat). Some meat I will buy at ALDI, and some I will not. Buys include things like this year's corned beef, which came from ALDI at $1.99/lb -- it was fantastic. Their Nature Raised chicken is tasty and all natural, and often turns up with clearance stickers. Don't buys include their solution added pork chops (the amount of liquid that cooks out of these is truly disturbing), most of their frozen fish filets (great prices, but processed in China), or the beef filets that show up regularly on Wed. meat special buys (just not very good at all).
Your turn
Those are my top twelve things to buy at ALDI! Do you agree? What would you add to this list, or where do you disagree?
I would add the Mama Cassita Salsa. My entire family loves it! The only disagreement I have is with the produce. It never seems to be that great at my local Aldi.
We are big fans of their veggie straws and veggie chips - I always stock on these for parties. Cheap and tasty.
The dried fruit is also an excellent deal - I tend to buy the dried cranberries and dried cherries, but they have lots of other options as well.
Skip the non-national-brand cookies - you get what you pay for with those. Usually taste like sawdust held together with wax and sugar.
I think The Benton cookies taste just like Girl Scout cookies....
Benton chocolate chip soft cookies!!!! Taste just like Matt's cookies.
I buy as much as I can these days at Aldi. Almost without exception I've been pleased with the quality (although I did not like their version of A1 steak sauce!). My favorite buy there recently is their brand (knock-off) of a Sonicare sonic toothbrush for $19.99 (came with 6 or 8 heads, wall mount case, etc.)! It is awesome! And wow, it works so much better than a regular toothbrush, I can actually see the difference in my teeth.
I sure agree about the A1 sauce. I'm an American, raised on the stuff. It was thin and watery; it should be thick with lots of flavor.
Milk is usually cheaper at Aldi compared to local food stores. I would have to disagree with you regarding the produce. It is hit or miss. Some items I purchased are good, but there are other items that I purchased only to have an off taste to them.
I love Aldi. I agree with your picks. I love the produce at mine but I always plan to eat it within a few days. I would add nearly anything "Specially Selected" (their higher end brand), almond milk, booze (great Irish cream and delish prepared sangria), paper plates (sturdy paper and not foam), and dog treats. The special buys are usually a good deal and super random--medical walker for uncle, Little Tykes picnic table, toys at the holidays, an over-the-door mirror. The only things I did not like are refrigerated sugar cookies (slice and bake) and the raw meat (cooked it and it was tough).
Also think the produce is good (at least at my Aldi!) for the most part. Probably 70% of the time-- compared to Jewel which is like 50%!
I second those Clancy tortilla chips. We love them. And they are so cheap. Pair that with $.25 off from Jingit every week on chips and I never pay a buck for a bag and they pair great with cheap avocados made into guac.
Did the Clancy tortilla chips used to be in a paper bag and now are in a plastic bag?
No, they were always in a plastic bag, but they changed designs? You might be thinking of the El Milagro ones.
I think the following at Aldi's is great and I purchase on a regular basis: Clancy's tortilla chips because of the flavor and price, knockoff corn chips, the olive oil, the cooking spray (butter or olive oil based, can't remember which), the dry spices (onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, red pepper flakes, basil, oregano - all great, good size and great price), raisins, knockoff chocolate chips, half and half, butter, the milk (but price depends on where you go), eggs (again, price), iceberg lettuce, carrots, potatoes, celery, (although sometimes they're bad), onions (sometimes bad and drippy), lemons, cheese, cream cheese (the full fat kind) (and I think it is 89 cents til the weekend or tomorrow!!, softener salt (although it is NOT the rust removing kind), the REALLY great CHEESE pizza that is in the refrigerated section, (NOT frozen), it is huge, and tasty - be aware, though, that that box it comes in is very big and takes up a whole shelf in the fridge, so if you decide to get one, be sure you have the room, and/or plan to bake it soon (or just remove the box?).
I will NOT buy the frozen hamburger in the rolls (the really big rolls) -
We LOVE their fresh take and bake type pizzas!!! We hardly ever order pizza anymore! We almost weekly get (1)cheese, (1) pepperoni and (1)sausage pizza for our large family. Its the one meal that every single person likes. The cheese is (I believe) a 6 Cheese blend; the Pepperoni has round traditional and chopped/diced pepperoni, and the sausage has really good flavor. The crust also has great flavor!
Their ketchup is really good and I think that all of their nuts are reasonably priced as well. Oh, and Milk!
Will Buy:
Produce (be careful because it is not always the longest lasting produce)
Milk (generally cheaper unless there is a deal at CVS (but I don't always get to CVS)
Butter is currently $1.89
Bagged Salad is only $.99
Dried fruit (their dried pineapple which thankfully at least last time I bought it was not a product of China)
Ice cream bars - larger quantity and good price
Will Not Buy:
Bread - DH does not like their bread
Bacon - I only bought it once and am so scarred from the experience I will never try it again
I think their dried fruit is a great price, especially the dried cherries and cranberries. I love their cottage cheese and sour cream. It is just so good! And the price for the sour cream and cottage cheese is a great deal. I also LOVE their frozen fruit pies. You cannot go wrong with any of them and their price seems to linger at $3.99-4.99 for apple and triple berry. When the strudel is available I will get that too, but that is only around special times. The frozen fruit is good too. I do NOT like their mac and cheese. Yuck. If you have the chance to try the Aldi Mexican pizza, I would highly recommend it. It is available on occasion and my family fights for this when I make it.