70 Best Things To Buy At Aldi

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how to shop at Aldi

Ever wish you could save tons of time and money at the grocery store? You can! The answer is simple…shop at Aldi!

I’ll be the first to admit that I used to be quite skeptical of Aldi. I thought it was a store filled with subpar products that were expired, flavorless, or just plain gross.

Then, about 8 years ago, a friend told me about a television show she had watched about a woman who lowered her family’s grocery budget down to $300 a month. Just by shopping at Aldi! We had just started living on one income, and I knew then that I just had to give Aldi a try.

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I remember wandering around Aldi for the first time, unfamiliar with their brands and not sure what to try. At first I played it safe, and started with a few things that I figured couldn’t be messed up.

That was close to ten years ago, and since then I’ve probably tried most of the items Aldi carries. I honestly can’t think of anything I’ve tried and haven’t liked.

There are tons of items I buy regularly at Aldi. If you’re new to shopping there, and not sure where to start, I’ve compiled a list here of over 70 great items to buy!

Unless I can get these items cheaper at Kroger or Meijer with a sale and coupon, I just buy them at Aldi.

Want to learn how to slash your grocery budget in 5 days? Check out the FREE Grocery Shopping Makeover Challenge!

Fun fact: Did you know that the Aldi chain is over 100 years old? They’ve been around since 1913. Also, Aldi owns Trader Joe’s. They’re a quality, reputable company, with a unique shopping model.

Aldi has removed all artificial ingredients from their products. They also have an ever-increasing selection of organic and gluten-free products. And offer a double money back guarantee.

I’ve compiled a list of what I think are the best things to buy at Aldi to get you started. You’ll be enjoying massive savings before you know it!

Aldi shopping tips

The 70 Best Things To Buy at Aldi:

Snacks:
Chips (tortilla, potato, pita)
Pretzel rods
Cheez-Its
Salsa
Cookies (Girl Scout knock-offs, Oreo, graham crackers)

Breakfast Food:
Cereal
Toaster pastries (aka Pop-tarts)
Pancake Mix & Syrup
Oatmeal

Condiments & Spices:
Ketchup
Mustard
Hot sauce
Salad dressing
Peanut butter & jelly
Spices
Taco seasoning packets
Oils
Honey

Baking Supplies:
Flour
Sugar (granulated, brown, and powdered)
Pure Vanilla Extract
Cake and brownie mixes
Evaporated and condensed milk
Marshmallows
Chocolate chips
Holiday sprinkles
Nuts
Dried Fruit

Canned Goods:
Vegetables
Beans
Tomatoes & tomato paste
Cream soups

Paper Products/Misc:
Q-tips
Paper plates
Paper towels
Toilet Paper
Napkins
Trash bags
Batteries
Aluminum foil

best things to buy at Aldi

Produce:
Bagged salad & spinach
Apples
Potatoes
Onions
Deal of the Week
Cucumbers
Baby carrots

Bread:
Sandwich bread
Tortillas and spinach wraps
Hamburger and hot dog buns
Bagels
English muffins

Pantry Staples:
Bagged beans
Rice (instant white & brown and long grain)
Rice a Roni & Pasta Roni (easy side dishes)
Stuffing mix
Pasta Sauce
Pasta
Chicken stock

Frozen:
Pizza
Meatballs
Garlic bread
Pierogies
Ice cream & bars
Ravioli & Tortellini
Potatoes (fries, hashbrowns)
Fruit
Vegetables
Waffles

Dairy/Refrigerated:
Sour cream & dip
Yogurt
Greek yogurt
Cream cheese
Blocks of cheese
Eggs
Milk (regular, almond, soy, lactose free)
Hot dogs
Bacon
Take n Bake Pizza
Hummus
Butter

Aldi shopping tips

This list is by no means exhaustive. It is simply a list of low-priced basics to get you started. They have tons of other products there as well. Just try a few things each time, and you’ll soon discover your favorites.

Related: Want 10 easy meal ideas that anyone can make? Check them out here.

Now that you know the best things to buy at Aldi, here are a few tips you’ll need to know before you go.

Bring a quarter! You “rent” your shopping cart for 25 cents. Return it at the end and get your quarter back. Aldi does this to ensure their parking lot isn’t littered with carts. Also, they pay their staff well, and don’t want to pay someone to go round up carts every hour.

Bring shopping bags, or something else to put your groceries in. I use this foldable basket and love it. It holds a ton!

If you forget to bring bags, don’t worry! They usually have some empty boxes in the store that you can use. Or you can buy their bags for 10 cents each. This is just one of the many ways that Aldi keeps their prices low.

I just keep my basket in the back of my car, and grab it on the way into the store. I keep a couple designated ‘Aldi quarters’ in the center console of the car as well. That way I never find myself at Aldi without a quarter or something to put my groceries in.

Related: Want some tips on meal planning? Here are 5 easy strategies for beginners.

There are many perks to shopping at Aldi. In addition to saving loads of money (sometimes up to 50%), you’ll also save time! Aldi stores are generally smaller than other grocery stores. They don’t have 150 different kinds of cereal, or 87 kinds of juice.

The beautiful thing about the smaller stores is that you can be in and out very quickly! I don’t think I’ve ever spent more than 20 minutes inside an Aldi, and that would be a long trip. Checkout goes quickly as well, because as soon as the line gets a few people long, the cashier calls for backup.

Any of the Aldi employees can run the cash register, and will drop whatever they’re doing to help once beckoned. They put your items back into your shopping cart, and you can bag them however you like. They offer really long countertops that make bagging your groceries super easy.

I hope this post of the best things to buy at Aldi has inspired you to give them try. You really have nothing to lose. In fact, they offer a money back guarantee on all their products!

Soon you’ll be relishing the extra money in your bank account. And the extra time in your day!

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best things to buy at Aldi

Have you ever tried Aldi? What are your favorite items to buy there?

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5 Comments

  1. The problem with this is I HAVE to park next to a shopping cart so I can get into the store. I need a walker just to get around my house. My walker is much too heavy for me to put in the car. I use TWO canes to get to the car. if I don’t take these measures, I might fall. Falling when you’re in your 70s is very chancy. That’s why I can’t/ won’t sop at Aldi’s. When I park at Walmart or Publix, I look for a space next to a cart so I can get into the store. When I get home, I use my 2 canes to get into the house and take my large cart on wheels outside to bring the groceries in. The point is I need both hands on something when I’m walking. When I cook, the walker is moved around the kitchen as needed. # Sucks to get old. Just sayin’.

    1. Hi, Barbara! That certainly does sound challenging, and I totally understand your need to park near a cart, and shop at a store best suited to your needs. Where I live, several grocery stores have started offering a service where you can order your groceries online, an employee shops for you, and you schedule a curbside pick-up of them at a time you designate. That could be a viable option for you, if it’s offered in your area. There is a cost of around $5, but the convenience factor might be a huge help to you. Just a thought. Take care of yourself!

      1. Great idea with the new curbside grocery pick up! I have two babies and use this often for my staple items as it’s hard to pick up an entire grocery list without a huge meltdown from one of the babies. Walmart does it for free and I order right from my phone. Kroger has a $5 charge but they accept coupons so I normally save $5 with coupons from my plus card. Also, if you’re really wanting to shop at Aldi and need a cart brought to you, try calling the store when you arrive and ask them to bring one out to you. I’m sure any employee would be happy to help you! I love Aldi and their employees have always been super helpful. Plus, this kinda store might be easier for you to walk through since it’s smaller but has all of your basic needs at 20% less. Call ahead of time and speak to a manager and see if they can make an accommodation for you.

  2. I love Aldi! A few of my favorite items are their snacks for my kids. Their produce prices you can’t beat and are always fresh! Their juice, milk, eggs, and bread are awesome. Also, their spices are a great price and I’ve never had an issue with quality. I love their gourmet cheeses, meats, and dips. Always a hit at parites. Their meat is a hit and miss sometimes. I’ve always had good luck with their ribs, chicken, and lamb. Their steaks, fish, and roast have never been great. My husband and kids refuse to eat their brand of Mac and cheese, pasta sides, and cereal. I love their paper products and have found them to be actually better than name brands. Their brand of crock pot liners have been by far the best! Also, their little isle of random home things have been great. I’ve picked up a few Fisher Price toys for my children at 30% less than Amazon prices, a cheese cutter set that has been amazing, and even a comforter and pillows for my guest room that the quality was fabulous for 60% less than retail stores. Aldi is definitely a store that I stop into once a week to save my family money on a lot of items but still have to shop at other stores for the rest. The savings are definitely worth the extra trip! They also have an app that I use on my phone to see their sales for the week and their new items and it conveniently has a shopping list so I don’t forget anything.

    1. Hi Tara! I too love Aldi! (In case you can’t tell hehe.) I can’t get over how awesome their prices are. I agree about their meat – I can usually find it at better prices when on sale at other stores. I didn’t know about the Aldi app, but will definitely be checking it out. Thanks for the tip!

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