The Best and Worst of Aldi
Aldi is renowned as an affordable and dependable retailer offering everything from raw ingredients to finished products. But just because all the items are low-cost and good-looking, doesn’t mean the quality is actually here. In fact, some products at Aldi look way better than they actually are. This list breaks down the secrets hiding in plain sight and can help you plan for more savings and better food.
1. Fresh Herbs
When it comes to buying fresh herbs, you’ll probably want to avoid Aldi’s. While their bunches do cost comparatively less than other stores, this is likely because of major inconsistency issues. You might actually luck out and get the herbs on a good day, but on other days, they taste strange and have weird textures. So, definitely be cautious, or just get your herbs from elsewhere.
2. Mini Bagged Avocados
While Aldi’s loose avocados are great quality and priced fairly, the bagged avocados are anything but. The bagged variants often contain overripe or hard avocados, and it’s hard to tell, no matter how much you toss and turn the bag. Paying all that for a small bag only to dump half the avocados due to quality issues just isn’t worth it.
3. Fish
Fish can definitely drive up the grocery bill, so you might be inclined to take advantage of Aldi’s cheap fish prices. However, there’s a reason they’re so low. It’s because Aldi gets a large number of products to make up for the price, but this means lots of these products are sitting there for a while, and the quality is very inconsistent.
4. Sugar-Free Coffee Creamer
There might be something wrong with the coffee creamer. The flavor is surprisingly off-putting, as many find it to be awful and oddly repellent. If you are a fan of flavored coffees, you might want to look for a different creamer.
5. Veggie Burger
If you’re a vegetarian or just like the variety of having veggie-based items in your kitchen, then the veggie burger may seem like a great idea. However, this burger just isn’t it. Known to be quite lackluster, the burger has a lot going against it, including weird texture, bland flavor, and barely any protein.
6. Asparagus
Speaking of veggies, one you might want to also avoid at Aldi’s is the asparagus. While they may look great, the quality isn’t there, and you’ll notice it when you start cooking. Some struggle with the tough stalks, while others have reported slimy or rotten produce in the sealed plastic.
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7. Pizza Rolls
The pizza rolls are another hit or miss. While some report normal experiences, most absolutely hate these items. The taste and texture aren’t there, and even heating them in the oven doesn’t help save the experience.
8. Lobster Mac and Cheese
Often considered the hands-down worst product in Aldi’s, the lobster mac and cheese are something you want to avoid. Many find it quite disgusting, as the smell and the taste alone are very off-putting. Rather than risk throwing it away, it’s better to leave this one off the grocery list.
9. Bananas
The bananas are another piece of produce that suffers from inconsistency. While they may look completely normal and high-quality at the store, they quickly turn their colors soon after. It’s not uncommon for green bananas to turn brown the next day, or for the texture to be rock hard for some reason.
10. Cereal
From an economic perspective, Aldi’s cereals are certainly cheaper than other stores. But most stores have cereals on flyer sales anyway, and you’re better off picking up branded boxes on sale than buying Aldi’s own brand. So if you want those branded Frosted Flakes or Fruit Loops, just keep an eye on coupons and flyers.
Now that we talked about items to avoid at Aldi’s, here are 10 you’d be foolish not to buy.
1. Choceur Chocolate
If you want to stock up on some chocolates, then the Choceur brand at Aldi’s is pretty great. The company actually has German founders, which might contribute to the excellent craftsmanship. Plus, the bars are very affordable and come in a lot of interesting flavors like sea salt and caramel.
2. Avocados
Avocados are known to be a pricier fruit, which makes sense considering how difficult they are to grow. However, when it comes to buying produce at Aldi’s, avocados make the list as they’re more affordable and riper than other varieties. But for the best deals, be sure to keep an eye on those sales. Of course, this only applies to the loose avocados!
3. Baking Supplies
If you’re a baker, then it’s smart to stock up at Aldi’s. Everything in their baking aisle is great, from the mixes to the flavor add-ins to the variety of nuts, chips, and sugars. The best part is that the prices are reasonable, and nothing quite beats homemade desserts anyway.
4. Cauliflower Crust Pizza
If you are trying to make healthier choices, then a pizza with a cauliflower crust seems like a smart pick. Luckily, Aldi’s Mama Cozzi’s cauliflower crust pizza is considered the best around. It’s incredibly delicious, and at that price point, you can stock up your freezer.
5. Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce
Aldi is also surprisingly good at selling organic products, such as their tomato basil sauce from Simply Nature. This is the perfect sauce to get if you have pasta plans for dinner, as the sauce tastes excellent and is pretty balanced, making it a good mild option. Plus, it’s hard to beat $3 for a jar.
6. Bread
The bread at Aldi’s is another item worth snagging. For instance, the 20-ounce loaf of Aldi’s L’oven Fresh White Bread is a steal at a low price point. Plus, the texture and flavor are there, and you’re saving money. A win-win!
7. Milk
Essentially, your everyday basic pantry goods are all accessible, affordable, and worthwhile at Aldi’s. Aside from bread, you’ll also want to stock up on milk, especially the Friendly Farms brand, which is comparatively affordable and tasty. With that quality in mind, this is a definite buy.
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8. Cream Cheese
Another product that gets a lot of praise at Aldi’s is the cream cheese, specifically the ones from Happy Farms. What makes this cheese so good is its high quality, creamy texture, and pretty great taste. It’s a lot like Philadelphia cream cheese, but consistently cheaper.
9. Pure Maple Syrup
If you’ve been looking for the perfect pancake topper or just want something healthier to sweeten your teas or coffees with, then pure maple syrup is an item to add to your list. At Aldi’s, you can get it for a great price, and the quality is there with no added sugar or color. Most people like the smaller bottle size, too, as it helps manage moderation and overconsumption.
10. Cheese
Like the cream cheese, the cheese itself is also pretty solid at Aldi’s. Their store brand cheese is cost-effective and tasty, but their Happy Farms or Great Value variants are also quite affordable and tasty. Many people recommend getting high-quality cheese from Aldi’s rather than actual gourmet stores.
