a cell phone with the aldi logo on it
A cell phone with the Aldi logo on it (Photo by Marques Thomas on Unsplash)
,

Best Aldi Buys: Top 5 Products Most Recommended By Shoppers

July 10, 2023
by Alan Corona

Aldi is an international grocery store chain that was first established in 1946 in Essen, Germany. Aldi is a portmanteau abbreviation for Albrecht-Diskont, so named for its original founders. Through the ’70s and ’80s, Aldi established itself as a trusted brand for discount groceries and high-quality frozen goods. The original retailers split the brand into Aldi Nord and Aldi Sud which would become Aldi and Trader Joe’s in North America. With so many unique items sold for less, we sought out to find the best Aldi buys to look out for when shopping at the store.

Sometimes shoppers can get a little carried away with non-essential treat purchases. You may save money buying items featured in those weekly grocery store flyers, but a new study finds you may not be cutting calories. Researchers at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden examined the weekly flyers from 122 local grocery stores during a four-week period, to assess the health quality of the foods in the ads. Their results find that most will likely pack on the pounds in an unhealthy way. “Our study reveals that the majority of grocery store advertisements promote unhealthy foods, going against recommended dietary guidelines,” says researcher Melissa Mjöberg in a university release.

Particularly regarding bulk goods, almost all major brands are labels that are co-packed by the same producers and farms. One common perception is that you get what you pay for when grocery shopping. So buying your favorite fruits and vegetables at a discount store means you must be getting lower quality goods, right? Wrong. New research reveals that produce sold at dollar stores is actually quite comparable to that found at traditional grocery chains, only markedly cheaper. This finding has implications beyond the cost of your next meal — for many, it’s a means of accessing vital fruits and veggies.

So whether shoppers are seeking discount deals or tasty treats, Aldi might be a great place to do some shopping. Our list of the top five Aldi items could lead shoppers to a new favorite purchase. Let us know your Aldi favorites in the comments below!

Aldi store at night
Aldi store at night (Photo by Marek Piwnicki on Unsplash)

The List: Best Aldi Buys, According to Experts

 

1. Fresh Strawberries

Usually, when visiting an Aldi, the produce section is pretty impressive, and that includes their strawberries. “These berries are so fresh (they’re delivered fresh daily to Aldi stores) and flavorful that they have been a Fan Favorite survey winner two other times! Following the fresh strawberries’ 2019 and 2021 wins, the 2022 Produce Pick champion continues to impress customers,” offers People.

Strawberries (Photo by Maksim Shutov on Unsplash)

Not only are fresh strawberries offered, in certain markets small-batch specialty pink strawberries are even available. “While the $1.89 price tag was a bit more expensive than the $1.77 pound container of Central West strawberries sold at a nearby Walmart (also with a spotty track record in produce), Aldi’s looked far fresher. Bonus: Both stores undercut Costco, which was selling two-pound containers of Sweet Darling strawberries for $4.49 ($2.25 per pound),” adds Kiplinger.

“Plain and simple: Folks love ALDI’s strawberries. Produce at any grocery store can be hit or miss, but the ripe, juicy, sweetness of the strawberries here made them a 2022 fan favorite. An affordable route to a healthy and delicious snack is always an instant victory,” writes Delish.

2. Friendly Farms Almond Milk

Plant-based dairy alternatives are becoming popular in many categories. “Friendly Farms Almond Milk: there are plenty of dairy-free options at Aldi — the chain recently launched oat milk ice cream in 2019 — but customers swear by its exclusive Friendly Farms Almond Milk. This top-rated dairy alternative boasts a smooth taste and can be found in original and vanilla,” praises Food Network.

“Depending on where you shop and whether you have coupons, regular milk can be found for a little cheaper at other grocery stores. Though ALDI’s regular milk is priced pretty darn well, their Friendly Farms Almond milk is often at $2.49 or less, which is a great buy. It can be over a dollar more at many other stores,” offers Living Well Spending Less.

“In a head-to-head price comparison to Walmart’s store brand, Aldi wins again, this time in the almond milk department. A half-gallon of Aldi’s Friendly Farms almond milk (original or vanilla) sells for $1.79. Walmart’s Great Value almond milk was $1.84. ‘Almond milk is a tasty and healthy milk substitute for the dairy adverse, but it tends to be expensive,’ says [Kiplinger Reviewer] Bodge. ‘This is an excellent price for almond milk, so it makes it more accessible if you’re on a tight budget,’” writes Kiplinger.

3. Anything from the Red Hot Deals Section

Some of the best finds at Aldi can be found in the ever-rotating Red Hot Deals section. “Each week ALDI offers a ‘Red Hot Deal’ theme in the center of the store. If the theme is picnicking, you might find grilling utensils, paper plates and coolers paired with chips, buns, and condiments. Another week it might be a back-to-school theme with school supplies, lunch-boxes, and easy, fun snack foods,” explains Living Well Spending Less.

“Every week, Aldi switches out a big section of their merchandise. They’ll stock super-good deals on products you might never expect to see at a grocery store — think lawn furniture, tools, and clothing — but it’s worth taking your time to look through their Red Hot Specials and other weekly deals. You’ll find all kinds of good stuff buried in these sections, including seasonal or holiday foods, spices and seasonings you’ve never seen before, and all kinds of weird stuff. A word of warning, though: once these things are gone, they’re gone. If you see anything you really like, be sure to stock up!” exclaims Mashed.

“The red hot specials section at Aldi is exactly what you think—even better deals on your favorite goods. The retailer updates the specials on their website weekly so you can see what deals are available at your closest Aldi location. Don’t miss these important things your grocer won’t tell you,” according to Reader’s Digest.

4. Emporium Selection Aged Reserve White Cheddar

Bucking the idea that Aldi carries ‘cheap’ food items is their high-quality reserve label cheddar. “Looking for a new go-to cheese for your charcuterie board? Emporium Selection Aged Reserve White Cheddar scored highly amongst fans in the Best for Boards category,” writes People.

 

“It’s impossible to talk about the best Aldi foods of all time and not mention its cheese selection. The cheese section in itself has its own cult following, thanks to its vast selection and affordable prices. Whether you’re putting together a cheese board or making a recipe, you can’t leave Aldi until you’ve checked out the cheese selection. To narrow down your selection, we suggest you at least pick up the Emporium Selection Aged Reserve White Cheddar—it’s a staple paired with crackers and cured meat,” raves Eat This, Not That!.

Great quality specialty goods are a strength of Aldi brands. “I love cheese, but don’t always want to pay a small fortune for a block. Thankfully Aldi has a generous selection of gourmet cheeses that rival more expensive products in fancier shops. This aged white cheddar is fairly mild and costs less than $3 per package. It’s a great addition to a charcuterie board, but I particularly enjoy its pungent flavor paired with apple slices for a snack,” according to Better Homes & Gardens.

5. SimplyNature Organic White Cheddar Puffs

In the snack section, Aldi has several items that are well-reviewed. “Cheese puffs are arguably the king of snacks and ALDI is the place to buy them (for just $1.99 a bag). ‘These organic white cheddar puffs are a healthier alternative to name-brand cheesy snacks, which are often loaded with artificial ingredients,’” says Yahoo!Finance.

SimplyNature Organic White Cheddar Puffs
SimplyNature Organic White Cheddar Puffs (aldi.us)

“Aldi also has an impressive selection of snacks, and the Simply Nature White Cheddar Puffs are a consistent favorite among shoppers. Not only did they win the 2022 Fan Favorite pick in the Kiddy Cravings category, but they are also great for adults who want to munch on something baked, gluten-free, and without any added sugars. These baked rice and corn snacks pack enough of a cheesy punch to be satisfying without that fake cheese flavor of many name-brand competitors,” writes Eat This, Not That!.

“If you’re looking for a satisfying snack that you don’t have to feel guilty about, Aldi’s organic options (like these Simply Nature Organic White Cheddar Puffs or Simply Nature Organic Hummus in Classic, Red Pepper or Garlic) have you covered. When the White Cheddar Puffs were released in 2017, they won the BrandSpark Best New Product Award based on feedback from Shopper Army, which we can only imagine is an ode to the vibrant flavors and lack of artificial colors or enhancers,” opines Food Network.

You might also be interested in:

Sources

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.

Tags: