Avoid It – Meat
While Aldi’s meat selection might appear cost-effective, the quality often doesn’t match up. You’re better off buying your steaks and chicken breasts from local supermarkets or butchers for better quality.
Go For It – Spices
Spices can be expensive at other stores, but Aldi offers them for less than a dollar, without compromising on quality. Don’t miss out on Aldi’s fresh squeezable herb blends like the Simply Nature organic ginger paste available in the spice aisle.
Go For It – Canned Goods
Aldi’s canned goods are not only affordable but also high in quality. Their variety includes customer favorites like fire-roasted tomatoes and black beans, making them excellent pantry staples.
Go For It – Baking Products
Aldi’s baking aisle is packed with cost-effective options, including gluten-free items like almond flour and flaxseed. Their baking products are generally cheaper than those at supermarkets.
Go For It – Frozen Fruit
Aldi is the perfect spot for stocking up on high-quality frozen fruits for smoothies, offering better prices than typical supermarkets.
Go For It – Take & Bake Pizza
Opt for Aldi’s Take & Bake Pizza instead of ordering delivery for a quick, delicious, and economically smart option, complete with a variety of toppings.
Avoid It – Bacon
Aldi’s bacon may not be the best deal around, especially when compared to similar products at Trader Joe’s or special offers on name-brand bacon at local supermarkets.
Go For It – Frozen Chicken Options
Despite the regular meat quality, Aldi’s frozen chicken selections are both economical and tasty, particularly the buffalo-style from Kirkwood.
Avoid It- Olive Oil
Aldi’s olive oil might not provide the best value when compared to prices at Walmart, where you can find better deals.
Go For It – Maple Syrup
Upgrade to real, organic maple syrup at Aldi without breaking the bank. This syrup is a customer favorite for its authenticity and great taste.
Avoid It – Butter
While Aldi’s butter is affordable, it lacks in flavor according to customer feedback. You might want to stick to your favorite brand from other supermarkets even if it costs a bit more.
Go For It – European Sweets
Aldi’s selection of European chocolates, especially the milk chocolate hazelnut bars and dark chocolates, are praised for their quality and great prices.
Avoid It – Frozen Sushi
Steer clear of Aldi’s frozen sushi, which does not live up to customer expectations and pales in comparison to fresh options.
Go For It – Mayonnaise
Aldi’s mayonnaise offers great taste and quality at a fraction of the cost of name brands, making it a budget-friendly choice for various dishes.
Avoid It – Toiletries
It’s generally better to buy toiletries from Walmart, Target, or local supermarkets, especially when they offer sales, as Aldi’s products tend to be more expensive per ounce despite the lower sticker price.
Go For It – Bread
Aldi’s bread, including honey wheat and gluten-free options, is significantly cheaper and just as tasty as those found at other grocery stores.
Avoid It – Cereals
Aldi’s cereal may look like your favorite brands, but they often fall short in taste. It’s advisable to buy the name-brand cereals from other stores.
Avoid It – Dish Soap
Aldi’s dish soap is more expensive compared to name brands like Dawn when you check the per ounce price, so it’s better to skip it.
Go For It – Peanut Butter
Aldi’s peanut butter is not only affordable but also rivals the taste and consistency of more expensive brands. They also offer organic options at a lower cost.
Avoid It – Zipper Bags
Due to complaints about their quality and smell, it’s best to avoid Aldi’s zipper bags and look for name-brand alternatives at other retailers.
Go For It – Gluten-Free Products
For those with gluten sensitivities, Aldi offers a range of tasty and affordable gluten-free products, from snacks to baking essentials.
Avoid It – Small Appliances
Given the frequent complaints about their durability and functionality, it’s wise to avoid Aldi’s small appliances and invest in higher-quality options elsewhere.
Go For It – Seasonal Items
Aldi’s seasonal items, including holiday decorations and seasonal foods, are well-priced and of good quality, making them smart buys.
Avoid It – Clothing
Due to issues with sizing and quality deterioration after washing, it’s recommended to skip clothing at Aldi and consider other clothing stores.
Go For It – Funnel Cakes
Enjoy Aldi’s funnel cake mix, which allows you to easily make this delightful treat at home anytime you crave it.
Avoid It – Paper Products
Aldi’s paper products aren’t the best deal around, especially when compared to name brands available with supermarket deals and coupons.
Go For It – Cream Cheese
Aldi’s cream cheese is a must-buy for its affordability and creamy taste, perfect for bagels or baking.
Avoid It – Graham Crackers
Aldi’s graham crackers are best avoided if you’re looking for the authentic taste and texture of traditional graham crackers for your recipes.
