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Groceries cost an astronomical amount of money these days. I walked into Wegmans yesterday to pick up some eggs and a carton of organic, pasture-raised eggs cost nearly $13— a ludicrously high price tag that does not fit into my weekly food budget. Rising food costs are one of the reasons I have been shopping for groceries almost exclusively at Aldi lately. But as I’ve become a more frequent Aldi shopper, I’ve noticed that the quality and selection of products are truly unbeatable. And considering I have written about food for a living for 10 years, I feel qualified to say Aldi’s foods are just as delicious as more high-end grocers. Sure, it’s not as fun as shopping at the trendy and aesthetic Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods, but it is a whole lot cheaper.
In addition to a great selection of fresh baked goods and produce, Aldi has a ton of frozen, ready-to-heat, and ready-to-eat items that have become must-have Aldi staples in my household. You can also often find your favorite name-brand foods like Rao’s (Ina Garten’s personal favorite), Alani Nu, Lifeway, and many more available at a fraction of the cost. Interested in what a food editor of nearly a decade stocks up on at Aldi? Let’s dive into it.
Cage-Free Organic Eggs
I try to buy organic, cage-free or pasture-raised eggs as frequently as my budget allows, but they can be over $10 at regular grocery stores. At Aldi? Just a little over $4.
Cranberry White Cheddar Cheese
I love keeping this on hand for fancy charcuterie boards that don’t cost a fortune. This cheese tastes like it came from an ultra-fancy cheese shop and the tangy, sweet cranberries perfectly complement the sharp white cheddar.
Pita Crackers
Trader Joe’s got me hooked on their pita crackers years ago. I love how they’re extra crunchy and Aldi sells a garlic and chive flavor that is to die for.
White Cheddar Puffs
I would snack on chips all day if I had my way. Luckily, these white cheddar puffs are a lot healthier than traditional potato chips and they satisfy those pesky salty and crunchy cravings that sneak up on you around 3 p.m.
Pre-Cooked Sausage Patties
I make a breakfast sandwich about three times a week. Sometimes I use Aldi’s speck or prosciutto and sometimes I use these pre-cooked sausage patties. They make quick morning breakfasts so easy and so tasty.
Croissants
These are the croissants I use for my breakfast sandwiches and they’re everything you want a croissant to be — light, fluffy, buttery, and flakey.
Kefir
I use kefir weekly for smoothies, smoothie bowls, and marinades and I even freeze it into cubes for frozen summer treats for my dog.
Alani Nu
I’m usually a coffee girl, but when I see the Alani Nu Peach flavor available at Aldi, I like to stock up. This is the only energy drink I actually enjoy and it’s great for mid-day pick-me-ups.
Riced Cauliflower
Riced cauliflower is so versatile but I hate grating it myself. This mess-free option tastes just as great as freshly riced cauliflower but doesn’t require any extra work.
Peeled Garlic
Confession time: I hate jarred garlic. It doesn’t taste nearly as good as fresh garlic but who has time to peel garlic for every meal? This store-bought shortcut makes using fresh garlic easy and delicious. If I have extra that will expire before I can use it all, I like to toss them in the freezer and use them for soups and stews later on.
Rao’s Marinara
Did you know Rao’s is Ina Garten’s favorite store-bought marinara? And you can pick up a jar at Aldi for a fraction of what it costs in grocery stores. This is great to keep on hand for quick pasta dishes, dipping sauce, a chili base, or pizza night.
Frozen Vegetables
Fresh veggies are always preferred, but frozen is a great option when you don’t have time to run to the grocery store or prep a lot of fresh produce. Aldi has an incredible selection of organic frozen veggies that can just be popped into the microwave and steamed for a few minutes before serving.
Mini Avocados
These mini avocados are probably my favorite product at Aldi. They’re so convenient, the perfect size for a single serving and they’re ultra affordable.
Bone Broth
I keep these bone broths on hand for soups, stews, rice, sauces, pasta, and slow-cooker meals. It’s such a versatile product that adds huge amounts of flavor to every dish.
White Cheddar
I’m picky when it comes to cheese but Aldi’s specialty cheeses never disappoint. This cheddar is my go-to for mac and cheese.
Prosciutto
I go through more prosciutto than any human probably should. I use it in salads, pasta dishes, avocado toast, on eggs, and so many more ways. But prosciutto at my local grocery store is $25 per pound. This little pack from Aldi costs less than $5 and tastes just as good as the pricier alternatives.
Mini Éclairs
Last, but certainly not least, are these delectable little frozen mini eclairs. They’re frozen, and you can just pop a couple in the microwave for a few seconds when you need a quick sweet treat. I prefer chocolate but they also have vanilla cream puffs that are equally as delicious.
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