The 20 Grocery Items I Always Buy at Aldi

The first time I went to Aldi, I turned around and walked right back out. I just didn’t have the bandwidth to learn the ins and outs and products of another grocery store, and definitely not one that was non-traditional. 

But there’s an Aldi right by where I pick my kids up from school, and over time I began to run in to pick up a few things I still needed for dinner or, if I had to wait for the kids, to explore. Without the pressure of doing an entire shop there, I got less intimidated by the no-bags, quarter-in-the-cart, no-frills ethos of Aldi, and I really warmed up to their great selection of products and enticing prices. 

Here are a few grocery items I always buy.

Pudding cups are a tasty dessert that doesn’t require any scooping or bowls (I’m looking at you, ice cream). The price simply cannot be beat. 

These crackers are so good. You can enjoy them as-is, but they’re also perfect for dipping or adding to a charcuterie board.  

Who doesn’t love cinnamon and apples? Put the flavors in a grain bar and you have an instant, filling snack for sports games, the car, or homework time — at an excellent price.

 A yummy snack for on-the-go or at home, these feel European (read: special) and not too sweet. 

I can never, ever get the number of buns to match the number of hotdogs or burgers. With Aldi prices, I’m not tempted to get too few, and I also don’t get upset when my boys use them as fishing bait! 

Kids love chips, but the name-brand favorites can be so expensive — especially for a large family like ours. Aldi’s store-brand options are budget-friendly and delicious, and keep me from having to ration! 

These are alcoholic, so hide them from the kids! But they’re oh-so fun for the grown-ups’ summertime get-togethers while watching the kids run through the sprinklers. 

Unless you live in California, it’s hard to get a good avocado — and even harder to get the timing right so it’s ripe enough but not too ripe. Aldi prices make it the only place I’m confident enough to grab a few and cross my fingers they’re not a waste. 

Aldi is hands-down the best place to get the makings for a charcuterie board that doesn’t break the bank. 

Aldi is the perfect place to sample different jams and spreads, or to stock up on your staples. Both the prices and the selection are exceptional. 

Another charcuterie standout — this antipasti is effortless, but feels fancy. 

Don’t forget the salami roses for your charcuterie board. 

Your spices and refills don’t have to be expensive. Choosing Aldi means competitive prices for quality products. 

I normally shy away from snacks like these because they’re just too expensive, but Aldi makes them far more affordable. I love these for road trips. 

Speaking of road trips, my go-to for staying awake is an iced coffee with nugget ice. Picking these up at Aldi and then filling a big cup with nugget ice at the gas station is the most economical way to keep me sharp for long distances. 

I love to stock up on our canned good pantry staples (chickpeas, black beans, white beans, kidney beans) at Aldi. Again, their quality and price stand out from the rest. 

This tray is perfect for charcuterie, yes, but also ideal for those busy weeks when you don’t want to slice cheese for the kids’ lunches. 

I love to surprise my kids occasionally with what we call “treat cereal.” Just like with chips, Aldi’s options taste as good as the branded stuff — for a fraction of the cost. 

When I host large gatherings with meals, I like to have a selection of salad dressings for my guests. Buying them at Aldi means I can get a few without spending a bunch. 

If you want a large pack of good-sized candy, Aldi’s got you. I’ll be picking up KitKats and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups to have with our summer s’mores.