Grocery

32 Aldi Groceries We're Loading Into Our Shopping Carts

How do we love thee? Let us count "Aldi" ways.

by:
January  4, 2021
Photo by ALDI

Here at Food52, grocery stores play an invaluable role in all of our lives. We can't seem to stop talking about them, whether it be the biggest Indian grocery store in America, Trader Joe's snacks we could polish off in one sitting, or Costco products we're mildly—OK, strongly—obsessed with. The comments sections on those stories go on for pages and pages—which is why this time we wanted to include you, the community.

I've collected the things we love to get at ALDI, the German discount supermarket chain that just seems to have it all. Especially affordable prices, the main reason we can't stop raving about the grocery store (which has multiple locations scattered across the United States and the world).

But before we get to the goods, even more exciting news regarding the grocery store: As of December 2020, Aldi and Instacart expanded their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) electronic benefit transfer (EBT) partnership to include an additional 1000 locations, a program implemented in October of this past year, making Aldi the the first retailer of its kind to accept EBT SNAP benefits via Instacart. The checkout option is now available in 29 states (and Washington, D.C.).

This partnership comes at a particularly important moment, as the pandemic has made food insecurity an even more pressing concern to many individuals and families facing job loss and closed schools. The option to have groceries delivered is also of grave importance to many, more so than ever before, particularly to those who are immunocompromised or unable to travel to the grocery store.

Join The Conversation

Top Comment:
“Aldi also sometimes fantastic frozen tamales that we always stock up on. I have family who makes their tamales from scratch and these are almost as good. The random snacks are always a favorite, my husband is still mourning the greek potato chips but is finding solace in the pancetta potato chips. The aisle of ever changing interesting stuff is also great. We always end up grabbing something useful from there. The surprise special buys blow my mind sometimes, like New Hope hummus or Hansens soda's for much less than anywhere else. The meat section is definitely showing signs of ongoing improvement with some nice deals on good quality meat and fish. Lastly, my pup would like to recommend the Pure Life grain free peanut butter biscuits since he finds them very tasty. If you can't tell, my husband and I love Aldi. It's our main grocery store.”
— Emily M.
Comment

Senator Roxanne J. Persaud, Chair of the New York State Senate Social Services Committee, was pleased to hear about this partnership. “The levels of food insecurity New Yorkers have experienced in 2020 brings to light the indiscriminate nature of hunger and need that have long plagued communities across our great state,” said Persaud. “We must continue to reach more New Yorkers in need.”

"This initiative is a significant step in ensuring equitable food access for all," Representative Jaime M. Andrade, Jr., Illinois 40th District, said of the partnership.

Not only is Aldi more affordable than many grocery chains when it comes to produce and pantry goods, it's developed a sort of cult-following (similar to Trader Joe's) in terms of it's speciality items, like holographic flatware and jalapeño-enhanced Everything Bagel Seasoning.

How do we love thee? Let us count "ALDI" ways:

Photo by ALDI

Katie Macdonald, Assistant Editor: I’m a big fan of their Earth Grown veggie burgers—especially the Quinoa Crunch one! It’s a great last-minute dinner when I’ve had a long day. The Kale Veggie one is very good, too.

Nancy, Community Member: We used to LOVE (and I mean love!) their Frupa (!) brand blackberry preserves. They were the best store-bought preserves ever with tons of whole berries.

Jessica, Community Member: I usually go for the frozen veggies and other frozen goodies at Aldi. I find it interesting that I don't know most brands and that's also part of the allure. Prices are quite inexpensive, too. Then, when I get the munchies I discover some new junk food like their chips from time to time and indulge in a bag or two.

Photo by ALDI

Rebekah Daniels, Account Manager: The coffee at Aldi is great! My favorite is the hazelnut flavor. I've made the trek up to 116th from Brooklyn on numerous occasions to buy it in bulk, along with those family-pack luncheon meats, like ham and turkey, and cheese. And then we go to the Costco that’s right there for croissants (because they sell them in bulk) and make a bunch of sandwiches with our loot. We like sandwiches. Most importantly, Aldi is very cheap, which is why I get things like off-brand Chex and oats (I think it's cheap because it’s not big-name Quaker Oats and stuff; it's like, Aldi-brand, kind of like how Trader Joe's has their own stuff).

Katie, Rebekah's Roommate (as told by Rebekah): Breakfast sandwiches, frozen. My roommate eats the Fit & Active ones in the morning. Also, when she goes home to Florida we may or may not task her with sending back a box full of coffee just so that we can push off the journey to Aldi for as long as possible.

Photo by ALDI

Brinda Ayer, Books & Special Projects Editor: These nutty, crunchy, almost-dessert-like granola bars are the perfect afternoon pick-me-up; I often keep one in my purse in case of emergency hanger situations.

Bevi, Community Member: Elevation fruit and nut bars and Simply Nature coconut bars.

spiffypaws, Community Member: Mint chocolate bars.

Ella Quittner, Food Writer & Recipe Developer: I put cinnamon in everything—like, probably more things than I'm supposed to. Pancakes (yes I'm an adult who regularly eats pancakes), coffee, yogurt, chocolate tortes, baked fruit, and a drink I make at night with cashew milk and adaptogens that my boyfriend makes fun of.

MMH, Community Member: I stopped in after work the other day. It’s like going to a private label Trader Joe’s. They had the whole almonds rolled in dark chocolate and turbinado sugar but without Trader Joe’s name on them. They had lots of fun snack items, really cheap private label organic milk, great prices on organic produce, the to-die-for white cheddar (it was great), huge take-and-bake pizzas. It’s in my orbit and I need to go back more often.

Rach, Community Member: I love Aldi!! I like buying the orange chocolate. And at times their eggs and avocados are ridiculously cheap. And once in a while they seem to get a variety of food imported from Germany that is not my normal fare but fun to try.

Photo by ALDI

Joanna Sciarrino, Managing Editor: I love cereal, but it's prohibitively expensive in New York City (like $6 for a regular box). Luckily Aldi-brand cereal is an absolute steal at ~$2 per box, so I stock pile when I go, which is or isn't a good thing.

Luz Ramirez, Marketing Manager: I get the Peaks & Tides Cabernet Sauvignon. It's affordable but good. Also, I keep hearing great things about this wine Advent calendar they're bringing to the States this year, where you can open 24 tiny "doors" of mini red, white, and bubbly bottles.

Erin Alexander, Assistant Editor of Partner Content: So when I'm there I just stock up on a boatload of SimplyNature organic hummus. There are three I get to change it up: classic, red pepper, and garlic. I also get this chocolate chip sliced brioche loaf that's so good as French toast. And ever since the Cynthia Nixon incident, I'm pretty into cinnamon raisin bagels, so there's this gluten-free one I'm surprised is gluten-free because it tastes good.

Photo by ALDI

Eric Kim, Senior Editor (Me): I actually live uptown by the Harlem ALDI and love the bargains, too. Here's my grocery list (don't make fun of me): Little Salad Bar butternut squash noodles (which I toss with some browned butter and sage, lots of coarse sea salt), SimplyNature Organic White Cheddar Puffs (these are addictive), the white cheddar (like MMH above), Appleton Farms Prosciutto, and as many eggs as I think I can carry back. I eat so many eggs.


All the Eggs

What do YOU get at ALDI? Let us know in the comments below.

See what other Food52 readers are saying.

  • Erica Lonie
    Erica Lonie
  • Hannah
    Hannah
  • Heather Spaw
    Heather Spaw
  • Melinda Loyd
    Melinda Loyd
  • msstein
    msstein
Eric Kim is the Table for One columnist at Food52. Formerly the managing editor at Food Network and a PhD candidate in literature at Columbia University, he is currently working on his first cookbook, to be published by Clarkson Potter in Spring 2022. His favorite writers are William Faulkner, John Steinbeck, and Ernest Hemingway, but his hero is Nigella Lawson. You can find his bylines at Saveur, Bon Appétit, and The New York Times and follow him on Twitter @ericjoonho. Born and raised in Georgia, Eric lives in a tiny shoebox in Manhattan with his dog, Quentin "Q" Compson.

110 Comments

Erica L. January 11, 2021
Garlic and chive pita crackers! Super premium vanilla ice cream! Brioche buns, no nitrate bacon, prosciutto, all the specialty cheeses... their mini croissants toasted with raspberry jam are my guilty pleasure with a cappuccino in the morning :) Someone mentioned their service being bad but I always think the opposite! All the employees are very professional, also their new online shopping experience is amazing! Can have all my basic pantry staples ordered and delivered within an hour 😱
 
Hannah January 10, 2021
The LiveGFree line of snack foods is quite good, I like the sweet chili lime flavor of multigrain chips the best. The prices for the wild-caught salmon and sirloin steak are very good, too. And I like the fact I can find so many organic veggies in the freezer section.

Oh, and the dairy free ice cream is surprisingly GOOD for lite almond milk!
 
Heather S. January 8, 2021
I love their chocolate hummus and they have a great cheese selection also the organic produce.
 
Melinda L. January 7, 2021
I discovered the Super Premium Vanilla ice cream 4/5 ingredients no fillers. Tastes like Haagen Daz!
 
msstein January 7, 2021
I’ve been shopping at Aldi for years. They carry many organic products, produce is fresh and well-priced and basic things, like oatmeal, are great. The German chocolate is outstanding and a bargain. Stock up on Specialty items that are carried from time to time.
 
Joy N. January 7, 2021
Aldi’s Specialty Select seasonal items are pretty wonderful. They are seasonal unfortunately so stock up whilst you can. Particularly the frozen Belgium waffles are beyond delicious. Add some fresh berries & whipped cream & BAM instant $14 restaurant brekkie for just under $3. Thanks Aldi !!!
 
Audrey T. January 7, 2021
My Mom and Dad turned me onto Aldi and I love their jars of German red cabbage and apples ! It’s a really great side dish to pork.
Also their Cherry Stolen is really good (especially toasted😂)
 
coyotenana1 January 7, 2021
I use no other stew meat than Aldis! It is melt in your mouth wonderful. Stock up whenever I can.
 
Heather S. January 11, 2021
After reading your comment I went and purchased some of their stew meat and I totally agree by far some of the most fall apart tender stew meat I've ever eaten
 
coyotenana1 January 11, 2021
So glad! Was there yesterday and they had none so get when u can and freeze.
 
Candace W. January 7, 2021
I love their dark chocolate almond bars, and the thin chocolate toffee bars. Their flavored seltzer, frozen organic berries, Deutsche Haus canned soups (not the spaghetti one), one time I bought frozen baked clams and frozen no-shell langoustines, yum! Definitely their organic fresh produce, their fancy crackers, and I also love the housewares and "fashion" items. Their candles are awesome!
 
Candace W. January 7, 2021
Didn’t mean to upvote myself lol. Also, their organic chicken!
 
Mary E. January 7, 2021
Choceur Dark Chocolate With Almonds (best chocolate around for under $2.00)!
Pita Crackers with Sea Salt
Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (with the Kiwi logo)
 
Frau O. January 5, 2021
Cheese selections are fabulous. Also enjoy German specialties!
 
Mary L. April 13, 2020
I love their white organic bread. And my husband loves there triple chocolate bundt cake.
 
Susan T. October 3, 2019
Not always available, but their white stilton cheese with lemon is soooo good.
 
Luda M. May 19, 2019
I am in love with their dark chocolate salt caramels.
 
Jimmie W. February 14, 2019
I have fallen love for the number of non GMO, organic and gluten free products at amazing prices.
I am dissapointed that after trying Priano's Vegetarian Lasagna and findibg it to die for that Aldi's cant get more..
 
Linda January 26, 2019
Hi there I love all these a lot I'm there all the time at Aldis and I love it for your low prices of cashew nuts for 1299 I love your fitting at the products I got the popcorn and the cream cheese and it is very delicious I love how the low prices for their bag or would be at tops Dole salad that is a very good deal I eat a lot of salad and their vegetables are always on a good price and they are always fresh nothing is spoiled hardly ever I don't think I ever found any spoiled vegetables at Aldis since I have been shopping there for many years and I also love it for the low cost Foods that's not expensive at all
 
Mary F. December 2, 2018
I love shopping at Aldi. The prices, quality and product choices are great.
 
Kelly A. October 10, 2018
Oh and they have their own version of all varieties of Girl Scout cookies. Like $1 per package. Give your local troop cash and buy the cookies at Aldi.
 
Kelly A. October 10, 2018
I buy the ‘Never Any’ Black Forest Ham and breakfast sausages. Never any nitrates. They have the best candy at Easter too.
 
Donna A. October 1, 2018
OH!! And the Brioche... in loaves, dinner rolls, hamburger and hotdog buns... all great! And my favorite... wide loaves of sourdough bread... that actually TASTES like real sourdough bread!
 
TxSun January 8, 2021
My daughter turned us onto ALDI in Germany. She uses the brioche for French toast.