I Love Shopping at Aldi, but I’ll Never Buy 15 Items Again

You can stretch your grocery budget and save money at Aldi on everything from pantry staples to prepared food. But this doesn’t mean everything the affordable retailer stocks is a steal of a deal.

While most of Aldi’s popular products combine high quality with low price, some buys aren’t the bargains you might expect. That’s why we’ve got you covered with some of our least favorite picks and the best alternatives.

Editor’s note : Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.

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1. Park Street Deli Pulled Chicken

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Price: $6.99

While this prepared pulled chicken is convenient, the generous smother of barbecue sauce may overpower your tastebuds. Unless you’re a fan of sweet flavors, this BBQ chicken may not please your palate.

Instead of the pre-sauced pick, grill a fresh chicken breast and lightly brush Burman’s Kansas City, Honey, Hickory, and Brown Sugar, or Original Sauce on top.

2. Bagged Garden Salad

Price: $1.69

The price is right with this Aldi bargain buy, but the bagged iceberg blend leaves something to be desired. And if you’ve noticed the lettuce wilting almost instantly, you aren’t alone.

Aldi shoppers have commented about this potential problem online. Redditor Leprechaunhunter1984 asked, “Has anyone else had the same issue with the bags of salad going bad in less than a week?”

Even though this specific pre-packed mix isn’t always the best choice, Aldi has plenty of high-quality fresh produce at budget-friendly prices.

3. L’Oven Fresh Pains au Chocolate

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Price: $4.19

With 10 grams of fat and 190 calories in each rich brioche bun, skip the Pains au Chocolat and go straight to the dessert aisle. Luckily, Aldi has plenty of Bake Shop goodies to choose from.

The Triple Chocolate Creme Cake, Chocolate Cake Bites, and Kitchen Sink cookies are popular fan favorites.

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4. Aldi Rotini Pasta Salad

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Price: $4.99

Aldi has tons of ready-made summer salads. These picks are perfect for potlucks, backyard barbecues, and picnics. While the caprese salad scores high marks for its refreshing taste, the same isn’t always true for the rotini version.

Reddit user CreativelyOnPoint suggested making your own rotini and Aldi’s zesty Italian dressing mix instead of buying what they referred to as a “meh” salad.

5. Deli Sliced Black Forest Ham

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Price: $3.09

This salty selection isn’t the best cold-cut choice from Aldi. Price isn’t the problem with this line of store-brand lunch meat. It’s a fraction of the price you could pay for takeout.

If you want to save money on the cost of deli sandwiches, you have other choices. Instead of the ham, try the retailer’s slightly spicy deli-sliced Buffalo chicken.

6. Simply Nature Organic Fruit Snacks

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Price: $4.95

Aldi recently lowered the price of this item from $5.19 to $4.95. But that doesn’t make the snacks a value. Instead of paying almost $5 for 12 Simply Nature pouches, try Aldi’s vitamin C-rich Lunch Buddies version. At $5.89 for 22 pouches, it’s a can’t-miss bargain.

7. Simply Nature Creamy Peanut Butter

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Price: $4.29

Save money and skip this Simply Nature organic peanut butter product. The non-GMO, unsweetened spread is pricier than some of Aldi’s similar products. If you’re not tied to an organic option, Peanut Delight’s creamy peanut butter is only $1.99.

8. Specially Selected Sicilian Extra Virgin Olive Oil

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Price: $8.99

The rich, smooth taste of this decadent, Specially Selected EVOO isn’t up for debate. While this foodie find is an Aldi treasure, it’s also more expensive than other olive oils. Simply Nature’s organic extra virgin olive oil is $6.55, and Priano’s is only $6.49.

9. Emporium Selection Swiss and Gruyere

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Price: $2.89

For $2.89, this eight-ounce bag of Swiss and gruyere blend isn’t the best Aldi bargain. Save $0.40 and swap this product out for another store-brand option. Emporium Selection’s $2.49 Mac’n’Cheese shredded mix includes cheddar, gouda, and gruyere.

10. Black Angus Choice Beef Ribeye Steak

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Price: $12.99 per pound

High-quality Black Angus cuts come at a cost. The $12.99 per pound price tag makes this meat a special occasion-only buy — especially if you’re shopping on a budget. Instead of the choice beef ribeye steak, try the $7.99 per pound top sirloin.

11. Ground Beef 93/7

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Price: $6.39

Burgers shouldn’t break the bank. Aldi’s 93 percent lean ground beef is pricey, at over $6 per pound.

Keep your budget in check and look for better bargains on Aldi’s higher-fat-content ground beef or ready-made frozen burgers. Other retailers — like Walmart, Target, and Costco — also sell lower-priced patties.

12. Sweet Harvest Applesauce

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Price: $2.69

Sweet Harvest’s $2.69 price tag is less than the $3.09 you’ll pay for Simply Nature’s unsweetened applesauce.

Before you choose one brand over the other, look at the quantities. Simply Nature gives you over two pounds of applesauce. That’s twice as much as the 24-ounce container from Sweet Harvest.

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13. Brookdale Canned Chicken Breast

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Price: $2.75

Foodies may find this chunk chicken less than appetizing. With low everyday prices on fresh uncooked chicken breasts, boneless skinless frozen chicken, and shredded cooked rotisserie chicken, you may want to skip the canned version.

14. Casa Mamita Taco Seasoning Mix

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Price: $0.45

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends adults eat less than 1,500 mg of sodium daily. This Casa Mamita mix has 300 mg in every one-ounce packet.

If you’re looking to reduce your salt intake, choose the brand’s low-sodium alternative. Both seasoning blends have the same low $0.45 price.

15. Parkview Uncured Beef Franks

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Price: $3.29

Cut costs on your end-of-summer barbecue and pass on these pricey all-beef hot dogs. Parkview’s jumbo franks are $2 less. While the $1.29 Parkview pack is made from chicken and pork, your friends and family may not notice the difference.

Bottom line

No one is perfect — and that applies to stores, too. Even though Aldi offers a budget-friendly selection of everyday essentials, ready-made meals, freezer finds, and more, some of the store’s products miss the mark.

Affordable alternative Aldi brand options and the best cash back credits can help you to shop smarter. This strategy lets you stack the savings and keep your budget in check.

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