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15 Items To Splurge, Settle or Skip at Aldi
By Laura Beck,
8 hours ago
Aldi is a one-stop shop for all things deals — but not all deals are created equal. While the cheese might be where to splurge, you might want to skip a lot of the produce. And what else? Well, GOBankingRates scoured the internet to find out what Aldi products people love — and what items they love to leave. That way, you know you’re getting the most out of your budget when you shop.
First up, let’s splurge. These five items from Aldi are well worth the trip.
Cheese
When it comes to cheese, Aldi has some great choices. The selection is impressive, and the quality is top-notch. “I generally love their cheese of all varieties and price points,” one Aldi superfan shared on Reddit. From everyday cheddar to fancy charcuterie board options, Aldi’s cheese section is where it’s at.
If you’re looking to add a little luxury in your burger game, look no further than Aldi’s brioche buns. “Those brioche buns are great!” raved one shopper. They’re perfect for elevating your homemade burgers or making a fancy breakfast sandwich. Delicious!
Specially Selected Products
Aldi’s Specially Selected line is where you’ll find some hidden gems. The “Everything Sourdough” bread, in particular, gets rave reviews. “Makes amazing avocado toast!” one happy customer wrote. These products are often comparable to gourmet brands but at a fraction of the price.
Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cups
Aldi’s peanut butter and chocolate cups have a well-deserved cult following, with one shopper on Reddit exclaiming how addictive they are. If you have a sweet tooth, these are definitely worth the splurge.
Seasonal Coffee Flavors
Aldi’s seasonal coffee flavors are a huge hit among shoppers. Whether it’s pumpkin spice in fall or peppermint mocha in winter, these limited-time offerings are absolutely worth a splurge.
You Can Settle For These 5 Items
Let’s move on to the items that you can settle for. If you’re already making a trip to Aldi, consider picking these up — but maybe don’t make a special trip just for these.
Frozen Pizza
Aldi’s frozen pizzas are good, not great. No, they’re not going to compete with a local pizzeria, but for the price, they’re a good option when you need to get dinner on the table quickly.
Canned Goods
Aldi’s canned vegetables, soups and beans are generally on par with name brands. You probably won’t notice a significant difference, and the savings can add up.
Bread (With Exceptions)
While some shoppers aren’t fans of Aldi’s sliced bread, others find it perfectly acceptable. The ciabatta and brioche options, in particular, get good reviews. It’s worth trying a few varieties to see what works for you.
Other Dairy Products
Most of Aldi’s dairy products, including milk, yogurt and sour cream, are comparable to name brands. While opinions on the cream cheese are mixed, many find it works well in recipes, if not as a spread.
Snack Foods
Clancy’s brand of chips and snacks from Aldi gets mixed reviews, but many shoppers think these snacks are a decent value. The kettle-cooked potato chips, in particular, are pretty popular.
5 Items You’re Better Off Skipping
Finally, here are the items you should probably just pass by when walking through the Aldi aisles.
Produce (Sometimes)
Aldi’s produce can be hit or miss, depending on your location and timing. Some shoppers complain about quality issues — especially with items like bagged salads and bananas. “Bananas go from green to brown,” one shopper said.
Deli Meats
The quality of Aldi packaged deli meats are not great either, with one shopper saying they were “disgusting.” If you’re particular about your cold cuts, you might want to look elsewhere.
Zip-Close Bags
Most people don’t love Aldi’s zip-close bags. “I have never gotten a good seal,” one customer complained.
Ketchup
Ketchup connoisseurs beware: Aldi’s house brand doesn’t measure up to Heinz for many shoppers. If you’re particular about your condiments, this might be one to skip.
Snack Brownies
While Aldi’s knockoff brands are often a big hit, its premade snack brownies are nearly universally panned. “These tasted so foul,” one disappointed customer shared. Stick to the Cosmic Brownie name brand for this nostalgic treat.
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