6 Groceries That Are Way Cheaper at Aldi

I've been shopping at Aldi for more than 15 years, and each time I go, it feels like a treasure hunt. There are tons of Aldi-exclusive products I love to stock up on, from fancy seasonal cheeses to kitchen staples such as cottage cheese and salad dressing. Yes, Aldi mostly sells its own private-label products, but they're really delicious. And, most of the time, I find Aldi brands—like Specially Selected or Sundae Shoppe—are just as high-quality and far less expensive than better-known brands.

But how much more affordable are Aldi products than similar items sold at grocery chains such as Walmart and Publix? According to Aldi's 2025 Price Leadership Report, the grocery chain claims it can save shoppers up to 36 percent on the average shopping list. That's about $4,000 in savings per year for a family of four. The report also shows some impressive savings on specific grocery categories, including an average of more than 25 percent on fresh fruit, 20 percent on dairy products, and nearly 15 percent on eggs.

I was curious which of my family's favorite Aldi staples are cheaper at the chain than at other grocers, so I compared the prices of some of my most-used kitchen products at Aldi with those at stores that carry more brand-name products. Here's what I discovered is worth the trip to Aldi—plus which products are about the same, on average, as Aldi's competitors'. 

Which Foods Are Cheaper at Aldi?

Before hitting your closest Aldi for groceries, it's good to know the basics of shopping at the chain, from the best time to visit to pro tips and what makes the brand different from other grocery stores. Beyond that, my biggest Aldi shopping advice is to have an open mind. Yes, you'll come across lots of unfamiliar brands, but overall, the products I've purchased at Aldi for the last 15-plus years have been really, really good.

Since Aldi doesn't sell things in bulk like Costco, you have more freedom to try new things and find the products you like best. Aldi keeps prices low by focusing on its own private label and simplifying processes to reduce overhead. Here, you'll bag your own groceries and make a 25-cent deposit for your shopping cart, which you'll only get back if you return it to the storefront. Sure, Aldi does things a bit differently, but you'll reap plenty of benefits once you get the hang of things.

Simply Nature Organic Pasta Sauce

A flavorful, organic pasta sauce can take the average weeknight pasta meal to the next level, but buying organic products can blow through your grocery budget. This organic spaghetti sauce is a must-buy item for me at Aldi, not only because it's delicious, but also because it's significantly cheaper than at other stores. Priced at about 10 cents per ounce compared to 15 cents or more at other stores, it's a small savings that makes a big difference.

Kirkwood Breaded Chicken Breast Filets

Aldi's "red bag chicken" is a fan favorite for good reason. These delicious Kirkwood Breaded Chicken Breast Filets are great for a copycat fast-food chicken sandwich or a salad topper, and they cook up crisp and yummy in an air fryer. Most grocery stores carry a version of this style of frozen, breaded chicken, but Aldi was one of the first in the game and still keeps the price low on this popular product. Breaded chicken filets at Aldi cost about 34 cents per ounce, instead of 50 cents or more at other grocery chains.

Grapefruit Belle Vie Sparkling Flavored Water

It's a La Croix-like product at a fraction of the cost. I stock up on just about every flavor of Belle Vie Sparkling Flavored Water at Aldi, but the grapefruit variety is my favorite. Aldi's sparkling water costs about 37 cents per can, which is significantly cheaper compared to 50 cents or more per can for La Croix at major grocery chains.

Simply Nature Organic Whole Milk

Whether we're making protein shakes or pouring milk over our morning cereal, we use a lot of whole milk in our house. Add in the fact that I'm raising two hungry teenagers, and we can easily spend a big part of our weekly grocery budget on organic milk. Aldi's organic whole milk costs about 7 cents an ounce, while name-brand milk sold at grocery chains can cost closer to 15 cents an ounce. So, it's definitely another Aldi-brand item I always stock up on. 

Mission Mini Avocados

As the mom of a teenage daughter who makes beautifully-topped avocado toast for breakfast most mornings, we go through a lot of avocados in our house. I love buying these small avocados at Aldi because each one is just enough to top a piece of toast, without worrying about storing the remaining avocado to prevent browning. This six-count bag of mini avocados costs about 50 cents per avocado at Aldi, while avocados can cost 75 cents or more at other grocery chains.

Elevation Maxx Bars

Protein bars are perfect for tossing into a backpack or gym bag for an on-the-go snack, but the little bundles of nutrition can really get pricey. I love Aldi's Elevation brand for affordable protein bars, and these Elevation Chocolate Peanut Butter Maxx Bars are a fraction of the price of name brands such as Clif Bar. Paying about $1 per bar instead of $1.50 may not seem like a huge savings, but when you're stocking up on high-protein snacks for a whole week, those savings add up fast. 

Which Aldi Foods Don't Offer Huge Savings?

While Aldi's grocery prices are typically low, there are definitely a few products that seem to match those of other grocery chains like Walmart or Publix. Here are a few Aldi products that are priced similarly to those at mainstream grocery stores, making them an OK deal—but not something worth planning an entire Aldi run for.

Priano Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil is so delicious, so good for cooking, and so expensive. I always grab a bottle of Priano Extra Virgin Olive Oil when I'm at Aldi because it's flavorful and affordable. But chains such as Walmart and Publix sell their own store-brand bottles of EVOO for about the same price—about 40 cents per ounce on average.  

Little Salad Bar Sweet Kale Chopped Salad Kit

I really like buying Aldi's chopped salad kits because they make a great, fast weeknight meal when topped with a protein like chicken or steak. This Little Salad Bar Sweet Kale Chopped Salad Kit is a go-to in my house, and it's definitely worth trying. Still, Aldi's bagged, chopped salads are about the same price as competitors', so it's not something that's worth a special trip.

Freshire Farms Sugar Snap Peas

Like bagged salads, pre-washed, bagged produce is a great dinnertime time-saver. I've always had great luck with packaged produce from Aldi, such as Freshire Farms Sugar Snap Peas, staying fresh in my fridge and tasting great. Still, the pricing on these types of produce is on par with other grocery chains, so they're not worth heading to Aldi specifically to buy.

The Best Way To Save at Aldi

I believe there are enough savings at Aldi to make it your first stop on your weekly grocery run. The way I handle my own Aldi shopping is this: I make a grocery list of everything my household needs for the week and shop at Aldi first. Items Aldi doesn't carry stay on my list, and then I head to another grocery store, such as Walmart, Publix, or Target, to fill in any gaps. (Sometimes it's worth a visit to Dollar General and Dollar Tree, too.)

The bottom line: At most, Aldi is equivalent in price to some items, like bagged salad kits or olive oil, at other grocery stores. At best, I've found that Aldi offers lower-than-average prices on items such as nuts, pasta sauce, and milk. And that can really save your family money if you learn the system and keep an open mind.

Read the original article on Allrecipes