7 Grocery Items That Experts Say Are 'Cheaper' At Aldi
1. Bread
According to Kiplinger, Aldi's L'oven Fresh white bread, in a 20-ounce loaf, was recently priced at a mere $1.55. In contrast, a loaf of the same size from Walmart's Great Value brand was listed in September at $1.42, reflecting a 49-cent rise since 2021. As Trae Bodge, a smart shopping expert at TrueTrae.com told the publication: "Aldi has all sorts of delicious breads, which are typically less expensive than what you’d pay at the grocery store. The selection includes English muffins, rolls, and Italian bread."
2. Pure Maple Syrup
As Kiplinger recently highlighted, Aldi was offering a 12.5-ounce jar of 100% pure maple syrup for $6.05 under its Specially Select brand. The report mentioned that customers would have spent an additional 70 cents for the same product in 2023. As reporters Bob Niedt and Kathryn Pomroy noted, the only ingredient listed for Specially Selected 100% maple syrup was simply, maple syrup. "There's no added sugar or color. By contrast, the main ingredients for Aunt Jemima are corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, water, cellulose gum and caramel color — and it's made using genetic engineering, according to the label. Fans like the taste and the smaller bottle size," they explained.
3. Flour And Other Baking Items
As also pointed out by Kiplinger, Aldi's exclusive Baker's Corner brand features a five-pound bag of all-purpose flour priced at $2.59, a 24-ounce chocolate almond bar for $3.95, and a 32-ounce bag of light brown sugar for $2.35. Compared to a year ago, these items are now nearly 63% more expensive. Expert Bodge dished to the site: "If you don’t require a broad selection to choose from, baking ingredients like flour, brown sugar, baking chocolate, and oils are a good buy at Aldi." Tracie Fobes, a financial expert and founder of PennyPinchinMom.com also shared her insights with Kiplinger. "Flour, sugar, oils are all great quality and priced very well," she said.
4. Eggs
In an interview with GoBankingRates, Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst with DealNews.com said that eggs are almost always cheaper at Aldi than other stores. "In my local Aldi, I can get a dozen eggs for $1.09, a dozen cage-free for $2.75, and a dozen organic cage-free for $3.95. Aldi also has affordable prices on free range and pasture-raised as well," she shared. She mentioned that at another prominent grocery chain, the price for a dozen large eggs starts at $2.09, whereas a dozen organic cage-free eggs costs $5.93. "And that’s the store brand; if you look to other brands, you could easily pay almost $10 for a dozen eggs," Ramhold went on.
5. Canned Items
Ashley Schuering, food blogger atConfessions of a Grocery Addict, also told GoBankingRates that she often finds canned goods that are much cheaper at Aldi than elsewhere. She emphasized that she frequently purchases beans, fruit, and tomatoes for "well under a dollar per can."
6. Vegan Items
If you follow a vegan diet, Jake Hill, the CEO of DebtHammer, mentioned to GoBankingRates that he believes the vegan products at Aldi are of better quality and more affordable compared to those at other comparable grocery stores. "These include shredded Vegan cheese, non-dairy desserts, plant-based meat substitutes, and many more items," he said. "Many vegan products fall under the surprisingly affordable Earth Grown brand, which is abundant in the store’s freezer section."
7. High-Quality Chocolate
Got a craving for something sweet? You're in for a treat. Schuering shared with GoBankingRates that you can indulge in high-quality chocolate without breaking the bank by opting for Moser and Roth's chocolate bars at Aldi. These delectable treats are priced at about half, or even less, than what you would find at other stores such as Publix, Kroger, or Target. She deems them to be her "go-to for both snacking and baking." Schuering also told the outlet: "“I especially love the chili dark chocolate and dark chocolate with sea salt."
4 Aldi Items That Might Be Better Left On The Shelf
1 Packaged Chicken
According to Real Simple's Ariel Klein and Samantha Leffler, it's best to avoid buying packaged chicken at Aldi. Reddit users who frequent the store have noted that the chicken tends to be more expensive and not particularly popular. "Loyal Aldi shoppers already know that the packaged chicken isn’t anything to write home about," Klein and Leffler reported. They added: "In fact, one Reddit user said the last time she bought chicken at Aldi, she spent so long trimming the fat that by the time it was ready to cook, there was barely any meat left."</span
2. Paper Towels & Toilet Paper
Klein and Leffler pointed out that although you might be inclined to purchase products like toilet paper and paper towels at Aldi, you can actually find better bargains at other stores. "Aldi’s paper products aren’t pricy, but many big-box stores offer discounts and coupons on similar items, whereas Aldi doesn't accept coupons at all," they wrote. They added, as per Real Simple: "Skip this aisle and focus on other groceries instead."
3. Produce
Another category of goods that Klein and Leffler noted could be more expensive at Aldi compared to other stores is fresh produce. "Aldi has plenty of fresh produce, but the downfall is that it’s not always up to snuff," they reported. "If you’re making a trip just to pick up some fruit and veggies, you may want to consider another market, so you know you’re getting the best quality without question."
4. Deli Meat
Real Simple's Klein and Leffler observed that many Aldi locations lack a traditional deli counter, making it a good idea to purchase deli meats from a different store. "Aldi has pre-sliced deli meats that are great for a quick school lunch or snack, but because of the way Aldi stores are modeled, you won't find a deli counter inside," they explained. They added: "While this might not be a problem for some, if you would like your deli meat sliced a particular way, or if you want a specified amount of it, try another supermarket." The more you know!