Aldi is home to some of the best deals on some of the best groceries around. However, not every option on Aldi shelves is the best choice out there—whether that’s because it won’t actually give you the most bang for your buck or because it simply falls short when it comes to quality. That’s why it helps to turn to frequent shoppers and superfans to get the 411 on the items you’re probably better off leaving out of your cart.
So that’s exactly what we did. Below, we’re rounding up a few of the worst Aldi items, according to shoppers on internet. From “nasty” sugar-free coffee creamer to “disgusting” lobster mac and cheese, find it all below.
1. Sugar-Free Coffee Creamer
Everyone likes their coffee a little bit different. If you don't prefer it black but are trying to watch your sugar intake and avoid unhealthy ingredients, you may opt for sugar-free creamer. But shoppers warn that you may want to get it somewhere besides Aldi. "I would’ve paid to see my own face when I took that first sip," one Redditor wrote.
Many comments echoed this sentiment. "That stuff is nasty," wrote one person, with another confirming: "Absolutely awful." Noted!
2. Pizza Snacks
Ah, pizza rolls. If you have a craving for something cheesy, you're simply too lazy to cook up a real meal, or you're scrambling for a late-night snack, they're always a good choice—except, apparently, when it comes to Aldi's brand. "Even drunk me had to throw them in the trash," one comment reads.
It seems many feel the same way. "Repulsive," says one reply.
Some people think it's a brand-wide issue, claiming that the frozen pizzas are also poor quality: "Some about that Mama Costi’s brand has terrible sauce."
3. Confetti Brownies
Who doesn't love those delicious Cosmic Brownies? Like many of our favorite snacks, Aldi carries their own version of this classic treat—but shoppers complain that it really misses the mark, especially compared to the real thing. "Their knock off version of cosmic brownies were the biggest disappointment in my entire life," one shopper lamented. "These tasted so foul. I wish I could sue for someone making something so disgusting." Sad!
Of course, at the end of the day, there are a plethora of delicious, affordable items at Aldi. All in all, the good things about this beloved grocery chain outweigh the bad ones. But not every product can be a homerun. So next time you're making a grocery run at Aldi, consider doing yourself a favor and leaving these items on the shelves.
4. Bananas
Produce can really be hit or miss. Whenever you throw fruit into your grocery cart, you're taking a gamble: will it be rotten tomorrow? Will it ever even ripen at all? This seems to be the case with Aldi bananas, in particular. "They are green when I buy them and brown the next day," one comment says.
Another person complained of the opposite scenario: "Mine stayed green for 2 whole weeks and I tried peeling one and it was like trying to pry bark off a tree." Maybe we're just better off getting our bananas elsewhere.
5. Cream cheese
Sometimes it takes everything in us not to eat cream cheese by the spoonful. But according to Reddit users, Aldi's cream cheese isn't the best choice. One comment claimed that "Their cream cheese is comically bad," while another person wrote: "The cream cheese has the flavor and consistency of drywall mud. Avoid at all cost." However, this one is up for debate; a few people said they enjoyed the cream cheese, and several comments jumped to defend the whipped variety, in particular.
6. Lobster Mac and Cheese
Frozen macaroni and cheese can oftentimes be a real treat. (Shout-out to Trader Joe's!) But when you add lobster to the mix, it shouldn't come as a surprise that it can be hit or miss. After all, microwavable seafood isn't necessarily the most appetizing thing around. However, Reddit users had some strong feelings about Alid's Lobster Mac and Cheese. "This one is seriously disgusting," wrote one person—and many comments backed them up.
"Just trust me that it is the most disgusting food I've ever smelled or eaten," someone agreed.
Another wrote: "This is my, hands down, number one answer. Even if I don't really like a food, I still tend to eat it, as to not waste it. This went directly into the trash." Noted!
7. Shredded Cheese
Shredded cheese is a staple in most fridges. But while Aldi may have affordable options when it comes to this dairy product, food writer and Aldi shopper Jeanette Hurt says you're better off getting your shredded cheese elsewhere.
"I am a huge fan of just about all the cheese in the deli section at ALDI, but there are three varieties I avoid: anything pre-shredded, cubed, or 'cracker cut,'" she writes, warning that the "Thick-Cut Shredded Cheese" costs six cents per ounce more than the regular cheeses. You'll get more bang for your buck if you grate your own cheese at home.
8. Coffee
If you're particular about your coffee, you may also want to skip it at Aldi. That's because, as Hurt notes, this grocery store only offers pre-ground beans or Keurig-style cups. While this may get the job done, it's not going to be the best quality around.
Whole-bean, recently roasted coffee will give you the best aroma and flavor. If that's what you're going for, you should probably buy your beans elsewhere. But if you're simply looking for the best value around, by all means, stock up at Aldi!
9. Yogurt
Yogurt is a fantastic, versatile breakfast food. It's even packed with health benefits! Unfortunately, though, Aldi doesn't offer much variety in their yogurt section, and it may be difficult to find what you're looking for.
"You’re not going to find whipped yogurt or Icelandic skyr or the fancy kind in glass cups," writes Hurt. "If you don't eat dairy, you’re also not going to find many, if any, plant-based yogurts." And when it comes to what they do offer, such as Greek yogurt, it's not the best quality out there. Trader Joe's, however, has a pretty decent selection for a low price.
