More Than Great Prices: 8 Reasons to Love Aldi
Updated: Feb. 17, 2023
When it comes to budget-friendly grocers, you can't beat Aldi. But did you know there are so many more reasons to love this chain that aren't just wallet-friendly prices?
When it comes to budget grocery shopping, I love stopping by my local Aldi. It’s great for inexpensive basics—like butter for big batch baking—as well as a few of my favorite snacks (cheese, cheese and more cheese). But there’s so much more to Aldi than just great prices (though that’s the major draw!). Check out a few more reasons why you should be shopping Aldi.
1. Quicker shopping experience
I’ll let you in on a secret: While I love to bake and do my fair share of cooking, I can’t stand grocery shopping. Wandering giant supermarkets seems like it takes forever, plus I hate navigating aisle after aisle just to find a jar of molasses for my favorite recipes.
Aldi stores, on the other hand, are much smaller. That means when I’m running in for a dozen eggs to complete my easy weekend brunch, I can be in and out of the store in record time. Or, if I’m doing my shopping for the entire week, I can be confident that the trip will take half the time—a huge bonus for me.
Oh, and let’s not forget that Aldi clerks are lightning fast. Your cart will be loaded with all your great deals before you can even pull your wallet out of your purse.
2. Easy-to-navigate stores
In addition to being smaller than your typical supermarket, Aldi stores stick with a pretty consistent floor plan from store to store. That means when my friend asks me to pick up a bottle of wine on the way to her dinner party, I can stop at her neighborhood Aldi and know exactly where to find it.
Pssst… Did you know their whisky is award winning?
3. It encourages green habits
At home, I try to be as green as possible, but one eco-friendly habit I had trouble with was remembering to bring my reusable shopping bags with me to the store. However, shopping at Aldi has trained me to keep a few totes stashed away in my car. To keep prices low, Aldi doesn’t hand out paper or plastic bags, so shoppers have to bring bags (or buy some of their reusable totes) to carry out their groceries. After a few trips without, you learn that lesson fast! Now, I have to learn how to keep these bags clean—turns out they get grimy fast!
4. The staff is paid well
I love that Aldi provides me with inexpensive groceries while also providing their employees a decent wage. Entry-level employees start making $12 an hour (sometimes more), and managers can make up to $94,000 a year. It’s a great gig for all types of folks looking to make just a little more, plus I’m sure an employee discount doesn’t hurt!
5. Better ingredients
You already know that Aldi is great for buying organic, but you can feel good about all your purchases from the store. In 2015, Aldi eliminated MSG, synthetic colors and trans fats from its food offerings. Just a little bonus for us health conscious folks.
6. Products are guaranteed
Shopping at Aldi, you may have noticed that many of the brands are a little unfamiliar. Brands like Baker’s Corner, Friendly Farms and Priano are all exclusive to Aldi. If you’re like me, branching out to new products like this can be a little worrying—What if it’s not good? What if it doesn’t work in my recipe? But Aldi offers a double guarantee for all their exclusive products. If you don’t like an item, they’ll refund your money and provide you with a replacement.
Want to check out Aldi products that already have our Test Kitchen’s stamp of approval? Try Aldi’s potato chips, cake mix and chocolate chips—all of which we call our Best Loved Brands.
7. No parking lot dings
The parking lot of most supermarkets is a total zoo. Close spots are hard to come by and there’s always a rogue cart or two waiting to put a ding in your car. At Aldi, you never have to worry about that nonsense. When you rent your cart at the start of your trip, you’ll have to return it to the bank of carts to get your quarter back. Safely locked in place, these carts aren’t out in the lot looking to wreak havoc.
8. Aldi Finds
Every week or so, Aldi brings in a fresh batch of new, limited edition products at low, low prices. One week you may find an inexpensive folding table and supplies for your next tailgate, the next it might be children’s toys and books, and after that maybe some great seasonal decor. You never know what will be in the Aldi Finds section, but it’s always a thrill to find a few unexpected bargains in addition to your grocery deals.
When it comes to Aldi, it’s not just about the savings. There are so many great reasons to shop! But if you’re looking to save a little extra on your next trip to the store, follow these tips.
These budget-friendly dinners are BIG on taste.
What could be more comforting (or easy!) than a slow cooker mac and cheese? Nothing! This cheap dinner idea is a rich and cheesy meatless main dish, and I've never met anyone who didn't ask for second helpings. —Bernice Glascoe, Roxboro, North Carolina
How do you save money on groceries? Share your tips with us!
Au Gratin Ham PotpieWe first had Aunt Dolly’s potpie at a family get-together. We loved it and were so happy she shared the recipe. Now, we make it almost every time we bake a ham. —Mary Zinsmeister, Slinger, Wisconsin
Find out our smartest ways to save money at the grocery store.
Creamy Spinach Chicken DinnerCleanup is a breeze with this creamy spinach chicken. To make things even easier, tear the spinach with your hands instead of cutting it. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
These are the things experts want you to know about grocery shopping on a budget.
Baked Swiss ChickenCanned soup, white wine, Swiss cheese and crushed croutons dress up the chicken breasts in this elegant entree. Ideal for unexpected guests, it requires only a few ingredients. The creamy sauce is excellent with garlic mashed potatoes or rice. —Beverly Roberge, Bristol, Connecticut
Grandma’s Tomato SoupThis recipe is my grandmother’s. Originally, she even made the tomato juice in it from scratch! Gram had this recipe cooking on the stove every time I visited her. She enjoyed making this tomato soup and other favorite dishes for family and friends, and she made everything with love. —Gerri Sysun, Narragansett, Rhode Island
Hay and StrawThis recipe is not only quick and easy to prepare, it's pretty, too. This colorful pasta dish combines julienned ham, Parmesan cheese, peas and linguine.—Priscilla Weaver, Hagerstown, Maryland
Ramen Noodle Stir-FryThis mildly flavored ramen noodle stir-fry combines tender strips of chicken with vegetables and popular ramen noodles. I came up with this ramen noodle recipe when I wanted a quick-fix meal for myself. Sometimes I change the vegetables or substitute ground turkey for the chicken. —Dawn Boothe, Lynn Haven, Florida
Sausage and Squash PenneI love using frozen cooked winter squash because the hard work—peeling, chopping and cooking—is all done for me. —Jennifer Roberts, South Burlington, Vermont
If you like finding cheap recipes, you'll love these dinners for under $10.
Rosemary-Apricot Pork TenderloinYou'll be surprised at how quickly this dish comes together for an easy weeknight meal. And with very little effort, you'll have tender and juicy meat that begs to be added to a salad or sandwich the next day. —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan
Chicken Cheddar Stuffing CasseroleThis tasty chicken stuffing casserole is chock-full of homey, comforting flavor! It’s a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken, plus it’s so quick to assemble using handy pantry items. —Cathy Smith, Wyoming, Michigan
Mushroom Pasta CarbonaraI absolutely love this creamy and cheesy mushroom carbonara. I serve it with a side salad and rolls to make a complete meal. —Cindi Bauer, Marshfield, Wisconsin
Soupy Chicken Noodle SupperAt least once a week my six-year-old son, also known as Doctor John, hands me a “prescription” for chicken noodle soup. Needless to say, I'm always happy to fill it. —Heidi Hall, North St. Paul, Minnesota
Simple Creamy Chicken EnchiladasThis chicken enchilada recipe is one of the first dishes I created and cooked for my husband right after we got married. He was so impressed! We fix these creamy enchiladas for friends regularly. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Honey-Mustard Breaded ChickenI get bored with the same old breaded chicken, so I came up with this simple recipe. The coating adds fast flavor to tender chicken cooked on the stovetop. —Laura Theofilis, Leonardtown, Maryland
Great Northern Bean StewThis thick and hearty stew with great northern beans is sure to chase the winter chills away. —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas
One-Pot Mac and CheeseWho likes cleaning up after making mac and cheese? Not this girl. This one-pot mac and cheese is a family favorite, and my 3-year-old is thrilled to see it coming to the dinner table. We love to add sliced smoked sausage to this creamy mac recipe! —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Spaghetti Pie CasseroleMy family adores this spaghetti casserole. It's old-timey comfort food. This is how to make baked spaghetti with cream cheese. —Patricia Lavell, Islamorada, Florida
Mexican Beef-Stuffed PeppersI grew up eating stuffed peppers and thought my husband would immediately love them as well. He didn't at first, but then I created this slow-cooked recipe. Because he loves fajitas and tacos, I created these peppers with all his favorite flavors tucked inside. —Nicole Sullivan, Arvada, Colorado
Baked Feta PastaThere's a reason this recipe went viral on TikTok! Baked Feta Pasta is about to become a new household favorite. It's simple to throw together and incredibly creamy and delicious. —Sarah Tramonte, Taste of Home Associate Culinary Producer
Shepherd’s PiesWhen you need a real meat-and-potatoes fix, try this hearty layered casserole that blends from-scratch mashed potatoes with cream cheese and a meat filling. Your favorite barbecue sauce gives the dish an extra tang. —Cindy Kliskey, Pepperell, Massachusetts
Apple Balsamic ChickenI just love the sweet and tart flavor that balsamic vinegar gives to this dish. It's easy to prepare and after cooking in the slow cooker, the chicken thighs are tender and flavorful. —Juli Snaer, Enid, Oklahoma
Walking TacosThese Walking Tacos are perfect for an on-the-go dinner, a campfire meal or an easy game-night supper. The ingredients go right into the chip bags! —Beverly Matthews, Richland, Washington
Enchilada CasseroleEvery time I serve this dish, I get satisfied reviews—even from my father, who usually doesn't like Mexican food. Plus, it smells delicious while baking. —Nancy VanderVeer, Knoxville, Iowa
Next Up: Take a look at these cheap breakfast ideas.
Originally Published: January 26, 2018
