My Top 10 Favorite Things to Buy at Aldi

I had been hearing about Aldi for years so I was delighted when we finally got one here in our small town. As you know if you’ve been following me very long, my daughter and I do a monthly grocery shopping trip to the city together most months. We started that years ago because we try to eat a mostly organic diet and our local options for organics was pretty abysmal.

We still like to do our monthly trips together but with Aldi we now have a local store that carries a lot of organic/natural items. Here are my top 10 favorite things to buy at Aldi.

Top 10 Aldi Favorites

 

1. Chocolate

I have to start with the chocolate. I love the German chocolates that Aldi carries.

These little dark chocolate squares are one of my favorites. A couple of them with a cup of hot tea in the evening is a perfect way to end the day.

And then there is this. I just bought it for the first time this past week and I do believe I have found my new favorite. Dark chocolate and sea salt. What’s not to love?

2. Cottage Cheese

There were a number of culture shocks when I moved from California to Oklahoma. One that I’ve never really adjusted to is the consistency of cottage cheese around here. I grew up eating Knudsen brand which has a very small curd and an almost dry texture. This soupy stuff they call cottage cheese here just doesn’t do it for me. However, the Friendly Farms brand cottage cheese which Aldi carries is much closer to what I grew up with. I’m even willing to forego organic because of the better texture.

 

3. Yogurt

I made my own yogurt for years and one of these days I’ll get back into the habit. In the meantime I’m happy that Aldi carries organic whole milk yogurt. It can be rather difficult to find yogurt made with whole milk. This is what I put in our morning smoothies so I buy the plain. However, I’ve also tried the vanilla and it’s delicious if you want something to eat by itself.

4. Grass Fed Ground Beef

Grass fed beef can be really expensive so I was thrilled when our local Aldi began carrying grass fed ground beef on a regular basis. I try to always have a package in the freezer.

5. “Never Any” chicken

Organic chicken is another expensive purchase. I do still buy some on my monthly trips to the city but I also buy the Never Any brand that Aldi carries. It has no antibiotics or steroids, was raised cage-free and is fresh – never frozen. I especially like the whole chickens and the really thin chicken breast cutlets. I can cook the thin cutlets in just a few minutes and either make some sort of sauce or cut them in strips to top a salad. Very handy for a quick meal!

6. Brioche buns

I occasionally make my hamburger buns and they are really good. But these days I simply do not have time to do that very often. That’s why I’m so happy that Aldi carries these wonderful brioche buns. A grilled, grass fed burger on one of these babies is a perfect summer meal. I also like to toast one and make myself a tuna sandwich for lunch. They are soft, very slightly sweet and the ingredients are recognizable and few.

7. Organic Salad Dressing

I will always prefer a good quality bleu cheese dressing on my salad but since we are trying to eat healthier, I save that for restaurant meals. This is what we are using at home these days (unless I make a homemade lemon and olive oil dressing) and it’s really good.

 

8. Pasta Sauce

I generally make my own pasta sauce but I still like to keep at least one jar of the Simply Nature Organic Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce in my pantry. I always have angel hair pasta, too, so I can throw together a meal in just a few minutes. This sauce is quite good on its own but I find it difficult to leave well enough alone when it comes to cooking. A sprinkle of Penzeys Italian Herb Mix and a splash of red wine takes it up a notch with virtually no effort.

 

 

9. Organic Mixed Salad Greens

We eat a lot of salad. A LOT! I love this mix of organic greens and the price is excellent.

 

10. Organic Black Beans

I buy black beans in bulk and often cook them in my Instant Pot. If you take a peek at my Instant Pot recipes in the drop down menu under the header you’ll see a few there. However, like with the pasta sauce, sometimes you need something super quick. I really like Aldi’s brand of organic black beans. The texture is better than other organic brands I have tried.

 

 

And those are my top ten Aldi picks. I’d love to hear YOUR favorites. Tell me what is usually in your shopping cart at Aldi and why you love it.

Bonus:

11. Fresh Flowers

The very first thing I check when I walk into Aldi is their fresh flower display. Sometimes they are getting a bit tired looking but most of the time I can find a lovely little bouquet for just a few dollars. Fresh flowers are one of my favorite things in the whole wide world and if I can get some for less than $5 I’m a happy camper.

 

Disclosure: This post was NOT sponsored and I received no compensation. I just happen to love Aldi.