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 a year in savings 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 better purchased at the chain than at other grocers, so I compared the prices of some of my most-used kitchen products at Aldi against stores that carry more brand names. 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 some basics about shopping at the chain, from the best time to visit Aldi to pro tips and what makes the brand different compared to 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 lower its overhead. Here, you’ll bag your own groceries and make a 25-cent deposit for your shopping cart, which you only get back if you return your cart to the storefront. Sure, Aldi does things a bit differently, but you’ll reap plenty of benefits once you get the hang of things.
Southern Grove Cashews
Allrecipes / Aldi
My favorite variety of nuts at Aldi is Southern Grove Chili Lime Cashews. I never visit my Aldi store without throwing these in the cart, not only because of the low price, but because they’re delicious. Aldi sells lots of varieties of these flavored cashews (as well as other nut varieties) for about 56 cents per ounce. I’ve found that similar name-brand packages of cashews at other stores cost about twice as much per ounce, so Aldi is a great place to stock up on nuts for healthy snacking.
Simply Nature Organic Pasta Sauce
Allrecipes / Aldi
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
Allrecipes / Aldi
Aldi’s “red bag chicken” is a fan favorite for good reason. These delicious Kirkwood Breaded Chicken Breast Filets are great for a fast-food chicken sandwich copycat or a salad topper, and they cook up crisp and yummy in an air fryer. Most grocery stores have 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
Allrecipes / Aldi
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 when I shop 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
Allrecipes / Aldi
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 version of organic whole milk costs about seven cents an ounce, while name brands sold at grocery chains can cost closer to 15 cents per ounce. So, it’s definitely another Aldi-brand item I always stock up on.
Mission Mini Avocados
Allrecipes / Aldi
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 having to worry about storing the remaining avocado in a way that prevents browning. This six-count bag of mini avocados works out to about 50 cents per avocado at Aldi, while avocados can cost 75 cents each or more at other grocery chains.
Elevation Maxx Bars
Allrecipes / Aldi
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 universally low, there are definitely a few products that just seem to tie with other grocery chains like Walmart or Publix. Here are a few Aldi products that are priced similarly to mainstream grocery stores, making them an OK deal—but not something worth planning an entire Aldi run around.
Priano Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Allrecipes / Aldi
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 around the same price—about 40 cents per ounce on average.
Little Salad Bar Sweet Kale Chopped Salad Kit
Allrecipes / Aldi
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 priced about the same as competitor versions, so it’s not something that’s specifically worth a trip.
Freshire Farms Sugar Snap Peas
Allrecipes / Aldi
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 something to head to Aldi specifically to buy.
The Best Way To Save at Aldi
I believe there are enough savings to be had at Aldi that it’s worth being your first stop when doing your weekly grocery run. The way I handle my own Aldi shopping is this: I make a grocery list of everything needed in my household for the week and shop first at Aldi. 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 left behind. (Sometimes it’s worth a visit to Dollar General and Dollar Tree, too.)
The bottom line: At most, Aldi is equivalent to the price of some things, 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.
