Your favourite food items at Aldi?

[Bookaholic73]

I’m trying to cut my food bill in half.
We are a family of 4 (3 adults and a 16 year old) and at the moment we spend £500-£600 a month on food.

I’ve been advised to shop at Aldi, so what would you recommend, and what would you stay away from?

Veggie cauliflower cheese crumble pie is amazing 😍
My hairdresser really rates the 'Aussie style' shampoo and conditioner too.

Oh and their pepper, cheddar and mozzarella bread is very good

Yogurts with a layer of rhubarb compote in the bottom 😋

The smoked salmon in there is gross though 🤮tastes like plastic and had bones in

£5-600 a month!!
Wow what are you buying????
You could probably half that!!!

We shop at Aldi but I agree with what people say the fruit, veg and salad doesn't last long I buy that from other places

Meat and fish is excellent as is cheese - not had anything awful come to think of it!!

I also menu plan for the week and buy what we need so we don't throw away anything

They do some chicken nugget things in a white, orange and gold bag. They are the best chicken nuggets I've ever eaten 🤤

The tear n share brioche

@ChetChet ours are in a weird mixed fridge with assorted cream cakes and can't remember what else possible near cheese and picnic type stuff. Our Aldi has had the most awful make over and it's like a jumble sale so took a bit of finding!

Re the veg: I find the frozen veg very good. Off the top of my head they do peas, carrots, sliced peppers, sweetcorn, sliced mushrooms, diced onion, brocolli, cauliflower as well as some mixed packs for stir fry. I just try to use the fresh stuff as early in the week as I can rather than letting it sit.

Their frozen vegetarian section is good.

I prefer Lidl. Maybe my local Aldi is just a duff one.

@ineedanotherholiday I'd forgotten the imitation Barefoot, that's really good!

Organic prosecco
Skin on fries
Fresh pizzas and garlic breads
Cold meat selection
Yoghurts

To be fair, I find it all good,except the de-caff coffee. Stay away from that (de-caff tea bags are fine)
I've never had problem with fruit or veg going off, and am particularly taken with their 'Super Six' (the 6 fruit and veg that are on offer that week)
I too like the melt in the middle fishcakes.
The frozen veg is all lovely - well, all frozen produce. Their chunky chips are gorgeous.
Their (Moser Roth) chocolate is lovely.
I like the fake Pimms.
In truth, all the produce is great.

Nearly everything great - have shopped there almost exclusively for years.
Often commented on here that fresh veg doesn’t last... I have always found the reverse, v fresh and last ages. Super 6 fruit and veg a real bargain.
Particular favourites:
Melt in middle and standard fish cakes
Farmhouse yogurts with fruit compote in little glass pots
Copies of Rachel’s Greek yogurt (ginger, lemon, honey, coconut)
Red fox strong Leicester cheese
Camembert
Cooking Chorizo
“Best” beef burgers 2 pack - these taste and look identical to M&S version
Frozen meat-style veggie burgers
Oreo ice cream cookies
Frozen lemon/herb sole and basa
Frozen tuna
Eggs esp blue shell
Almond croissants
Individually packed long life pain au raisin (emergency quick breakfast!)
Vanilla brioche
Most rose wines
All household stuff and candles lovely too

Don’t forget the joy of the random middle aisles...

Coteau Varois Provence Rose £6.49 (£10 in m and s).
Fresh trout fillets, salmon, king prawns, Norpak (exactly the same as Lurpak but half the price), chorizo, fresh juices, red meat, stir fry stuff and noodles, their super six seasonal veg, clotted cream, Greek style yoghurts, Brie, choceur chocs, wraps, Albert rooster potatoes (same as Sainsbury's but cheaper), chilli olive oil and olive oils in general, basmati rice, Thai green curry kit, preserves, golden yolk eggs, nice range of fresh tomatoes, frozen petit pois and waters (much cheaper than anywhere).

I've noticed a wider range of goods recently in the Aldi that's in the more affluent area. There is another one further away which is drab and depressing and which has the cheapest wines, less range etc.

Oh yes, seconding the irganic Prosecco, it’s delicious and way less headache next morning

Their pot noodles are shit. Don't buy them.

Everything else is fine. Their fresh chicken tikka meal is lovely. Get the popadoms and the basmati 2 minute rice and you've got a lovely meal.

Yes Backforgood the decaf coffee is appalling - had to get rid after half a cup. Love the decaf tea though- and so cheap!

Their dairy is great (especially yoghurt, butters, cheeses and milk). Their frozen foods are great (especially halloumi burgers, fish, goats cheese tartlets). Lately we’ve had a lot of their little pies. The feta, pumpkinseed and sweet potato is out of this world. I think their veg is good. Just stay away from the aisle of requirement or you bump your bill up!!

Oh and their lemon tarte is wonderful- can't distinguish from the M&S one, and just £1.99!

Oh yes, and the Thai green curry kit, as someone mentioned!

I don’t like their bread and cakes, and their coffee or cereals.

Melt in the middle fish cakes
Chorizo and spicy cheddar rollitos
Rib eye steaks
5% chilli burgers
Skin on fries
Ready made pizza bases
Nutoka!!

I love Aldi 😂

Norpak butter is great. Their Greek yoghurt is lovely. Moser Roth chocolate is fab. Dishwasher tablets. Jam. Granola.

@Ignacious

Mature cheddar cheese bake with Kentish cider. I love it.

Mmm, yes. Also their Red Fox Red Leicester, lovely and strong, a bit crumbly with little salt crystals in it.

I really like Aldi chocolate too. It all seems to have that nice snap to it, like chocolate used to before it all became waxy pap.

Things I would make a special trip to Aldi for include the melt in the middle fishcakes, chocolate, Islay single malt whiskey and crèmant du Jura.

I don't like their bread but everything else is great

chicken king kebab is lovely (frozen)
Buttermilk chicken thigh burgers (frozen)
Torchon Ham
Sliced cheeses
Dishwasher tablets
Bin liners