What do you recommend in Aldi?

[starfish4]

Due to a change in lifestyle, I'll now be passing an Aldi a couple of times a month. What do you recommend I try? At the moment I get half of my shopping in Tescos and the other half in Lidl, so I'm interested in products that taste good and are cheaper!

pretty much everything - in fact most of it is the same as Tesco, just packed differently!

The Aldi chopped tin tomatoes are better, much less watery, as are most of the tinned staples. Not found any duff ones yet.

the cheeses and deli stuff are good, as (I am informed...) is the cheapest red wine and the beers. The chilled soups are half the Tesco price and the carrot/coriander or butternut squash are really tasty.

the only thing I wouldn't buy again is their washing liquid which REEKS. Back to the Tesco basics bio liquid with no smell.

If relevant nappies and their sensitive wipes.
Their charcuterie, the aisle of treasures.
Marzipan filled dark choc. Crunchy nut corn flakes. Mince and steak.

Just don't buy their 'sensitive' fabric conditioner. Unless they start to sell their own brand of Caniston.

Their version of Lurpak is Norpak, I think.

Our butter is like a brick so it comes in handy.

2nd tinned tomatoes, puree pastas etc.
X large cod in batter frozen section. Dusted lemon sole is good too.
Activa lookie like yogurts, cheese, trocon ham, breaded camenbert.
washing powders/ liquids. Premium wash up liquid is good.
Didn't like pantene type conditioner.
Teen will drink the premium brand diet cola, says its near Pepsi but 39p 2l.
I will buy meat there but oh prefers butcher's.

Lidl for a bucket of really nice plain yoghurt -only £1.50
Aldi for frozen salmon, oatcakes, tortilla chips, fajita pack, chicken thighs... Actually pretty much everything!

Both red and green pesto
black box caramelised onion quiche
mozerella balls
2nd the nappies and wet wipes
bio washing tablets (fabric conditioners crap tho)
all in one dishwasher tabs (even half a tab works I'm really tight)
vanilla swirl brioche
all meat (its all red tractor)

Really not fond of the frozen meat/fish/potato products at Aldi, their versions of fishfingers etc are tasteless and don't cook well, you end up with a small grey stick of fish with a bloated sleeping bag of flabby breadcrumbs hanging off it.

Their nappies aren't great, don't hold much wee. Their soy milk splits in hot drinks, and their coffee is absolute shite (at least the fairtrade one is, can't vouch for all of them)

However, I do shop at Aldi for everything else because it's fab. Obviously the fruit and veg are great prices, I buy their soup mix, casserole packs, leeks, mild onions, etc. they have good offers on meat, I like their skinless boneless chicken thighs, pork shoulder joints, butchers choice sausages, pork mince etc. the cereal is good, they have a good selection of cold meats & dairy, lots of cheap treats and many unexpected things in the bargain aisles!

Also if you buy the daily mirror this Thursday you can get a voucher for £5 off a £40 Aldi spend.

It's take me ages to write this post, so sorry if It's already been mentioned!

Favourites I buy regularly are:
Granola
Torchon ham slices- really good quality ham for really cheap!
Smoked salmon ( really thick slices-yum)
Their premium oven chips
Persimmon - 3 for 89p
Moser Roth chocolate - the Orange and almond is yummy
At christmas- stollen bites
Almat washing liquid
Dishwasher tablets
Premium cranberry and White chocolate cookies
Nappies and sensitive wipes

Pinot Grigio
Groovy bars (choc biscuits)
Breakfast biscuits & bars
Mango twin pack

My soya milk only splits if I've had it in the fridge for ages.

Everything's good apart from the frozen venison burgers.

If you buy two copies of the mirror you can do one shop this Thursday & one next Thursday so you save £10.

Tortilla wraps
Coconut milk
Red and green Thai sauces
Unsmoked bacon
Grated mature cheddar
Mozzarella ball
Chilli dark chocolate
Caramel milk chocolate
Layered yoghurts
Fruit fools
Aloe Vera toilet roll
Their premium washing up liquid, not the cheaper one as that's rubbish
Cotton buds
Cottonwood pads
Tin foil
Clingfilm

Once you get used to the products and the layout of the store you'll save a fortune and be in and out in half an hour.

Parma ham
All cheese
Posh bacon
Half leg of lamb( fresh)
All fruit and veg
Toilet paper
Kitchen roll
Curry sauce(with spice in lid)
Chinese sauce
Free range chicken
Outdoor reared pork
Malbec( French)
Malbec ( Argentinian)
Cognac ( excellent)
Highland black whiskey 12 years ( fab)
Gin
Posh steak( fillet is mega)

essentially it is excellent for deli type foods. Excellent for green grocer foods. excellent for alcohol. Good for household..Ok for frozen.. Ok..for general groceries.

Coffee and pecan meringue roulade.
Tuna
Norpak butter
Cheeses
Cream
Crème fraiche
Bacon
Best mince
Steak (really lovely)

They have stopped selling dog food in pouches though

Just to add the 4 pack of beans £1.19 are much nicer than Heinz!

It would be easier to ask what NOT to buy. IMO the answer is...nothing. Except perhaps coffee which is great in Lidl.
As to nappies, DD has been in Aldi nappies from size 3 and she's now in size 5. They are by far the best on the market, I reckon. Always held gallons of DD's wee without leaking

Almat washing tablets are very good

I've converted to their Lacura moisturiser; it's fab :)

There's also an app they do which keeps you up to date on all there special offers, also tells you what veg and meat will be cheap they do a thing called Super Six I think. Also the hot choc is fab, coconut milk is cheap, there salmon is very affordable too and from what I've heard from friends the pet food is better.

I am going to personally recommend the Specially Selected Hand Stretched Italian Meat Pizza, I've just had last night's leftovers of it for my lunch!

Honestly, try anything. If you do (rarely) find something not to your taste, you won't have wasted much money.

Pear chocolate
Fruit and vegetables
Salad bags
Sliced cheese for packed lunches
Bolognaise sauce
Pesto
Stir through pasta sauce
Pasta shapes
Pita bread to go with curry - I freeze these and toast when needed
Mussels in white wine or garlic - great price for with main or starter
Bread flour
Eggs and milk cream fraich etc

I do my weekly shopping in aldi and use tesco on a Wednesday night to top up ( as they reduce a lot of stuff on a Wednesday including bread which I freeze for the teens toast of a morning

Belly pork I got before Christmas was far cheaper in sainsbury...but aldi meat is as good and often is cheaper