Trying Lidl for the first time. Recommendations please!

[Bookaholic73]

Trying to cut down my food bills, so I’m trying Lidl for the first time this week.
We but our fruit & veg at the greengrocer, so won’t be buying any at Lidl.

What do you recommend? What should I avoid? What’s the meat & dairy like?

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Pastries and bread yummy.
Big tub Greek yoghurt yummy.
Big selection of cooked meats and cheese.
Fruit and veg very good.

Swerve the processed dinners.
Frozen veg good.

@Babasghost Thank you, I hope so!
Do they reduce their food at certain times, like the regular supermarkets?

I’m especially interested in what their tinned items, fish & meat are like.
Meat & fish are getting so expensive in the regular supermarkets!

My 86 year old dad loves the apple turnovers!

The smoked trout trimmings are excellent value. The Danpack spread isn't quite Lurgan, but is much cheaper. Down load the app before you go if you are into that kins of thing.

All bakery items are reduced after 7pm. I think it's by 30%.
Cold meats and sliced cheeses are fine and a good selection. Tinned fish such as sardines are ok, brand is called Nixe.
Some of their frozen pizzas are ok, and they do do some frozen items by Birds Eye such as Chicken Quarter Pounders. Love their instant coffee, think it's called Belletina or something similar, the one with the bronzish lid, not the upgraded one. Their own brand cakes such as the walnut one is supposed to be good. My cat has also taken to their Coshida range of cat food!
Fruit and veg look fine and also their fresh egg noodles have become a favourite at home. Toiletries are very good value.
Hope this helps.

No big reduction sessions afaik.
Tinned stuff is very good - their baked beans (blue label) are a Which Best Buy!
Haven’t looked recently but Babybels used to be a good price.
Frozen veg good & cheap.
Boxes of 12 own-label mixed mini magnum lollies are fab (often OOS here).
Fresh orange juice good.
Fresh salmon fillets nice, though not as cheap as they used to be - they have both basic and Deluxe (which is about origin I think).
I’m shielding atm so haven’t been for ages & I’m racking my brains to remember what my staples are!

Should have said, bakery items are reduced when you scan the app, not sure otherwise.

Condiments are good - we always get salt & pepper grinders, malt vinegar, table salt, brown sauce, English mustard, salad dressings etc.
Also herbs & spices though range is limited.
Tinned tuna.
They have organic eggs which are relatively cheap, also golden yolk eggs.
Baking supplies limited but cheap (& they always have demerara).
Powder detergent & fabric rinse are excellent.

The large block 900g plain cheese for £3.99 is good enough for everyday children's sandwiches or melting and cooking.

The greek yogurt is amazing, the squat tubs of full or lighter fat.
My children like their mini tubs fromage frais
The cream cheese is great (though has rocketed in price over the last year)

My husband likes the large cartons shelf stable orange juice.

And if you want a treat, their Duluxe plain crisps taste like chip-shop crunchy chips, they are amazing!

Coleslaw
hot smoked salmon & cold smoked salmon
greek yoghurt
Single pot yoghurts
hallumi
cream cheese
magnum style ice creams
creme freche
and many many more.

i would shop there exclusively if they sold some of the branded stuff I have to buy.

Thank you for the feedback so far.

Do you have to go to another shop to get everything you need for a big family shop? Or can you get everything at Lidl?

I don’t have time to be going to more than 1 shop, so worry that it’ll cost me more time.

Their cocoa powder is brilliant. I make a special trip to get it. And then come out with lots of other things, including fresh bakery stuff

If your budget is strict avoid the middle aisles. Other than that most things are alright it's just a case of try it and see if you like it, the last garlic bread I got from there was missing the garlic though 🤔

I don't have to go to another shop in the same trip unless something I really need is out of stock but I do try to alternate between Lidl, Sainsbury's and m and s. I couldn't go to Lidl every week.

Don't buy the meat. Absolutely disgusting.

Their chicken is the worst by far. Can have 4 days left on it and stinks like shit.

Ours sells boxes of veg that's OK but on sell by. Have to be there at the right time.

I shop in Aldi but do also go to Sainsbury's after to get anything I can't get from Aldi or we don't like. I think you do just need to try & see.

I always buy Bournville as found other supermarket own wasn't as strong, is Lidl's a good strength?

@WeirdPookah for my taste it's much better. I've tried Bournville, also Green &Black and Dr Oetker but the Lidl one is darker. If you look at them side by side (I am that sad) it's got less sugar and it tastes more intensely chocolatey. I do like plain chocolate though!

Well, it was on my must-get-soonish list in my head, so might try Lidl's this time around. Thanks.

Today did my shopping in Lidl but had to go to Asda for Chinese 5 spice. Can usually get everything we need. Bakery good, no issues with the meat.

Unfortunately this is my experience with the meat.
The bakery is absolutely amazing though!
I love the mini lunchbox cucumbers too

Download the App Lidl Plus. Their olives, antipasti - golden yolk eggs. Parmesan (30mth old deluxe only not the cheaper one). Gorgonzola, spicy chorizo sausage, all their nut ranges, peanut butter, and in-store fresh bakery items. £49.99 stand mixer (had one before the Kitchen Aid and was very good for the money). 90l 20 black bin bags.

I like Deluxe products- muesli, bars, bread, jam etc. Loo roll is the best and good price out of the supermarket own brands.

Sushi
the pizzas from the bakery
yogurts