My Favorite Items at Aldi & Lidl (+ Some Grocery Hacks)
This post may contain affiliate links. I only recommend products that I’ve tried and love!
This post is a little different from my usual flavor of content. While I like to think I am a thrifty mom, this is not a “thrifty mom blog” where I share practical tips for saving money. But that is precisely what I’m doing today, because I am passionate about this topic.
That is, I am passionate about Aldi. And Lidl.
They are two of my favorite stores, because they just make sense. They carry all the essentials, for affordable prices, plus a few bonus items you might find really useful.
But the main reason I’m writing about them today is the prices. I’ll be honest, I cannot afford to shop at a big chain grocery store all the time. We primarily cook our meals and rarely eat out, so we need our groceries to be cost-effective.
Aldi and Lidl opened in our area around the same time Elliot and I bought our first home and I’m pretty sure they are the reason we stayed afloat when we were brand-new homeowners and newlyweds. There was no way we could afford the brand-name items, but we found that the generic Lidl- or Aldi-brand items were just as good, if not better.
Today I’m sharing with you my best tips for shopping at these stores, and also some of my all-time-favorite products that can’t be beat, brought to you by Aldi and Lidl.
shopping tips
If you’ve never shopped at an Aldi before, bring a quarter. You’ll need it to unlock a shopping cart and you’ll get it back when the cart is returned.
In Middletown, Lidl has a bigger produce section - like, at least twice as big. Because of this, I do most of my regular shopping here.
Aldi has the BEST snacks. If I’m hosting a party, you better believe I’m hitting up Aldi beforehand for chips, pita chips, cheese crackers, you name it.
These are not main-line grocery stores, so they do not carry every specialty item known to mankind. If I’m baking a birthday cake and need some special baking ingredients, like a particular extract, I go to Food Lion. So, if you need something specific, try your regular chain grocery store.
Lidl marks down their older meats by 30% when they’re several days away from the “best by” date. Whenever I see an orange 30% off sticker on a steak or piece of meat that our family eats, I snap up a few and toss them in the freezer when I get home.
Personal grocery tip: We bought the meat grinder attachment for our KitchenAid mixer for around $40. Ground meat is really expensive for what it is, so I like to buy roasts when they’re on sale and grind them up at home.
favorite items
Aldi
I’ve tried a LOT of Greek yogurt, and this is the best. It’s got flecks of actual vanilla bean and a sweet flavor without being loaded with sugar.
knockoff Girl Scout cookies - coconut caramel + peanut butter patties
I am not saying to not support our girls. I always buy the real ones when it’s Girl Scout season. But for the rest of the year, these are pretty good - at less than half the price!
These are around $8 and HUGE. We had one for a last-minute dinner earlier this week. They also have a cauliflower crust one that’s pretty good!
Lidl
blueberry pomegranate fruit bars
These are in my freezer at all times. At least one box. They come in several flavors - mango, black cherry and lime, as well - and they are all so good. They have true fruit flavors and little chunks of fruit mixed in.
Again, these are always in my freezer. Sometimes you just need a little square of chocolate, and I love these. They have a couple different flavors, and we’ve liked them all.
Okay, maybe I love Lidl’s frozen foods. These are so good in the air fryer. They’re perfect to accompany any meal. They have a bit of a kick, but even I like them, and I’m kind of a princess when it comes to spicy food.
So the link isn’t to this exact item because I couldn’t find it online, but the packaging is the same, so if you find the regular medjool dates in Lidl, you’ll find these. I LOVE these date bites. They’re sweet little chewy bites that taste like candy. Run, don’t walk and pick up a package of these babies. You won’t regret it.
“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” John 6:27
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?”
Matthew 6:25
I’m a strong believer in fresh air, prayer and a good cup of coffee. Let’s be friends!