Aldi has built its reputation on rock-bottom prices that make other grocery stores look like they’re trying to rob you. But here’s the thing nobody talks about: not everything at Aldi is the amazing deal it appears to be. Some products on those shelves are priced just as high as regular supermarkets, while others are so low quality that even their cheap price tags can’t make them worth it. It turns out that your favorite budget grocery store has a few items you should probably skip on your next shopping trip.
Instant white rice turns into mushy disaster
Keeping a box of instant rice around seems like a smart move when you need dinner on the table fast. The Earthly Grains Instant White Rice at Aldi costs under three bucks, which makes it tempting to toss in your cart without a second thought. But this is one shortcut that isn’t worth taking. No matter how carefully you follow the directions, this rice comes out looking like someone already chewed it up and spit it back out.
The gummy, porridge-like texture is bad enough, but there’s also zero taste to make up for it. White rice should at least have some subtle earthiness, but this stuff tastes like absolutely nothing. It’s basically like adding a pile of wet, chunky water to whatever you’re eating. The regular Earthly Grains white rice takes longer to cook, but spending an extra twenty minutes at the stove beats trying to force down this mushy mess.
Pacific whiting fish smells like it sat in the sun
Fish from Aldi can be hit or miss, and the Fremont Fish Market Pacific Whiting is definitely a miss. A 24-ounce bag of these frozen filets only costs about seven dollars, which sounds great until you actually cook them. The smell that hits you is not the fresh ocean scent you want from fish. Instead, it smells like something that got left out way too long before somebody finally threw it in the freezer.
The taste matches the smell, unfortunately. This fish has an overwhelming fishy flavor that’s just plain wrong. If you want a similar flaky white fish without the nasty surprise, grab the tilapia instead. It costs about the same but actually tastes fresh instead of like it’s been sitting around since last summer. Some Aldi fish is perfectly fine, but this whiting should stay in the freezer case where it belongs.
Boulder freezer bags refuse to stay closed
Freezer bags have one job: keep your food sealed up tight so it doesn’t get freezer burn. The Boulder brand bags at Aldi cost under three bucks for a box of forty, which is way cheaper than the name brands. But there’s a good reason they’re so cheap. These bags are made from such thin plastic that they feel like they might rip if you look at them wrong.
Even worse than the flimsy plastic is the fact that these bags won’t zip shut no matter how hard you try. You can press and squeeze and run your finger along the seal a dozen times, and they still pop right back open. When you’re trying to protect expensive meat or leftovers from freezer burn, these bags are basically useless. Save yourself the frustration and spend a little more on bags that actually work.
Broccoli cheddar soup smells like dirty dishwater
The Specially Selected brand at Aldi usually means you’re getting something fancy and delicious. This label works great for crackers, spreads, and olives, but their pre-made soups are a different story. The Slow-Cooked Broccoli and Cheddar Soup looks innocent enough sitting on the shelf, but opening up that container reveals something truly nasty.
People have reported that this soup has a smell like dirty dishwater mixed with burnt plastic. The consistency is weird and off-putting, and the broccoli pieces are often hard and chewy instead of soft. Some folks have dumped this soup straight down the drain without even trying to eat it because the smell was so bad. If you find Panera’s broccoli cheddar soup at Aldi instead, grab that one. Otherwise, just make your own at home or skip the soup aisle entirely.
Millville cereal gets soggy in seconds
Off-brand cereals are usually a great way to save money without sacrificing taste. Most knockoff cereals taste almost identical to the expensive name brands, which makes them one of the best deals at any grocery store. But Aldi’s Millville Honey Nut Crispy Oats somehow managed to mess up a Honey Nut Cheerios copycat, which seems nearly impossible.
Pour milk into a bowl of these little Os and they turn to mush almost instantly. There’s no enjoying a bowl of cereal when every bite is soggy and falling apart. On top of the texture problem, these knockoff Cheerios lack any real honey or nut taste. If you want a good honey cereal from Aldi, try the Honey Crunch ‘n Oats instead. Those actually stay crunchy and have way more taste than these disappointing Os.
Aldi bacon costs more than Walmart’s
Bacon used to be one of the best deals at Aldi, with shoppers raving about getting quality bacon at prices way lower than other stores. Things have changed recently, though, and not for the better. People are complaining that the bacon has gotten fattier and harder to separate, with some packages having a weird smell or off taste that makes you not want to eat it.
Even if your local Aldi still has decent bacon, you’re probably paying too much for it. A 12-ounce package of Appleton Farms bacon costs $4.95 at Aldi, but similar bacon at Walmart is only $3.97. That’s almost a dollar difference for the same amount of bacon. When you calculate the price per pound, Aldi bacon can cost more than some regional grocery stores too. Unless bacon goes on sale, you’re better off buying it somewhere else.
Hot dogs have a slimy texture problem
The Parkview hot dogs at Aldi cost just 99 cents for a pack of eight, which sounds like an unbeatable deal for feeding a crowd. But these hot dogs have some serious quality issues that make them not worth buying even at that low price. People say these franks feel oddly small and have a texture that can only be described as slimy.
The bun-to-dog ratio is all wrong because the hot dogs are so skinny, and some folks report an unpleasant taste after Aldi changed the recipe. The new version adds beef to the usual chicken and pork mix, but somehow this made things worse instead of better. Spending an extra dollar or two on a different brand of hot dogs is worth it to avoid these disappointing dogs. Low quality ingredients are probably why these cost so little.
Milk expires too fast and costs more
A gallon of Friendly Farms whole milk at Aldi costs $3.09, which might not sound bad until you compare it to other stores. Walmart sells their Great Value whole milk for just $2.42 per gallon, which is a huge difference when you buy milk every week. Even warehouse stores like BJ’s have slightly cheaper milk than Aldi at $3.03 per gallon.
Price isn’t the only problem with Aldi milk, though. Some shoppers have complained that the milk they buy has a best-by date that’s only a few days away, or that it goes bad really quickly after opening. If you don’t drink milk fast, you could end up pouring half a gallon down the drain. Finding the right fat content can be tricky too, since some Aldi stores don’t always have skim or 1% milk in stock when you need it.
Name brand snacks cost less at other stores
Finding your favorite name brand soda or candy at Aldi seems like it should be a great deal, but it almost never is. A six-pack of mini Coca-Cola cans costs about $4.85 at Aldi, while some regional grocery chains sell the same thing for around four bucks. A sharing-size bag of M&Ms runs $4.79 at Aldi but only $4.34 at Walmart.
Aldi focuses almost entirely on their own store brands, which is how they keep most prices so low. When they do carry name brand products, they can’t negotiate the same deals as bigger stores, so you end up paying more. Aldi also doesn’t accept manufacturer coupons on any products, which means you miss out on extra savings. Your regular supermarket is almost always a better bet for name brand items, especially if you watch for sales or clip coupons.
Shopping at Aldi can still save you a ton of money on most groceries, but it pays to know which items to skip. Some products are overpriced compared to other stores, while others are just plain bad quality no matter how cheap they are. Checking prices at a couple different stores and reading reviews before trying new Aldi products can help you avoid wasting money on items that aren’t worth buying. Stick to Aldi’s best deals and shop elsewhere for everything else.
