9 Things Our Editors Always Buy at Aldi

Aldi has continued to gain popularity in recent years. They have gained a passionate fan base of shoppers with Facebook groups and Instagram accounts dedicated to sharing Aldi products. Shoppers have come to love Aldi for its affordability as well as its exclusive products that can't be found anywhere else.

While Aldi does carry some name brands, more than 90 percent of the products are made by exclusive brands to Aldi. Not only does this help keep prices low, but it also means that there are many products that you can only find at Aldi. Another unique feature about Aldi is that you use a quarter to "rent" your cart while shopping. You unlock a cart by inserting a quarter and get it back when you return the cart to the proper location. This helps keep costs low by reducing the staff needed to corral carts.

If you want to save money on groceries and discover new products, Aldi is the grocery store to visit. Whether you've never shopped at Aldi or are a loyal shopper, here are a few of our editors' favorite finds to look for on your next trip.

Cheese

From sliced cheese for sandwiches to shredded cheese for tacos to artisanal cheese for charcuterie boards, the cheese section at Aldi has it all. "I love to peruse their cheese section because there's always something new and exciting to try," said Travel & Culture Editor Tara McCay. "Perfect for throwing together a cheese board for girl's nights. Picking up a bottle of wine to pair for under $5 isn't bad either."

Spaghetti Sauce

Aldi's Simply Nature Spaghetti Sauce, available in Marinara and Tomato & Basil, is certified organic and free from over 125 artificial ingredients and preservatives. I always grab at least two jars when I'm at Aldi. You can't beat the price for the quality.

Aldi Finds

The Aldi finds aisle of the store is always worth perusing for seasonal foods, houseware items, and even apparel. Items in this section change weekly, and often sell out quickly. They've even been known to have Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees for just $13. My mom was lucky enough to snag one. It's the perfect addition to her dining room and it has tripled in size since she bought it

Hummus

Buying hummus at Aldi is a must. They have classic hummus as well as Roasted Garlic and Red Pepper flavors. One editor says it's way cheaper than everywhere else, and even thinks it's better than popular name brand options you can find at other grocery stores.

Pork and Chicken Sausage

Pork and chicken sausages from Aldi are great to keep on hand for quick weeknight dinners. They can be used for sheet pan dinners, alongside pasta, in soups, and more. They also keep great in the freezer and defrost quickly.

Canned Vegetables

Anytime I'm at Aldi, I make sure to stock up on canned vegetables. They're a fraction of the price as any other stores, so I don't mind buying them without a particular use in mind. Then I'm always ready to cook up soups, slow-cooker meals, and more.

Baking Ingredients

Similar to canned vegetables, Aldi offers baking ingredients at cheaper prices than most of its competitors. Keep your pantry stocked year-round so you can always whip up a batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies, but it's especially worth making a trip to stock up before holiday baking season.

Beaumont Cocoa Hot Cocoa Mix

Senior Editor Rebecca Baer claims that the milk chocolate hot cocoa at Aldi is hands-down the very best anywhere. "I will make a trip to Aldi just for this hot chocolate," said Baer.

Frozen Seafood

From shrimp to tilapia to salmon and more, you'll find a wide variety of seafood in the frozen section at Aldi. "I always buy the family-sized bag of frozen tilapia because it defrosts quickly and is just good to have on hand," said McCay.