Have an Aldi in your neighborhood yet? With around 2,300 stores throughout the United States, the European grocery chain has become a familiar household name, known for great food and even better prices.
If you have a large household like I do, grocery shopping can be a weekly challenge to find food that everyone likes and doesn’t break the bank. And these days, even many shoppers with smaller households are struggling to keep up with rising grocery prices.
With its own brands, Aldi has quite a few items that are as better than some of the nationally recognized brands we all know and already love — or that are equally good as national brands but with a better price.
Following just a few of my favorite groceries from Aldi brands.
What are Aldi’s store brands?
More than 90% of products sold at Aldi are from store brands, also referred to as private labels. This enables the grocer to “provide the same high-quality product without passing on all of the hidden costs associated with the national brands, such as marketing and advertising,” Aldi says.
The Aldi brands covered in this article include:
- Elevation, a line of protein bars and powders
- Benton’s, a line of snack foods
- Savoritz, a line of crackers
- Simms, a line of meat products
Remember, with Aldi’s Twice as Nice return policy, you can try out food products from the retailer’s own brands and get a refund if you don’t enjoy them.
1. Elevation Only Bars
If you’re looking for a great snack or a quick energy bar, you’ve got to try the Elevation Only bars. Similar to Kind bars, these nut-based bars are available in three different flavors, all with dark chocolate. They’re well priced at less than 50 cents each at my local Aldi store, not to mention gluten-free. These bars have low sodium, no trans fat and between 4 and 8 grams of protein.
2. Benton’s Cookie Thins
Got a sweet tooth but no time to bake a Key lime pie? Try Benton’s Cookie Thins in Key lime. They’re a favorite of my household.
Similar to the Thinsters brand of cookie thins, Benton’s Cookie Thins are made without artificial flavors, high-fructose corn syrup or other hydrogenated oils. Benton’s crunchy cookies are just under $3 a bag at my Aldi and packed with flavor. They’re available in other flavors, too. Just be careful, you might eat the whole bag — no judgment!
3. Savoritz Saltine Crackers
Who doesn’t love a good saltine cracker? At less than $2 a box at my Aldi, the Benton’s brand of saltines is a perfect complement to your favorite soup, or as a quick snack with peanut butter or a slice of cheese. With a touch of salt like the nationally recognized Nabisco brand, these crackers are crunchy and light.
4. Benton’s Mini Bear Grahams
Teddy bear-shaped graham crackers like Nabisco’s Teddy Grahams are a favorite among preschoolers and teenagers alike. Whether you like the chocolate or honey variety, Aldi’s version — Benton’s Mini Bear Grahams — is well priced. And you get 12 snack packs in each box, and 8 grams of whole grain per serving. You can also pack these in the kids’ lunches without worrying about nut allergies or high-fructose corn syrup.
5. Simms Teriyaki Beef Jerky
With two teenage sons at home, keeping snacks on hand is no small feat for me. Although jerky does have a high salt content, it’s a high-protein food. Aldi sells multiple flavors under its Simms brand. Priced at right over $3 a bag at my Aldi, they’re slightly cheaper than national brands like Jack Link’s. The Simms teriyaki-flavored jerky does have 8 grams of total sugar per serving but is made with all natural ingredients and provides 10 grams of protein per serving.
