This Private Chef Is an Aldi Fanatic — These Are the 5 Groceries She Buys on Repeat
Here at Kitchn, we wear our love of Aldi on our sleeves. And who can blame us? You can find a highly curated selection of items at budget-friendly prices (an increasingly attractive attribute). Plus, every week they add new and seasonal products to the mix! While we have our favorites, we wanted to see what a professional chef and Aldi superfan tosses in her cart on a repeat basis. (Guest what? There’s overlap!)
When Samantha Davis-Allonce isn’t running her catering and consulting company or testing new flavors for her line of vegetable-based, small-batch hot sauces, she’s shopping at Aldi, stocking up on grocery basics and fun treats. Her go-to picks surprised us, but perhaps they shouldn’t have. See, we often overlook the store’s German roots, and it’s those German-inspired treats that make up the majority of Sam’s cart. What else is in there? Let’s find out!
1. Bavarian Soft Pretzels
“The German selections are some of my favorite things to snack on,” Sam says, and the Bavarian soft pretzels are first in line (or, at least, first in her cart). Soft pretzels are notoriously tricky to make from scratch, so we’ll happily toss a box of Aldi’s microwavable crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside version into our shopping bags.
Find it in stores: Deutsche Küche Bavarian Soft Pretzels, $3.49 for 6
2. German Mustards
According to Sam, these are some of the spiciest mustards around. And as the founder of a hot sauce company, she’s well-acquainted with spice. The selection varies throughout the year, so you’re going to want to stock up when you see it. Sam likes to use hers as part of a Lunchables-style snack with cheese and crackers, as well as a rub for roasted salmon. (She also notes that it’s delicious with those pretzels.)
3. German Pickles
You simply cannot enjoy German pretzels and mustard without pickles, so Sam’s crunchy pick makes perfect sense. (Fun fact: Pickle juice can also clean your kitchen in a pinch.) “They are a little spicy, a little sweet and give you loads of dill flavor. They are also small enough to snack on straight from the jar,” Sam explains.
4. Frozen Pizzas
Okay, this one isn’t German — but it was too good to leave off of Sam’s list. “For $4.99 you can get a large pie with amazing toppings (the Supreme is my favorite) that will make you not miss delivery,” she says. Aldi’s pizzas are legendary. And they introduce fun options month after month. Holiday-themed? Check. New topping combos? Check. Both? Double check!
Find it in stores: Mama Cozzi’s Pizza Kitchen Supreme Pizza, $4.99
5. Breaded Chicken Breast Fillets
Sam also loves the famous breaded chicken breast. “It comes in a red bag,” she explains. You know, the one with its own Facebook group. This cousin to the schnitzel has become the base of many lunch and dinnertime sandwiches. “With some pickles and mustard on a roll, you’d swear you were eating a Chick-fil-A sandwich,” or at least a very close copycat.
Find it in stores: Kirkwood Breaded Chicken Breast Fillets, $5.99 for 24 ounces
Do you have five groceries you ONLY buy at Aldi? Share them with us in the comments below!