14 Overpriced Items at Aldi (Yes, Aldi!)

Aldi is known for its affordability and quality — but this doesn’t mean everything on your shopping list is worth the money. Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with the most overpriced items to avoid.

You need to stretch your Aldi budget further. Carefully consider which picks are true bargains before you checkout, and skip these money-wasting buys. With a few smart product swaps, you’ll keep more cash in your wallet.

Editor’s note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.

Southern Grove’s unsalted mixed nuts and sea-salted variety sell for $12.49. And while you could pay more for a name-brand product, these bigger buys aren’t always the best option.

Aldi’s other nut varieties can save you money. The store’s sea salt-roasted shelled pistachios are only $3.99 for a six-ounce bag, and 16 ounces of dry roasted peanuts cost $2.19. Unless you need to buy in bulk, stick with the smaller, more affordable options.

Aldi doesn’t have an in-store deli — so its prepared food isn’t made on-site. At $4.69 for an Italian or turkey rolled sandwich, these wraps are an expense you should avoid.

Instead of the ready-made version, stock up on tortillas, packaged cold cuts, hummus, and veggies. While you’ll spend more on a cart full of fixings, you can make wraps for a week’s worth of lunches, saving money on the total cost.

Some of Aldi’s cold cuts aren’t the high-quality, low-priced products you expect from the store. Lunch Mate’s Black Forest Ham is coated with caramel color and has a $4.69 price tag. 

Swap this pick for the retailer’s $3.09 Oven Classic Turkey Breast or other deli-style favorites.

Pass on these frozen pre-formed patties — each box of six costs $8.49.

If you’re shopping for ready-made burgers, Aldi has a family-sized fresh pack of 80/20 ground beef for $10. While the price is higher than the Black Angus option, you won’t have to thaw your meal. 

Chicken breasts are another affordable option. The BBQ-ready poultry product is only $2.39 per pound, making it a budget-friendly buy.

Specially Selected’s Raw Honey costs $7.49. But you don’t have to pay this high price to get the sweet sugar substitute at Aldi. The store recently lowered the cost of Berryhill’s honey bear from $3.89 to $3.69.

This post-workout pick-me-up is pricier than necessary. While the cost of protein bars at Aldi is comparable to what you might find in other grocery stores, it’s more than you may feel comfortable spending. 

A five-count box of Elevation’s Advance Bar sells for $5.69, and the brand’s six-pack of High Protein Bars costs $7.79.

You can save money on Millville’s chewy granola bars and get 10 grams of protein per serving. At $2.79 for five, this deal is a steal.

Spend less on syrup and skip Specially Selected’s $5.49 bottle. This maple syrup is too expensive for its small 12.5-ounce size. A larger 24-ounce bottle of Millville Original only costs $2.35 — and you won’t taste the difference.

Ramen is known for its affordability. That is unless you buy individual packs. Fusia’s Teriyaki, Pad Thai, and Kung Pao varieties cost $2.49 each. Compare this high price to $2.55 for a six-pack of Maruchan chicken-flavored ramen.

Aldi’s aisles are packed with gourmet goodies at budget-friendly prices. But some of the store’s upscale pasta selections aren’t affordable. Priano’s rigatoni is a prime example. 

The “authentic Italian” bronze cut pasta costs $1.75 for 16 ounces. Reggano’s Penne Rigate is only $0.98 for the same size box. 

Unless you have a palette sensitive enough to taste the difference, go for the less expensive option.

Pasta sauce shouldn’t break the bank. And Aldi has plenty of options that won’t. But if you choose a seasonal sauce, you could spend more than your budget allows. 

Specially Selected’s Pumpkin and Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce is a fall fan favorite. While it does have a flavor you’ll savor, it costs $3.99 for a 24-ounce jar. Save this find for a special dinner or an occasional autumn meal.

Instead of a seasonal option, try one of Reggano’s sauces. The marinara, roasted garlic, and mushroom flavors are only $1.59. And if you don’t need a full jar, Happy Harvest’s eight-ounce can of tomato sauce costs $0.47.

Olive Garden’s Signature Italian dressing is a cult classic. Aldi sells this pricey pick for almost $4. If you’re a fan of the taste but not the high price, skip this brand-name dressing and try the store’s generic dupe. 

Tuscan Garden’s Restaurant Style Italian has the same zesty flavor at half the price. You’ll only pay $1.95 for a bottle of this dressing.

Store brands like Park Street Deli and Little Salad Bar offer single-serving green, chicken, pasta, and veggie-based salads. These smaller sizes can cost $2.89 or more. 

While this price may not seem extravagant, it’s more than many shoppers expect to pay for a serving or two.

If you’re not looking for a quick lunchtime bite, stock up on fresh salad supplies. You’ll find bagged lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and more for less in Aldi’s produce aisle.

Starbucks is a sought-after selection. While the bottle of iced coffee in Aldi’s refrigerated section costs less than what you could pay for one glass at a cafe, at $6.24 per bottle, it’s still more than the store brand.

The Boulder store brand’s Solo cup copycat costs $3.89 for a 50-pack at Aldi, and a 96-count box of clear forks sells for $6.85. Save money and the environment by choosing reusable options instead of these disposable dupes.

If you need take-and-toss plasticware for a party, Walmart, Costco, and Target also have similarly priced picks. Shop a few different retailers to score cups, forks, and other bulk-buy bargain utensils at the best sale prices of the season.

While Aldi’s prices usually make it easy to save on groceries, some items aren’t affordable. From brand-name products to single-serving salads, stop overspending on these expensive options.

Instead of wasting cash on pricier picks, fill your cart with the top store-brand deals. These bargain buys combine low prices and high quality. 

And as a bonus, you can snag deep discounts on everything from prepared foods and frozen meals to snacks and sweet treats.