My fiancée and I heavily rely on our local Midwest Aldi for our grocery needs.
The store’s affordability and simplicity help us keep our weekly bill at or under $40. It’s also one of the fastest-growing grocery chains in the US, which will only make it more convenient in the coming years.
But I’ve heard so many people rave about Trader Joe’s, and eventually, my curiosity won out. I decided to test how well I could replicate my standard weekly shopping list at the rival grocer.
Here’s how far my $40 budget got me at Trader Joe’s.
Penne rigate: $1.19
I started by picking up some penne pasta, which I use for quick weeknight dinners.
Whether I’m making a classic tomato sauce with garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan or simply tossing it with some vegetables, pasta is a versatile staple that makes meal planning a breeze.
The cheapest bag of penne rigate I could find at Trader Joe’s was $1.19. I can get the same size pack at Aldi for $0.98, so Trader Joe’s was already $0.21 more expensive.
Mixed greens: $3.29
I love having mixed greens on hand for assembling quick salads or adding a fresh crunch to sandwiches. On busy days, I toss them with dried cranberries, walnuts, and a bit of blue cheese for an easy, nutritious lunch.
The freshness and quality of Trader Joe’s greens make them a reliable choice for everyday meals. But the 5-ounce bag here was $3.29, $0.40 more than the same amount for a similar product at Aldi.
Shredded cheddar cheese: $2.49
Shredded cheddar cheese is perfect for melting over scrambled eggs, adding to tacos, or sprinkling on sandwiches.
It consistently melts well and adds a rich flavor to various dishes, making it a go-to ingredient in our kitchen.
The bag at Trader Joe’s was $2.49, and my usual (equivalent) pack at Aldi is only $2.19.
Tortillas: $2.49
Tortillas are great for making tacos, burritos, or quesadillas. They heat up nicely in the microwave or a pan, making them a convenient option for quick meals.
Trader Joe’s offers a pack of 12 corn tortillas for $2.49, whereas Aldi sells a 20-pack of flour tortillas for $1.99. This was one of the starker differences of the trip.
Potstickers: $2.99
I typically get a pack of Aldi’s frozen stir-fry veggies ($2.09) for a quick side dish. Since I couldn’t find an equivalent pack at Trader Joe’s, I just stuck to the cuisine theme and went for a pack of frozen potstickers for $2.99.
They steam beautifully and are perfect when paired with a dipping sauce for a satisfying snack or addition to any meal.
This is more of an apples-and-oranges comparison, but Aldi only sometimes has frozen pork potstickers. And when it does, they tend to be priced closer to $4.
Ground turkey: $3.49
Ground turkey is a versatile protein that’s ideal for tacos or pasta sauces.
I like to grab frozen varieties because they tend to be cheaper, but I could only find a fresh pound at Trader Joe’s for $3.49.
I usually pay $2.75 a pound for the frozen meat at Aldi.
Black Beans (two cans): $1.78
Black beans are a pantry staple in our house. We use them in tacos, sprinkled over salads, or as a side dish as a nutritious, protein-packed addition to our meals.
I found a can of black beans at Trader Joe’s for $0.89 and picked up two for $1.78. Two cans at Aldi usually costs me $1.62.
Coffee: $4.49
I’m a big fan of Café Bustelo, which I normally buy at Aldi, but Trader Joe’s dark roast is pretty similar.
I make a strong cup in my moka pot each morning (and sometimes a second one later on) to keep myself energized throughout the day.
A 13-ounce pack of Trader Joe’s ground beans is $4.49. I pay $3.85 for 10 ounces of Café Bustelo at Aldi, which is actually about $0.03 more if you break it down by ounce.
Whole milk: $1.99
I use whole milk as a coffee creamer, in my baking, or just for drinking. It’s rich and versatile, making it a valuable addition to our grocery list.
Half a gallon at my Trader Joe’s goes for $1.99, which isn’t terribly far off from the $1.67 I pay for the same sized carton at Aldi.
Wheat bread: $2.49
Wheat bread is perfect for sandwiches or toast. The texture is hearty and satisfying, making it a dependable choice for various meals.
Trader Joe’s wheat bread costs $2.49 a loaf, and I’m used to paying $1.24 a loaf at Aldi. The $1.25 price difference was among the most striking on the list.
Peanut butter: $1.99
Throughout the week, I spread peanut butter on toast, add it to smoothies, or eat it straight from the jar.
I bought a jar for $1.99 and compared it to my $1.79 kitchen staple at Aldi.
In addition to it being more expensive, Trader Joe’s no-stir peanut butter seemed a little less dense than Aldi’s, so I went through it faster.
Oats: $3.49
Oats are a great base for a hearty, nutritious morning meal. Oatmeal with honey, cinnamon, and brown sugar is one of my favorite breakfasts.
An 18-ounce carton of old-fashioned, organic oats I found at Trader Joe’s cost me $3.49 ($0.19 an ounce). I typically get a 42-ounce canister of rolled oats at Aldi for $3.95 ($0.09 an ounce), which is a much better deal.
Bananas: $1.49
Bananas are always on my weekly shopping list. I typically use them for snacking, smoothies, and banana bread.
I picked up a bunch at Trader Joe’s for $1.49 — pretty similar to the $1.43 bunches I get at Aldi.
Eggs: $2.99
Eggs are essential in my house for breakfasts, baking, and hardboiling for salads. This is where I get the bulk of my weekly protein.
Trader Joe’s cheapest-available carton of a dozen eggs cost me $2.99, but I usually get a dozen at Aldi for $1.54. The $1.45 price difference was staggering — along with the bread, my staples were costing a lot more.
Mandarin oranges: $3.99
Mandarin oranges are a sweet and juicy treat, especially in the summer. I usually end up eating two at a time as a snack on hot afternoons.
Both stores sold similar bags of the tiny oranges, but Trader Joe’s cost $3.99 and Aldi’s cost $3.59.
Chocolate treat: $2.29
I get some form of dark chocolate as a treat every week. At Trader Joe’s I went with a 16-ounce container of chocolate-covered almonds for $3.49.
I ate these a lot quicker than I care to mention.
Aldi stocks a similar (though slightly smaller) pack of dark-chocolate almonds for around $3 or $4.
Overall, I don’t see myself becoming a Trader Joe’s regular.
My total at Trader Joe’s, including tax, came to $49.87.
That’s $9.87 more than I’d typically spend at Aldi, and I opted not to get my usual green grapes because they would’ve put me too far over budget.
Although Trader Joe’s offers a variety of unique products and high-quality options, it’s just a bit too expensive to meet my weekly needs.
If you’re on a tight budget, Aldi remains the more economical grocery choice.
The post We usually get our groceries at Aldi for $40 a week. I was shocked when I tried using that same budget at Trader Joe’s. appeared first on Business Insider.
