I’d shop at Trader Joe’s for every grocery trip if I could. However, after a recent move, the closest TJ’s to me is now a full 30-minute drive away, which isn’t super conducive to quick trips where I just need to grab a few essentials. Plus, “grabbing a few essentials” at Trader Joe’s always amounts to me throwing caution to the wind and spending at least $100 on random stuff I didn’t need. So for the sake of my time and budget, I often end up shopping at the Aldi that’s just down the road. And over the past several months of shopping there weekly, I’ve realized that Aldi and Trader Joe’s have a lot more similarities than I initially thought. In fact, for many of the Trader Joe’s items that I’ve come to know and love, I’ve found alternative Aldi products that are equally good (and sometimes less expensive).
If you too live in a Trader Joe’s desert or you just want to try some fun new things the next time you hit the store, these are some of my favorite Aldi products that rival what you’ll find at Trader Joe’s.
1. Mandarin Orange Chicken
Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken is a long-time customer favorite—it was even crowned the “Favorite Overall” in TJ’s Product Hall of Fame. Having heard all this high praise, I expected to love this item, but upon trying it for the first time, I couldn’t help but be a bit disappointed. I mainly didn’t like that it’s made with dark-meat chicken, which is often too greasy and rubbery for my taste. I expected similar results from Aldi’s version but was pleasantly surprised to find that I loved it. The generous chunks of (white meat!) chicken get deliciously crispy in the oven, and the tangy sauce tastes just like what you’d get at your favorite Chinese restaurant. Tossed with rice and veggies, it’s a quick, easy dinner option that tastes takeout-level good.
2. Tomato & Basil Chicken Sausage
One thing about me is I hate cooking raw chicken. I am deeply disturbed by the sliminess and always struggle to get it right without overcooking it, so whenever there’s a shortcut available, I take it. For a long time, Trader Joe’s Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Sausage was my go-to for adding protein to pasta dishes or as a healthier alternative to a basic hot dog. But recently, I haven’t been able to find the sun-dried tomato version in stores, so I was excited to see this alternative at Aldi. The addition of basil gives this a slightly different flavor than the Trader Joe’s version, but IMO, that makes it even better.
3. Street Corn Dip
Fans of Trader Joe’s Everything and the Elote dip, you’re going to love this. Aldi’s Street Corn Dip is made with fire-roasted corn, cilantro, red chili spices, cotija cheese, and other Mexican-inspired ingredients, making it a delicious pairing for tortilla chips, sliced bell peppers, carrot sticks, and more. Compared to the Trader Joe’s version, it’s slightly creamier and less smoky-tasting, which is great if you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing dip to bring to a party. Plus, it comes in a bigger container, so there’s more to go around!
4. Dried Philippine Mango
I love to keep dried mango in my pantry for a quick snack that feels like a treat but still has some nutritional value to it. I used to always pick some up at Trader Joe’s, but after trying the Aldi version, I actually prefer this kind. Aldi’s dried mango is slightly sweeter than TJ’s version and has a soft, chewable texture, so it makes a great snack when you’re craving something sweet.
5. Everything Sourdough Bread
Trader Joe’s does a lot of things very well, but I’ve gotta say that their bread selection is one I typically skip over. I’ve just never found anything that I love enough to keep coming back for. This everything bagel-inspired bread from Aldi, however, is a must-buy every time I visit the store. It tastes just like a classic everything bagel but has a little bit of extra tang from the sourdough aspect. I like to toast a slice until the edges get crispy and then top it with some whipped cream cheese—it’s a breakfast I could (and often do!) eat multiple times a week.
6. Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe
Trader Joe’s Cacio e Pepe has been a staple in my freezer ever since I read this ranking of TJ’s frozen pastas on our site. I like to keep a bag of it on hand for easy dinners on nights when I don’t have the time or energy to cook. And now that Aldi sells its own version, it’ll be even easier to keep my supply stocked.
7. Pesto Rosso
I first tried the Trader Joe’s version of this item a few years ago and immediately got hooked. I love mixing this tomato-based pesto into pasta to give it an extra kick or tossing it with gnocchi and roasted veggies for an alternative Italian-style meal. So when I spied something similar at Aldi, I immediately grabbed a jar. Luckily for me, it’s just as good as the TJ’s version and, at just over $2 a jar, just as affordable.
8. Aged Reserved New York White Cheddar
Trader Joe’s has always been my go-to spot to shop for fun, unique cheeses to throw on a charcuterie board, but as it turns out, Aldi’s cheese section has some equally good specialty options. I especially love their smoked gouda or truffle goat cheese on a cheese board, but for a solid everyday cheese, I always keep a block of this aged white cheddar in my fridge.
9. Everything Bagel Seasoning
As previously mentioned, I love an everything bagel, so I typically have at least one jar of Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Sesame seasoning in my pantry. I especially love sprinkling it on eggs, but it’s also great for jazzing up a plain bagel with cream cheese or adding to recipes for an extra salty crunch. However, I recently discovered that Aldi sells its own version of the seasoning, so the next time I run out, I won’t have to drive all the way to Trader Joe’s.
10. Intermingle California Red Wine
Trader Joe’s wine section will always have my heart, but after dipping my toes into Aldi’s selection, I’ve found a new favorite budget-friendly bottle of red. This red blend is fruity, jammy, and deliciously smooth—and at less than $7 a bottle, it’s the perfect option to keep on hand for impromptu wine nights or dinner dates at home.
