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: $1.19Penne is a weekly dinner staple for me.
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: $3.29Trader Joe's spring mix was nice and fresh.
Joe Opaleski
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: $2.49I sprinkle cheese on a lot of my meals.
Joe Opaleski
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: $2.49I went for corn tortillas on this grocery run.
Joe Opaleski
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: $2.99I was a big fan of Trader Joe's pork gyozas.
Joe Opaleski
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: $3.49I bought fresh ground turkey at Trader Joe's.
Joe Opaleski
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): $1.78Black beans are one of my pantry staples.
Joe Opaleski
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: $4.49Trader Joe's dark-roast coffee tasted like Café Bustelo.
Joe Opaleski
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: $1.99I typically reach for whole milk.
Joe Opaleski
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: $2.49Wheat bread is my go-to for sandwiches.
Joe Opaleski
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: $1.99I can go through a jar of peanut butter a week.
Joe Opaleski
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: $3.49I eat oatmeal most mornings.
Joe Opaleski
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: $1.49A bunch of bananas cost me about the same at both stores.
Joe Opaleski
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: $2.99I had to pay a lot more for eggs at Trader Joe's.
Joe Opaleski
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: $3.99I'm always snacking on little mandarin oranges.
Joe Opaleski
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: $2.29I pretty much inhaled the chocolate-covered almonds from Trader Joe's.
Joe Opaleski
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.Trader Joe's was more expensive than Aldi.
Joe Opaleski
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.
