Aldi has gained a lot of fans since its first store opened in the US in 1976. Customers love its low prices on groceries, private-label products, and tempting selection of one-time items. One thing that many Aldi fans dont like about the grocer, however, is its fresh produce.
A lot of people have complained on social media about the quality of Aldis’ fruits and vegetables, like them going bad quickly or bananas that never get ripe. Others are unhappy with Aldis’s small produce section, which they call “basic” compared to other grocery stores’ huge fruit and vegetable sections. Certain shoppers have become so fed up with these problems that theyve stopped buying Aldi produce altogether.
“[Ive] had some of the weirdest produce experiences with Aldi. Not worth the risk, Ill literally go anywhere else for produce,” a customer lamented on Reddit.
I’ve pretty much always shopped at Aldi, but I like to get most of my fruits and vegetables from other stores because they have a wider selection and I’ve seen many of the same quality problems that people talk about online. But I’ve also found some surprisingly good options spread out in Aldi’s produce section. I’ve listed them below for other shoppers who are having trouble finding their way around the store’s fruit and vegetable aisles.
If you want to buy fresh food, remember that different stores may have different selections and quality, so check out your local Aldi to see what’s available. All of the products mentioned in this story are currently in stock near me in central New Jersey.
As an avid home cook and Aldi shopper, I occasionally get questions from friends about whether you can buy fresh herbs there. Aldi has so many affordable pantry staples, produce picks and kitchen tools – but what about fresh basil cilantro, and other herbs?
I took a deep dive into Aldi’s herb selection so you’ll know exactly what to expect. Read on to learn if Aldi has fresh herbs, the herb varieties they carry, and tips for getting the best quality herbs at Aldi.
Overview of Fresh Herbs at Aldi
In general the selection of fresh herbs at Aldi is limited compared to regular grocery stores. You’ll mostly find the basics like parsley cilantro, and dill. More delicate herbs like tarragon and chives are harder to come by.
However, Aldi does carry fresh herbs just in smaller quantities and with less variety than a traditional supermarket. They offer both packaged cut herbs and potted herb plants.
Cut Herbs at Aldi
The primary place to find fresh cut herbs at Aldi is in the produce section near other veggies. They sell the following cut herbs:
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Dill
- Basil (occasionally)
The cut herb bunches are pre-packaged in small plastic containers. Aldi carries both curly and Italian flat-leaf parsley varieties.
The quality of the cut herbs is decent, but the quantities are small. The parsley and cilantro bunches contain around 0.35 oz. A typical grocery store sells them in 0.5 oz or larger bunches.
I’ve found the packaged cut herbs from Aldi don’t always last as long as ones from the farmer’s market. But for a quick weeknight dinner, they get the job done!
Potted Herb Plants at Aldi
A great option for fresh herbs at Aldi is buying a potted herb plant instead of cut herbs. They offer a larger selection of herb plants, including:
- Basil
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Mint
- Rosemary
- Parsley
- Chives
The herb plants come in either 3-inch or 10-inch size pots. Go for the larger pots for established plants that are ready to harvest. The smaller pots work well if you want to nurture the herbs a bit longer before taking cuttings.
Aldi gets shipments of herb plants in spring and early summer. Look for them displayed in the fresh produce section or center aisle displays.
I love keeping some potted herbs like thyme and oregano on my kitchen windowsill. Then I can snip off a few leaves to flavor soups, pastas, meat, and more.
When to Find the Best Fresh Herbs at Aldi
Timing your herb purchases from Aldi right results in the best quality. Try to shop for herbs:
- In the morning when deliveries are fresh
- At the start of the week
- In peak spring and summer seasons
Avoid buying herbs on weekends when the deliveries aren’t as frequent. Herbs that sit too long tend to wilt and lose flavor.
For cut herbs, carefully inspect the bunches and choose ones with vibrant color and no spotting or yellowing. The herb leaves should appear perky, not limp.
When buying potted herb plants, check that the soil is slightly moist and the plant looks healthy. Avoid any leggy or flowering plants that signal the herbs are overmature.
Storing Fresh Herbs from Aldi
To maximize the shelf life of fresh herbs from Aldi:
- Give them a rinse before storage to remove dirt and bacteria
- Gently wrap herbs in a paper towel and place inside a zip top bag
- Store cut herbs loosely bundled or untied so air can circulate
- Keep potted herb plants in a sunny spot and water sparingly
With proper storage, most herbs from Aldi will last 5-7 days. More delicate herbs like cilantro and basil may only stay fresh for 2-3 days.
For potted plants, transition them outdoors once nighttime temperatures stay above 50°F. Continue harvesting herbs through fall before moving the pots to an indoor sunny spot for winter.
So while the selection is limited compared to a traditional grocer, you can definitely find fresh herbs at Aldi. Follow these tips to pick the best quality herbs and make them last. And be sure to check back frequently, as Aldi’s inventory is always changing!
Tanimura & Antle Boston Lettuce
I often see bagged salads and greens at Aldi that have already begun to wilt or turn brown while they’re still on the shelves. But I haven’t had any of those problems with this Boston lettuce grown in a greenhouse by the Californian company Tanimura. Its fresh, mild in flavor, vibrantly green, and the perfect addition to any sandwich. This five-ounce container was selling for $2. 89 at my local Aldi, though prices and availability could vary at other locations.
I love having fresh herbs on hand to add flavor to food, and Aldi has become one of my favorite places to buy thyme. These 0. Meyer Farms organic thyme in 75-ounce containers is almost always in stock when I go shopping at Aldi. They were also very cheap last time I went, costing only $1. 69. The thyme itself is flavorful, plentiful, and tends to last me at least a couple weeks.
I Love Produce Ginger
I add fresh ginger to a lot of recipes and they taste even better. This is true for both stir-fries and baked goods. Good news for people who like Aldi and ginger: I’ve found that the ginger root they sell is just as good as the kind I can buy at a more expensive grocery store. Each eight-ounce bag will stay fresh for weeks at a time, and the taste is nice and sharp and spicy. The product is currently selling for $1. 99 at my local Aldi.
Onions and zucchini are something you can find in almost every grocery store, but Aldi’s private label Freshire Farms brand makes a really great one. The tight packaging seems to protect the squashs delicate green skin from getting too damaged in the bin. On top of that, the zucchini itself tastes and feels the same as any other grocery store zucchini: slightly sweet and mild enough to go with a lot of different flavors. The squash was selling for $1. 45 a pound at my local Aldi during my last visit.
Expert’s Guide to Fresh Herbs
Does Aldi have fresh produce?
Our fresh produce is stocked daily and locally grown to give our customers the best selection of fresh fruits and vegetables each and every day. Shop All Fresh Vegetables & Salad Shop All Fresh Fruit Organic, Non-GMO verified products that are healthy and delicious. 100% plant-based vegan and vegetarian products. Why shop fresh produce at ALDI?
Does Aldi have herbs in a tube?
SimplyNature is Aldi’s organic brand, and the “Herbs in a Tube” come in three varieties: basil, garlic, and ginger. I did not know what to make of this. My gut reaction was one of intense and immediate skepticism, but the more I thought about that reaction, the more I thought it didn’t make a whole lot of sense.
Is Aldi organic?
With USDA approved organic options available, you can pick up your favorite fruits and veggies at amazingly low prices when you shop at ALDI. You have everything you need to be your best and have a complete, healthy meal each day of the week! How to keep produce fresh longer?
Does Aldi sell nuts?
Nuts and dried fruit can rack up a hefty price in supermarkets, but Aldi sells cashews, almonds, and various other nuts and trail-mix packs for a more affordable price. You can add them to your recipes for an extra crunch or snack on them in between meals.