is meat safe to buy at aldi

The Real Reason You Should Never Buy Meat At Aldi

The Listexplains thatthe prices at Aldi aren't exactly a steal when it comes to meat like chicken. In fact, the meat prices at Aldi often end up being the same as their competitors, and occasionallyare even pricier than the meat sold by the discount grocer's peers.Eating Well concurs, adding that ground beef is especially expensive at the supermarket chain, and there are frequently better deals elsewhere. Local grocery stores may also offer sales on their meat, which often beat out Aldi's standard low prices.

According to users on theReddit message board r/Frugal, the meat at Aldi really doesn't deliver in terms of quality either. One user wrote, "I skip their meat. The quality doesn't seem very good and their prices are higher than what I can usually find". Some of Aldi's meat products have even been recalled in the past! For example, in 2019 the supermarket chain revealed in a press release that there were potentially pieces of metal in a batch of their Kirkwood Buffalo Crispy Chicken Strips and their Honey Barbecue Crispy Chicken Strips, both products made by poultry giant Tyson Foods. The bottom line? As far as meat products are concerned, it's worth considering other options especially sales at your local grocery store.

6 Meats You Might Want To Avoid Buying At Aldi

Chances are, you and your family regularly enjoy ground beef it's by far the most popular way that Americans consume beef products, with up to60% of all beef being bought in ground form. There's a lot to love about ground beef; it's relatively affordable, easy to cook, and versatile, making it a standout choice for families everywhere. But, if you're looking to get a deal on ground beef, you might want to think twice about getting it from Aldi.

the budget supermarket hasn't had the best luck with its ground beef quality control recently in August of 2023, the USDA Inspection Service put out a public health alert informing the public that they'd received reports of soft, clear plastic found in the store's ground beef. However, no recall was issued because Aldi no longer sold that particular brand of ground beef. But, customers aren't just finding plastic in their hamburger meat, one Reddit user claims they "have to be very careful when chewing to not hit a bone piece or [gristle]."

Unfortunately, it looks like the quality of Aldi's ground beef is inconsistent, even within the same brand with aRedditor claiming, "The first time I bought the 80/20 one it was absolutely vile, like [there] was something wrong with it. The second time I got it, it was delicious." Regardless, if you do decide to purchase ground beef from Aldi, make sure you keep your receipt and proceed with caution.

Fresh Meat & Seafood

With our fresh meat and seafood you can count on ALDI for everything you need to make your next meal spectacular. Enjoy a chicken dinner at home with your family or if you're in the mood for firing up the grill, pick up our Black Angus Chuck Roast and Baby Back Ribs. Browse our selection and discover quality meats without additives and never frozen fish at affordable prices.

Fresh chicken is a lean, versatile and delicious protein to include in your healthy diet. Low on fat and high in protein, pick up some fresh chicken breasts or wings for your next meal prep session or date night. Tired of chicken? We also offer turkey tenderloin and ground turkey as an alternative source of protein!

Shop All Fresh Poultry

With a wide selection of USDA Choice beef chuck roasts, sirloins, skirt steaks and more, youll be able to grill up any cut the family is asking for. Throw in high-quality ground beef to whip up some burgers, lasagna or any other hearty meal!

Shop All Fresh Beef

Is there anything better than fall of the bone ribs? Grab some fresh pork in any cut and size, from baby back ribs to center cut pork chops, boneless ham to pork tenderloin. No matter what you pick for your next culinary adventure, youre guaranteed quality, fresh pork on the dinner table.

Shop All Fresh Pork

Whether you like spicy, mild or sweet sausage links, we have the best selection of fresh sausage around. Hear them sizzle first thing in the morning or grill them up on the grill and serve them for dinner. Pasta dish feeling a little boring? Add some fresh sausage and itll be bursting with flavor in no time!

Shop All Fresh Sausage

Enjoy the tasty flavor of fresh salmon, as well as its many health benefits! Salmon is a great source of vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, potassium and even iron and vitamin D. Did we mention we also carry fresh tilapia, trout and shrimp? Grill, bake, saut, however you like it, fresh fish is the best kind of fish to cook up!

Shop All Seafood

Chicken Disclaimer

*No preservatives, no additives and no added steroids does not apply to all fresh chicken products in all stores. Check labels at store for details.

Fresh Meat & Seafood FAQ's

Beef, pork, lamb, venison, bison and other game are categorized as red meat. Red meat contains high amounts of myoglobin, which is an iron-rich protein that is found in animal muscle. The myoglobin is what gives the meat its dark red color when raw.

Yes, you can freeze meat. However, there are precautions that need to be taken to ensure it is done safely. Starting with fresh, high-quality meat tends to yield the best results when freezing. One of the most important steps is properly wrapping/sealing the meat to protect it from freezer burn. When wrapping the meat, be sure to squeeze out as much air as possible to make sure it is properly sealed and protected. Freezer burn can affect the taste, texture and appearance of food. Meat can usually be frozen in its original packaging, but youll want to add a second airtight layer. In some cases, the meat you purchase may come in vacuum-sealed packaging. In that case, it is ready to be frozen.

Yes, you can freeze fish. However, if it is not properly frozen the taste, texture and appearance of the fish can be negatively impacted. The best way to freeze fish is to vacuum seal it. If you do not own a vacuum-sealer, purchasing frozen fish may be the best option since much of the time it is already in vacuum sealed packaging.

Yes, eating raw fish is common. Popular dishes include sushi and sashimi. However, there are risks of foodborne illness that come along with eating raw fish. Fish that is intended for raw consumption is typically labeled as sushi-grade. Sushi-grade means that the fish has been frozen in order to kill any parasites. Young children, pregnant women and those who are immunocompromised should avoid eating uncooked seafood.

According to the USDA, it is dangerous to eat raw or undercooked beef. To ensure all bacteria are destroyed, you should use a meat thermometer when cooking beef to make sure it reaches a safe internal temperature.

Many steps can be taken to prevent cross-contamination. Use separate grocery bags for raw meat when you transport it home. Store raw meat in a plastic bag on the bottom of your refrigerator to help prevent the juices from leaking onto other foods in your refrigerator. When cooking the meat, use separate utensils for the meat and other foods you may be cooking. If you only have one utensil, be sure to wash and sanitize it between use on raw and ready-to-eat foods.

Marinating helps to add flavor and tenderize meat.

Meat is high in protein which is important for building and maintaining muscle mass. It also contains iron, which is needed to produce red blood cells. This can help to prevent anemia. It also contains vitamin B12.

Seafood is a good source of lean protein. It contains omea-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, magnesium and other minerals.

Eating protein can make you feel full longer. It also helps to maintain and increase muscle mass. High protein intake also helps to prevent muscle loss as you lose weight.

ALDI carries a selection of affordable and high-quality beef such as sirloin tip roast, ribeye steak, strip steak, skirt steak, brisket and more.

ALDI carries a selection of affordable and high-quality poultry including ground chicken, chicken drumsticks, chicken breasts, chicken breast tenderloins, ground turkey, turkey tenderloins and more.

ALDI carries a selection of affordable and high-quality fish including Atlantic salmon, Coho salmon, lightly smoked salmon portions, wild caught cod portions, tilapia fillets, steelhead trout and more.

15 Things to Buy at ALDI (& Five to Avoid)

Want to cut your grocery bill in HALF without clipping coupons? Shopping at ALDI is a great way to save. Heres the best ALDI deals and what to avoid.

Theres a budget grocery phenomenon thats slowly been taking over the United States, doubling its number of stores over the last decade. ALDI! But ALDI isnt a new store at allfor over 100 years, ALDI stores have long committed to providing low-priced groceries. I nearly fell off my chair when I found out they were that oldbut its true, ALDI was founded in 1913 in Germany and came to the U.S. in 1976.

What Sets ALDI Apart?

Shopping at ALDI is a unique experience. It certainly isnt your big, coupon-friendly, buy-everything-on-your-list grocery store. Some of ALDIs quirks (like needing a quarter to rent your cart) may be intimidating to a first-time shopper. But, once youre in the door and see all the ALDI deals, youll be convinced!

The first of several greatreally greatthings about ALDI is their Twice as Nice Guarantee. On some of their products, if you end up not liking it, or it didnt meet your expectations, take the package, any unused portion of the product and your receipt of purchase back to ALDI and theyll issue a refund AND a replacement. Another bonus? ALDI recently announced theyve removed several artificial ingredients from their exclusive brand products. If youre concerned about partially hydrogenated oils, synthetic colors and added MSG, this should come as great news. They also launched their own non-GMO and organic products as of late and they are just as good as any other name brands.

ALDI takes an innovative, low-overhead approach to business that allows them to offer big savings to their customers. You wont see a lot of employees straightening up the aisles, bagging your groceries, and stocking shelves. Many items are brought to the floor on pallets to allow for quick restocking and rotation. Big yellow signs above the pallets and on the shelves list the prices. If youre curious what the store looks like, ALDI offers a virtual tour on their website.

You may also notice most of the stores are much smaller than an average grocery store but follow a similar layout; this makes them easier to maintain. Their advertising is minimal, so they only issue their ALDI flyer two weeks before sales, but its a great planning tool for your trip. Use the ALDI App to download ads, make a shopping list, and find the nearest store. ALDI is now a part of many online grocery store delivery businesses so be sure to check them out if its something your family does.

What to Know Before You Go

Remember what I said about bringing a quarter for a cart? Well, their cart rental system is another way they keep a low overhead. It requires a quarter deposit when you take your cart out of the line. Simply put your quarter in the slot and the cart will release. When youre finished, return your cart and youll get your quarter back. This way, the store saves on employees time retrieving carts from the parking lot.

ALDI accepts most major credit cards as well as EBT, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Because the majority of their products are ALDI-exclusive brands or special manufacturers deals, they dont accept coupons. Bring yourrock bottom price list with you when you go, so you can be sure youre truly getting the best deal. ALDI exclusive brands are where youll usually find the best bargains. Purchases on toiletries and brand-name items are often cheaper in a traditional store with a coupon, although sometimes ALDI will negotiate a special offer on name-brand products.

One more thingwhen you see the checkout lines, dont despair! A lot of the time, lines look long and congested, but heres yet another way ALDI is different. Their products are bar coded in several places, which means cashiers can quickly zap your products through. Its a sight to seetheyre super-fast!

Be prepared to bag your own groceries. If youd rather not pay for paper bags or their reusable bags at the counter, plan on taking your own. After you check out, theres an area beyond the registers where people get their items together and pack them up for the journey home. This front end is another area that can appear congested as people bag and box their own groceries, but it moves quickly!

So, with all these quirksis the shopping experience a trip worth making? If youre looking at your bottom lineyes. Groceries at ALDI are undeniably cheaper. Not every single item, of course, but if you do a little planning ahead and make wise choices, you can save yourself a bundle! Once you see the prices, I promise youll be hooked!

15 Things to Buy at ALDI

1. Fresh Meat Specials

While Im not a big meat eater, my family does enjoy meat meals from time to time. Each Wednesday, ALDI offers a special Fresh Meat Special Buy. Some weeks its brisket, some weeks its boneless pork chops ($2.99 a pound!!), but usually, its top cuts of meat at really low prices. These are great choices for planning freezer meals and doing your weekly meal planning.

A word to the wisethese ALDI meat specials go FAST. Prepare to make the trip on Wednesday because the cuts often come in limited amounts and once the specials are gone, theyre gone.

2. Canned Broth

ALDIs Chefs Cupboard (regular) or Fit & Active (low sodium) cans of broth are between $.49 and $.99 a can; these may be one of the best ALDI deals out there! They offer a veggie broth in their SimplyNature organic line and comparable products are nearly double the price.

Their canned broths are also flavorful and a great pantry staple to keep on hand. I often stock up on several cans when Im there.

3. Almond Milk

Depending on where you shop and whether you have coupons, regular milk can be found for a little cheaper at other grocery stores. Though ALDIs regular milk is priced pretty darn well, their Friendly Farms Almond milk is often at $2.49 or less, which is a great buy. It can be over a dollar more at many other stores. They also offer SimplyNature Organic Soy milk for a similar price and occasionally they carry coconut milk as well.

4. Yogurt

ALDI offers many varieties of yogurt and dairy products. The Friendly Farms Moo Tubes are their brand take on the popular yogurt-in-a-tube kids snack. They even carry kefir; a drinkable yogurt. The regular snack-sized Friendly Farms line of Lite Greek yogurts are around $.65 each and come in fun flavors like Strawberry Cheesecake and Caramel Macchiato. Theyre creamy and dont have a fake aftertaste like some flavored yogurts.

5. String Cheese

Great for kids lunches or a little protein kick in the middle of the day, a Fit & Active low-fat string cheese pack comes in 12-stick packs for around $2.69. Their cheese selection is worth checking out, particularly the soft or specialty cheeses they offer around the holidays. Their brick cheese tends to be a little pricier and the typical shredded cheeses have received mixed reviews online. Their specialty cheeses like Gouda and Havarti are definitely worth a try. I havent tried it personally, but they add cornstarch to keep it from caking, which apparently can also cause it to burn easily.

6. Red Hot Deals (in the center of the store)

Each week ALDI offers a Red Hot Deal theme in the center of the store. If the theme is picnicking, you might find grilling utensils, paper plates and coolers paired with chips, buns, and condiments. Another week it might be a back-to-school theme with school supplies, lunch-boxes, and easy, fun snack foods.

Whatever the weekly ALDI deals theme, its worth paying attention to. Very good deals on outdoor items, tailgating supplies, and other fun household buys are often found in this area of the store. Use the ad cycle that comes out two weeks in advance to discover if any of the Red Hot Deals fulfill your family needs, and plan accordingly.

7. Organics

In the last few years, ALDI started to offer a wider selection of USDA Certified Organic and non-GMO items. If youre looking for organic options, keep an eye out for their SimplyNature brand foods. Popular items include lettuce, spinach, baby foods, snacks, frozen berries, milk, and grass-fed beef. These items are free of additives, and they come with much lower prices than a health food store or Whole Foods. They also offer a line of plant-based products called Earth Grown. Their antibiotic and hormone-free meat is sold under the Never Any! brand.

Their SimplyNature Fruit Squeezies and Organic Fruit Snacks are lunchbox favorites and theyre made without artificial sweeteners or preservatives. At around $2.50 a box, theyre a great way to send your kids to school with something you can feel good about.

8. Gluten-Free Items

The liveGfree brand is yet another of the ALDI deals thats worth checking out, especially if youre watching gluten or have someone with gluten sensitivity in your household. Their Southwest Veggie stuffed sandwich is an easy grab-and-go lunch item at under $3 for twoa full $2 cheaper than similar gluten-free products at the grocery store.

They also offer gluten-free crackers, bread, tortillas, cookies, pretzels, and baking mixes. At under $3 per box, its worth it to stock up on quite a few of these gluten-free goodies just to have them on hand. Even if no one in your house is gluten-sensitive, it can be handy to have something to offer guests with dietary restrictions.

9. Salad Dressing

ALDIs Specially Selected brand offers several gourmet food options at prices that beat the non-gourmet version at other stores. They have salsa, cookies, and my favoritesalad dressings. They offer several vinaigrette options (the raspberry is to die for!) with restaurant-quality taste. Youd pay much higher prices for these dressings in the refrigerator section of your grocery store.

10. Frozen Jumbo Shrimp & Seafood

Frozen seafood items are usually one of the best ALDI deals. The frozen jumbo shrimp are always a bargain. Dont bother with the other sizes of shrimp though, they arent worth the price compared to their weight. The frozen salmon portions and tilapia fillets are also a few dollars less than your average grocery store.

11. Produce

A word on the produce: much of the ALDI produce is a good buy but use common sense. They package a lot of the produce together, so look carefully at the package to ensure everything looks up-to-par and in good condition. Items rotate frequently and I often find really great prices on tropical fruit like pineapple, kiwi, and even mango. Most of the veggies are pretty cheap too. Youll get a better deal on fruits like apples and oranges if you buy in bulk, but occasionally youll find a good price at ALDI. Ill admit though, their bananas are not usually a great buy or theyre already past their prime.

I added produce to this list because much of what Ive read about ALDI produce is that its their weak spot. I dont necessarily find this to be true. The selection is often decent, they offer a decent Organic selection, and you can usually find a bargain, so its not something to skip over. Ive found fresh organic blueberries at a lower cost than regular ones at other stores more times than I can count, so definitely give this isle a look.

12. Choceur, Moser Roth, and Specialty Chocolate

The regular chocolate chips and baking chocolate are so-so. Theyre passable for cookies, but not great. But good newsthey have a wonderful selection of specialty chocolate! These bars are delicious and often European chocolates (read: no wax and creamy amazing texture). Im sure I dont have to tell anyone twicegive their chocolate bars a try.

13. Canned Goods

The canned veggies are such a great ALDI deals. Its hard to beat $.65 per can. In my opinion, the majority of canned veggies taste pretty similar and its hard to discern a big difference by brand. ALDIs selection has the same specialty options youd find in name brands, including crushed tomatoes with garlic and oregano, low sodium, and organic options. I know canned food isnt always ideal, but for pantry storage items like beans, tomato sauce, and other staples, this is the place to fill your shelves!

14. Baking Supplies

I like to bake from scratch, but I know there are people who rely on a mix. And if kids are in the picture, having a few boxes of mixes on hand gives little ones a chance to test their culinary skills. If youre cooking from scratch, baking staples like flour and sugar will be cheaper in a bulk store. But ALDI has a lot of great options for smaller-quantity items like baking powder, cornstarch, and their organic cane sugar is very cost-friendly.

15. Frozen Veggies

Edamame? Sweet peas? White corn? ALDI has them! Even though they dont have the vast row of frozen veggies your local supermarket boasts, they definitely have a wide range that can easily fill in for fresh vegetables and fill out any dish. I like to keep bags of frozen veggies on hand to bulk up a dish that needs a healthy addition or so I can slip an extra handful in a meal as a side.

5 Items to Avoid at ALDI

Not every item at ALDI is a dont-miss item. As I said before, you arent likely to find everything on your shopping list. Theres usually only one version of most items, so you wont have the wide selection youre used to at your everyday grocery store. Ive found a few items dont make the cut, even if theyre priced cheaper.

1. Chips

ALDI chips just arent as tasty as brand name chips. Ive also found it always seems like theres only half a bag of chips once you get ALDI chips open. I know theres natural settling involved, but theyre also usually broken and lackluster in taste as far as chips go. If chips are on the table, it usually means theres a party and at a party, you dont want to find you only have enough chips to fill half your bowl.

2. Coffee

ALDIs coffee seems to regularly make both the dont pass up and the pass up lists. Its reasonably priced at $4.99 a package, but if youre even a little bit of a coffee snob, youll want to leave it on the shelf. If youve already given up your Starbucks trips to save money and youre brewing your cuppa at home, do yourself a favor and spend an extra buck or two on a decent bag of coffee.

3. Paper Goods

Toilet paper, paper towels and napkins are good deals at ALDI, but if youre a coupon shopper you already know how to save big on these items. If youre stacking coupons for name brand paper goods, youll save more shopping somewhere else.

4. Dough

Pillsbury crescents, biscuits, and cookie dough regularly go on sale and are frequently coupon-friendly items at most grocery stores. ALDI offers its own brand of these refrigerated pre-made dough items, but frankly, they arent as good. Not only that, but youll probably pay more without a coupon for the ALDI brand than you would at the grocery store with a coupon for the name brand.

5. Cereal

This is, again, a coupon issue. You can find great deals on cereals when you buy in bulk or when they go on sale, which is often. The ALDI brand cereal tastes about the same as regular cereals, but there isnt a huge selection, and you can find other, better cereal on sale and with a coupon elsewhere.

To recap, here are the 15 best ALDI Deals you should totally take advantage of!

1. Fresh Meat Specials 2. Canned Broth 3. Almond Milk 4. Yogurt 5. String Cheese 6. Red Hot Deals (in the center of the store) 7. Organics 8. Gluten-Free Items 9. Salad Dressing 10. Frozen Jumbo Shrimp & Seafood 11. Produce 12. Choceur, Moser Roth, and Specialty Chocolate 13. Canned Goods 14. Baking Supplies 15. Frozen Veggies

And the 5 ALDI items you should avoid:

1. Chips 2. Coffee 3. Paper Goods 4. Dough 5. Cereal

ALDI products and deals can vary from store to store. What ALDI items are a great deal in your area?Tell me your thoughts if youve tried them, or anything else you love!

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