The $1 Aldi Grocery I’m Stocking in My Freezer All Winter Long

Filling your pantry, fridge, and freezer with versatile staple ingredients makes the chore of everyday cooking a little more palatable. Aldi is my first stop when restocking my supply after weeks of holiday cooking — and it should be yours, too. Navigating the aisles and checkout line of this quirky little market is easier than the big-box stores, but what keeps me coming back are the low prices of the high-quality core grocery items.

One item that I’m definitely adding to my cart this winter is a bag of Season’s Choice Mixed Vegetables. These frozen veggies are my secret to serving cozy, comforting meals all season long, while saving time and money. The medley of frozen green beans, sweet peas, tender carrots, and corn add wholesome flavor to the soups and casseroles that are on my winter menu. The best part? A bag of the frozen vegetables costs less than $1.

What’s So Great About Season’s Choice Mixed Vegetables?

It’s easy to forget about frozen vegetables at the height of summer when there’s a bounty of fresh produce. When winter arrives, the best way to get your fill is in the freezer section. Frozen vegetables are as good as (and sometimes better than) fresh at this time of year because they are picked at their peak and then flash frozen.

Aldi’s Season’s Choice Mixed Vegetables are a classic combination of tender peas, carrots, corn, and green beans. The colorful medley of veggies is already prepped. There is no need for peeling, trimming, or slicing the carrots, peas, corn, and green beans, which means you can add them directly to recipes — no thawing required. Plus, a 12-ounce bag of these frozen vegetables costs less than $1, and you’d be lucky to find this variety of fresh produce at that price.

What’s the Best Way to Use Season’s Choice Mixed Vegetables?

Frozen vegetables, like these from Aldi’s Season’s Choice line, are exactly what winter casseroles, soups, and stews need. Add them directly to retro casseroles (like this chicken and rice casserole or this tuna casserole) that have stood the test of time for a reason.

All-in-one meals like shepherd’s pie, chicken pot pie, or the French chicken Parmentier rely on a medley of vegetables, so why not use frozen here too? Just remember that these veggies warm quickly, so there’s often no need to thaw before adding them to a recipe. Additionally, the corn, peas, carrots, and beans are already cut into bite-sized pieces, so you’ll want to avoid prolonged cooking to maintain their texture.

These mixed vegetables come packaged in a steam-ready bag, which is perfect for nights when you’re looking for a quick side dish. Add flavor to the steamed vegetables with a drizzle of pesto, crumbled cheese, or a squeeze of fresh lemon.

Find it in stores: Season’s Choice Mixed Vegetables, $0.95 for 12 ounces

What Aldi groceries are you stocking in your freezer this winter? Tell us about it in the comments below.