11 Items Superfans Say You Should 'Definitely Avoid' At Aldi: 'Horrible' & 'Tastes Like Cardboard'
While Aldi is definitely one of the fan-favorite grocery stores, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have the occasional slip up with its products. From kitchen supplies to food and drink, Aldi superfans have no problem pointing out what’s a hit and what’s a miss. We’ve compiled a list of the 11 worst-rated products from Aldi according to loyal customers so you know what to avoid on your next shopping trip. Keep reading for all the details.
1. Apple Juice Boxes
First up on our list is the Aldi brand apple juice boxes. Perfect to pack into a school lunch box or for on the go entertainment for your kids, $1.89 for a pack of 8 juice boxes seems like a no-brainer. However you might want to think twice before you add these to your cart, because according to one user on Reddit, they "tasted like citric acid."
And it's not just one person, either. Another user replied to the original comment writing, "they're just so bad."
2. Deli Meats
This one is a pretty unanimous feeling among Redditors. Whether it's turkey, ham, bologna, or any other meat you get fresh from the deli, it's not a good idea if it's from Aldi. "The deli turkey and ham are nasty," one person wrote. "Slimy, rubbery, all the disgusting adjectives you can think of, that's the deli meat from Aldi."
"Most of their deli meat is vile," another person agreed.
"They're disgusting!" added another.
3. Instant Mashed Potatoes
Sometimes there's nothing better than a warm, creamy, comforting bowl of mashed potatoes, and sometimes, you don't have the energy to make them from scratch. That's where instant mashed potatoes come in. Easy to make and usually delicious, as long as you can get past the fact it used to be a powder, it's hard to mess up instant mashed potatoes. But Aldi has apparently found a way. "Their brand instant mash potatoes taste like cardboard," one Reddit user reported.
4. Bananas
Produce can really be hit or miss. Whenever you throw fruit into your grocery cart, you're taking a gamble: will it be rotten tomorrow? Will it ever even ripen at all? This seems to be the case with Aldi bananas, in particular. "They are green when I buy them and brown the next day," one comment says.
Another person complained of the opposite scenario: "Mine stayed green for 2 whole weeks and I tried peeling one and it was like trying to pry bark off a tree." Maybe we're just better off getting our bananas elsewhere.
5. Bagel Skinnys
Apparently a cardboard taste is a theme in Aldi's carbohydrate products. Redditors have confirmed that the Aldi brand Bagel Skinnys are definitely an item to be left on the shelf. While it may seem like a great low-calorie or low-carb option, the consensus among loyal customers is you're better off not having it or having a real bagel, because "they taste like cardboard!"
"I'm never buying their 'skinny' bagels again." another person wrote. "If I'm going to have a bagel, I'll just have a bagel."
6. Confetti Brownies
Who doesn't love those delicious Cosmic Brownies? Like many of our favorite snacks, Aldi carries their own version of this classic treat—but shoppers complain that it really misses the mark, especially compared to the real thing. "Their knock off version of cosmic brownies were the biggest disappointment in my entire life," one shopper lamented. "These tasted so foul. I wish I could sue for someone making something so disgusting." Sad!
7. Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Another delicious option for a quick meal, it might be tempting to grab a nice steaming cup of broccoli cheddar soup, but if it's from Aldi, you may want to skip it. Here's a review from an Aldi superfan: "I just recently bought the broccoli cheddar soup, and wasn’t a fan. It smelled super weird, and tasted weird, and it turns out everyone here hated it lol. I dipped my finger in it to taste it and dumped it out." Safe to say we'll be opting for the tomato soup!
8. Ziploc Bags
This one seems like it's hard to mess up, but according to Aldi customers, this is one of those instances where the brand name is worth the extra couple dollars. "Do NOT buy their version of Ziploc bags," one person commented. "I have never gotten a good seal." The last thing you want is a bag of stale chips or a dried out sandwich. Or worse, spilled pretzels or goldfish all over your bag. There's plenty of other things to save a couple extra bucks on at Aldi. Splurge here!
9. Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is already an acquired taste for most people, so for the people that do like it, a negative review means a lot. And one person on Reddit didn't hold back: "I absolutely despise their cottage cheese! Hard pass."
If you're feeling curious and want to give cottage cheese a try (it's actually really good for you!), maybe look for it at a different grocery store.
10. Sugar Free Coffee Creamer
Everyone likes their coffee a little bit different. If you don't prefer it black but are trying to watch your sugar intake and avoid unhealthy ingredients, you may opt for sugar-free creamer. But shoppers warn that you may want to get it somewhere besides Aldi. "I would’ve paid to see my own face when I took that first sip," one Redditor wrote.
Many comments echoed this sentiment. "That stuff is nasty," wrote one person, with another confirming: "Absolutely awful." Noted!
11. Pizza Rolls
Ah, pizza rolls. If you have a craving for something cheesy, you're simply too lazy to cook up a real meal, or you're scrambling for a late-night snack, they're always a good choice—except, apparently, when it comes to Aldi's brand. "Even drunk me had to throw them in the trash," one comment reads.
It seems many feel the same way. "Repulsive," says one reply.
Some people think it's a brand-wide issue, claiming that the frozen pizzas are also poor quality: "Some about that Mama Costi’s brand has terrible sauce."
