The $1 Aldi Grocery I’ll Stock in My Pantry Forever

Aldi shoppers like me know that a smaller grocery budget does not mean settling for lower quality. If you’re taking control of your household budget, try making Aldi your first stop for groceries. Aldi is a quirky discount grocer that has earned a reputation for selling essential ingredients and fun-to-try foods — all at affordable prices. 

I’m loyal to certain brands (many of which top our annual Kitchn Essentials Grocery list), but the more I shop at Aldi, the more I’ve come to love many of its private-label products. I’ve discovered this to be true all over the store, and especially in the aisle with loads of baking and cooking staples — that’s where I found my go-to garlic powder and olive oil, and the spicy red pepper flakes that I use (almost) every day.

I’m not going to bury the lede: A jar of Stonemill crushed red pepper costs just 79 cents for a 1.5-ounce jar. The same size jar costs three to five times more at other grocery stores. 

Crushed red pepper (sometimes called red pepper flakes) are red chile peppers that have been dried and crushed (seeds included). Freshness is always top priority when buying spices, and one clue is to look at the color of the red chile flakes. The chile should be red like the ones in this jar, and not dull, browned, or faded. Because Aldi sells its spices at such a low price, the jars of Stonemill crushed red pepper experience quick turnover, so they never linger too long on the shelf — at least, that’s my theory.