Aldi Just Slashed Prices—These Are Our Faves Under $3

Summer sales are always exciting, whether you’re scooping up some discount cookware during an Independence Day sale or grabbing cookout essentials over Labor Day weekend. With inflation and tariffs joining forces to make us all a little nervous about our grocery budgets, it’s always a good idea to track down deals where you can. 

Fortunately, Aldi has come to the rescue. The store has slashed its prices for the summer, with some savings of up to 33%. You can scope out the full selection of 500 discounted products on Aldi’s website, but we thought we’d narrow down the field for you a bit. Here are the 10 discounted groceries we’re most excited about scooping up—all for under $3.

Happy Farms Cream Cheese

8-ounce packages of cream cheese and Neufchâtel cheese for $1.85 each

Happy Farms Cream Cheese is one of our favorites here at EatingWell. If your house is like mine, summer means wandering out of bed and grabbing a quick, no-cook breakfast, like a bagel, before embarking on the day’s adventures. It’s great to be able to get this high-quality product for under $2. Neufchâtel cheese, cream cheese’s French cousin, has a third the fat of regular cream cheese, so it’s a good substitute if you’re trying to dial back on saturated fat. Just check out Aldi’s specific packaging to get all the details

Emporium Selection Cheese Slices

7-ounce packages of Havarti or Gouda for $1.89; 8-ounce packages of habanero Jack, chipotle Cheddar, smoked Cheddar, or smoked Gouda for $2.15

Summer burgers with a variety of cheese choices can jazz up a basic barbeque. The spice of habanero or chipotle adds a delectable kick, while smoked Cheddar pairs nicely with a savory burger. Cold sandwiches on a picnic or trip to the pool aren’t so basic with Havarti or Gouda, and any of these choices are fun ways to mix it up when making grilled cheese. Getting all these options for under $3 each is a huge win—especially when kids are home and seem to be constantly hungry.

Simply Nature Spices

A range of sizes and spices available for $2.09

As grilling season heats up, a good marinade or a rub with major flavor can go a long way. The Simple Nature spices included in the sale, like turmeric, cumin, garlic powder, cayenne powder, cinnamon, oregano, paprika and onion powder are all must-haves in my house. Whether you’re making a savory meat dish or adding some cinnamon to a fresh berry crisp, having fresh spices is key.

Peaches 

2-pound packages of peaches for $2.85

Served as a peach cobbler, peach pie, peach crisp, grilled peaches, peach salsa or simply fresh, peaches are the flavor of summer. These fuzzy fruits are yummy in sangria or virgin beverages or mixed into smoothies for added sweetness. And did we mention they make a mean high-protein muffin, too?

L’Oven Fresh Bagel Thins

13-ounce package of Bagel Skinnies for $2.99

Less bulky than a whole bagel, these skinnies are another of our favorites. Paired with cream cheese or a smidge of Neufchâtel, they make for a yummy breakfast. You can also make sandwiches for them—just opt for eggs in the morning or go with deli meat and sliced cheese for picnic lunches. These skinnies are also a good base for homemade bagel pizzas.

Season’s Choice Frozen Veggies

12-ounce packages of steamable veggies for $2.19

Sometimes, on really hot summer days, or when we’ve been out at the lake or river playing until nearly sundown, dinner time needs to be fast and nutritious. Steamable frozen vegetables make quick work of dinner time and don’t require heating up the kitchen with the stove or monitoring on the grill. Pair the broccoli or the medley pack with some quick stir-fry chicken or another protein to complete the meal. Brown rice could be a great addition, too!

Cantaloupe

Each Athena cantaloupe available for $2.55

Named for the goddess of wisdom, Athena cantaloupe is a very smart and versatile fruit. It’s a classic at breakfast, sliced up or filled with cottage cheese, but it also can get mixed into fresh fruit salads or served with prosciutto for a classy appetizer. Though out-of-season cantaloupe can be “filler fruit”—always the saddest part of a side of fresh fruit at a restaurant—when it’s in season, there’s nothing sweeter than this melon.

Yellow Onions

3-pound packages of yellow onions for $2.55

I’m always using yellow onions and tend to buy them in large quantities. They can be used in all meals of the day, and they’re one of the most versatile kinds of onions—making them essential to a cheesy omelet. When grilled or sliced and put atop burgers, or mixed into all manner of entrees and sides, they add necessary flavor. Plus, we love them roasted and caramelized for a simple dinner side.

Millville Crunchy Granola

11-ounce packages of granola for $2.75

My granola consumption sees an uptick in summer, since it’s a cold meal that travels well. I bring it along when camping and even to hotels because it doesn’t suffer from being squished in a suitcase. I love yogurt, fruit and granola for a mid-morning second breakfast and have been known to eat granola for dinner when it’s too darn hot to cook. These bags of granola are not only at a hard-to-beat price, but a serving packs 10 whopping grams of protein and 20 grams of whole grains, so you know they’ll help you power through a busy day ahead.  

Southern Grove Dried Fruit

7.5-ounce bags of fruit medley or 6-ounce bags of pineapple for $2.99

Dried fruit, like granola, is another summer staple for travel and busy days on the go. A dried fruit medley or a bag of dried pineapple make for the perfect poolside pick-me-up. Plus, dried fruits are great to have when you’re out enjoying the summer sunshine, since they keep well and add a quick burst of sweetness and energy to your day. You can even add nuts and other favorite snacks to them and create your own special trail mix.