As a retail analyst and consumer specialist, I‘m always on the lookout for the best deals and quality products to recommend. One store that has gained a lot of attention in recent years for its low prices is Aldi. This German-based discount supermarket chain now has over 2,000 stores across 36 states in the U.S. and is only continuing to grow.
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Aldi is known for offering a more limited selection than a traditional grocery store, but at much cheaper prices. According to a price comparison by Cheapism, Aldi beat out Walmart for the cheapest prices on over 30 common grocery items. But many consumers wonder if the low cost comes at the expense of quality, especially for fresh products like meat. As someone who carefully evaluates food quality, I decided to take a deep dive into Aldi‘s meat offerings to see how they stack up.
Inside Aldi‘s Meat Quality Standards and Sourcing Practices
The first thing I looked at was how Aldi sources its meat and what kind of quality control standards it has in place. Aldi states that it works with "trusted suppliers" but doesn‘t provide a ton of transparency on where exactly the meat comes from. Most of the chicken and pork is sourced from large national suppliers like Tyson and Smithfield. The beef is a little more traceable, with Aldi claiming that it comes from regional farmers.
As far as quality standards go, Aldi does have a few key measures in place:
- All suppliers must comply with USDA or FDA regulations
- Suppliers are required to have "industry-standard" animal welfare and food safety protocols
- Aldi has a "test and hold" policy where meat is kept at a distribution center until it passes quality inspections
- Stores are required to follow strict cold chain procedures and have regular temperature audits
- Aldi offers a "Double Guarantee" where customers can replace and refund unsatisfactory products
However, Aldi is a bit vague on the specifics of these standards and how they are enforced. The company also doesn‘t have the same level of vertical integration and control over suppliers as some other major grocers. Kroger, for example, runs 17 of its own meat processing plants which allows for tighter quality control.
It‘s also important to point out that most of Aldi‘s meat is sold pre-packaged without an in-store butcher. This differs from other supermarkets that have a meat counter with a skilled butcher who can answer questions, make special cuts, and package meat to order. Aldi‘s model helps keep prices low but means less customization and transparency for shoppers.
Analyzing Quality of Aldi‘s Main Meat Products
Now let‘s take a closer look at the actual quality and taste of Aldi‘s core meat offerings across three main categories – beef, chicken, and pork. I scoured online reviews and forums to find real customer opinions and also conducted my own taste tests.
Aldi Beef Review
Aldi sells a variety of cuts of fresh beef, most of which are Black Angus USDA Choice. This is the second highest grade of beef after Prime, and is known for being high quality and well-marbled. Aldi prices its Black Angus beef around 30-50% less than competitors like Kroger or Wegmans.
Customer reviews of Aldi‘s beef are largely positive, especially when it comes to steaks:
"The ribeye steaks from Aldi are legitimately fantastic, especially for the price. I‘ve served them to beef snob friends who were shocked when I revealed they were from Aldi. No clue how they are so affordable." – u/AmazonRiver105 on Reddit
"Aldi‘s flat iron steak is an excellent cut and it‘s only $6.99/lb! I buy one almost every week. It‘s perfect for grilling or searing in a cast iron pan." – Jeremy B. on Google Reviews
Ground beef is another popular item at Aldi, but gets a bit more mixed feedback. Some shoppers find the consistency a bit off or complain that it seems more greasy than other stores‘ ground beef. Here‘s a review that sums up the pros and cons:
"I usually buy the 85/15 ground beef. Honestly, it‘s fine but nothing special. Maybe a little fattier than I would like but it works for stuff like tacos, chili, etc. Definitely can‘t beat the price though! I do prefer to get the grass-fed ground beef when they have it. The flavor is much better." – Sarah M. on Influenster
To get a more objective measure of quality, I compared the specs of Aldi‘s 85/15 ground beef to Kroger‘s. Both had the same 85% lean/15% fat ratio and were USDA inspected. The only difference I could find is that Kroger‘s version said "ground fresh daily in-store" while Aldi‘s just listed a "use or freeze by" date.
Aldi Chicken Review
The vast majority of Aldi‘s fresh chicken comes from its Kirkwood brand. Kirkwood products contain no added hormones or steroids, which is fairly standard for chicken in the U.S. Interestingly, an investigation by Reuters found that Tyson Foods is actually the supplier behind Kirkwood. So Aldi shoppers are essentially getting Tyson chicken at a steep discount.
Taste-wise, reviewers are pretty happy with Kirkwood fresh chicken. The boneless skinless breasts in particular get a lot of praise for being juicy and flavorful without breaking the bank. A few shoppers note that the portions can sometimes be inconsistent or have too much fat, but most say you just need to dig through the packages a bit to find the best ones.
Kirkwood‘s frozen breaded chicken, on the other hand, is more of a mixed bag in terms of quality. A lot of parents like the affordable corn dogs, nuggets, strips, and patties for quick kid-friendly meals. However, these heavily processed products are high in sodium and fillers. If you‘re looking for a healthier budget-friendly option, I recommend the Kirkwood frozen grilled chicken strips, which have a super simple ingredient list and are great for salads and wraps.
Aldi Pork Review
Aldi‘s pork products, primarily sold under the Appleton Farms brand, are among the store‘s bestsellers. Pork chops and pork tenderloins are especially popular picks for their low price and decent quality. At my local Aldi, you can regularly find family packs of boneless pork chops for under $2 per pound, compared to $3-5 per pound at other stores.
That said, not all of Aldi‘s pork receives rave reviews. Some customers complain that the bacon is too thin and fatty, or that the pork sausage lacks flavor. The canned ham also seems to be pretty hit or miss. I personally think Aldi‘s pork is great if you‘re using it as an ingredient in a dish like a casserole, but maybe not the best if you want a nice center-cut pork chop to grill.
Comparing Aldi Meat Prices and Sales to Other Stores
Part of the appeal of buying meat at Aldi is the super low prices, but how much are you really saving compared to other grocery stores? I did some number crunching to find out.
On average, Aldi meat prices are about 40% lower than comparable products at Walmart. The savings are even greater when you look at specific cuts – for example, Aldi‘s grass-fed ribeye is nearly 60% cheaper per pound than Walmart‘s.
Here‘s a quick price comparison of popular meat items at Aldi vs. Kroger and Walmart:
| Item | Aldi | Kroger | Walmart |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80% lean ground beef, per lb | $2.89 | $4.29 | $3.82 |
| Boneless skinless chicken breast, per lb | $1.89 | $2.99 | $2.48 |
| Center cut pork chops, per lb | $2.49 | $3.99 | $3.62 |
| Whole chicken, per lb | $1.19 | $1.59 | $1.72 |
| Bacon, 12 oz package | $3.49 | $4.99 | $4.12 |
As you can see, Aldi beats out even Walmart on price for every meat item compared. But what about sales? While Aldi doesn‘t accept manufacturer coupons, it does occasionally run special promotions on meat. In my area, there are sometimes "Buy 5, Save $5" deals where you get $5 off your total when you purchase five qualifying meat items.
Keep in mind that price isn‘t everything though. Aldi‘s meat selection is much smaller than a big supermarket, so you may not always find the exact cut or quantity you need. And when it comes to specialty items like organic, grass-fed, or seasoned meats, Aldi has a more limited offering.
Aldi‘s Organic and Never Any! Meat Options
While the bulk of Aldi‘s meat is conventionally raised, the store does have a couple organic lines worth mentioning. SimplyNature is Aldi‘s main organic brand. In the meat department, you‘ll find staples like organic grass-fed ground beef and organic chicken breasts. These are usually around 20-30% cheaper than organic meats at other stores. User reviews for SimplyNature meats are generally very positive.
In 2018, Aldi also launched the Never Any! line of meats. This includes fresh and processed meats that are:
- Free from antibiotics
- Free from added hormones or steroids
- Free from animal by-products
- Free from other additives like MSG
The Never Any! fresh meat selection is small but mighty, with options like 100% vegetarian-fed whole chickens and no-antibiotics-ever pork chops. I‘ve tried Never Any! bacon and I have to say, it‘s pretty darn delicious. You can definitely taste the difference from conventional bacon. The only downside is that since it doesn‘t have preservatives, you have to use it up within a week.
Expert Tips for Buying Meat at Aldi
For the average consumer, Aldi‘s meat aisle can offer some great deals without sacrificing much in terms of taste or quality. However, there are a few key strategies you‘ll want to use to get the best value and minimize potential issues:
Always check the sell-by date. Since Aldi meat moves so quickly, you want to make sure you‘re buying something fresh. Don‘t be afraid to dig to the back of the case to find the package with the furthest out date.
Read labels carefully. There can sometimes be a big difference between Aldi‘s regular and premium versions of meats like bacon or sausage. Compare the ingredients and nutrition facts to ensure you‘re getting the product you want.
Do a visual inspection. With pre-packaged meat, appearance can tell you a lot. Look for meat that has bright, vibrant coloring and doesn‘t have a lot of liquid pooling in the package. If the meat seems pale or watery, it may be a sign that it‘s starting to go bad.
Look for Aldi Finds and seasonal specials. Some of Aldi‘s best meat deals are on limited-time offers. For example, Aldi often has specials on whole spiral hams around the holidays. Buying these can be a great way to stock your freezer on the cheap.
Be flexible and creative. Since Aldi has a smaller meat selection, you may need to adjust your recipes or meal planning to work with what‘s available. But that‘s also a good opportunity to try new things! Experiment with different cuts, marinades, and cooking methods to keep things interesting.
Final Verdict: Is Aldi Meat Worth Buying?
So what‘s the bottom line – is Aldi meat a smart purchase or are you better off shopping elsewhere? In my expert opinion, Aldi is a solid choice for affordable, decent quality meat. It‘s not going to be the absolute best-of-the-best you can find, but frankly, most people don‘t need that for everyday cooking. If you‘re someone who wants to put a nice steak dinner on the table without spending a fortune, Aldi is an excellent option.
"I always tell my clients that when it comes to grocery shopping, you need to prioritize what matters most to you: taste, nutrition, convenience, ethics, and price," says registered dietician Stephanie Nieman. "If budget is a top concern, Aldi offers some of the best deals on meat hands-down. And in my experience, the slight tradeoff in quality or variety compared to a pricey butcher shop or natural foods store is well worth the huge savings."
The key to making Aldi meat work for you is being a savvy shopper. Take the time to compare prices, read labels, and don‘t be afraid to branch out and try new things. You may just find that your favorite hamburger or baked chicken recipe tastes just as good (or better!) when made with bargain Aldi ingredients.
If you‘re willing to put in a tiny bit of extra effort, there are a ton of ways to make the most of Aldi‘s meat offerings. Stock up during sales and store extras in the freezer for later. Try a few different grinds of beef or cuts of pork to find your preferences. Look for creative recipes that stretch more expensive proteins.
With a little strategy and an open mind, Aldi can be a fantastic place to find affordable, reliable meat for all kinds of meals. And those savings can really add up over time, giving you more wiggle room to splurge on special occasions or try new hobbies. Because at the end of the day, isn‘t that what smart shopping is all about?
