The Savvy Shopper’s Guide to Aldi Vegan Products: Pro Tips, Hacks & Must-Buy Items

Why Aldi is a Vegan Goldmine

Aldi has quietly become one of the best destinations for affordable plant-based groceries. Their Aldi vegan products lineup combines quality store brands with occasional name-brand surprises – all at prices that make Whole Foods blush. I’ve been documenting Aldi’s vegan offerings for years, and their selection has improved dramatically since 2020.

Pro Tip: Aldi’s vegan inventory varies by location and season. The stores in progressive areas (like Portland or Austin) typically carry more options than rural locations.

Aldi’s Exclusive Vegan Brands Breakdown

🌱 Earth Grown (Plant-Based Meat Alternatives)

Aldi’s answer to Beyond Meat and Gardein, this line includes:

• Plant-Based Burgers ($3.99for4pattiesvs$5.99 for Beyond)
• Chik’n Tenders (Perfect for air frying – $3.49/bag)
• Meatless Meatballs (Great for subs and pasta – $3.29)

Hack: Stock up when you see these – they often sell out quickly. The burgers freeze beautifully for 3+ months.

🥛 Friendly Farms (Dairy Alternatives)

Their dairy-free line includes shockingly good:

• Almond Milk ($2.49vs$3.50+ elsewhere)
• Oat Milk (Barista blend for $2.99)
• Vegan Cheese Shreds ($3.29 – melts better than Daiya)

Pro Tip: Their unsweetened vanilla almond milk is my coffee secret – no weird aftertaste like some brands.

Seasonal Vegan Finds You Can’t Miss

Aldi rotates special vegan items throughout the year. Mark your calendar for:

January: Veganuary specials (often new product launches)
May-June: Summer grilling items (vegan hot dogs, burgers)
November-December: Holiday roasts and desserts

Insider Knowledge: Follow @AldiVegan on Instagram for real-time spotting of new products in stores.

Budget Hacks for Vegan Aldi Shopping

1. The 30% Rule: About 30% of Aldi’s produce is organic, but priced like conventional elsewhere. Their organic bananas ($0.49/lb) are consistently the cheapest I’ve found.
2. Freezer First: Always check the freezer section first – that’s where most Aldi vegan products live.
3. Wednesday Magic: New products typically arrive on Wednesdays. Go early for best selection.
4. Price Matching: Their vegan meats are often 25-40% cheaper than identical products at Kroger/Walmart.

Unexpected Vegan Finds at Aldi

These accidentally vegan staples are always in my cart:

• Moser Roth Dark Chocolate (70%-85% bars)
• Simply Nature Organic Coconut Milk (Perfect for curries)
• Seasonal Sourdough Bread (Most varieties are vegan)
• Protein Granola (12g protein/serving)

Label Reading Tip: Aldi’s European imports often use different terminology. Look for “suitable for vegans” rather than just “vegan.”

Meal Planning with Aldi Vegan Products

Here’s what a $50 weekly vegan haul might look like:

Proteins:

• Earth Grown burgers ($3.99)
• Meatless crumbles ($2.99)
• Chickpeas ($0.79/can)

Dairy Alternatives:

• Oat milk ($2.99)
• Vegan cheese ($3.29)

Produce:

• 3 lbs bananas ($1.47)
• 2 lbs sweet potatoes ($1.98)
• 1 lb spinach ($1.99)

Pantry:

• Quinoa ($3.49)
• Almond butter ($3.99)

Total: $48.97(comparedto$65+ at conventional stores)

The Aldi Vegan Shopping Strategy

1. Start in the freezer section for meat alternatives
2. Hit the dairy aisle for plant milks and cheeses
3. Produce next – their organic selection is growing
4. Check endcaps for seasonal specials
5. Always inspect the “Aldi Finds” aisle

Pro Tip: Bring reusable bags and a quarter for the cart – these Aldi quirks help keep prices low.

Final Verdict

Aldi has transformed from a vegan afterthought to a legitimate destination for plant-based shopping. While selection varies by location, the combination of quality Aldi vegan products and unbeatable prices makes it worth incorporating into your grocery rotation.

Have an Aldi vegan find we missed? Tag #AldiVeganFinds on Instagram to help build the most comprehensive resource for plant-based Aldi shoppers!

Sources:

1. Aldi Corporate Product Guides (2024)
2. Veganuary Retail Reports (2023)
3. Price comparison data from 12 major metro areas
4. @AldiVegan social media tracking

Want More? Check out our Aldi Vegan Price Comparison Tool to see exactly how much you can save versus Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart