13 Pantry Staples You Should Buy At Aldi

A well-stocked pantry swoops in like a superhero when you're either completely out of meal ideas or simply don't have the time to venture out to the supermarket and gather together last-minute ingredients to throw together for one big rushed and messy meal. When you begin your pantry essentials journey, it can be tough to figure out what to line those shelves with. You want to fill that space with things you'll actually enjoy at some point in the future as opposed to ingredients that might seem nice at first but will never see any usage. 

That's where Aldi comes into play. They have an amazing selection of ingredients and other packaged products that'll ease any fear you have of going about your culinary adventure the wrong way. So when you finally do decide to restock, you'll definitely want to consider the supermarket chain's own line of products which are cheaper than their name-brand alternatives and tend to offer similar quality. Step inside, peruse the aisles, and return home with these must-buy Aldi staples which deserve a spot in your pantry.

Mayonnaise can be a polarizing condiment. It's fairly simple to sell someone on ketchup or mustard, especially if they're eating a hamburger or hot dog. But when you break out the fatty white stuff, some people tend to cringe. This is likely because mayonnaise doesn't have a strong flavor profile like other condiments. It really just lends a fatty and rich texture to whatever you smear it on, and some people just don't crave that additional mouthfeel. 

But for those who do love a dollop (or three) of mayonnaise and don't want to pay Hellmann's prices, they should have a jar of Aldi's Burman's Mayonnaise in their pantry ready to go when it comes time to slather up a sandwich with fatty goodness. Can you even imagine a BLT without mayonnaise? It teeters on culinary blasphemy.

Burman's Mayonnaise not only gives a meal the rich and fatty flavor that other mayonnaises offer, but it also has a slight tang to it that hits you on the tongue immediately and gets you excited to take that next bite. The flavor almost has an umami sensation that kicks off your mayo addiction into full swing. Don't stock your pantry without it.

When it comes to dinner excitement, few nights get people more stoked than taco night. Serving up some seasoned meat in a warm tortilla wrap or crispy shell kicks those salivary glands into action and puts a smile on your face. Plus, there are so many different fixings that pair perfectly with your handheld meal that the combinations are almost endless. This is why taco night is awesome, but it's even better when you have a packet of Casa Mamita Taco Mix on hand to season your ground protein of choice.

Aldi offers the seasoning packets in both Original and Low Sodium, so if you're looking to keep things on the healthier side, that option is readily available. And unless someone has an uncanny palate that can detect sodium to a tee, no one is going to notice you used a lower sodium variety. That's a win for both your appetite and heart health. Have a few packets of these in your pantry so when taco night rolls around, you're ready with a burst of spice-filled flavor.

When it comes to grabbing a convenient and easy portion of protein to help give you some additional energy throughout the day, tuna fish is a great option. You can eat straight from the can, put it on a sandwich, or add a variety of other ingredients to make a delicious tuna salad. That's why your pantry should always have several cans available for when you don't want to make a whole meal but are craving something packed with protein (22 grams in a half cup) that's super simple to make. For this reason, you gotta stock your shelves with Northern Catch Chunk Light Tuna from Aldi.

You have the option to get the tuna in oil, but it's a healthier alternative to stick to the stuff that comes packaged in water. The ingredients for Northern Catch are skipjack tuna, vegetable broth, water, and salt. Now, if you're trying to avoid salt altogether, you may want to look elsewhere for a quick bite to eat, but if you don't mind a little sodium then the sheer amount of protein in each serving makes this a great option. Plus, the can indicates that this tuna is dolphin-safe which is another reason to go with Northern Catch.  

Everyone needs leafy greens in their diet, and there's no better way to get your daily dose of veggies than a big hearty salad chock full of an assortment of nutrition-filled spinach leaves, tomatoes, and onions. But, anyone who's ever tried munching down a dry salad knows how difficult a feat it is. You need some kind of dressing to enhance the flavor, of course! One of the most best ways to dress your veggies comes in the form of Aldi's Tuscan Garden Salad Dressing Mix Packets. The packets contain all the spices you need to mix with just a few other ingredients and voila! You have a delicious dressing to pour over your salad.

The packets come in two different flavors: Italian and Ranch. This offers you the option of something zesty and vinegary or something creamier and richer. If you decide to go with the Italian seasoning packets, just make sure you have some vinegar and a touch of oil on hand to mix with it. The dressing also serves as a great marinade for meat as well. For the Ranch option, mix the seasoning with milk and mayonnaise and let it sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes so the flavors come together while it thickens. You can also use the packet to make a ranch dip using sour cream, so you have two great options to choose from. No pantry is complete without these nifty Aldi dressing packets.

If you're trying to avoid eating bland meals every day (of course you are), it's imperative to keep a wide variety of spices and seasonings on hand to add to a dish. There are the obvious ones like salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder, but you should really look outside of those common four options for other seasonings that not only enhance flavor but have amazing health benefits as well. This is where ginger stands out among its spice brethren, and that's precisely why you need Simply Nature Organic Ginger in your pantry at all times.

But as we mentioned According to dietician Candace O'Neill (writing for the Cleveland Clinic), the root vegetable is "beneficial for inflammatory-related conditions and pain relief." It also "reduces enzymes that break down carbohydrates and so it helps with glucose (sugar) metabolism." 

Loading up your spice rack can be a pricey proposition, which is why we recommend checking out Aldi which offers several seasonings that are cheaper than the competition, including Simply Nature Organic Ginger. The evidence is pretty clear that you need to head to Aldi and get a jar ASAP.

Aldi is fully aware of just how awesome a meal becomes once you pour on a healthy drizzle of flavorful sauce, so they've done all our appetites a favor with their line of Fusia Asian Inspirations Asian Stir Fry Sauces. Put down the phone and forget all about that order to your local Chinese food takeout spot that's been on your mind all day. It's time to take matters into your own hands.

Aldi doesn't just have one measly choice to pick from. They loaded up their options to include three different savory sauces: General Tso's, Sweet & Sour, and Teriyaki. Those three are all you need to whip up a fantastic Asian-inspired meal that'll have friends and family scratching their heads as to how you mastered such a delicious dish so quickly. The secret is Aldi, so get those three suckers in your pantry stat.