I Tried 7 of Aldi’s Summer Side Salads and This Was My Favorite

Save money on your end-of-summer picnic and stretch your Aldi budget further with the store-brand’s ready-made salads. These fresh finds are more affordable than catered sides, and you won’t have to sacrifice taste for cost.

Aldi’s stock of refrigerated pasta and potato salads makes party prep or planning a backyard barbecue easy. If you’re not sure which one to choose, we’ve got you covered with our least to most favorite.

Editor’s note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.

Price: $4.99

At under $5, you’ll pay less for this 20-ounce container of rotini salad than you would for takeout. And, while some Aldi shoppers have turned this summertime selection into a fan favorite, others don’t believe the hype. Redditor bad185 wrote, “I don’t like it! I don’t understand the love it gets.”

Another reviewer suggests making homemade pasta and using Aldi’s zesty Italian dressing instead of buying the side salad. Even though a from-scratch recipe is more work, you may enjoy the results more than the prepared pick.

Price: $3.75

The best part of this side salad is the price. For $3.75, you’ll get a whopping two-pound tub of creamy macaroni. Compare this Aldi brand deal to $4.59 for a one-pound container of Target’s Market Pantry version.

If you’re not a fan of plain salad, dress up the side with a splash of Burman’s blood orange, key lime habanero, or lemon-lime hot sauce. You can also snag a few budget-friendly veggies from Aldi’s produce section to mix with the macaroni.

Price: $2.89

Creamy potato salads are made with mayo, and Aldi’s is no different. Given that mayonnaise is traditionally made from eggs and oil, you may wonder why this side needs more of this ingredient.

While an egg-based potato salad is a fairly common recipe, this prepared food doesn’t truly need the addition to shine. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t something you should take off your summer salad shopping list. If you’re a fan of eggs, this one-pound tub is an affordable option to try.

Price: $3.75

Potato salad purists will enjoy this seasonal selection. Whether you’re searching for something that is less eggy, don’t like the taste of added sugar, or just prefer a basic potato blend, this option won’t disappoint.

Aldi charges $3.45 for this two-pound container, making it a better value than other retailers offer. Target’s Market Pantry Classic Potato Salad sells for $2.99. Even though this is a lower price, you will only get half as much of the side. A full two pounds of the Market Pantry pick costs $5.98.

Price: $3.75

Coleslaw is a summertime staple. This creamy cabbage blend is an Aldi fan favorite, with many shoppers raving about the generous portion size.

Redditor North-Leek621 wrote, “Very good. I would recommend, just the tub is big so you have to eat it in a couple days. If you’re a coleslaw fiend then you should be good.” Another Reddit user, Wild2297, added, “I’m picky about coleslaw, and I like the Aldi one.”

Price: $3.29

This ready-to-go potato salad product is a controversial Aldi buy. Some customers slam the side for its high sugar content. But if you’re on board with sweet salads, this is a top choice. Redditor bethybee5590 praised the steakhouse salad, “If this review were based solely on flavor, it would get a 10/10 — very creamy and savory.”

Taste isn’t the only perk that puts this side near the top of our list. Each one-pound tub only costs $3.29.

Price: $4.99

And the winner is…Aldi’s caprese pasta salad. Even though the rotini version was at the bottom of the list, this bargain buy is the best of the brand’s summer salads.

Fans of last year’s caprese salads may notice the absence of whole tomatoes — but don’t let this change sway you from trying the under-$5 version. You can always pick up a pack of cherry tomatoes from the store’s produce section to add in. While you’re at it, follow a few popular caprese hacks and mix in your own fixings. Priano’s pesto sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, and a pinch of extra spices can give the side a zesty kick.

Aldi offers one additional summer side salad — the Southern-Style Potato Salad. If you like your potato salad with a little bit of a zesty kick, look no further.

Aldi can help you keep your budget in check. Whether you need a potluck side for a community picnic, a savory salad for an end-of-the-season BBQ, or something to serve with dinner, the retailer has almost unbelievable deals.

Summer salads aren't the only bargains you can score right now. Aldi’s everyday low prices can help you save money on groceries, pantry staples, pet products, baked goods, frozen foods, and more.