7 ALDI Salad Ideas

A few details about this list of ALDI Salad Ideas:

** I planned these salads around my family of 4, which includes 2 adults and 2 teenagers who eat as much as adults.

** I listed the price I paid for the main ingredients. I didn’t list a price for pantry staples, such as seasonings, cooking oils, butter. I had those things on hand and you might as well. Review the ingredient list carefully to determine what you need to buy.

** To accompany salads, I like to serve ALDI’s Take and Bake bread. You can find Take and Bake Italian loaf ($1.99) or french baguette ($1.19) in the bread aisle.

** Prices may vary by region and some prices may have been the sale price.

** When it comes to ALDI, you improvise. I’ve found that they don’t always have exactly what I need, but they usually have great substitutions. All of these recipes are very flexible.

** And finally, the before photos below might not include all of the ingredients, but all of the ingredients needed for these salads were from ALDI.

ALDI Salad Idea #1: Pesto Tortellini Salad

This recipe is just 5 ingredients and couldn’t be easier to prepare. It goes well with burgers, steak, grilled chicken, or shrimp. It’s also a perfect salad for a potluck.

Ingredients Needed:

• 2 packages of Priano (9 oz) Three Cheese Tortellini – I found these in the refrigerated cheese section. $1.99. There are dried tortellini packages by the pasta, but we prefer the refrigerated version.
• 1 jar 6.7 oz Pesto Sauce – $1.69
• 1 package of grape tomatoes – $1.99 – $2.89. We prefer Cherub Tomatoes which cost a few cents more.
• red onion, diced – A bag of red onions costs $2.19. You will use red onions in other recipes. Use 1/2 – 1 full onion depending on your love of onions.
• fresh mozzarella – $2.39. Chop the mozzarella into bite-sized pieces or look for the mini mozzarella balls.

Instructions:

1. Prepare the tortellini according to package instructions, BUT after draining rinse in very cold water until the pasta has cooled.
2. In a large serving dish, combine all of the ingredients. Use as much of the pesto sauce as you’d like. I use about 1/2 – 3/4 of the jar.

ALDI Salad Idea #2: Grilled Chicken Mediterranean Salad with Pita Crisps

We are a crouton-loving family, but for this salad, I made pita crisps. They’re so easy to make and very addicting to snack on with hummus. You can buy a box of pita crisps for less, but the homemade version is much better and worth the extra 65 cents and time.

Ingredients Needed:

• chicken breasts or tenders – $6.34
• romaine hearts – organic $2.79 or non-organic $2.59
• 1/2 to 1 red onion, according to taste. Diced.
• cucumbers – seedless $1.19 or regular .59. Diced
• avocado -.79 each. Peeled, seeded, chopped.
• grape tomatoes – I prefer the Cherub Tomatoes at $2.89.
• chickpeas -.50/can. Drained and rinsed.
• Feta Crumbles – $2.19.
• kalamata olives – if available. These olives can be pricey, but take this salad up a notch.
• 1-2 lemons – $1.49 for bag.
• garlic – $1.39/3 pack
• pita bread $1.99 or box of pita crackers $1.35
• pantry items needed: olive oil, oregano, salt/pepper, cooking spray

Instructions:

1. Mix together 1/3 cup olive oil, juice of 1 lemon, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1 garlic clove minced. Pour over the chicken and allow to marinate for about 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
2. Grill chicken until done. Related Reading: How to grill chicken without drying it out.
3. Dressing Ideas: ALDI has bottled Greek dressing or make your own: Homemade Greek Salad Dressing.
4. To make Pita Crisps: Pre-Heat oven to 400 degrees. Cut the pita bread into 8 triangles and place on a baking sheet. Spray the pita with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt and/or other seasonings to your taste. Bake for 5-10 minutes.

ALDI Salad Idea #3: Grilled Peach Spinach Salad

You don’t have to grill the peaches, but it is easy to do and brings out a delicious sweetness to the fruit. This salad makes a perfect lunch or serves well alongside grilled steak, chicken, or fish for dinner. You could easily switch out the peaches for grilled pineapple or non-grilled fruits, such as strawberries or apples.

Ingredients:

• peaches – $1.69/lb. I used one peach per person.
• almonds – A 14 oz bag of whole almonds $4.15. Sprinkle on to your desired taste. I didn’t use the entire bag for this salad, so the rest was eaten as a snack.
• spinach – Organic $2.49. Non-organic $1.99.
• red onion – A bag of red onions was $2.19.
• goat cheese – $1.99. Not a fan of goat cheese? Feta works well too.
• ALDI’s Simply Nature Poppy Seed Dressing goes well with this salad, $1.99. Or use your favorite dressing.

Instructions:

1. Read: How to Grill Peaches
2. Combine the spinach and onions. Top with almonds, goat cheese, grilled peaches, and your favorite dressing.

ALDI Salad Idea #4: Lemony Pasta Salad

Pasta salads are a staple at our house. You can easily swap out my homemade lemon dressing for Italian dressing. ALDI’s brand dressings are around 89 cents or use your favorite vinaigrette.

Ingredients:

• 16 oz bag of small pasta – $1.09
• cucumber – I like the seedless tomatoes for $1.19, but regular cukes were 59 cents.
• broccoli crowns – $1.45/lb. I used one crown.
• grape or cherry tomatoes – I like the Cherub brand $2.89
• bell pepper – $2.99 for a multi-bag.
• red onion – A bag of red onions was $2.19.
• lemon – $1.49/bag.
• Feta – $2.19. (not pictured)
• pantry items needed –

Instructions:

1. For my recipe, go to Pasta Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

ALDI Salad Idea: #5: Chicken & Quinoa Burrito Bowls

I consider burrito bowls in the salad category because we like to pile our bowls high with veggies. The quinoa can easily be substituted with rice. In fact, I usually make both as my kids don’t care for quinoa. This hearty dinner is easy to pull together on a weeknight. I set out the ingredients and make a salad bar and everyone creates their bowls to their liking.

Ingredients:

• 2-3 cups of cooked quinoa or cooked rice. $2.89 for 16 oz bag of quinoa. Rice ranges in price from $1.85 – $3.25.
• 1 can of black beans, drained & rinsed, 89 cents
• shredded cooked chicken – Chicken breast $1.99/lb; bone-in chicken breast $1.49/lb; chicken tenders $2.99/lb.
• your favorite add-ins: shredded lettuce, salsa, shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped tomatoes, chopped red onion, avocado, tortilla chips, chipotle dressing.

Instructions:

1. Cook chicken your preferred way, but I like to either grill chicken breasts or cook split bone-in chicken breasts. Shred.
2. Rinse and cook quinoa (or rice) according to the package.
3. Layer the above ingredients to your liking.
4. Related Reading: Homemade Burrito Bowls

ALDI Salad Idea# 6: Tomato, Black Bean & Feta Salad

This salad is my go-to for potlucks. It makes a lot, and I ate the leftovers for lunch over a bed of romaine.

Ingredients:

• 1 can (15 oz) of black beans, rinsed and drained. 89 cents
• 1 container cherry or grape tomatoes, sliced. $1.99 – $2.89. We prefer Cherub Tomatoes which cost a few cents more.
• 1 cucumber, chopped into small pieces. I like the seedless tomatoes for $1.19, but regular cukes were 59 cents.
• 1-2 Tbsp chopped fine Parsley. If you can’t find fresh parsley at ALDI, they often have cilantro.
• 1/2 red onion, chopped fine. You could also chop up a bunch of spring onions
• Feta Crumbles $2.19
• lemon $1.49/bag
• garlic clove, minced. $1.39/3-pack
• pantry items: extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper

Instructions:

1. For directions, read: Black Bean, Tomato & Feta Salad

ALDI Salad Idea #7: Chili Lime Shrimp

My husband and girls love shrimp, so this dish gets requested a lot for salad bar nights.

Ingredients Needed:

• 2 bags of large shrimp, deveined and peeled. 1 (12 oz) bag of raw, jumbo frozen shrimp was $6.49. I bought 2 bags for a total of $12.98.
• 1 lime $2.19/bag.
• Pantry items needed: 3 garlic cloves, chili powder, olive oil
• bamboo skewers – If you don’t have skewers, you can use a grill pan or make a foil hobo pack.
• Your favorite salad fixings: lettuce, cucumbers, peppers, hard-boiled eggs, avocado, dressing, etc.

Instructions:

1. 1. To grill the shrimp, read Chili Lime Shrimp.
   2. Serve the shrimp over your favorite tossed salad ingredients.

More ALDI Ideas:

• 7 ALDI Dinner Ideas
• 7 ALDI Grilling Ideas
• 7 ALDI Soup Ideas