Are you an ALDI shopper? I pulled together a list of ALDI salad ideas using ingredients I found at the store. These family favorites are fresh, tasty, and easy on your grocery budget.
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:
- Prepare the tortellini according to package instructions, BUT after draining rinse in very cold water until the pasta has cooled.
- 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:
- 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.
- Grill chicken until done. Related Reading: How to grill chicken without drying it out.
- Dressing Ideas: ALDI has bottled Greek dressing or make your own: Homemade Greek Salad Dressing.
- 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:
- Read: How to Grill Peaches
- 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:
- 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:
- Cook chicken your preferred way, but I like to either grill chicken breasts or cook split bone-in chicken breasts. Shred.
- Rinse and cook quinoa (or rice) according to the package.
- Layer the above ingredients to your liking.
- 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:
- 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:
-
- To grill the shrimp, read Chili Lime Shrimp.
- Serve the shrimp over your favorite tossed salad ingredients.
Those salads look delicious and filling!