ALDI’s meats

[Dcgunman]

I recently discovered Aldi’s. Well, I’ve driven past Aldi’s many many times, but never stopped in until 2 months ago. And then it took another 5 weeks before I bought some meats from them. I bought a couple of baby backs and smoked them. They were some of the best baby backs. And cheap. I’m sold on Aldi’s.

 

[Clint62]

Is it from the USA?

 

[Shedd]

Aldi is from Germany. We have three of them in my area. Great prices on some things but name brand items cost more than the local grocery stores. Only place I know of where I can get a fresh loaf of bread for fifty cents.

 

[Slimpicker]

I recently discovered Aldi’s. Well, I’ve driven past Aldi’s many many times, but never stopped in until 2 months ago. And then it took another 5 weeks before I bought some meats from them. I bought a couple of baby backs and smoked them. They were some of the best baby backs. And cheap. I’m sold on Aldi’s.

I have one right behind my house... I go once a week. The MEAT has never disappointed me. They sell awesome CHUCK ROASTS, RIBEYE steaks, and they even get SPECIAL meats in, so watch for them. I've bought 4lb mini briskets, Rib Roasts, Pork Butts there before, they don't last long.
We save TONS of $$$ shopping there for common stuff. My wife will point out stuff that is $1 cheaper than the local G-store also right behind my house.
I actually think they are OWNED by Trader Joe's

 

[Dcgunman]

I have one right behind my house... I go once a week. The MEAT has never disappointed me. They sell awesome CHUCK ROASTS, RIBEYE steaks, and they even get SPECIAL meats in, so watch for them. I've bought 4lb mini briskets, Rib Roasts, Pork Butts there before, they don't last long.
We save TONS of $$$ shopping there for common stuff. My wife will point out stuff that is $1 cheaper than the local G-store also right behind my house.
I actually think they are OWNED by Trader Joe's

Yes they are owed by TJ. Speaking of mini briskets, it looks like they’ll be in stores at my local Aldi’s this coming week. Going to pick up a couple or more. I have 2 stores somewhat near me. Both are around 3.5 miles.

 

[traeger860]

I have one right near my house. Didn't even realize they had a meat department. Will have to check it out.

 

[RayClem]

No matter where you purchase them, baby back ribs are usually sold wet-packed in sealed, thick plastic bags. They can be cooked immediately, wet aged, or frozen. Thus, as long as the ribs look good in the package, it should not make a lot of difference where you get them. Typically, I look for baby back ribs packaged by Smithfield Foods as they are "extra meaty". I cooked some on Saturday and will finish the leftovers this evening.

If you are purchasing fresh cut meat, however, Aldi might not be the best place to purchase. They do not have trained in-house butchers and have their meat packaged by a distributor. That helps them offer lower prices.

Personally, I purchase beef at my local Meijer store. They have a full-service meat counter manned by trained butchers. There are similar grocers in other parts of the country. Meijer sells only Certified Angus Beef. While CAB is technically sold as USDA choice grade, the marbling is often similar to prime grade. If the prepackaged cuts in the coolers are not to your liking, you might be able to get the butcher to cut something to your specifications. Normally, I can find something either in the coolers or at the meat counter that meets my needs. I like thick cuts of beef smoked on the Traeger and then reverse seared on my griddle.

I used to be terrible at grilling steaks on a gas or charcoal grill and preferred eating steaks at restaurants. Now I cook steaks at home that I like just as well as the ones I used to get at many steak houses.

 

[MidwestSmoker]

I have a Meijer and Kroger really close to my house but the Aldi's are located further away. I didn't bother going there because of this until the pandemic hit. Then meat prices went way up at most stores but Aldi's would often have sales at good prices. The only problem is that they had limited stocks so you have to get there before they sell out.

Now that meat prices have stabilized a bit (Prime brisket is $4/lb at Costco) I again don't see the reason to frequent Aldi's that much.

 

[RayClem]

I have a Meijer and Kroger really close to my house but the Aldi's are located further away. I didn't bother going there because of this until the pandemic hit. Then meat prices went way up at most stores but Aldi's would often have sales at good prices. The only problem is that they had limited stocks so you have to get there before they sell out.

Now that meat prices have stabilized a bit (Prime brisket is $4/lb at Costco) I again don't see the reason to frequent Aldi's that much.

Costco's prime brisket is another product that is wet packed in thick plastic bags. You can also find pork butts packaged that way.

Unlike Aldi, Costco does have trained butchers who will cater to your needs.

 

[Slimpicker]

Yes they are owed by TJ. Speaking of mini briskets, it looks like they’ll be in stores at my local Aldi’s this coming week. Going to pick up a couple or more. I have 2 stores somewhat near me. Both are around 3.5 miles.

Dude, I bought 4 of them when they came in, I smoked 2 at a time. Somehow they were actually real 2 part briskets... mine had a point and flat!!!

I need to practice what I'm preaching here... i gotta check my local AD to see if I'm getting them too!!!!!

 

[Slimpicker]

Unlike Aldi, Costco does have trained butchers who will cater to your needs.

That is not what I use Aldis for... these came cheap, fresh vac packed, a couple were already rubbed, and they are fun to cook. Sam's and Costco, YES, have great meat and can get custom cuts I get there all the time. These are just for something cute, small and fast cooking. There's a thread in this site of what I bought and cooked.

 

[Slimpicker]

 

[traeger860]

If you are purchasing fresh cut meat, however, Aldi might not be the best place to purchase. They do not have trained in-house butchers and have their meat packaged by a distributor. That helps them offer lower prices.

This is how I feel about Publix. I know they have in-house butchers, but the quality doesn’t seem to be there. I’ve had better luck at WalMart and Sam’s Club. My local Walmart has had Zabutons lately. They look like they’re butchered and packaged at the store and I’ve seen them roll out a cart to stock. But maybe they are shipped to the store like that too.

Costco and Wild Fork have been my go-to’s for steaks. I wish my locally owned butcher shop had longer hours. They close at 6pm during the week, are crazy busy all day Saturday, and closed on Sunday.

 

[Slimpicker]

What's for dinner tonight? Dinner ideas?

Finally got to slicing my 8 lbs of back bacon. Brine was the perfect level of salt and spices. The only complaint, if it can be a complaint.....words rarely spoken on this forum if at all....it has too much smoke flavor. This is a first for me, not once have I ever been able to say that about...

www.traegerforum.com

 

[Dcgunman]

This is how I feel about Publix. I know they have in-house butchers, but the quality doesn’t seem to be there. I’ve had better luck at WalMart and Sam’s Club. My local Walmart has had Zabutons lately. They look like they’re butchered and packaged at the store and I’ve seen them roll out a cart to stock. But maybe they are shipped to the store like that too.

Costco and Wild Fork have been my go-to’s for steaks. I wish my locally owned butcher shop had longer hours. They close at 6pm during the week, are crazy busy all day Saturday, and closed on Sunday.

We’ve had good luck with meat from Aldi’s. I think they taste fresh and as good if not better than other stores. At first we were hesitant.