Aldi's Ahi Tuna Steaks Are Perfect For At-Home Poke Bowls

Aldi has a reputation for being a small but mighty supermarket. Given the difficulties in transporting fresh fish without spoilage, however, as well as the store's limited supply of fresh fish, the international chain isn't the first place you think of when tuna for sushi comes to mind. What may be surprising to some shoppers, though, is that there are a lot of frozen foods you should be buying at Aldi. One hidden-in-plain-sight secret located in the chain's freezer section is "sushi quality tuna," which familiar customers say is affordable and perfect for poke bowls. 

Anyone who loves poke bowls knows how well they combine the taste of sushi rolls with the satisfaction of something more substantial. Raw fish, rice, and customizations galore make them a favorite meal for many — albeit a rare one, since pricey poke bowls are hard to afford on a budget or for feeding a group. Not only is restaurant poke expensive, but making it at home is also costly due to the price of high-quality raw fish. 

With that in mind, Redditors have attested to using Aldi's frozen tuna to make their at-home poke bowls at a fraction of the usual cost. While a few shoppers were nervous about trying the fish raw, others say they've been enjoying them that way for years and have never suffered any ill effects. One Redditor noted that while the quality isn't as good as their favorite Japanese supplier, it's also not $40 a pound, so they're happy with the compromise. 

While prices may vary, Aldi's 12-ounce package of sushi-quality, wild-caught ahi tuna steaks is typically around $6. The fish is frozen and vacuum-sealed, which helps maintain freshness and safety despite its trek from sea to store. 

Redditors' backing of the quality of Aldi's tuna highlights the increasing popularity of frozen seafood. While many people prefer to purchase fresh fish, much of the seafood sold as fresh in supermarkets was once frozen and then allowed to come to thaw at the store, making it no better than buying it frozen yourself (provided you have time to thaw it). Techniques for freezing seafood have improved significantly over recent decades, and some consider well frozen seafood to be superior to its fresh counterpart, since freezing it captures it at its peak (just make sure you understand the frozen seafood labels about fresh frozen, flash frozen, and the like). Of course, nothing compares to truly fresh caught seafood, but this is a happy second best for many landlubbers.