The Aldi Item That More Than 20% Of Shoppers Always Buy

Every major grocery chain is known for a few customer favorites. At Trader Joe's, those are Mandarin Orange Chicken and Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups (via Today). Among Costco's best-sellers are the food-court hot dogs, rotisserie chicken, and family-size packs of toilet paper. What keeps Aldi shoppers coming back for more, you may wonder? Based on a Mashed survey of more than 500 U.S. Aldi customers, it's a bit more specific than the chain's low prices or environmentally friendly practices. The survey, which asked customers about the one item that always ends up in their carts at the Germany-based chain, reveals Aldi fans' affinities for a few key items. 

At the top of the list was the "other" category with 34 percent, with write-ins like coffee and cereal. About 18 percent of respondents go to Aldi for specialty cheese dips — presumably, things like the cream-cheesy bacon cheddar dip or the buffalo-style white chicken dip. A little more than 12 percent always shop for Aldi wines. (If you're skeptical, check out Aldi's list of its award-winning wines, which includes 24 different variations). Taking up the rear were protein bowls with 8 percent and German beers with nearly 7 percent. But what do 20 percent of customers always buy?

You may have heard that one of Trader Joe's Customer Choice Awards nominees in 2020 was its Everything But the Bagel Seasoning (via Trader Joe's). As it turns out, Aldi fans also go crazy for the salty-savory combination of garlic, onion, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds — 20 percent of survey respondents said that they always grab a shaker (or two) of the Stonemill Everything Bagel Seasoning when perusing Aldi aisles. But, don't just take our word for it — there is no shortage of Instagram love for Aldi's version of the popular seasoning. 

User @thriftypepper thinks so highly of the blend that she gave it to coworkers for a Valentine's Day gift exchange, while other pictures show the product atop avocado toast with egg and stalks of celery spread with cream cheese. Aldi's and Trader Joes' bagel-style seasonings may have nearly identical ingredients lists (via Almost All Aldi), but Aldi's has been known to offer its version in three different flavors. Shoppers have found the Everything Bagel Seasoning in jalapeño, asiago cheese, and Himalayan pink salt flavors, Delish reports. Maybe it's time to join these Aldi shoppers and load up your cart with this sea salty toast enhancer.