7 Aldi Freezer finds that dietitians recommend

The produce aisle is the most obvious resource for stocking up on nutritious ingredients, but if you know your way around, the freezer aisle can also be surprisingly helpful. Aldi has stocked its freezer section with finds like grain bowls, ready-to-eat proteins and even sushi, which nutrition experts say they love to keep on hand for convenient meals.

“I’m shopping at Aldi more and more often because of its affordability and variety of foods,” says Marina Pezzella, RD, LDN, registered dietitian and content creator. “Food access and affordability is something that can always be improved, and it appears Aldi is working hard to close this gap. »

To help you get the most out of your next Aldi run, we asked registered dietitians to share which frozen foods they recommend adding to your cart. These seven choices will fuel your day without breaking the bank.

Whole and Easy Mediterranean-Style Chicken Quinoa Bowl

Aldi’s Simple Whole Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Bowl offers a complete meal in one package. Filled with chicken, quinoa, brown rice, spinach, peppers and sun-dried tomatoes, it provides 17 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber per serving. Plus, at around $4.25 for the whole bowl, it’s a lot cheaper than takeout.

“This is one of my favorite freezer finds because it makes preparing a balanced lunch or dinner incredibly easy,” says registered dietitian Taylor Renko, RDN, LDN. “I love having options like this on hand for those busy days when I want something nourishing but don’t feel like cooking.”

Frozen sushi Fusia Asian inspirations

Aldi’s Fusia frozen sushi comes in a few variations, like shrimp and avocado or a California roll, and each box includes 15 pieces of sushi. That’s a great deal for just under $6. All you have to do is defrost a bun and it’s ready to eat. Frozen sushi even comes with wasabi and soy sauce.

“I pack them in the morning and they’re perfectly thawed by lunchtime,” says Stacey Woodson, RD, registered dietitian and founder of The Earth-Centered Dietitian. She recommends serving sushi with carrot sticks or a piece of fruit for added nutrients and fiber, making it an easy, budget-friendly meal that requires virtually no prep.

Kirkwood Red Bag Chicken Lightly breaded pieces of chicken breast

Aldi’s Kirkwood Red Bag Chicken is a versatile freezer find that makes dinner prep a little easier. Breaded chicken breast pieces offer 14 grams of protein per serving. (You can also find whole breaded chicken breast fillets in the Red Bag Chicken line, which contain 32 grams of protein per serving.)

Bake the chicken until crispy, then enjoy with potatoes, vegetables or fresh fruit to round out your meal. “These are my favorite when I’m craving Chick-fil-A nuggets at home,” Renko notes. “It’s a convenient, budget-friendly dupe that you can store in the freezer and throw in the air fryer.” Each bag contains eight servings for a total of just under $8.

Maple Dijon cauliflower

Tired of plain roasted vegetables? Pezzella recommends Aldi’s Maple Dijon Cauliflower, a nutritious and effortless side dish that’s full of flavor and pairs well with a wide variety of main dishes. “It’s ideal for an easy side dish. You add your vegetables but you don’t spend a lot of time preparing them,” emphasizes the dietitian. It’s sweet, savory and with a tangy touch of Dijon. This is a seasonal find, so keep an eye out for it in the fall. A package of frozen cauliflower costs about $3.50.

Wild salmon caught at the Fremont Fish Market

Woodson says these individually wrapped salmon fillets can go straight from the freezer to the oven or fryer, making dinner a breeze. Salmon is also an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, and a single serving provides about 24 grams of protein. A 2-pound family package of salmon costs just under $13, the same price you might pay for just two fillets at other grocery stores.

“I pair it with Season’s Choice frozen vegetables for a complete, colorful dinner with almost no prep,” says Woodson. Because they’re not pre-seasoned or breaded, these frozen fillets are easy to customize. Throw a few lemon slices on top or add your spice blend of choice.

Whole and Easy Southwest Style Chicken Quinoa Bowl

Aldi offers a slightly different frozen quinoa bowl option if the Mediterranean meal isn’t for you. “I love the Whole and Simple Southwest Style Chicken and Quinoa Bowl because it combines convenience with a variety of nutrient-rich ingredients, including chicken, quinoa, brown rice, black beans, sweet potatoes, and vegetables,” shares Renko.

The microwaveable meal costs $4.25 and contains 16 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber. “I keep this in the freezer for a quick lunch or dinner, especially on busy days when cooking from scratch isn’t realistic,” adds Renko. This bowl is easy to top with whatever you have on hand, like cheddar cheese, salsa, sour cream, or a few slices of avocado.

Enchilada Vegetable Mix

This versatile find is a great option for vegetarians. Vegetarian Enchilada Mix includes rice, black beans, corn, peppers, enchilada sauce and cheddar cheese. Use it as a base for a bowl of cereal or as a topping for enchiladas or tacos. “At my house we pour it into tortillas and let everyone make their own,” says Woodson. Each bag contains four servings for just $4, proving that nutritious meals don’t need to break the bank.