Watching the grocery bill climb? These ALDI freezer buys could help stretch it further

Aussie foodies say there’s a secret menu hidden in plain sight—but it’s not from a trendy inner-city bistro.

It’s buried deep in the freezer section of a discount supermarket, where price tags under $7 are masking some surprisingly gourmet meals.

And if social media is to be believed, this low-cost 'secret menu' is winning over everyone from Greeks to pie snobs.


In a recent viral thread on social media, one shopper sang the praises of ALDI’s frozen roti and former dumpling range, sparking a flurry of responses from other savvy fans.

Hundreds of Aussies came forward with their favourite hidden gems, with many insisting they’re better than restaurant meals—at a fraction of the cost.

With the cost-of-living crisis tightening household budgets across the country, it’s no surprise the conversation struck a chord.


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Viral thread reveals ALDI’s frozen food gems. Image source: ALDI


People shared dozens of clever hacks to elevate their midweek meals without forking out for takeaway, with items like flaky beef pies, buttery roti, and even spicy quesadillas topping the must-try list.

One of the most recommended finds was the Elmsbury Beef Peppercorn Pies ($6.49 for two), which multiple users compared to the pricier Herbert Adams range.

‘I think the fancy frozen beef pies that are like $6 for two are actually super good,’ one person wrote.

‘Came here to say this! They are a dupe for the Herbert Adams pies which retail for $10. The ALDI ones are $6.49.’

However, several shoppers warned not to confuse these with ALDI’s standard beef pies from the same brand, which didn’t rate as highly in flavour or quality.

Urban Eats Spanakopita ($5.99) was another popular pick, with some confessing they visit ALDI just to stock up.

‘I go to ALDI just for spanakopita more times than I care to admit.’

‘I’m Greek and I find their spanakopita to be excellent.’

‘I keep them stocked in the work freezer, and bust them out in the sandwich press when I haven’t brought in a proper lunch.’


Others suggested levelling up the spanakopita with lemon juice, tzatziki or even ALDI’s seasonal lamb koftas to create a full Mediterranean feast.

Urban Eats Roti Paratha ($4.99 for an 8-pack) earned near-universal praise, with one user saying it was ‘better than any restaurant’ they’d been to.

‘The roti is elite. We’ve been getting the pre-made Massaman [curry] from the fridge section and it’s delicious with some jasmine rice and roti as an easy week night “fakeaway”.’

The roti is also vegan-friendly and crisps up perfectly in a sandwich press or fry pan without any oil.

If Taco Tuesdays are on the agenda, many recommended the Urban Eats Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas ($4.99 for two).

‘Pan fry those babies and you have a pretty decent meal for the price,’ one commenter said.

‘Definitely! I love them with salsa, jalapeños and sour cream. I’m going tomorrow, dinner is sorted.’

‘Seconded! Just had one for lunch—absolutely top tier,’ another wrote.

And dessert lovers weren’t left out either, with ALDI’s Sweet Haven Portuguese Tarts ($5.49 for a four-pack) described as dangerously addictive.

‘Portuguese tarts are pretty good!’

‘Those ought to be illegal! I love them.’

‘Just tried these tonight. Pretty good is understating it.’

‘I’ll second that. They’re a freezer staple for us.’


One shopper shared their tip for maximum flavour—pop them in the oven for 10 minutes to get that bakery-fresh crisp.

Some of these items are stocked year-round, while others only appear during seasonal promos—so fans advised stocking up when you spot them.

If you're still unsure whether frozen meals can truly deliver on taste, you're not alone—one household expert had her doubts too.

In fact, a practising doctor recently shared the one budget-friendly item from ALDI that’s become a reliable dinner favourite in her busy family.

Her story is a great example of how convenience doesn't have to mean compromising on flavour.

Read more: A Doctor Reveals Her Family's Favorite $8 ALDI Item That's Guaranteed to Please

Key Takeaways
  • ALDI shoppers raved about frozen finds like spanakopita, beef pies and roti paratha.
  • Urban Eats Roti Paratha and Elmsbury Beef Peppercorn Pies were among the top-rated picks.
  • Many products cost under $7 and were compared to high-end restaurant meals.
  • Some items are limited-time only—shoppers recommend grabbing them while available.

Could your next five-star dinner be sitting in your freezer right now?
 

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