This $1 Aldi Grocery I Stock Up on Ahead of the Holidays (It’s Unbelievably Cheap)

Did you know that even though we’re all prepping for the biggest meal event of the year (ahem, Thanksgiving is just around the corner), we’re still expected to cook dinner every other night? I can’t believe it either. This is exactly the time when I rely on smart supermarket shortcuts to make the nightly chore a little easier.

At Aldi, saving time in the kitchen can also add up to big savings for your wallet. In fact, the latest dinner shortcut that I picked up at Aldi is less than $1.

What’s So Great About Stonemill Chili Seasoning Mix?

If you’re entering a chili cook-off or preparing a pantry refresh by using up the ends of several spice jars, you’ll want to make your own chili seasoning. But on busy weeknights, when time is of the essence, I prefer to skip the hassle of measuring a litany of spices and go for a packet of prepared chili seasoning mix instead. Aldi has become my go-to store for chili seasoning.

The most noticeable difference between Aldi’s mix and the name-brand blend comes at the register. At Aldi, a 1.25-ounce packet costs just 48 cents (a recent price reduction down from 69 cents). A packet of chili seasoning from a national brand at my local Tampa, Florida-area grocery store is $2.11.

Aldi’s chili seasoning is more than four times cheaper, with a savings of $1.68 cents. (If you were to make your own blend, the cost of buying all of the individual bottles would be even higher.) The discount grocer doesn’t just offer one style of this affordable chili seasoning mix for this price — there are three flavor varieties for sale (original, hot, and 30% less sodium). I prefer to add heat with pickled jalapeños and hot sauce, so I usually opt for the original with its smoky, not-too-spicy flavor or the 30% less sodium version so that I can have more control over my chili pot’s salt level.

What’s the Best Way to Use Stonemill Chili Seasoning Mix?

I always keep a packet of chili seasoning mix on hand to make — you guessed it — a pot of chili, especially on nights I need to get dinner on the table fast. Instead of spending precious minutes gathering spices and seasonings, I reach for a single, pre-portioned packet. If you follow the directions on the packet of spices, all you need is ground beef or turkey, a can of diced tomatoes, and a can of beans.

My family loves the simplicity of this chili, but you can adjust the consistency by adding tomato sauce or bulk it up with leftover roasted vegetables.

For serving, make sure to have shredded cheese and sour cream on hand, plus any other toppings you love. Crunchy corn scoops and sweet cornbread are also must-haves for chili night, and the best part is that everything you need is available at Aldi.

You can also use the chili to season a cheesy beef and macaroni casserole, savory Frito pie, and chili baked potato casserole. 

Find it in stores: Stonemill Chili Seasoning Mix, $0.48 for 1.25 ounces

What Aldi dinner shortcuts are you buying right now? Tell us about it in the comments below.