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  5. I love making charcuterie boards using Aldi products. Here are 11 items I buy to make a gourmet-looking spread for under $30.

I love making charcuterie boards using Aldi products. Here are 11 items I buy to make a gourmet-looking spread for under $30.

I love making charcuterie boards using Aldi products. Here are 11 items I buy to make a gourmet-looking spread for under $30.
Aldi items allow me to put together a gourmet-looking spread for under $30.Tess Lopez
  • My husband and I are a young couple on a budget who love hosting friends.
  • Charcuterie-board ingredients can be pricey in some stores — but not at Aldi.

As a young couple saving for our first home, my husband and I can't afford to spend a lot of money on groceries. However, we also love hosting friends for parties with wine and a charcuterie board.

Unfortunately, at most grocery stores, these ingredients can sometimes cost upwards of $80. Given the high prices of groceries, I'm always looking for cheaper alternatives when available.

Luckily, Aldi offers great charcuterie-board ingredients that allow me to put together a jaw-dropping spread for under $30. Here are 11 Aldi items I use to create a gourmet-looking board while saving big bucks.

Prices may vary by location.

Pre-sliced Gouda cheese saves me prep time.

Pre-sliced Gouda cheese saves me prep time.
Emporium Selections' pre-sliced Gouda saves me prep time.      Tess Lopez

A charcuterie board needs a variety of flavors and textures. The Emporium Selection Gouda is creamy with a light, nutty flavor that my guests love.

What I especially like about this brand of Gouda is that the cheese is pre-sliced into perfect cracker portions. I save lots of prep time by taking this cheese out of the package and setting it right onto the board.

The pre-sliced cheese comes out to $2.70.

The Emporium Selection sharp cheddar is tender but has an earthy bite.

The Emporium Selection sharp cheddar is tender but has an earthy bite.
The Emporium Selection sharp cheddar pairs perfectly with wine.      Tess Lopez

For more bite, the block of Emporium Selection sharp cheddar is a perfect choice. While tender, it offers a slightly more crumbly alternative to the Gouda, and its earthy flavor pairs well with rich meats like salami and prosciutto.

A little goes a long way, so I often have some left over to nibble on with a glass of wine at night.

A block of sharp cheddar costs $2.60 at my local Aldi.

The garlic-and-herb goat cheese is perfectly spreadable.

The garlic-and-herb goat cheese is perfectly spreadable.
I love spreading this garlic-and-herb goat cheese on a cracker with raspberry jam.      Tess Lopez

For a cheese that spreads like butter, don't skip the Emporium Selection garlic-and-herb goat cheese. The hints of garlic and herbs elevate the cheese's natural flavor without overpowering it.

It's a new favorite of mine, and I'm not the only one who feels that way — only two logs were left at the store when I went.

The goat cheese costs just $1.90 at Aldi.

Simms’ summer sausage is a versatile meat.

Simms’ summer sausage is a versatile meat.
Simms' summer sausage is great on a charcuterie board or pan-fried for breakfast.      Tess Lopez

When prosciutto isn't available, I grab Simms' summer sausage. It's fully cooked, easy to slice and has a rich, fatty flavor that stands out by itself and when piled onto a cracker with a subtle cheese.

It also makes a great breakfast sausage. I like to slice it thick, throw it in the pan, and serve it with eggs. Each package of sausage costs $4.

The cold-smoked Atlantic salmon levels up the board.

The cold-smoked Atlantic salmon levels up the board.
The pre-sliced, cold-smoked Atlantic salmon is delicious on crackers or by itself.      Tess Lopez

Smoked salmon adds an elegant flair to a traditional charcuterie spread. It's a departure from the land meats usually served, and its smoky flavor pairs well with both mild and sharp cheeses.

The Specially Selected smoked salmon comes in palm-sized deli slices, so it's easy to stage as the board's centerpiece. These cost me $3.20 a pack.

Aldi’s deli-sliced Genoa salami elevates a charcuterie board classic.

Aldi’s deli-sliced Genoa salami elevates a charcuterie board classic.
Aldi's Genoa salami is a great addition to a charcuterie board or deli sandwich.      Tess Lopez

Aldi's fresh, deli-sliced Genoa salami is a step above regular salami, with its delicate seasoning and buttery, tender texture. It also doubles as a tasty addition to a deli-style sandwich.

Each pack of salami comes out to $3.10.

The Savoritz thin-wheat crackers are the ideal size, taste, and texture for boards.

The Savoritz thin-wheat crackers are the ideal size, taste, and texture for boards.
The Savoritz thin-wheat crackers are slightly sweet and soft to the bite.      Tess Lopez

Finding good charcuterie crackers is hard, but these Savoritz thin-wheat ones do the job well. They're thin and soft, making them a perfect foundation for stronger-flavored items on the board.

They also have a subtle sweetness comparable to graham crackers, so my husband likes to eat them with his coffee in the morning.

A box is only $2 at my local Aldi.

The Savoritz pita crackers are a showstopper by themselves.

The Savoritz pita crackers are a showstopper by themselves.
The Savoritz sea-salt pita crackers are perfect for charcuterie boards.      Tess Lopez

The Savoritz sea-salt pita crackers are a new household favorite. They're thin and have a delicate toasted flavor, making them perfect for snacking.

When paired with meats and cheeses, they add an extra crunch without detracting from the meat's flavor. Each box costs $2.15.

The Specially Selected premium raspberry fruit spread is delicious and versatile.

The Specially Selected premium raspberry fruit spread is delicious and versatile.
This raspberry fruit spread is delicious on crackers or with goat cheese.      Tess Lopez

Every board needs a sweet element to balance the savory, salty flavors. I like to grab the Specially Selected raspberry fruit spread, which has a vibrant flavor that's a dream to pair with crackers.

It also pairs well with the garlic-and-herb goat cheese. A jar comes out to $2.60.

Grapes are an easy palate cleanser.

Grapes are an easy palate cleanser.
Fruit Royals' green seedless grapes are the ideal size for snacking.      Tess Lopez

Fruit Royals' green seedless grapes add that much-needed pop of color and textural interest to the board. They're tart and easy to pluck off the stem, making them an easy palate cleanser.

The grapes come out to $2.30 a bag.

Great Gherkins' Kosher dill pickles pack a punch.

Great Gherkins
Great Gherkins' kosher dill pickles offer a punchy acidity to balance other flavors on a charcuterie board.      Tess Lopez

These Great Gherkins kosher dill baby whole pickles have a punchy acidity to contrast the richness of the meats and cheeses. They also make a fun visual on a charcuterie board.

They're adorably sized and a perfect choice when I'm looking for a quick snack from the fridge. Each jar is only $1.45.

Click to keep reading Aldi diaries like this one.


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