14 Aldi Dips Ranked Best To Worst

Steven Luna/Mashed

Of all the best and worst foods to buy at Aldi, some of the most dependable purchases are found in the dip department. Actually — since there's not really a dip department — you'll have to look in the refrigerated snack section to find these cracker toppers and veggie decorators. However, prepare to be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of delicious options available for any snacking routine.

Aldi dips include ready-to-eat versions of spreads you're likely to make at home: Creations like hummus, tzatziki, and artichoke dip. We'll take salsa out of the equation, since it mostly does its own thing. The chain isn't content to stock just the original take on each dip, as each category comes with a range of seasonings and flavorings that'll spin you in circles while deciding which to take home.

I can't leave my fellow snackers in such a state of suspense. I take my duty as a food scout very seriously, and when an occasion to sort out Aldi dip selections arose, I jumped at the chance. Each dip was sampled individually with either a trusty cracker or carrot — a longer explanation will come at the end. Let's assess just how well the discount grocery chain represents some familiar dips, and dispel some of the anxiety associated with shopping at Aldi.

Steven Luna/Mashed

A highfalutin' dip at a dilly of a price can transform your simple get-together into the elegant affair you didn't know you needed. On paper Aldi's truffle dip is a worthy candidate for the job, proclaiming a mix of truffle-infused olive oil and Parmesan. However, sometimes the overly-ambitious and creative flavors offered by Aldi's house label items just aren't the right way to go. It takes scraping a flatbread cracker into truffle dip to recognize the overreach.

If there's such a thing as a dip that tastes too earthy, this truffle concoction hits the mark. There's something excessively mushroomy about the truffle element, which I suppose is the whole point. If you appreciate such a specialized flavor, you might get a kick out of this dip. If you're looking for something more comforting and cozy on the other hand, stick with the dips you're already used to. This one will only disappoint.

Steven Luna/Mashed

You might look at Aldi's pineapple poblano guacamole and wonder how so many different flavors can possibly meld. I wondered the same. I'm not a huge fan of sweet, fruit-heavy salsas, so guac with a fruity twist didn't sound all that great. That said, sometimes you just have to trust that the professionals behind the label know better in regards to what constitutes a proper dip.

Sadly, I think I know better than Aldi in this instance. It definitely feels like there are too many competing flavors in this dip: The sweetness of the pineapple sits quietly in the background, while the poblano peppers sneak in when you swallow and kick you in the back of the throat. It's a fun punch of flavor, but the blend doesn't really work for me. If I had my druthers, I'd leave the pineapple out and stick with the poblano.

Steven Luna/Mashed

The current trend of hot honey being added to pretty much everything arrives at the Aldi refrigerator case in the form of hot honey dip. Naturally, a company aiming to capture the hearts and taste buds of chic shoppers would conjure up an on-trend dip that celebrates the swicy movement. Aldi would be silly not to give it a try — though the finished product could use a little fine-tuning.

My palate doesn't do well with bouncing between sweet and hot flavors, even with a creamy base for them to rest in. I didn't have a chance to appreciate the honey sweetness for even a second before the spicy heat pushed every other flavor out of the way and overwhelmed my taste buds. I would consider this more a fun dare of a dip then basic snacking fare. Just be sure to warn guests that it's extra fiery.

Steven Luna/Mashed

There's a right way and a wrong way to do spicy dips, and Aldi takes a big swing with its Significantly Spicy hummus. The chain makes a smart move by using its classic hummus as the foundation: Instead of saturating everything with a blast of spice, a scoop of additional spicy dressing sits in the center of the container, daring dippers to dive into its depths.

Holy smacks; this is one genuine smokeshow. You can see the pepper seeds on top of the ruddy mash, which lets eaters scoop around the extra spices if they can't take the heat. The fact that you can dip in and out of the additional fire provides a custom experience, which is perfect for an audience with mixed palates. My delicate taste buds were out of their element after adding a full serving of the center spice to my cracker, which brings this container a bit low on the list. Nonetheless, it's still a solid showing.

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Pine nuts are sort of a nobody in the nut world. They're such a subtle flavor that they sometimes get lost when paired with bolder bites. Such is the case with this roasted pine nut hummus from Aldi. It doesn't so much offend the palate as underwhelm it, but I still found plenty to like.

Since the soft umami tones of pine nuts don't stand out enough to make a huge difference in tubs of Aldi hummus, it's almost as if they aren't needed in the mix. But that also means they're not obtrusive, so they don't hurt the dipping experience either. This wishy-washy mish-mash of thoughts swirled through my head as I sampled the dip; a sure sign that the product is a middling attempt at something great. Even with its odd average-ness, it's still one of the Aldi foods that are better than the homemade version.

Steven Luna/Mashed

The snacking comeback of the century has to be the full-force return of guacamole. Who would've thought this 1970s avocado mashup that inspired a decade-defining color palette would turn out to be one of the modern food's favorite flavors? Aldi keeps the good times rolling with a Southwest version that feels like a refresh of a dip that's already pretty fresh, despite its age-old existence.

At its core, this dip is a well-done version of basic guacamole. The addition of black beans, tomatoes, and roasted corn for flavor and texture lift the usual guacamole elements into the realm of something special. Think of it as a designer version of guac ... one that doesn't stretch too far out of its comfort zone. This dip will absolutely be on my list of party plans from now on — and I'm not a huge guacamole fan, so that's really saying something.

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Expanding the Mediterranean spirit of ordinary hummus, olive tapenade joins the party for a sophisticated swirl of juicy goodness. With olive oil already a key component of the chickpea dip, black and kalamata olives provide a sensible addition that doesn't upset the balance with unwelcome notes. These might seem like a natural extension of the hummus template, but I've honestly never thought of adding olives to my homemade hummus before. Aldi has shown me the error of my ways.

The mix of Mediterranean herbs — including thyme and capers — elevates this selection beyond basic hummus with chopped-up olives. The earthy goodness is a welcome addition to the already-tasty template, and creates a more special dip for your dinner party or a charcuterie board. It's one of many fantastic Aldi foods for under $3 that doesn't try too hard to impress ... which makes it highly impressive, indeed.

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Of the million and one ways to dress up chickpeas and olive oil to create hummus, one of the most compatible additions is roasted red pepper. Something about a pepper's smoky and sweet profile blended with the earthiness of hummus makes this veggie an inspired choice. Roasting peppers in your own oven may not be a difficult task, but they can cost more than a dollar a piece. There's no need for extra expense when Aldi puts everything in a convenient tub for less than $3.

This is one of my go-to selections; an easy reach when regular hummus just doesn't have the goods. The kicky pepper punch isn't overwhelming, and allows the smoothness of the hummus to share space in every bite. If I weren't comparing this to so many other Aldi dips, it would have a higher space on the list. As it stands, this is a great middle-grounder for anyone who wants a little more in their hummus beyond chickpeas and garlic.

Steven Luna/Mashed

The one thing which makes garlic-infused hummus even better is more garlic. The question is: How much garlic is too much? Those wanting to add more savory flavor to an already umami spread might experiment at home, and add a few extra cloves to the blender with chickpeas and olive oil to see comes out. Or to make things easy, jump straight to the happy-ever-after ending with a container of Park Street Deli roasted garlic topped hummus; a dip which just might make your garlic dreams come true.

Yes, garlic flavor abounds in this spread. It's enough to bite the sides of your tongue, but not enough to make your throat seize. In other words: There's a perfect amount of garlic flavor that exists in the world, and this dip is it. I could easily trade my love of plain hummus for this maximized garlic edition. In fact, I think I just did.

Steven Luna/Mashed

This is another higher-priced Aldi dip that isn't terribly difficult to accomplish in a home kitchen. It's similar enough to ranch to make you question a nearly $5 container when Hidden Valley Ranch is available for a little more than half that price. What's so special about Park Street Deli dill veggie dip that it warrants cutting into the money you'd spend on other snacks?

Plenty, as it turns out. There's a powerful quantity of dill present in this sour cream-based dip. It's all the wonderful stuff you love about ranch, without any overpowering buttermilk elements to dim down the herbs and spices. This is a tub I'm tempted to always keep in my fridge for those random snacking moments that call for fresher flavors. I know I'd plow through an entire container in the course of a day or two. When it comes to dill, this is a truly delicious dip.

Steven Luna/Mashed

Maybe you've never had roasted red pepper and goat cheese in the same bite before. If not, prepare for your tastebuds to go haywire when you realize a dip that captures these two phenomenal flavors exists. It sounds like a TikTok trend, or a culinary experiment that would set the Internet alight and inspire limitless copycat versions. However it came about, the discount grocer wins again with his house-brand home run that effortlessly combines two amazing flavors.

This container may be the most upscale-tasting dip that Aldi offers. The elegant interplay between the creamy cheese base — which includes more than just goat cheese — and roasted red peppers is a form of culinary harmony. The dip would be fantastic for a wine and cheese party, or just with wine and bread as an evening snack ... and that comes from someone who doesn't usually do dairy.

Steven Luna/Mashed

Cucumber dill tzatziki is an easy-to-make yet somewhat understated dip that most might only consider when dining at a Greek restaurant, or attending someone else's dinner party. That said, it isn't difficult to mix yogurt with chopped cucumbers at home — along with a generous sprinkling of dill — to create this dip that suits pretty much any moment. So when Aldi raised its Park Street Deli version to just north of $3, it's not unreasonable to expect something spectacular waiting under the lid.

Boy, does Aldi deliver the goods. All the tangy, herbaceous goodness is just as anticipated. There's a lushness that makes this tzatziki feel like more than just a dip; there's no reason it couldn't be thinned down with a little milk or water and turned into a salad dressing, or spread as is on tortillas for a fun variation on the usual wrap spread.

Steven Luna/Mashed

A little bit tangy, a little bit hot, and a little bit creamy ... Aldi cranberry jalapeño dip layers all these sensations into a single recipe that seems award-worthy. The anticipation is worth relishing: Just when your tongue is drawn in by the tanginess of cranberry, the jalapeño fire jumps in and zaps with a tingly blaze. Then, the creaminess of the base levels out the fire and balances the whole concoction into a dance of exciting tastes. If the tango were available in dip form, this spicy little number would be it.

What a revelation this dip turned out to be. The balance of sweet and tangy cranberries is perfectly accented by the green heat of the jalapeños. There's not too much of either flavor present, which renders the dip even-handed and enjoyable. This would be a great selection to serve with chunks of sourdough and add another twist of sophisticated flavor.

Steven Luna/Mashed

Ah, the classic spinach artichoke dip; the one usually found in a sourdough bread bowl with bits of bread torn into bite-size, dippable pieces. The distinctive personalities of spinach, cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream mix for a mellow favorite that makes a dependable party treat no matter what the rest of the menu looks like. Aldi takes the versatility one step further by doing all the mixing and mashing for you. The result is Park Street Deli spinach artichoke dip: A plastic clamshell container full of happiness that promises to stir up any celebration, even if you're just binging Netflix from the sofa.

For eaters who are already fans of spinach artichoke dip, this purchase is ready to satisfy. Those just getting a taste for this creamy, savory mix are in for a treat as well. Don't stop with just dipping crackers and vegetables — give sandwich breads a swipe to enhance flavor at lunchtime too. This offering is a crowd-pleaser and a list-topper; and a decently-priced one at that. 

Steven Luna/Mashed

To get these dips taste-tested without mixing up the flavors, I lined the cartons up and tried each one individually. I used flatbread crackers and baby carrots as testing vehicles, because using spoons sounded like a wasted snacking opportunity. I cleansed my palate with water between tastings to make sure each dip received a clean read.

Once I knew what each selection tasted like, it was a matter of lining them up based on what I consider a well-rounded dip. Anything with an imbalance of flavors such as too much heat or not enough sweetness went to the bottom of the list. The dips with the freshest flavors and best incorporation of seasonings became the top-ranked items. The remainder landed somewhere in between.

All of this is a matter of preference, of course. Every Aldi dip featured was perfectly fresh and well-prepared, and your personal ranking may differ wildly from mine.