If You Spot This $2.79 ALDI Find, Buy a Few

We all have a go-to convenience food that makes us feel like kitchen heros. Frozen wontons and dumplings top my list, but for many people, ALDI’s Deutsche Küche German soups take the cake. After someone in this Reddit thread described “hoarding them” when they were in stock, and another even saying that her husband thought she made it from scratch, I knew I had to try it.

It’s always great to have a back pocket, easy meal idea in my pantry, and now that I’ve had them, my only regret is that I didn’t buy more cans. (And this is coming from a self-proclaimed canned soup hater.) These imported German soups have earned quite the cult following, and I understand why. For $2.79 (for a 28-ounce can), they’re hearty, satisfying, and an elite level-up from other canned soups.

Why I Love ALDI’s Deutsche Küche German Soups

When it comes to quick meals, I’ve tried just about every “elevated” canned soup on the market, and nothing hits like homemade soup. I won’t lie—the Deutsche Küche soups don’t taste homemade, either, but something about them replicates a homemade vibe in a way that other canned soups don’t, especially the lentil and chickpea soup, which quickly became a favorite.

The combination of tender lentils and chickpeas in a subtly sweet broth creates a hearty, satisfying, nutritious, and indulgent meal. A little sweetness comes from the addition of apricots and raisins, which bring a natural warmth that balances the earthy legumes.

The Harvest Potato soup deserves its own praise. While it can’t compare to the potato soup my mom used to make, it’s creamy and comforting with nuanced undercurrents of leek that make it a worthy contender for a weeknight staple. While both soups are good, I’ll reach for the lentil and chickpea more often, especially when I want something that feels both nourishing and special. These soups are reliable pantry staples that doesn’t taste like a compromise.

How To Jazz Up a Can of Soup

These soups are perfectly delicious straight from the can, but they also serve as an excellent base for more elaborate meals. I can never leave well enough alone, so here are a few ways I like to jazz up a can of Deutsche Küche soup.

For the Lentil & Chickpea Soup: Acid and fresh herbs make everything taste better, which is why they’re on my top five list of things to never leave the grocery store without. In this case, I love adding a handful of chopped fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice or a splash of vinegar for brightness.

A dollop of Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of za’atar takes it in a Mediterranean direction, while a side of crusty bread makes it feel like a proper European meal. A dietician friend taught me to add a handful of frozen veggies to any canned soup to beef up the nutrients when I was in college, and while that doesn’t feel right with this particular soup, chopped, fresh spinach or finely shredded kale would be a great addition.

For the Harvest Potato Soup: I like to think of this soup as a good base for something even better. Leftover roasted or boiled potatoes beautifully bolster the soup’s texture, and sour cream and fresh dill make it sing. It can also be quickly transformed into a “loaded” potato soup by adding crispy bacon bits, shredded cheddar, and a sprinkle of chives. For a vegetarian option, top it with crispy fried onions or homemade cheesy croutons and a dash of smoked paprika for more depth. On its own, the soup would also make a great creamy base for an old-school casserole.

The only downside to these soups? They’re seasonal, which explains why devoted ALDI shoppers tend to stock up when they appear. So, if you spot them in the ALDI Finds section, these German imports are worth clearing some shelf space for.

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