If you’ve ever been inside an Aldi store, then you know why so many shoppers sing its praises. Not only can you find every item on your grocery list (and even items that aren’t on your list, thanks to the “Aisle of Shame”), but you’ll also pay a fraction of the price for them compared to other stores.
There are a few beloved grocery stores out there that you only shop at for certain products, whether that’s Trader Joe’s fan-favorite freezer section or Costco’s bulk-sized pantry aisle. However, Aldi is a one-stop shop where you can grab everything you need for easy weeknight meals, indulgent treats, and fresh produce.
And while some items may be limited-time exclusive Finds or seasonal products, there are quite a few Aldi tried-and-true products that customers buy every trip. For me, it’s four simple ingredients that, when combined, make the easiest slow cooker, weeknight dinner.
My Favorite 4-Ingredient Aldi Dinner
Allrecipes / Aldi
This easy Aldi meal starts in the meat aisle with the Carnitas Seasoned Boneless Pork Shoulder Roast. The pork roast is pre-seasoned with a blend of seasonings and flavors that make enjoying the beloved Mexican dish at home a breeze. Plus, it’s priced at less than $5 for a two-pound, tender pork shoulder.
While the carnitas pork roast is a year-round offering, it’s popular enough that it might be sold out if you go to your Aldi during a busy time. So, whenever my local store has the pork shoulder, I grab one (or two, since it freezes well). Aldi also sells a barbecue-seasoned pork shoulder, which is equally delicious, but offers a totally different vibe than the pork carnitas tacos I make.
For the rest of my tacos, I grab a bag of coleslaw mix, a pack of fajita tortillas, and either limes or some kind of dressing for the slaw. I do love traditional coleslaw dressing for this recipe, if you’re up for making your own with mayo, sugar, vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
How To Make 4-Ingredient Aldi Pork Carnitas Tacos
My Aldi pork carnitas tacos couldn’t be easier. Aldi offers a few cooking methods for its carnitas, including the traditional oven or a slow cooker. I always use the slow cooker method, and put the roast in the Crock-Pot with about a cup of water. Some Aldi shoppers on Reddit say they add other ingredients, like onions or salsa, but I keep it simple.
Bailey Fink
I cook the carnitas on low for eight hours, then shred the meat and add it back to its juices.
In the last hour of cooking, I’ll combine the coleslaw mix with either lime juice or traditional coleslaw dressing, and let it marinate for a bit.
Then, I serve the carnitas on tortillas topped with the coleslaw. You could add other taco ingredients, like cheese, avocado, or salsa, but I think the crunchy coleslaw and tender, juicy pork have enough flavor together that you don’t need anything else.
Aldi’s pork carnitas make enough to serve at least a family of four and can be served alongside some of the store’s easy heat-and-eat sides or packaged side dish mixes that take less than 10 minutes to make.
With minimal prepping and practically zero hands-on cook time, this four-ingredient slow cooker dinner is on repeat in my house during the freezing winter months—and long after.
Dining and Cooking