If You See This $1.49 ALDI Find, Grab a Few

My husband started a new job this year, which has him traveling more and working in the office instead of from home. That means I’m on deck for getting the kids off to school and daycare, picking them up and taking them to lessons and sports, getting dinner on the table, and then bathing them and getting them ready for bed—plus, you know, my own job. It’s been an enormous adjustment, and more than ever, I’ve been relying on one-pan and one-pot meals to survive. 

One particular harried day each week, I’ve been gratefully acquiescing to shortcuts. So when I learned that ALDI was selling ready-to-serve flavored rice packets, I thought they’d make a great busy night staple. Each Earthly Grains packet is just $1.49, takes literal seconds to warm up, and comes in a variety of exciting global flavors, so everyone’s needs are met. 

Why I Love ALDI’s Earthly Grains Flavored Rice

On the busiest of busy nights, it’s all about convenience, and these rice packets couldn’t be any quicker. I just have to rip open the package and pop it into the microwave while spooning an Instant Pot favorite or leftovers into bowls. There’s no measuring, watching pots, or clean up—just perfectly cooked rice in 90 seconds flat. 

With eleven flavors to choose from like Tikka Style, Goan Curry, Bang Bang, Korean BBQ, Mango Chutney, Sweet and Sour, Garden Vegetable, Butter Garlic, Roasted Chicken, Long Grain & Wild Rice, and Whole Grain Brown, there’s also enough variety to keep the meals feeling fresh and different each week. And because each one is packed with bold flavors, even the simplest meals can feel somewhat elevated—which is saying a lot for a packet of pre-cooked rice.

Quality also matters to me, and these packets don’t disappoint. They’re made with whole ingredients, free from artificial additives (except guar gum, a stabilizer), and are surprisingly delicious. As a recipe developer, I make most of our meals from scratch, but these rice packets feel like a fantastic (and uncompromising) addition. 

How I Use ALDI’s Ready-To-Serve Flavored Rice

The wide variety of flavors makes it easy to experiment. This past weekend, I warmed up a packet of Korean BBQ rice to serve with leftover kung pao chicken. When my husband scrambles to pack lunch before an early meeting, the Butter Garlic rice, leftover chicken, and a handful of salad greens can save the day. Even the Garden Vegetable rice can be transformed into a pseudo “fried” rice with Asian-inspired scrambled or fried eggs.

The Tikka Style rice can become an instant feast with grilled chicken, a dollop of yogurt, or an easy chickpea curry. The Bang Bang rice transforms crispy shrimp and spicy mayo into a restaurant-worthy meal, and I can imagine topping the Mango Chutney rice with coconut shrimp for a fantasy beach-inspired dinner. 

But on the nights I’m completely spent (when ordering takeout feels inevitable), the Roasted Chicken rice with steamed broccoli is a money-saver that would also make me feel like I’d just performed surgery.

At just $1.49, these packets are a budget-friendly option that turns busy nights and mundane meals into exciting dinner-time possibilities. They’re a weeknight cooking shortcut that’s here to stay for as long as I can get my hands on them.

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