For ice cream lovers seeking a quality vanilla option without breaking the bank, grocery store brands can be a surprisingly competitive arena. Among the standout contenders are Trader Joe’s and Aldi — but when it comes to vanilla ice cream, one clearly comes out ahead.
A recent taste comparison of 12 store-brand vanilla ice creams found that Trader Joe’s French Vanilla Ice Cream decisively outperformed Aldi’s offerings. Known for its rich, custard-like texture and robust vanilla flavor, Trader Joe’s version earned second place overall, firmly justifying its “super premium” label.
Shoppers praised the ice cream’s smooth consistency and the depth of vanilla flavor, which leans on aromatic vanilla extract and egg yolks — the signature ingredients of French vanilla. With a low overrun of just 26% (meaning less air is whipped in), this ice cream is dense, creamy, and luxuriously indulgent. Priced at $4.79 per quart, it offers premium quality at a store-brand price.
Aldi, on the other hand, submitted two vanilla contenders. The budget-friendly Sundae Shoppe Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, priced under $3, fell flat in both flavor and texture, landing near the bottom of the rankings. Though affordable, its bland taste and inconsistency left much to be desired.
Aldi’s second entry, the Specially Selected Vanilla Super Premium Ice Cream, fared better, placing sixth. It impressed with its clean ingredient list and strong vanilla taste. However, its hard texture and lack of creaminess kept it from reaching the top tier.
In the end, Trader Joe’s French Vanilla Ice Cream emerged as the superior choice — a rich, flavorful, and affordable option that proves store-brand ice cream can rival, and even surpass, national labels.
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