My family of 4 took the same grocery list to Publix and Lidl. We were shocked by the savings we found at the bigger chain.

Elliott HarrellOct 8, 2024, 02:05 IST

I regularly buy my groceries at Publix and Lidl but I find I usually see better deals at the latter. Levon Clark/Shutterstock, Remigiusz Gora/Shutterstock<ul class="summary-list"><li>My family brought the same grocery list to <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-things-to-buy-according-to-lidl-superfan-2021-8">Lidl</a> and Publix to see which had better prices.</li><li>The same or incredibly similar products were often at least 50 cents cheaper at Lidl.</li></ul>I'm always on the hunt for a bargain, especially with <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-things-costco-for-family-four-from-longtime-executive-member-2024-9">groceries for our family of four</a>.We often shop at a few places, but I've most recently been a huge fan of the <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/aldi-vs-lidl-review-differences-which-better-photos-2021-5">discount Germain grocer</a> Lidl because its prices usually seem lower than its mainstream competitors. This week, I compared it to Publix — a smaller Florida-based chain popular throughout the Southeastern US that we also visit often. To do so, I took the same weekly grocery list to each store to see which offered my family more value. Here's what the trips to my local Lidl and Publix in Raleigh, North Carolina, looked like — and which chain was the clear winner.

Herbs were almost a dollar cheaper at Lidl across the board.

Fresh herbs were cheaper at Lidl (right) across the board. Elliott Harrell

Bell peppers were more affordable at Lidl, too.

The tri-colored pepper packs at Lidl (right) were far cheaper than what I found at Publix (left). Elliott Harrell

Green beans were also a much better deal at Lidl.

The green beans at Publix (left) were pricier than they were at Lidl (right). Elliott Harrell

I saved about $13 buying my proteins at Lidl instead of Publix.

Chicken thighs at Lidl (right) were a dollar cheaper per pound compared to Publix (left). Elliott Harrell

My favorite Fairlife chocolate milk had a pretty steep price difference between stores.

Fairlife chocolate milk was cheaper at Lidl (right) than Publix (right). Elliott Harrell

Whole milk was cheaper at Lidl, too.

Whole milk at Publix (left) cost more than it did at Lidl (right). Elliott Harrell

Some spices were more than double the cost at Publix.

Publix (left) has more spices than Lidl (right) but the prices at the latter were pretty good. Elliott Harrell

Even store-brand seasonings I found at Publix couldn't beat Lidl's.

Publix (left) has more options for seasonings but I've found the prices don't beat Lidl (right). Elliott Harrell

I was shocked by the price differences across the board.

It's important to check the weekly deals at each grocery store. Levon Clark/Shutterstock, Remigiusz Gora/Shutterstock

I compared Costco locations in the city and the suburbs. Here were the biggest differences.

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