I shop at Lidl for my family of 2 and dog. Here are 18 things I always buy.

It's hard to resist Lidl's fresh-baked treats.

At 59 cents for an all-butter croissant, Lidl's prices are unmatched. For a few cents more, you can get them with hazelnut-nougat centers or with less butter.

I also go for the apple turnovers. They're oversized and filled with real apple chunks.

Lidl's prices often beat the sales at mainstream supermarkets — even Costco rates.

It has options that you may not find everywhere, like shredded broccoli-slaw, a nutritious and delicious add-in to any cabbage-based salad.

I love the Vidalia onions and juicy Sweetpops tomatoes that taste home-grown. I also like to pick up the 69-cent scallions.

The spring mix or baby spinach also costs me less than $5.

The salmon selection at Lidl is outstanding and often on sale. It offers BAP-certified Chilean, Norwegian, and Atlantic tilapia, plus cedar-planked options.

Its seasoned varieties include fresh, never-frozen, vacuum-sealed, and pre-cut pairs of fillets for much less than you'd expect. They're ready to freeze so you can stock up.

Cod and flounder are great buys when Lidl runs promotions. The jumbo scallops are also one of my favorite buys.

Every steak at Lidl is individually vacuum-packed but priced per pound as if you were buying from the supermarket butcher. You can easily stock up your freezer when prices drop down to $3.49 per 8-ounce.

Lidl also carries Angus, grass-fed, and organic options and now offers a premium line, but its steaks already rival most.

Chicken breasts are a staple in my home. They're versatile, protein-rich, low-fat, and affordable. The Sanderson Farms chicken, which goes on sale often, is a meal-prep essential for me.

Better yet, they go on sale pretty often, dropping down to 99 cents a pound. I've even gotten thighs and drumsticks for less than a dollar.

The regular price for lean ground turkey—a heart-healthy, calorie-saving alternative to ground beef — is already pretty reasonable.

It's always fresh and just the right amount of lean.

I absolutely love butter, especially the grass-fed kind from Ireland. At around $3 a block, Lidl is my go-to place to buy it from.

When half-and-half can sell for as much as $6, it's amazing to see it for $1.55.

A half-gallon is typically under a buck, and the organic prices are considerably less than what you'd pay at the supermarket. Even its name-brand premium dairy is entirely reasonable here.

I always pick up a carton of Lidl's almond milk, too. At just $1.79 each, I can afford some variety.

My partner and I are both fitness junkies, which makes protein a priority and eggs a necessity.

I've yet to find a pack of eggs cheaper than Lidl's — even if you upgrade to the cage-free Farmer's Hen line.

The egg whites are also a steal here, especially when they go on sale. They're 100% real and about 30% cheaper per ounce than generic brands.

I don't care for the Italian-imported premium line, but the crispy, thin-crust line at Lidl is one of my favorites.

I think the thin pizzas are decent nutrition-wise. Lidl also doesn't skimp on toppings for these flavorful pizzas.

They often go on sale for around $3 each, making them inexpensive and easy meals.

I'm obsessed with Lidl's rich, cheesy, white vegetable pie, which has chopped spinach and dollops of ricotta. Top it with grilled chicken or asparagus and broccoli, and it's a great instant dinner.

Lidl stocks imported European goodies — including its seasoned steak fries, also known as chunky chips, which come from Belgium.

They're fluffy, thick, and teeming with filling in a crispy shell.

Lidl's high-quality snack options are surprisingly low-priced. Its Lays-styled chips range from 99 cents to $1.49, but they're typically thicker and drier.

The chain's kettle corn is also a perfect balance of sweet and salty.

If you have a sweet tooth, pick up the Danish butter cookies that are part of Lidl's Preferred Selection line.

Lidl also carries the Royal Dansk blue-tin cookies year-round for only $2.49. Its brand's selection is bigger, richer, crunchier, and sugar-crusted.

Gelatelli by Lidl is the store's premium line that carries gelato sundaes and dipped bars.

But most importantly, it includes the Crisp 'N' Cake, a seasonal special that is a have-it-all ice-cream treat.

It's made with stracciatella, a sweet cream with chocolate chips, throughout. Half of the cake is nestled in wafers and the other half is covered in chocolate with almond pieces.

The spice aisle is commendable for carrying basics. It has a wide selection of conventional and organic herbs and spices that are pretty inexpensive.

Whenever I'm out of pantry staples like parsley, oregano, basil, garlic powder, cinnamon, ginger, or turmeric, I head straight to Lidl.

The dry-roasted organic cashews are excellent and everyone I've ever introduced the honey-cinnamon-coated almonds to has loved them.

I love the cocoa-dusted almonds for a cheap and sweet snack. Plus the prices are hard to beat.

High-quality jams, jellies, and preserves that are more fruit-heavy can get pricey — but not at Lidl. It has German blends that won't break the bank and use real sugar in its recipes.

Sauces are also cheap and diverse here, and I love that there's a great global selection.

Lidl's organic ketchup has become my standard. It's a no-brainer to buy this brand over national ones with corn syrup in them, especially when it costs less than mainstream versions.

The salsa options are great, too.

I'm a bargain hunter for sure, but that doesn't mean I'm willing to sacrifice quality — especially for my furry best friend.

He's a senior dog on a grain-free diet, so his treats can get pretty pricey, but not at Lidl. The chain has a wonderful selection of affordable no-filler dog treats.

I like the Evolve grain-free biscuits, which are similar to Chewy's American Journey brand in shape, size, and flavor. We also pick up the Lovin' Tenders jerky as a special treat for him.

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