Weekly grocery basket · Updated
Compare grocery prices: a week of family dinners at Woolworths, Coles and ALDI
On 13 October 2026, ALDI was cheapest: $190.11 for the 52 items all three supermarkets sell, $13.09 less than Woolworths and $28.80 less than Coles. ALDI’s website lists no parsnip, fresh thyme, fresh sage, dark soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil or garam masala, and showed no sesame seeds for this store; buying those at the cheapest other store adds $22.43.
Every week we price the same seven RecipeTin Eats dinners for a family of four, Aussie classics to butter chicken, at all three supermarkets in Parramatta, Sydney. That is 60 ingredients, bought in whole packs, with every item, pack and price shown below.
Do the same with your own recipes: RecipeRun manages your recipes, plans your meals, generates the shopping list and compares its price at Woolworths, Coles and ALDI, all in one app. See how it works
Cheapest this week
ALDI
$190.11
for the 52 items all three sell
Complete shop $212.54 with 8 items from another store
ALDI Parramatta, 175 Church Street, Parramatta NSW 2150
$13.09 more
Woolworths
$203.20
for the 52 items all three sell
Complete shop $225.63 with 1 item from another store
woolworths.com.au prices with no store selected
$28.80 more
Coles
$218.91
for the 52 items all three sell
Complete shop $245.71, every item in store
Coles Parramatta, 159-175 Church Street, Parramatta NSW 2150
This week’s basket
Monday
Roast chicken with roasted vegetables
RecipeTin Eats: Roast Chicken + Roasted Vegetables
Cooked as written (the chicken serves 5 and the vegetables 5 to 6). Chicken stock replaces the white wine, as the recipe allows.
Tuesday
Bangers and mash with onion gravy
RecipeTin Eats: Bangers & Mash (Sausage with Onion Gravy) + Creamy Mashed Potato
Served with peas, as the recipe suggests. The mash recipe serves 6 as written.
Wednesday
Spaghetti bolognese
RecipeTin Eats: Spaghetti Bolognese
Serves 5 as written. Beef stock replaces the red wine, as the recipe allows.
Thursday
Hokkien noodles with chicken
RecipeTin Eats: Hokkien noodles with chicken
Serves 4 as written. Mirin is used rather than Chinese cooking wine, as the recipe allows.
Friday
Beef tacos
RecipeTin Eats: Old School Beef Tacos
Serves 4 as written. The optional cayenne, taco sauce and extra toppings are left out.
Saturday
Butter chicken with basmati rice
RecipeTin Eats: Butter Chicken
Serves 3 to 4 as written. Butter is used rather than ghee, as the recipe allows.
Sunday
Asian glazed salmon with rice and greens
RecipeTin Eats: Asian Glazed Salmon
The recipe serves 2, so we doubled it for four.
What the week cost at each store
| Total | Woolworths | Coles | ALDI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly shop | $164.10 | $176.96 | $144.00 |
| Pantry items (spices, sauces, rice, flour, stock) | $39.10 | $41.95 | $46.11 |
| Total for the 52 items all three sell | $203.20 | $218.91 | $190.11 |
| Items the store couldn’t price this week | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| Complete shop, buying missing items at the cheapest other store | $225.63 | $245.71 | $212.54 |
Split the shop instead and buy every item wherever it was cheapest, and all 60 items came to $199.80. That saving has to cover the extra trips.
Each row is one ingredient for the week: the product we priced at each store, how much of it the recipes need, and what that costs. The lowest price for each item is highlighted.
| Item and amount needed | Woolworths | Coles | ALDI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meat and seafood | |||
| Whole chicken (about 1.8kg)1 chicken, 1.75 to 2kgMon | $7.741.8kg at $4.30/kgWoolworths RSPCA Approved Chicken Whole 1.8kg - 2.2kg | $8.101.8kg at $4.50/kgSpecial, was $5.50/kgColes RSPCA Approved Medium Whole Chicken | $7.18 (lowest)1.8kg at $3.99/kgBroad Oak Farms Whole RSPCA Approved Chicken per kg |
| Herb and garlic beef sausages8 thin sausages (about 500g)Tue | $6.501 × 550gWoolworths 10 Pack Herb & Garlic Beef Sausages 550g | $6.501 × 550gColes Beef Garlic & Herb Sausages | $4.99 (lowest)1 × 500gReady, Set…Cook! Herb & Garlic Beef Sausages 500g |
| Beef mince500g bolognese + 500g tacosWed · Fri | $15.001 × 1kgWoolworths Beef Mince 1kg | $15.402 × 500g at $7.70Coles No Added Hormone Beef Regular Mince | $13.98 (lowest)2 × 500g at $6.99Jindurra Station Regular Beef Mince 500g |
| Chicken thigh fillets350g noodles + 750g butter chickenThu · Sat | $15.951.1kg at $14.50/kgWoolworths RSPCA Approved Chicken Thigh Fillets Skinless 1.2kg - 1.8kg | $15.951.1kg at $14.50/kgColes RSPCA Approved Chicken Thigh Fillets Large Pack | $14.62 (lowest)1.1kg at $13.29/kgBroad Oak Farms RSPCA Approved Chicken Thigh Bulk per kg |
| Salmon fillets4 fillets of about 180gSun | $35.002 × 460g at $17.50Special, was $19.50Woolworths 4 Pack Salmon Portions Skin On 460g | $44.002 × 460g at $22.00Coles Tasmanian Salmon Portions Skin On 4 Pack | $23.99 (lowest)1 × 720gThe Fishmonger Salmon Fresh Skin On 720g |
| Fruit and veg | |||
| Brown onions4 onionsMon · Tue · Wed · Fri | $3.001 × 1kgWoolworths Onion Brown Bag 1kg | $2.501 × 1kgColes Brown Onions | $1.99 (lowest)1 × 1kgBrown Onions 1kg |
| Red onions1 for roasting + half for taco toppingMon · Fri | $1.66 (lowest)2 items at $0.83Onion Red each | $1.93350g at $5.50/kgColes Onions Red Local | $1.75350g at $4.99/kgRed Onions per kg |
| Garlicabout 20 cloves plus 1 whole bulb (3 bulbs)Mon · Tue · Wed · Thu · Fri · Sat · Sun | $4.201 × 3-packWoolworths Garlic 3 pack | $4.201 × 3-packColes Australian Garlic Prepack | $2.99 (lowest)1 × 3-packGarlic 3 Pack |
| Fresh ginger1 tbsp + 2 tsp gratedSat · Sun | $0.8325g at $33.00/kgGinger Fresh per 80g | $0.8325g at $33.00/kgColes Australian Ginger Loose | $0.75 (lowest)25g at $29.99/kgGinger per kg |
| Lemons1 for the roast + juice for butter chickenMon · Sat | $2.982 items at $1.49Lemon Loose each | $3.202 items at $1.60Coles Lemons | $2.58 (lowest)2 items at $1.29Lemon Each |
| Iceberg lettuce1 lettuceFri | $3.001 itemIceberg Lettuce each | $3.501 itemColes Iceberg Lettuce | $2.99 (lowest)1 itemIceberg Bagged Lettuce Each |
| Tomatoes2 tomatoesFri | $1.96 (lowest)2 items at $0.98Gourmet Tomato each | $2.37300g at $7.90/kgColes Tomatoes Gourmet | $3.991 × 500gGourmet Tomatoes 500g |
| Spring onions1 bunch (8 stems plus garnish)Thu · Sun | $2.50 (lowest)1 itemSpring Onion Bunch each | $3.001 itemColes Spring Onions | $2.691 itemSpring Onion Bunch |
| Red capsicum1 capsicumThu | $1.731 itemRed Capsicum each | $1.48 (lowest)250g at $5.90/kgColes Red Capsicum Loose | $1.75250g at $6.99/kgRed Capsicum per kg |
| Green cabbage3 heaped cups shredded; the smallest piece soldThu | $2.10 (lowest)1 itemGreen Cabbage Quarter each | $4.701 itemColes Half Drumhead Cabbage | $3.491 itemCabbage Half |
| Buk choy (Asian greens)2 bunches, steamed for four (our estimate)Sun | $6.002 items at $3.00Buk Choy Asian Greens each | $6.002 items at $3.00Coles Asian Choy Pak | $4.98 (lowest)2 items at $2.49Pak Choy Each |
| Potatoes1.5kg for mash + 400g for roasting, from one bagMon · Tue | $7.701 × 2kgWoolworths Brushed Potatoes Bag 2kg | $7.701 × 2kgColes Brushed Potatoes | $6.49 (lowest)1 × 2kgBrushed Potatoes 2kg |
| Carrots2 carrotsMon | $2.001 × 1kgWoolworths Australian Grown Carrots 1kg | $1.70 (lowest)1 × 1kgColes Carrots | $2.091 × 1kgCarrots 1kg |
| Parsnip1 large parsnipMon | $1.68 (lowest)1 itemParsnip Fresh each | $3.00250g at $12.00/kgColes Parsnips Loose | Not listed |
| Fresh thyme7 sprigsMon · Wed | $3.301 itemWoolworths Thyme Fresh Herb Punnet 10g | $3.301 itemColes Herb Punnets Thyme | Not listed |
| Fresh rosemary3 sprigs + 2 tsp choppedMon | $3.301 itemWoolworths Rosemary Fresh Herb Punnet 10g | $3.301 itemColes Herb Punnets Rosemary | $2.99 (lowest)1 itemRosemary 10g |
| Fresh sage1 tbsp chopped + 3 sprigsMon | Unavailable this weekWoolworths Sage Fresh Herb Punnet 10g | $3.301 itemColes Herb Punnets Sage | Not listed |
| Fresh parsley3 tbsp choppedMon | $3.301 itemWoolworths Fresh Continental Parsley Bunch each | $3.301 itemColes Sleeved Herbs Parsley Continental | $2.99 (lowest)1 itemContinental Parsley Bunch |
| Dairy and fridge | |||
| Unsalted butter100g roast + 25g gravy + 60g mash + 30g butter chickenMon · Tue · Sat | $4.501 × 250gWoolworths Australian Butter Unsalted 250g | $4.501 × 250gColes Simply Unsalted Butter | $3.99 (lowest)1 × 250gPure Valley Unsalted Butter 250g |
| Full cream milkhalf a cup for the mashTue | $1.751 × 1LWoolworths Full Cream Milk 1L | $1.751 × 1LColes Dairy Full Cream Milk | $1.751 × 1LFarmdale Full Cream Milk 1L |
| Thickened cream1 cupSat | $3.201 × 300mLWoolworths Thickened Cream 300mL | $3.201 × 300mLColes Thickened Cream | $2.99 (lowest)1 × 300mLFarmdale Thickened Cream 300ml |
| Plain yoghurt (full fat)half a cupSat | $4.201 × 1kgWoolworths Natural Greek Style Yoghurt 1kg | $3.751 × 240gFarmers Union Greek Style Yoghurt Natural | $3.29 (lowest)1 × 500gLyttos Greek Style Thick & Creamy Natural Yogurt 500g |
| Sour creamto serve four (our estimate)Fri | $3.101 × 300mLWoolworths Sour Cream 300mL | $3.101 × 300gColes Sour Cream | $2.89 (lowest)1 × 300gFarmdale Sour Cream 300g |
| Shredded cheeseto serve four (our estimate)Fri | $5.001 × 250gWoolworths Tasty Cheese Shredded 250g | $5.001 × 250gColes Dairy Shredded Tasty Cheese | $4.59 (lowest)1 × 250gWestacre Dairy Tasty Shredded Cheese 250g |
| Parmesanto serve (our estimate)Wed | $2.001 × 100gWoolworths Essentials Parmesan Cheese 100g | $2.001 × 100gColes Grated Parmesan Cheese | $1.89 (lowest)1 × 100gRemano Long-life Grated Parmesan Cheese 100g |
| Pasta, noodles and taco shells | |||
| Spaghetti400gWed | $0.901 × 500gWoolworths Essentials Pasta Spaghetti 500g | $0.901 × 500gColes Simply Pasta Spaghetti | $0.89 (lowest)1 × 500gCucina Pasta Spaghetti 500g |
| Hokkien noodles500gThu | $3.702 × 400g at $1.85Lantern Alley Hokkien Noodles 400g | $3.702 × 400g at $1.85Coles Asia Hokkien Noodles Ready To Eat 2x200g | $3.38 (lowest)2 × 400g at $1.69Urban Eats Wok Ready Hokkien Style Noodles 400g |
| Taco shells10 to 12 shellsFri | $2.951 × 12-packSpecial, was $3.30La Mesita Hard Taco Shells 12 pack | $3.001 × 12-packColes Mexican Hard Taco ShellsSold by weight (158g); counted as a 12-shell box like the 156g 12-packs at the other stores. | $2.79 (lowest)1 × 12-packEl Tora Crunchy Corn Taco Shells 12 Pack 156g |
| Cans and jars | |||
| Diced tomatoes (for crushed)800g (two 400g cans); diced stand in for crushed because ALDI’s website lists no crushed tomatoesWed | $1.902 × 400g at $0.95Woolworths Essentials Diced Tomatoes 400g | $1.902 × 400g at $0.95Coles Simply Chopped Tomatoes Canned | $1.902 × 400g at $0.95Remano Italian Diced Tomatoes 400g |
| Tomato passata1 cupSat | $1.951 × 680gLa Gina Italian Tomato Paste Passata 680g | $2.001 × 700gColes Italian Passata Sauce | $1.89 (lowest)1 × 700gRemano Authentic Italian Passata 700g |
| Freezer | |||
| Frozen peasa side for four (our estimate)Tue | $2.501 × 1kgWoolworths Essentials Frozen Peas 1kg | $2.501 × 1kgColes Simply Peas Snap Frozen | $2.49 (lowest)1 × 1kgMarket Fare Garden Peas 1kg |
| Pantry: rice, stock and baking | |||
| Basmati riceabout 1.5 cups uncooked for each of two dinners (our estimate)Sat · Sun | $4.001 × 1kgWoolworths Basmati Rice 1kg | $4.001 × 1kgColes Basmati Rice | $3.99 (lowest)1 × 1kgImperial Grain Basmati Rice 1kg |
| Beef stock (liquid)2 cups gravy + half a cup in place of wineTue · Wed | $1.901 × 1LWoolworths Beef Liquid Stock 1L | $1.901 × 1LColes Liquid Real Stock Beef | $1.79 (lowest)1 × 1LChefs' Cupboard Beef Liquid Stock 1L |
| Chicken stock (liquid)1 cup in place of wineMon | $1.901 × 1LWoolworths Chicken Liquid Stock 1L | $1.901 × 1LColes Liquid Real Stock Chicken | $1.79 (lowest)1 × 1LChefs' Cupboard Chicken Flavour Liquid Stock 1L |
| Beef stock cubes2 cubesWed | $2.801 × 12-packOXO Beef Stock Cubes 71g71g box of 12 cubes | $2.801 × 12-packOxo Beef Stock Cubes71g box of 12 cubes | $1.99 (lowest)1 × 21-packChefs' Cupboard Beef Flavour Stock Cubes 21 Pack 105g |
| Plain flour3 tbspTue | $1.30 (lowest)1 × 1kgWoolworths Essentials Plain Flour 1kg | $1.30 (lowest)1 × 1kgColes Simply Plain Flour | $2.391 × 2kgWhite Mill Plain Flour 2kg |
| White sugar2 tsp + 1 tbspWed · Sat | $1.80 (lowest)1 × 1kgWoolworths Essentials White Sugar 1kg | $1.80 (lowest)1 × 1kgColes Simply Australian White Sugar | $2.591 × 2kgWhite Mill White Sugar 2kg |
| Tomato paste4 tbspWed · Fri | $0.95 (lowest)1 × 170gWoolworths Essentials Tomato Paste 170g | $1.001 × 140gColes Italian Tomato Paste | $1.391 × 500gCucina Tomato Paste 500g |
| Pantry: sauces | |||
| Worcestershire sauce2 tspWed | $2.001 × 250mLWoolworths Worcestershire Sauce 250mL | $2.001 × 250mLColes Worcestershire Sauce | $1.89 (lowest)1 × 250mLColway Worcestershire sauce 250 ml |
| Soy sauce (light or all-purpose)4 tbspThu · Sun | $1.901 × 500mLTiao Hu Soy Sauce 500mL | $1.901 × 500mLColes Soy Sauce | $1.79 (lowest)1 × 500mLAsia Green Garden Sauce Soy 500ml, Regular |
| Dark soy sauce1.5 tbsp + a dash for the gravyThu · Tue | $2.85 (lowest)1 × 250mLMr Chen's Dark Soy Sauce 250mL | $3.001 × 500mLColes Asia Dark Soy Sauce | Not listed |
| Oyster sauce6 tbspThu · Sun | $2.301 × 300mLTiao Hu Oyster Sauce 300mL | $2.301 × 300mLColes Oyster Sauce | $2.19 (lowest)1 × 300mLAsia Green Garden Oyster Sauce 300ml |
| Sweet chilli sauce4 tbspSun | $2.00 (lowest)1 × 280mLWoolworths Sweet Chilli Sauce 280mL | $2.101 × 500mLColes Sweet Chilli Sauce | $2.491 × 700mLAsia Green Garden Sweet Chilli Sauce 700ml |
| Mirin1 tbspThu | $4.401 × 250mLObento Mirin Seasoning 250mL | $4.401 × 250mLObento Mirin Seasoning | Not listed |
| Sesame oil1 tbspThu | $3.25 (lowest)1 × 150mLHong Gong Pure Sesame Oil 150mL | $4.101 × 150mLColes Asia Pure Roasted Sesame Oil | Not listed |
| Pantry: herbs and spices | |||
| Sesame seedsto garnishThu · Sun | $1.65 (lowest)1 × 100gWoolworths Sesame Seeds 100g | $2.501 × 150gColes Sesame Seeds | Not shown for this store this weekStonemill Sesame Seeds 60g |
| Garlic powder1 tspFri | $2.00 (lowest)1 × 50gWoolworths Garlic Powder 50g | $2.401 × 63gColes Garlic Powder | $2.791 × 70gStonemill Ground Garlic 70g |
| Onion powder1 tspFri | $2.00 (lowest)1 × 38gWoolworths Onion Powder 38g | $2.501 × 42gColes Onion Powder | $2.891 × 55gStonemill Onion Powder 55g |
| Dried oregano1 tspFri | $2.00 (lowest)1 × 10gWoolworths Oregano Leaves 10g | $2.00 (lowest)1 × 10gColes Oregano Leaves | $2.791 × 14gStonemill Oregano Leaves 14g |
| Ground cumin3 tspFri · Sat | $2.00 (lowest)1 × 30gWoolworths Cumin Ground 30g | $2.651 × 42gColes Cumin Seeds Ground | $2.891 × 46gStonemill Cumin Ground 46g |
| Paprika2 tspFri | $2.00 (lowest)1 × 30gWoolworths Paprika Ground 30g | $2.151 × 39gColes Ground Paprika | $2.391 × 45gStonemill Paprika Ground 45g |
| Ground turmeric1 tspSat | $2.00 (lowest)1 × 30gWoolworths Turmeric Ground 30g | $2.701 × 47gColes Turmeric Ground | $3.391 × 60gStonemill Turmeric Ground 60g |
| Garam masala2 tspSat | $2.00 (lowest)1 × 29gWoolworths Garam Masala 29g | $3.201 × 42gColes Garam Masala | Not listed |
| Chilli powderhalf a tspSat | $2.00 (lowest)1 × 30gWoolworths Chilli Ground 30g | $2.301 × 43gColes Chillies Ground Hot | $2.091 × 41gStonemill Chilli Ground 41g |
| Dried bay leaves2 leavesWed | $2.25 (lowest)1 × 15gHoyt's Bay Leaves 15g | $2.25 (lowest)1 × 15gHoyts Bay Leaves | $2.591 × 4gStonemill Bay Leaves 4g |
| Total for the 52 items all three sell | $203.20 | $218.91 | $190.11 |
| Everything the store had (59 / 60 / 52 items) | $222.33 | $245.71 | $190.11 |
Price history
This is the first week of the basket. From the next weekly check, this section will show how each store’s total has moved.
How we priced the basket
- Stores. Three supermarkets in Parramatta, Sydney. Woolworths: woolworths.com.au prices with no store selected (Woolworths only applies a chosen store for signed-in shoppers, so these are the prices its website shows by default. The nearest store is Woolworths Parramatta in Westfield Parramatta). Coles: Coles Parramatta, 159-175 Church Street, Parramatta NSW 2150. ALDI: ALDI Parramatta, 175 Church Street, Parramatta NSW 2150.
- When. Prices were checked on 13 October 2026, starting at 6:17 pm Sydney time, from each supermarket’s website.
- Recipes. Seven RecipeTin Eats dinners for a family of four, cooked as written. The only changes are the ones noted under each meal, plus diced tomatoes for crushed (ALDI’s website lists no crushed tomatoes) and one bag of potatoes for both the mash and the roast.
- Left out. Salt, pepper, cooking oil, water and anything a recipe marks as optional.
- Whole packs. We buy enough whole packs to cover what the recipes need. One pack counts as enough if it covers at least 90% of the amount, so a 450g pack covers a 500g recipe.
- Sold by weight. Loose produce and meat sold by the kilo are priced for the weight the recipes need, because the pack you pick up could be lighter or heavier.
- Products. Each store’s everyday own-brand product where it has one, otherwise a mainstream brand, in the smallest pack that covers the need. The same products are priced every week.
- Prices. The shelf price shown on the day, including specials. Member-only prices and multi-buy deals are not used.
- Our estimates. The recipes don’t give an amount for buk choy (Asian greens), sour cream, shredded cheese, parmesan, frozen peas and basmati rice, so we estimated one, shown on the Items tab.
- The ranking. Stores are ranked on the items all three had that day. Items a store’s website doesn’t list, or showed as unavailable, are named rather than guessed. The complete shop adds those items at the cheapest other store.
Prices change often and can differ at the checkout, by store and between online and in-store shopping. Treat these as a dated snapshot, not a quote.
Questions about this week’s prices
Which supermarket is cheapest this week: Woolworths, Coles or ALDI?
On 13 October 2026, ALDI was cheapest for the 52 items all three supermarkets sell: $190.11. Woolworths came to $203.20 ($13.09 more) and Coles to $218.91 ($28.80 more). ALDI’s website lists no parsnip, fresh thyme, fresh sage, dark soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil or garam masala, and showed no sesame seeds for this store; buying those at the cheapest other store adds $22.43.
How much does a week of family dinners cost in Australia?
Our seven dinners for a family of four cost $190.11 at ALDI, $203.20 at Woolworths and $218.91 at Coles for the 52 items all three sell, buying whole packs. Pantry items that last beyond the week, such as spices, sauces, rice, flour and stock, account for $39.10 to $46.11 of that.
How do you choose the products?
For each ingredient we chose each store’s everyday own-brand product where it has one, otherwise a mainstream brand, in the smallest pack that covers what the recipes need. We price the same products every week, so a change in the total is a change in price rather than a product swap.
Are specials included?
Yes. We use the shelf price each store shows on the day we check, including specials, and mark items that were on special. Member-only prices and multi-buy deals are not used.
How often are the prices updated?
We check the same basket every week. The date at the top of the page shows when the prices were last checked.
Can I compare prices for my own shopping list?
Yes. RecipeRun does it all in one app: it manages your recipes, plans your meals, generates one shopping list from the plan and compares its price at the Woolworths, Coles and ALDI stores you choose, including the items each store is missing. The free tier prices three items on your list; Pro prices the whole list.
Your recipes, your list, your stores
Price your own week, not ours.
RecipeRun does every step of this page for your own week, in one app:
- Manage your recipes. Save them from websites like RecipeTin Eats, TikTok and YouTube links, photos and handwritten cards, in one searchable library.
- Plan your meals. Give each recipe a day in the weekly plan.
- Generate the shopping list. One list from the whole plan, with duplicate ingredients combined.
- Compare prices. See what the list costs at the Woolworths, Coles and ALDI stores you choose, and what each store is missing.
Free to download, no ads. The free tier prices three items on your list; Pro prices the whole list. Prices are estimates, so check the final price with the retailer.
Sources and disclosure
Prices come from the Woolworths, Coles and ALDI websites and were collected by RecipeRun’s price checker on 13 October 2026. Recipes are by RecipeTin Eats; we link to each one rather than reproduce it. This page is published by the team that makes RecipeRun, which is not affiliated with RecipeTin Eats, Woolworths, Coles or ALDI.
More on comparing supermarkets: how to compare Woolworths, Coles and ALDI prices for your own list and how to meal plan for a family of four on a budget.