ALDI Dairy-Free Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: This week's plan keeps things dairy-free without sacrificing variety, moving from crispy oven-baked chicken drumsticks on Monday to a quick ground beef stir-fry over jasmine rice on Tuesday. Wednesday lightens things up with golden popcorn shrimp alongside a cool cucumber avocado salad, while Thursday brings pre-marinated pork strips paired with roasted sweet potatoes and squash for an easy, hands-off dinner. Friday closes the week on a high note with grilled tuna steaks over a fresh avocado and tomato salad, a simple but special way to wrap things up. Avocados and Roma tomatoes make a couple of appearances across the week, so you get great mileage out of fresh produce like the mini cucumbers at $1.69 and the four avocados at $2.36. Each night is straightforward to prep and built around proteins and produce you'll actually use twice, keeping your grocery trip efficient and your meals satisfying.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Roasted Yellow Potatoes and Tomato Salad
Description: Chicken drumsticks are seasoned and roasted until crisp-skinned and juicy, served alongside oven-roasted organic yellow potatoes. A simple fresh Roma tomato salad rounds out the plate.
Sale items used: Perdue Fresh Antibiotic Free Family Pack Chicken Drumsticks, U.S. Grade #1 Organic Yellow Potatoes, Roma Tomatoes
Prep time: 50 minutes
Serving note: 2 lbs chicken drumsticks, 1 (24-oz) bag organic yellow potatoes, 0.5 lb Roma tomatoes for the salad portion of this meal.
Recipes:
- Juicy Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Garlic Herb Potatoes and Fresh Garden Salad
- Herb Roasted Chicken Drumsticks & Potatoes Recipe
- Oven Baked Chicken Legs with Potatoes

Tuesday
Meal: Ground Beef Stir-Fry with Asian Medley Vegetables over Jasmine Rice
Description: Ground beef is browned and tossed in a savory Asian stir-fry sauce with frozen Asian medley vegetables, served over fluffy jasmine rice. Quick wok-style cooking keeps the beef tender and the vegetables crisp.
Sale items used: Fresh 73/27 Ground Beef, Season's Choice Asian Medley or Broccoli Stir Fry, Burman's Asian Stir Fry Sauce, Simply Nature Organic Jasmine or Basmati Rice
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: 2 lbs ground beef, 1 (12-oz) bag Asian Medley, 1 bottle stir-fry sauce, rice portioned from the 32-oz bag (about half used this meal).
Recipes:
- 30 Minute Ground Beef Stir Fry
- Ground Beef Stir Fry with Rice
- Ground Beef Stir Fry

Wednesday
Meal: Crispy Popcorn Shrimp with Cucumber Avocado Salad
Description: Popcorn shrimp are oven-crisped until golden and paired with a cool, crunchy salad of mini cucumbers and avocado. A light and fast weeknight seafood dinner.
Sale items used: Fremont Fish Market Popcorn Shrimp, Mini Cucumbers, Avocados
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 1 (18-oz) bag popcorn shrimp, 1 (16-oz) pkg mini cucumbers, 2 avocados sliced for the salad.
Recipes:
- Quick Cold Shrimp & Avocado Salad (No Mayo)
- Shrimp Avocado Cucumber Salad
- Cucumber Shrimp Salad

Thursday
Meal: Marinated Pork Strips with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Squash
Description: Pre-marinated pork strips are pan-seared until browned, served with oven-roasted sweet potatoes and squash for a warm, comforting plate. Simple and hands-off once the sides go in the oven.
Sale items used: Smithfield Fresh Marinated Pork Strips, Simply Nature Organic Squash or Sweet Potatoes
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: 1 (16-oz) pkg pork strips, 2 (10-oz) bags squash/sweet potatoes.
Recipes:
- Herbed Pork Tenderloin, Squash and Sweet Potato Sheet Pan Dinner
- Sheet Pan Pork Chops with Sweet Potatoes and Apples
- Roasted Pork Tenderloin and Sweet Potatoes

Friday
Meal: Grilled Tuna Steaks with Avocado and Tomato Salad
Description: Tuna steaks are seared hot and fast for a firm, flaky texture, then plated over a bright avocado and Roma tomato salad. A satisfying premium night without a heavy price tag.
Sale items used: Specially Selected Frozen Tuna Steaks, Avocados, Roma Tomatoes
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 2 (12-oz) tuna steaks, 2 avocados, 0.5 lb Roma tomatoes.
Recipes:
- Grilled Tuna with Marinated Tomato and Arugula Salad
- Tuna and Avocado Salad
- Grilled Tuna with Avocado and Tomato Salad

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Perdue Fresh Antibiotic Free Family Pack Chicken Drumsticks (2 lbs): $1.78
- U.S. Grade #1 Organic Yellow Potatoes (1 bag): $3.99
- Roma Tomatoes (1 lb): $0.85
- Fresh 73/27 Ground Beef (2 lbs): $8.58
- Season's Choice Asian Medley or Broccoli Stir Fry (1 pack): $1.59
- Burman's Asian Stir Fry Sauce (1 bottle): $2.29
- Simply Nature Organic Jasmine or Basmati Rice (1 bag): $4.29
- Fremont Fish Market Popcorn Shrimp (1 pack): $5.99
- Mini Cucumbers (1 pkg): $1.69
- Avocados (4 each): $2.36
- Smithfield Fresh Marinated Pork Strips (1 pack): $4.99
- Simply Nature Organic Squash or Sweet Potatoes (2 packs): $4.98
- Specially Selected Frozen Tuna Steaks (2 each): $9.70

Pantry staples needed:
- Cooking oil
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic (fresh or powder)
- Basic seasonings/spices for chicken and pork