ALDI Dairy-Free Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: This week you're buying chicken for two nights (breasts on Monday, wings on Wednesday) and beef for three (ground beef on Tuesday and Thursday, then the petite beef tender on Friday), so dinners stay varied without a long shopping list. The 3 lbs of Fresh Ground Beef Chub at $8.97 covers both Tuesday's green bean stir-fry and Thursday's meatballs, and the $1.99 bag of Gala apples stretches to Wednesday's apple slices and Friday's sauteed apples. The chutney on Monday and the fig or sour cherry spread on Wednesday give the chicken a sweet glaze without any butter or cream, but check your soy sauce and hot sauce labels and skip the wing sauce packet unless it says dairy-free. Everything else leans on easy staples like potatoes, rice, and olive oil, so the cooking stays simple.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Pan-Seared Chicken Breasts with Chutney Glaze and Roasted Potatoes
Description: Chicken breasts are seared in a skillet until golden, then brushed with Specially Selected Assorted Chutney for a sweet and tangy glaze. Olive oil roasted potatoes finish the plate.
Sale items used: Fresh Family Pack Chicken Breasts, Specially Selected Assorted Chutney
Prep time: 45 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs Fresh Family Pack Chicken Breasts (about 8 oz per person) and the full 9.88 oz jar of Specially Selected Assorted Chutney, used for the glaze and to serve at the table. Roast 2 lbs potatoes cubed with olive oil, salt, and pepper at 425 F for about 35 minutes while the chicken sears.

Tuesday
Meal: Ground Beef and French Green Bean Skillet Stir-Fry over Rice
Description: Fresh Ground Beef Chub is browned in a hot skillet, then tossed with trimmed green beans, garlic, ginger, and a soy sauce glaze. It is served over steamed white rice.
Sale items used: Fresh Ground Beef Chub, French Green Beans
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs Fresh Ground Beef Chub and 1 lb French Green Beans (1 package). Cook 1.5 cups dry rice for 4 people. Use soy sauce that is labeled dairy-free.
Recipes:
- Beef and Green Bean Stir Fry Recipe (Easy 30-Minute Dinner)
- The Best Ground Beef Stir Fry Recipe - The Real Food Dietitians
- Green Beans and Ground Beef

Wednesday
Meal: Oven-Baked Chicken Wings with Fruit Spread Glaze and Fresh Apple Slices
Description: The wings are baked on a rack until crisp, then tossed in a sweet and spicy glaze of Specially Selected Fig or Sour Cherry Fruit Spread and hot sauce. Crisp apple slices on the side cool the heat.
Sale items used: Fresh Buffalo Party Pack Chicken Wings, Specially Selected Fig or Sour Cherry Fruit Spread, New York Gala Apples
Prep time: 55 minutes
Serving note: Use the full 40 oz Fresh Buffalo Party Pack Chicken Wings (2.5 lbs) and the full 9 oz jar of Specially Selected Fig or Sour Cherry Fruit Spread (either variety), thinned with hot sauce and a splash of vinegar. Slice 3 New York Gala Apples from the 3-lb bag. Discard any sauce packet that comes with the wings unless the label confirms it is dairy-free, and check that your hot sauce is dairy-free. Bake at 425 F for 45 to 50 minutes, flipping once.
Recipes:
- Apple Cider Chicken Wings Recipe - We are not Martha
- Sticky Maple Apple Chicken Wings
- Glazed Apple Chicken Wings Recipe

Thursday
Meal: Baked Ground Beef Meatballs with Pear and Onion Pan Sauce over Mashed Potatoes
Description: Fresh Ground Beef Chub is mixed with egg, oats, garlic, and spices, then baked into tender meatballs. They are served over olive oil mashed potatoes with a quick sauce of sauteed Washington Bartlett Pears and onion.
Sale items used: Fresh Ground Beef Chub, Washington Bartlett Pears
Prep time: 50 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs Fresh Ground Beef Chub and 2 pears from the 3-lb bag of Washington Bartlett Pears. Mash 2 lbs boiled potatoes with olive oil and warm broth, not butter or milk. Bake the meatballs at 400 F for 18 to 20 minutes.

Friday
Meal: Pan-Seared Beef Tender with Sauteed Gala Apples and Onions over Rice
Description: The Morton's of Omaha Fresh Garlic or Steakhouse Petite Beef Tender is seared in a hot skillet to a medium finish and rested before slicing. It is served with sweet sauteed apples and onions and steamed rice.
Sale items used: Morton's of Omaha Fresh Garlic or Steakhouse Petite Beef Tender, New York Gala Apples
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs Morton's of Omaha Fresh Garlic or Steakhouse Petite Beef Tender (about 8 oz per person) and 2 New York Gala Apples from the same 3-lb bag used Wednesday (5 apples total across the week). Cook 1.5 cups dry rice for 4 people. Sear 4 to 5 minutes per side depending on thickness, then rest 5 minutes.

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh Family Pack Chicken Breasts (2 lbs): $3.98
- Fresh Buffalo Party Pack Chicken Wings, 40 oz (x1 pack): $4.99
- Fresh Ground Beef Chub (3 lbs): $8.97
- Morton's of Omaha Fresh Garlic or Steakhouse Petite Beef Tender (2 lbs): $13.98
- New York Gala Apples, 3-lb bag (x1): $1.99
- Washington Bartlett Pears, 3-lb bag (x1): $2.99
- French Green Beans, 1-lb pkg (x1): $2.89
- Specially Selected Assorted Chutney, 9.88 oz (x1): $2.99
- Specially Selected Fig or Sour Cherry Fruit Spread, 9 oz (x1): $2.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or other cooking oil
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic and yellow onions
- Russet potatoes (about 4 lbs total)
- Long-grain white rice (3 cups dry total)
- Eggs (2)
- Rolled oats (about 1/2 cup)
- Dairy-free soy sauce
- Dairy-free hot sauce
- Rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- Fresh or ground ginger
- Cornstarch
- Chicken or beef broth (dairy-free)
- Paprika, cumin, and dried oregano