ALDI Standard Meal Plan

SALE ITEMS FOUND

Meats on sale:
- Perdue Fresh Chicken Drumsticks Family Pack: $0.89
- Ahi Tuna Steaks: $8.99
- Morton's of Omaha Beef Tenderloin: $2.99
- Fresh Pork: $3.99
- Kirkwood Fresh Chicken Tenderloins: $3.99
- MSC Certified Sockeye: $13.99
- Fremont Fish Tilapia Fillets: $8.85
- Fremont Tilapia: $3.99
- Fremont Argentine Red Shrimp 16 oz. Frozen: $9.99
- Seasoned Chicken: $1.15 each

Vegetables on sale:
- Driscoll's Strawberries: $1.89
- Washington Red Apples: $2.79
- Peaches: $1.69
- Baby Bella Mushrooms: $1.29 per 8-oz. Pkg.
- Mushrooms: $1.69 per 16-oz. Pkg.
- Cucumbers: $2.99 per 11.15-12 oz. Pkg.
- Organic Peaches: $3.99 each
- Coleslaw: $3.99
- Season's Steamable Medley: $1.79 each

Pricing note: Morton's of Omaha Beef Tenderloin at $2.99 shows no unit (no /lb, no "each", no pack description) - price not listed in usable form. Ahi Tuna Steaks at $8.99, MSC Certified Sockeye at $13.99, and Fremont Fish Tilapia Fillets at $8.85 also show no unit - price not listed in usable form. Fremont Tilapia at $3.99 shows no unit - price not listed in usable form. Fresh Pork at $3.99 shows no unit - price not listed in usable form. Kirkwood Fresh Chicken Tenderloins at $3.99 shows no unit - price not listed in usable form. Fremont Argentine Red Shrimp 16 oz. Frozen at $9.99 is a flat per-package price and is included. Seasoned Chicken at $1.15 each is a flat per-unit price and is included.

BUDGET RATIONALE

Protein ranking (most economical to most expensive per serving for 4 people):
- Perdue Fresh Chicken Drumsticks Family Pack: $0.89/lb - roughly 2 lbs for 4 people = $1.78 total, about $0.45 per serving
- Seasoned Chicken: $1.15 each - 4 units for 4 people = $4.60 total, about $1.15 per serving
- Fremont Argentine Red Shrimp 16 oz. Frozen: $9.99 per 16-oz. package - 1 package for 4 people = $9.99 total, about $2.50 per serving

Why these meals: The chicken drumsticks at $0.89/lb are the standout deal of the week and anchor two dinners without repeating the same format - one night they go into the oven with coleslaw on the side, and another night the seasoned chicken units bring a different flavor profile for under $5 total. The Earthly Grains couscous at $2.89 and the Season's Steamable Medley at $1.79 each fill out three more dinners with pantry-style grains and vegetables that keep costs very low. The shrimp at $9.99 for a full 16-oz. package earns the one premium night - it is the only item on this flyer with a clear flat package price that qualifies as a splurge, and at roughly $2.50 per person it is actually quite reasonable for a seafood night. Several items on this flyer (the sockeye, the tuna steaks, the tilapia fillets, the beef tenderloin) were skipped entirely because their pricing units were missing, making it impossible to calculate a reliable cost per serving.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Steamable Vegetable Medley and Coleslaw
Description: Chicken drumsticks are seasoned with pantry spices and roasted in the oven until the skin is golden and the meat is cooked through, delivering a satisfying, hands-off weeknight dinner. A bag of Season's Steamable Medley rounds out the plate with color and crunch, and store-bought coleslaw adds a cool, creamy contrast straight from the container.
Sale items used: Perdue Fresh Chicken Drumsticks Family Pack, Season's Steamable Medley, Coleslaw
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 45 minutes total
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of chicken drumsticks (roughly 6-8 pieces) for 4 people at $0.89/lb = $1.78; 1 bag Season's Steamable Medley at $1.79; 1 container Coleslaw at $3.99. Total cook time is about 45 minutes so no make-ahead needed.
Recipes:
- Crunchy baked chicken with coleslaw
- Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Vegetables

Tuesday
Meal: Garlic-Pan-Seared Seasoned Chicken over Earthly Grains Couscous with Baby Bella Mushrooms
Description: Individual seasoned chicken pieces are seared in a skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through with a lightly caramelized exterior, then served over fluffy couscous prepared from the Earthly Grains box. Sliced Baby Bella mushrooms are sauteed in the same pan to pick up the fond and add an earthy, savory note to the dish.
Sale items used: Seasoned Chicken, Earthly Grains Couscous Chicken, Baby Bella Mushrooms
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 4 units of Seasoned Chicken at $1.15 each = $4.60; 1 box Earthly Grains Couscous Chicken (5.8-10 oz.) at $2.89; 1 pkg Baby Bella Mushrooms (8 oz.) at $1.29.
Recipes:
- Couscous Pilaf with Sauteed Mushrooms
- Mushroom Couscous

Wednesday
Meal: Skillet Shrimp with Steamable Vegetable Medley and Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
Description: Frozen Argentine red shrimp are thawed and cooked quickly in a hot skillet with garlic, butter, and a squeeze of lemon until pink and just firm, making for a fast and flavorful centerpiece. A second bag of Season's Steamable Medley serves as the vegetable side, and warm Hawaiian sweet rolls are perfect for soaking up the pan juices.
Sale items used: Fremont Argentine Red Shrimp 16 oz. Frozen, Season's Steamable Medley, L'oven Fresh Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package (16 oz.) Fremont Argentine Red Shrimp at $9.99; 1 bag Season's Steamable Medley at $1.79; 1 package L'oven Fresh Hawaiian Sweet Rolls at $2.45. Thaw shrimp in cold water for 10-15 minutes before cooking.
Recipes:
- Garlic Shrimp Hawaiian Rolls
- King's Hawaiian Shrimp Rolls

Thursday
Meal: Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Cucumber Salad and Earthly Grains Side
Description: A second round of chicken drumsticks takes on a completely different flavor profile with a tangy mustard and herb coating before baking, keeping the format distinct from Monday's spiced version. A refreshing cucumber salad dressed with vinegar, salt, and dill provides a bright, acidic counterpoint, while a simple Earthly Grains side rounds out the meal.
Sale items used: Perdue Fresh Chicken Drumsticks Family Pack, Cucumbers, Earthly Grains
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 45 minutes total
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of chicken drumsticks for 4 people at $0.89/lb = $1.78; 1 pkg Cucumbers (11.15-12 oz.) at $2.99; 1 unit Earthly Grains at $0.99. Total cook time is about 45 minutes so no make-ahead needed.
Recipes:
- Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks – Easy & Delicious
- Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks – Easy Delicious Oven Recipe
- Pomegranate Glazed Drumsticks With Cucumber Salad and Green Beans

Friday
Meal: Sauteed Mushroom and Couscous Bowl with Fresh Peach Salsa
Description: A hearty meatless bowl built on Earthly Grains couscous topped with a generous saute of sliced mushrooms cooked down with garlic, olive oil, and fresh herbs until deeply savory and tender. A quick fresh peach salsa made from diced peaches, cucumber scraps, and a splash of lime juice adds brightness and a sweet-tart finish that makes this feel like a special end-of-week meal.
Sale items used: Earthly Grains, Mushrooms, Peaches
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 unit Earthly Grains at $0.99; 1 pkg Mushrooms (16 oz.) at $1.69; 2 Peaches at $1.69 per package (use 2 individual peaches from the bag for the salsa, sharing the package cost).
Recipes:
- Mushroom Couscous
- Couscous Pilaf with Sauteed Mushrooms
- Peach Salsa Couscous Recipe

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Perdue Fresh Chicken Drumsticks Family Pack (4 lbs total, 2 lbs per chicken night): $3.56
- Seasoned Chicken (x4 units): $4.60
- Fremont Argentine Red Shrimp 16 oz. Frozen (x1 package): $9.99
- Earthly Grains Couscous Chicken (x1 box): $2.89
- Earthly Grains (x2 units): $1.98
- Baby Bella Mushrooms (x1 pkg, 8 oz.): $1.29
- Mushrooms (x1 pkg, 16 oz.): $1.69
- Season's Steamable Medley (x2 bags): $3.58
- Coleslaw (x1 container): $3.99
- Cucumbers (x1 pkg): $2.99
- Peaches (x1 pkg): $1.69
- L'oven Fresh Hawaiian Sweet Rolls (x1 package): $2.45

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or neutral cooking oil
- Butter
- Garlic (fresh or minced)
- Salt and black pepper
- Paprika and dried herbs (thyme, oregano, dill)
- Mustard (for Thursday chicken coating)
- Red wine vinegar or white vinegar (for cucumber salad)
- Lemon (for shrimp)
- Lime juice (for peach salsa)