Food City Gluten-Free Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Protein ranking (most economical to most expensive per serving for 4 people):
- Whole Boneless Pork Loin (Food City Fresh): $1.29/lb - 2 lbs feeds 4, roughly $2.58 total, about $0.65/person (with digital coupon)
- Mixed Pork Chops, Food City Fresh, Bone-In, Family Pack: $1.49/lb - 2 lbs feeds 4, roughly $2.98 total, about $0.75/person
- Fresh Split Chicken Breast, Sanderson Farms, Family Pack: $1.99/lb - 2 lbs feeds 4, roughly $3.98 total, about $1.00/person
- Ground Round, Food City Fresh, 85% Lean, 3 lbs or more: $6.99/lb - 1.5 lbs feeds 4, roughly $10.49 total (must buy 3 lbs minimum to get this price), about $2.62/person
- Luck's Beans, 15 oz: $0.89 each - 2 cans feeds 4 as a protein base, roughly $1.78 total, about $0.45/person (note: beans are listed here as a complete protein anchor for a meatless night)
- Smithfield Marinated Pork Picnic Shoulder Roast, Selected Varieties: $7.99 each flat price per roast, feeds 4 generously, about $2.00/person
- Cooked Shrimp, Farm Raised, Previously Frozen, 41/50 ct: $7.99/lb - 1.5 lbs feeds 4, roughly $11.99 total, about $3.00/person
- Salmon Fillets, Fresh: $9.99/lb - 2 lbs feeds 4, roughly $19.98 total, about $5.00/person
- Round Tip Roast, Certified Angus Beef: $7.99/lb - 2.5 lbs feeds 4, roughly $19.98 total, about $5.00/person
- New York Strip Steak, Certified Angus Beef, Family Pack: $14.99/lb - 2 lbs feeds 4, roughly $29.98 total, about $7.50/person
- Prime New York Strip Steak, Certified Angus Beef: $22.99/lb - 2 lbs feeds 4, roughly $45.98 total, about $11.50/person

Why these meals: The pork loin at $1.29/lb with the digital coupon is the single best protein deal on this entire flyer - two pounds feeds four people for under $3.00, making it the obvious anchor for one night. Bone-in mixed pork chops at $1.49/lb are nearly as good, and Sanderson Farms split chicken breast at $1.99/lb rounds out the economical proteins that carry four of the five dinners. The Smithfield Marinated Pork Picnic Shoulder Roast at a flat $7.99 each is a smart pick because one roast feeds four people generously, keeping the per-person cost very reasonable - note that this roast needs a longer cook time, so a slow cooker start in the morning or an oven braise is the way to go. Salmon at $9.99/lb is the only true premium protein chosen this week; it earns its one night because it is the most practical premium option at a realistic portion size, while the strip steaks and prime cuts were deliberately skipped since even on sale they would push the weekly total well past the per-person ceiling. The Ground Round requires a 3-lb minimum purchase to unlock the $6.99/lb price, which would inflate the total unnecessarily for a single dinner, so it was set aside in favor of the flat-price roast. Keeping four nights on sub-$2/lb proteins and one night on salmon holds the full week comfortably within budget.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Pan-Seared Boneless Pork Loin with Roasted Russet Potatoes and Canned Green Beans
Description: Thick slices of boneless pork loin are seasoned and seared in a skillet until golden and cooked through, then rested while diced russet potatoes roast in the oven until crispy. Canned green beans are warmed on the stovetop with a little garlic and olive oil for a simple, satisfying side.
Sale items used: Whole Boneless Pork Loin (Food City Fresh), Russet Potatoes, Basket & Bushel, 10 lb, Food Club Vegetables, Selected Varieties, 14.5-15.25 oz
Prep time: 45 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of pork loin for 4 people, sliced into 4 equal portions. Use approximately 1.5 lbs of russet potatoes from the 10-lb bag. Use 1 can of Food Club Vegetables (green beans variety). Activate the digital coupon before purchase for the pork loin price.

Tuesday
Meal: Baked Bone-In Pork Chops with Fresh Corn and Specialty Potatoes
Description: Bone-in mixed pork chops are seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika, then baked in the oven at 400 degrees until cooked through with a lightly browned crust. Fresh corn on the cob and halved specialty potatoes are roasted alongside on the same sheet pan for an easy one-pan dinner.
Sale items used: Mixed Pork Chops, Food City Fresh, Bone-In, Family Pack, Fresh Corn, 4 pk, Specialty Potatoes, Selected Varieties, Basket & Bushel, 24 oz
Prep time: 50 minutes
Serving note: Use 4 bone-in pork chops totaling approximately 2 lbs. Use all 4 ears of corn from the 4-pack. Use 1 bag (24 oz) of specialty potatoes, halved. All items fit on two sheet pans at 400 degrees for about 35-40 minutes.
Recipes:
- Baked Bone-In Pork Chops

Wednesday
Meal: Slow-Braised Smithfield Marinated Pork Picnic Shoulder Roast with Russet Potatoes and Canned Corn
Description: The marinated pork picnic shoulder roast is placed in a covered roasting pan with a splash of water and braised low and slow in the oven at 300 degrees until fork-tender and deeply flavored from its built-in marinade. Quartered russet potatoes are added to the pan during the last 90 minutes to absorb the savory juices, and canned corn is warmed on the stovetop as a bright, simple side.
Sale items used: Smithfield Marinated Pork Picnic Shoulder Roast, Selected Varieties, Russet Potatoes, Basket & Bushel, 10 lb, That's Smart! Vegetables, Selected Varieties, 14.5-15.25 oz
Prep time: 20 minutes active prep, approximately 3.5 to 4 hours total oven time
Serving note: One roast (approximately 4-5 lbs) feeds 4 people generously. Use approximately 2 lbs of russet potatoes from the bag, quartered. Use 1 can of That's Smart! Vegetables (corn variety). Start the roast by 1:00 PM for a 5:00 PM dinner, or begin in a slow cooker on low at 8:00 AM for a 5:00 PM finish.

Thursday
Meal: Stovetop-Simmered Luck's Beans and Bacon over Rice with a Fresh Express Salad
Description: Two cans of Luck's Beans are simmered on the stovetop with chopped Smithfield Hometown Original Bacon, diced onion, garlic, and a pinch of cayenne until thick and savory, then served over steamed white rice. A Fresh Express American or Italian Salad is tossed with olive oil and red wine vinegar on the side for a crisp, refreshing contrast.
Sale items used: Luck's Beans, 15 oz, Sliced Smithfield Hometown Original Bacon, 22 oz, American or Italian Salad, Fresh Express, 9-11 oz
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 cans of Luck's Beans. Use approximately 6 oz (about one-quarter of the 22-oz bacon package) chopped and cooked down into the beans. Serve over 2 cups dry white rice cooked per package directions (pantry staple). Use 1 bag of Fresh Express salad for 4 side salads. Remaining bacon can be refrigerated for another use.
Recipes:
- Southern In Law: Recipe: Easy Red Beans and Rice (Gluten Free!)

Friday
Meal: Skillet-Seared Fresh Salmon Fillets with Roasted Specialty Potatoes and Birds Eye Frozen Vegetables
Description: Fresh salmon fillets are patted dry, seasoned with salt, pepper, and lemon zest, and seared skin-side down in a hot skillet with olive oil until the skin is crispy, then flipped briefly to finish - a quick, impressive dinner that comes together in under 20 minutes. Specialty potatoes are halved and roasted in the oven while Birds Eye frozen vegetables steam alongside for a colorful, complete plate.
Sale items used: Salmon Fillets, Fresh, Specialty Potatoes, Selected Varieties, Basket & Bushel, 24 oz, Birds Eye Vegetables, Frozen, Selected Varieties, 10-12 oz
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Purchase 2 lbs of fresh salmon fillets, cut into 4 equal portions of approximately 8 oz each. Use 1 bag (24 oz) of specialty potatoes, halved and roasted at 425 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Purchase 4 bags of Birds Eye Vegetables to meet the 4/$4.96 digital coupon requirement; use 1 bag tonight and store the remaining 3 bags in the freezer for later use. Activate the digital coupon before purchase.
Recipes:
- Gluten-Free Sheet Pan Salmon and Vegetables Recipe

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Whole Boneless Pork Loin (Food City Fresh) (2 lbs): $2.58
- Mixed Pork Chops, Food City Fresh, Bone-In, Family Pack (2 lbs): $2.98
- Fresh Split Chicken Breast, Sanderson Farms, Family Pack: not used this week
- Smithfield Marinated Pork Picnic Shoulder Roast, Selected Varieties (x1): $7.99
- Sliced Smithfield Hometown Original Bacon, 22 oz (x1): $5.99
- Salmon Fillets, Fresh (2 lbs): $19.98
- Russet Potatoes, Basket & Bushel, 10 lb (x1): $4.99
- Specialty Potatoes, Selected Varieties, Basket & Bushel, 24 oz (x2): $5.98
- Fresh Corn, 4 pk (x1): $3.99
- Food Club Vegetables, Selected Varieties, 14.5-15.25 oz (x1): $0.89
- That's Smart! Vegetables, Selected Varieties, 14.5-15.25 oz (x1): $0.89
- Luck's Beans, 15 oz (x2): $1.78
- American or Italian Salad, Fresh Express, 9-11 oz (x1): $2.99
- Birds Eye Vegetables, Frozen, Selected Varieties, 10-12 oz (x4): $4.96

Pantry staples needed:
- White rice (for Thursday beans and rice)
- Olive oil
- Garlic (fresh or powder)
- Salt and black pepper
- Smoked paprika
- Cayenne pepper
- Lemon (for zest on salmon)
- Red wine vinegar (for salad dressing)
- Onion