Food City Standard Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: The two chicken options at $1.49 and $1.99 per pound are the clear stars of this flyer - boneless chicken breast and chicken tenders together anchor two of the five nights for well under $4 total protein cost each. Boston Butt at $1.49/lb is an equally outstanding deal and drives a hearty slow-cooked pork dinner, though it needs a long braise so a Sunday or early-start approach works best. Boneless pork chops at $3.99/lb round out a fourth economical night with a quick pan-sear. For the one premium night, cooked shrimp at $9.99/lb is the smartest pick among the premium proteins because it requires zero cooking time and about 1.5 lbs feeds four generously - making it cheaper per serving than the steaks and cod while delivering a completely different flavor profile. The Bottom Round Roast was skipped because feeding four people requires a large cut that pushes protein cost well above the shrimp option. The $1.00 pasta and $1.00 pasta sauce are genuine pantry-level deals that make Wednesday's pasta night nearly free on the carb side, helping keep the full week's total in a reasonable range.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Pan-Seared Boneless Chicken Breast with Russet Potato Wedges
Description: Boneless chicken breasts are seasoned and seared in butter over medium-high heat until golden and cooked through, then rested and sliced for serving. Thick-cut russet potato wedges are roasted alongside in the oven with butter, salt, and pepper for a simple and satisfying weeknight plate.
Sale items used: Sanderson Farms Boneless Chicken Breast, Basket & Bushel Russet Potatoes (5 lb), Food Club Butter (16 oz)
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Buy 2 lbs of Sanderson Farms Boneless Chicken Breast (digital coupon required) and 1 bag of Basket & Bushel Russet Potatoes (5 lb). Use 1 lb of butter from the Food Club Butter package across the week; use roughly 2 tablespoons tonight. Each person gets one breast half and a generous portion of potato wedges.

Tuesday
Meal: Slow-Braised Boston Butt Pork with Italian Bread
Description: A Boston Butt is seasoned with garlic, paprika, and herbs, then braised low and slow in a covered pot with broth and aromatics until fork-tender and deeply flavored. Thick slices are served over the braising juices alongside warm Italian Bread for soaking up the pan drippings.
Sale items used: Food City Fresh, Whole-In-Bag Boston Butt, Italian Bread, Baked Fresh Daily, Food Club Butter (16 oz)
Prep time: 20 minutes active prep; braise 3 to 3.5 hours at 325 degrees F - start by early afternoon or braise the night before and reheat
Serving note: Buy a Boston Butt of approximately 3 lbs (the whole-in-bag format; use what you need and refrigerate the rest for sandwiches). Buy 1 loaf of Italian Bread. Use 1 tablespoon of butter from the Food Club Butter package to sear the roast before braising. This is a long braise - start it by 2:30 PM for a 6 PM dinner, or braise Sunday evening and reheat Monday.
Recipes:
- Italian Pulled Pork ~ Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder
- Best Ever Boston Butt Roast in a Slow Cooker

Wednesday
Meal: Ground Chuck Pasta with Food Club Pasta Sauce
Description: Ground chuck is browned in a skillet with onion and garlic, then simmered with Food Club Pasta Sauce until rich and meaty. Tossed with cooked Food Club Pasta and finished with a pat of butter, this is a hearty, crowd-pleasing dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes.
Sale items used: Ground Chuck, Food City Fresh, 80% Lean, 3 Lbs. or More, Food Club Pasta Sauce (24 oz), Food Club Pasta (12-16 oz), Food Club Butter (16 oz)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Buy 1.5 lbs of Ground Chuck (note: the sale requires purchasing 3 lbs or more to get the $5.99/lb price - buy 3 lbs total and freeze the remaining 1.5 lbs for later use). Buy 2 jars of Food Club Pasta Sauce and 1 package of Food Club Pasta. Use 1 tablespoon of butter from the Food Club Butter package to finish the sauce.

Thursday
Meal: Pan-Seared Boneless Pork Chops with Skillet Classics
Description: Center-cut boneless pork chops are seasoned and seared in a hot skillet with butter until caramelized and cooked through, then rested briefly before serving. A Skillet Classics side dish rounds out the plate with minimal extra effort on a busy weeknight.
Sale items used: Boneless Pork Chops, Food City Fresh Center Cut, Skillet Classics (5-8.25 oz), Food Club Butter (16 oz)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Buy 2 lbs of Boneless Pork Chops (approximately 4 to 5 chops depending on thickness, giving each person one generous chop). Buy 2 packages of Skillet Classics to provide a full side for 4 people. Use 2 tablespoons of butter from the Food Club Butter package for searing.

Friday
Meal: Garlic Butter Cooked Shrimp over Food Club Pasta
Description: Pre-cooked shrimp are warmed quickly in a skillet with butter and garlic, then tossed with al dente Food Club Pasta for a fast and flavorful Friday dinner that feels special without a lot of work. The shrimp stay tender since they only need two to three minutes of heat to warm through.
Sale items used: Cooked Shrimp, Farm Raised, Previously Frozen, 26/30 Ct., Food Club Pasta (12-16 oz), Food Club Butter (16 oz)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Buy 1.5 lbs of Cooked Shrimp (at 26/30 count per pound, 1.5 lbs yields roughly 39 to 45 shrimp, about 10 shrimp per person). Buy 1 package of Food Club Pasta. Use 3 tablespoons of butter from the Food Club Butter package for the garlic butter sauce.
Recipes:
- Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Sanderson Farms Boneless Chicken Breast (2 lbs): $2.98
- Food City Fresh, Whole-In-Bag Boston Butt (3 lbs): $4.47
- Ground Chuck, Food City Fresh, 80% Lean (3 lbs): $17.97
- Boneless Pork Chops, Food City Fresh Center Cut (2 lbs): $7.98
- Cooked Shrimp, Farm Raised, Previously Frozen, 26/30 Ct. (1.5 lbs): $14.99
- Basket & Bushel Russet Potatoes (5 lb) (x1): $2.49
- Italian Bread, Baked Fresh Daily (x1): $2.99
- Food Club Pasta Sauce (24 oz) (x2): $2.00
- Food Club Pasta (12-16 oz) (x2): $2.00
- Food Club Butter (16 oz) (x1): $2.99
- Skillet Classics (5-8.25 oz) (x2): $2.00

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or neutral cooking oil
- Garlic (fresh or minced)
- Onion
- Salt and black pepper
- Paprika
- Dried herbs (thyme, oregano, or Italian seasoning)
- Chicken or beef broth (for braising the Boston Butt)