Food Lion Standard Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Protein ranking (most economical to most expensive per serving for 4 people):
- Chicken Drumsticks: $0.79/lb - about 2.5 lbs feeds 4 generously = ~$1.98 for 4 people (~$0.50/person)
- Chicken Thighs: $1.49/lb - about 2 lbs feeds 4 = ~$2.98 for 4 people (~$0.75/person)
- Chicken Wings: $0.99/lb - about 3 lbs feeds 4 as a main = ~$2.97 for 4 people (~$0.74/person) [note: wings rank just behind thighs on a meat-yield basis but are listed here for completeness; thighs and wings are very close]
- Pork Loin Roast or Pork Tenderloin: $3.02/lb - about 1.5 lbs feeds 4 = ~$4.53 for 4 people (~$1.13/person)
- Hillshire Farm Smoked Dinner Sausage: $4.99 for 16 oz. Pkg. - one package feeds 4 as part of a dish = ~$4.99 for 4 people (~$1.25/person)
- Swift Dry Rub St. Louis Style Pork Ribs: $3.99/lb - about 3 lbs feeds 4 = ~$11.97 for 4 people (~$2.99/person)
- Boneless Center Cut Pork Chops: $4.99/lb - about 2 lbs feeds 4 = ~$9.98 for 4 people (~$2.50/person)
- Fresh Ground Beef Patties 73% Lean: $5.99/lb - about 1.5 lbs feeds 4 = ~$8.99 for 4 people (~$2.25/person)
- Boneless Shoulder Roast Beef: $5.89 each - one roast feeds 4 = ~$5.89 for 4 people (~$1.47/person)
- Stew Beef Bottom Round Roast: $5.99/lb - about 2 lbs feeds 4 = ~$11.98 for 4 people (~$3.00/person)
- Great Fish Catfish Nuggets: $7.99 for 32 oz. Pkg. - one package feeds 4 = ~$7.99 for 4 people (~$2.00/person)
- Food Lion Raw Shrimp: $8.99/lb - about 1.25 lbs feeds 4 = ~$11.24 for 4 people (~$2.81/person)
- Nature's Promise Raw Shrimp: $9.99 for 12 oz. Bag - one bag is light for 4; two bags needed = ~$19.98 for 4 people (~$5.00/person)
- Fresh Atlantic Salmon Side: $11.99/lb - about 1.5 lbs feeds 4 = ~$17.99 for 4 people (~$4.50/person)

Why these meals: Chicken drumsticks at $0.79/lb and chicken thighs at $1.49/lb are the two best protein deals on the entire flyer this week, so they anchor two of the five dinners and keep the per-person cost extremely low those nights. Pork tenderloin at $3.02/lb is a lean, versatile cut that delivers a satisfying weeknight dinner for well under $5 total, making it a natural third anchor. Hillshire Farm Smoked Dinner Sausage at $4.99 for a full pound rounds out the economical side of the week with a completely different flavor profile - smoky, hearty, and fast to cook. For the one premium night, Great Fish Catfish Nuggets at $7.99 for a full 32-oz. package is the most budget-friendly of the seafood options on this flyer by a wide margin - a flat $7.99 feeds all four people, which is far cheaper per serving than shrimp or salmon. Fresh Atlantic Salmon at $11.99/lb and both shrimp options were deliberately skipped because even at sale prices they would push the weekly total uncomfortably close to or past the ceiling.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Roasted Russet Potatoes and Baby Cut Carrots
Description: Chicken drumsticks are seasoned with Weber Rub and baked at 425 degrees until the skin is golden and crisp, while cubed russet potatoes and baby cut carrots roast alongside in the same pan. The result is a hearty, hands-off dinner with caramelized edges on the vegetables and juicy, deeply flavored chicken.
Sale items used: Chicken Drumsticks, Weber Rub, Food Lion Russet Potatoes, Food Lion Supreme Baby Cut Carrots
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 45 minutes in the oven
Serving note: Use 2.5 lbs of Chicken Drumsticks (roughly 8-10 pieces for 4 people). Use half the 5 lb bag of Food Lion Russet Potatoes (about 2.5 lbs, cubed) and half the 2 lb bag of Food Lion Supreme Baby Cut Carrots (about 1 lb). One 6.25 oz. jar of Weber Rub seasons everything generously. Total time is about 60 minutes; slide everything into the oven at the same time so it all finishes together.
Recipes:
- One Pan Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Potatoes & Carrots

Tuesday
Meal: Sauteed Pork Tenderloin Slices with Biscuits and Green Pepper
Description: Pork Loin Roast or Pork Tenderloin is sliced into medallions, seasoned with salt and pepper, and pan-seared in a skillet until golden brown and cooked through, then served alongside warm Food Lion Jumbo Biscuits and sauteed sliced green pepper. The combination of tender, savory pork, fluffy biscuits, and sweet-edged peppers makes a satisfying Southern-style dinner that comes together in about 30 minutes.
Sale items used: Pork Loin Roast or Pork Tenderloin, Food Lion Jumbo Biscuits, Greenhouse Cucumbers or Green Peppers (green peppers)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of Pork Loin Roast or Pork Tenderloin, sliced into 1-inch medallions (about 3-4 pieces per person). One 16 oz. package of Food Lion Jumbo Biscuits bakes alongside. Use 2 green peppers (at $0.85-$1.75 each, budget $1.75 for 2 at the higher end).

Wednesday
Meal: Smoked Sausage, Baked Beans, and Potato Skillet
Description: Hillshire Farm Smoked Dinner Sausage is sliced into coins and browned in a skillet, then stirred together with Bush's Grillin' or Best Baked Beans and diced russet potatoes that have been par-cooked, creating a smoky, filling one-pan dinner. A splash of Texas Pete Hot Sauce at the table adds a bright kick to the rich, savory base.
Sale items used: Hillshire Farm Smoked Dinner Sausage, Bush's Grillin' or Best Baked Beans, Food Lion Russet Potatoes, Texas Pete Hot Sauce
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use one 16 oz. package of Hillshire Farm Smoked Dinner Sausage, sliced. Use two 16 oz. cans of Bush's Grillin' or Best Baked Beans. Use the remaining half of the 5 lb bag of Food Lion Russet Potatoes (about 2.5 lbs, diced and microwaved for 5 minutes before adding to the skillet). One 5 oz. bottle of Texas Pete Hot Sauce is a table condiment.

Thursday
Meal: House Autry Breaded Catfish Nuggets with Corn on the Cob and Grown Salad Mix
Description: Great Fish Catfish Nuggets are coated in House Autry Breader Mix and pan-fried in a skillet until golden and crispy on the outside and flaky inside, served with Birds Eye Corn on the Cob and a simple tossed salad from Grown Salad Mix. This classic Southern fish-fry dinner is fast, flavorful, and completely different in texture and profile from the rest of the week.
Sale items used: Great Fish Catfish Nuggets, House Autry Breader Mix, Birds Eye Corn on the Cob, Grown Salad Mix
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use one 32 oz. package of Great Fish Catfish Nuggets (feeds 4 as a main). Use one 10 oz. bag of House Autry Breader Mix (more than enough to coat the full package). Cook 4 ears from the 12-count package of Birds Eye Corn on the Cob per package microwave directions. Use one 8 oz. bag of Grown Salad Mix tossed with pantry oil and vinegar.
Recipes:
- Baked Catfish Nuggets Recipe

Friday
Meal: Baked Chicken Thighs with Pace Salsa, Shredded Cheese, and Mission Flour Tortillas
Description: Bone-in chicken thighs are seasoned, baked until the skin crisps and the meat is fully cooked through, then shredded and served in warm Mission Flour Tortillas topped with Pace Mild Chunky Salsa, Food Lion Chunk or Shredded Cheese, and Food Lion Squeeze Sour Cream. It is a build-your-own taco-style dinner with bold flavor and a completely different format from the week's other meals.
Sale items used: Chicken Thighs, Mission Flour Tortillas, Pace Mild Chunky Salsa, Food Lion Chunk or Shredded Cheese, Food Lion Squeeze Sour Cream
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 40 minutes in the oven
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of Chicken Thighs (about 4-5 thighs). Bake at 400 degrees for 38-42 minutes, then shred the meat off the bone. One 17.5 oz. package of Mission Flour Tortillas provides 2-3 tortillas per person. One 15.25 oz. jar of Pace Mild Chunky Salsa, one 8 oz. package of Food Lion Chunk or Shredded Cheese, and one 14 oz. squeeze of Food Lion Squeeze Sour Cream complete the toppings.
Recipes:
- Oven Baked Salsa Chicken Recipe
- Simple Baked Salsa Chicken Thighs

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Chicken Drumsticks (2.5 lbs): $1.98
- Weber Rub (x1 jar): $3.99
- Food Lion Russet Potatoes (x1 bag, 5 lbs): $2.99
- Food Lion Supreme Baby Cut Carrots (x1 bag, 2 lbs): $1.49
- Pork Loin Roast or Pork Tenderloin (1.5 lbs): $4.53
- Food Lion Jumbo Biscuits (x1 pkg, 16 oz.): $2.49
- Greenhouse Cucumbers or Green Peppers - green peppers (x2): $3.50
- Hillshire Farm Smoked Dinner Sausage (x1 pkg, 16 oz.): $4.99
- Bush's Grillin' or Best Baked Beans (x2 cans, 16 oz. each): $2.98
- Texas Pete Hot Sauce (x1 bottle, 5 oz.): $1.99
- Great Fish Catfish Nuggets (x1 pkg, 32 oz.): $7.99
- House Autry Breader Mix (x1 bag, 10 oz.): $0.99
- Birds Eye Corn on the Cob (x1 pkg, 12 Ct.): $3.79
- Grown Salad Mix (x1 bag, 8 oz.): $1.63
- Chicken Thighs (2 lbs): $2.98
- Mission Flour Tortillas (x1 pkg, 17.5 oz.): $2.49
- Pace Mild Chunky Salsa (x1 jar, 15.25 oz.): $1.38
- Food Lion Chunk or Shredded Cheese (x1 pkg, 8 oz.): $3.99
- Food Lion Squeeze Sour Cream (x1, 14 oz.): $2.49

Pantry staples needed:
- Cooking oil (for pan-frying catfish and sauteing pork)
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic powder or onion powder (optional seasoning for pork and chicken)
- Olive oil or vinegar (for salad dressing on Thursday)