Kroger Dairy-Free Meal Plan

SALE ITEMS FOUND

Meats on sale:
- Pork Back Ribs: $2.99/lb
- Perdue Boneless Chicken: $14.97 for 5 lb package with Card
- Johnsonville Fresh or Smoked Dinner Sausage: $4.99 each
- Kroger 73% Lean Beef Burgers: $5.99/lb
- Private Selection Angus Beef Patties: $8.99 each
- Kroger Boneless Chicken Breast: $5.99/lb
- Fresh Wild-Caught Alaska Sockeye Salmon Fillets: $12.99/lb
- Eastern Seas Sea Scallops: $1.29 each
- Wild-Caught Lobster Tails: $12.99 each
- Beef Tenderloin Super-Trimmed or Filet: $24.99/lb
- Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Lunch Meat: $4.99 each
- Ball Park Meat Franks: $3.49 each

Vegetables on sale:
- Russet Potatoes: $2.49 each
- Asparagus: $2.99/lb
- Tri Color Peppers: $3.99 each
- Whole Seedless Watermelon: $2.99 each
- Strawberries: $2.49 each
- Washington Rainier Cherries: $3.99/lb
- Cotton Candy or Candy Hearts Grapes: $1.99/lb
- California Yellow or White Peaches or Nectarines: $0.99/lb

PROTEIN RANKING (internal planning step, not part of final format)

Most economical to most expensive per serving for 4 people:

1. Ball Park Meat Franks - $3.49/pack, roughly $0.87/serving
2. Pork Back Ribs - $2.99/lb, about 2 lbs bone-in per person so roughly $5.98/serving (bone weight is significant)
3. Perdue Boneless Chicken - $14.97 for 5 lbs = $3.00/lb, about $1.50/serving
4. Kroger Boneless Chicken Breast - $5.99/lb, about $3.00/serving
5. Johnsonville Sausage - $4.99 each, roughly $1.25/serving
6. Kroger 73% Lean Beef Burgers - $5.99/lb, about $3.00/serving
7. Private Selection Angus Beef Patties - $8.99 each
8. Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Lunch Meat - $4.99 each
9. Salmon - $12.99/lb (premium)
10. Scallops - $1.29 each but need many (premium seafood)
11. Lobster Tails - $12.99 each (premium)
12. Beef Tenderloin - $24.99/lb (premium)

Most economical proteins: Franks, Perdue/Kroger Chicken, Sausage, Ground Beef
Premium proteins limited to ONE night: Salmon is the least expensive premium per realistic serving

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Smoky Grilled Sausage and Pepper Skillet
Description: Sliced Johnsonville smoked sausage is seared in a hot pan with vibrant tri-color peppers and served over baked russet potatoes for a hearty, colorful weeknight dinner. A drizzle of Kinder's sauce adds a smoky-sweet glaze that ties the whole dish together.
Sale items used: Johnsonville Fresh or Smoked Dinner Sausage, Tri Color Peppers, Russet Potatoes, Kinder's Sauce
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: 2 packages of sausage (about 6-8 links total, 2 links per person), 1 tri-color pepper pack (3 peppers sliced), 2 large russet potatoes split as baked halves (half a potato per person), Kinder's sauce drizzled to taste
Recipes:
- Grilled Sausage and Peppers
- Sausage, Peppers, and Onions
- Sausage and Peppers Skillet

Tuesday
Meal: Perdue Chicken and Asparagus Stir-Fry with Peach Salsa
Description: Boneless chicken breast strips are quickly stir-fried with crisp-tender asparagus and finished with a bright fresh peach salsa made from the sale nectarines or peaches for a light, summery plate. This dish hits sweet, savory, and herbal notes all at once and comes together in under 30 minutes.
Sale items used: Perdue Boneless Chicken (5 lb package), Asparagus, California Yellow Peaches or Nectarines, Kinder's Sauce (BOGO free second bottle)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use approximately 2 lbs of the Perdue chicken for 4 people (save remaining for another use), 1 lb asparagus trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces, 2 lbs peaches or nectarines diced for salsa, Kinder's sauce used as a light stir-fry glaze
Recipes:
- Asparagus Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe
- Chicken and Asparagus Stir-Fry
- Easy 20-Minute Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry

Wednesday
Meal: Backyard-Style Beef Burgers on Ball Park Buns
Description: Juicy Kroger 73% lean beef burger patties are seasoned simply and grilled or pan-seared, then loaded onto toasted Ball Park buns with sliced peaches for a sweet-savory summer twist. A side of simple watermelon wedges and Kroger coleslaw rounds out the classic cookout feel.
Sale items used: Kroger 73% Lean Beef Burgers, Ball Park Buns, California Peaches or Nectarines, Whole Seedless Watermelon, Kroger Coleslaw, Ken's Salad Dressing
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: 2 lbs ground beef shaped into 4 patties (half a pound each), 1 pack Ball Park Buns (4 buns), 4 thick watermelon wedges cut from the whole melon, entire container of Kroger coleslaw dressed with Ken's dressing
Recipes:
- Hamburger Buns (Dairy Free)
- Homemade Hamburger Buns
- Soft Burger Buns Without Butter

Thursday
Meal: Oven-Baked Pork Back Ribs with Roasted Asparagus
Description: A full rack of pork back ribs is rubbed with Kinder's sauce and slow-roasted low in the oven until the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender, then finished under the broiler for a caramelized crust. Roasted asparagus tossed in olive oil and a side of baked russet potatoes complete this satisfying and surprisingly affordable dinner.
Sale items used: Pork Back Ribs, Asparagus, Russet Potatoes, Kinder's Sauce
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 2.5 hours total oven time
Serving note: Approximately 4 lbs pork back ribs (roughly 1 lb per person accounting for bone weight), 1 lb asparagus roasted alongside, 2 russet potatoes halved and baked (half per person), Kinder's sauce used as rub and glaze
Recipes:
- Hubby's Favorite Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs
- Easy Fall Off the Bone Oven Baked Ribs
- Oven Baked Ribs

Friday
Meal: Pan-Seared Wild Alaska Sockeye Salmon with Roasted Tri-Color Peppers and Strawberry Salad
Description: This is the one premium protein night - fresh wild-caught sockeye salmon fillets are pan-seared to a crispy skin finish and paired with sweet roasted tri-color peppers for an elegant Friday dinner. A refreshing side salad of sliced strawberries and grapes dressed lightly with Ken's dressing adds color and a summery finish to the plate.
Sale items used: Fresh Wild-Caught Alaska Sockeye Salmon Fillets, Tri Color Peppers, Strawberries, Cotton Candy or Candy Hearts Grapes, Ken's Salad Dressing
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: 2 lbs salmon fillets (0.5 lb per person), 1 tri-color pepper pack (3 peppers sliced and roasted), 2 containers of strawberries sliced, 1 lb grapes, Ken's dressing to taste
Recipes:
- Summery Sockeye Salmon & Strawberry Salad
- Simple Pan Seared Sockeye Salmon
- Baked Sockeye Salmon Recipe

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Johnsonville Fresh or Smoked Dinner Sausage (x2 packages): $9.98
- Perdue Boneless Chicken 5 lb package (x1): $14.97
- Kroger 73% Lean Beef Burgers (2 lbs): $11.98
- Pork Back Ribs (4 lbs): $11.96
- Fresh Wild-Caught Alaska Sockeye Salmon Fillets (2 lbs): $25.98
- Ball Park Buns (x1 package): $3.99
- Kroger Coleslaw (x1): $1.99
- Russet Potatoes (x2): $4.98
- Asparagus (2 lbs): $5.98
- Tri Color Peppers (x2 packages): $7.98
- California Yellow Peaches or Nectarines (2 lbs): $1.98
- Whole Seedless Watermelon (x1): $2.99
- Strawberries (x2 packages): $4.98
- Cotton Candy or Candy Hearts Grapes (1 lb): $1.99
- Kinder's Sauce (x1 paid, x1 free via BOGO): $1.00
- Ken's Salad Dressing (x1): $3.79

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil (for roasting and searing)
- Garlic (fresh or powder)
- Salt and black pepper
- Onion powder or fresh onion
- Red pepper flakes (optional for stir-fry)
- Fresh herbs such as parsley or cilantro (for peach salsa)
- Lime or lemon juice (for peach salsa)
- Cooking spray or neutral oil for pan searing