Kroger Dairy-Free Meal Plan

SALE ITEMS FOUND

Meats on sale:
- Perdue Chicken Drumstick Family Pack: Buy 1, Get 2 Free
- Oscar Mayer Beef Franks Select Varieties: $3.99
- Swaggerty's Farm Sausage Rolls: $1.59
- Home Chef St. Louis Style Ribs Fully Cooked: $8.99/lb
- Private Selection Angus Beef Patties Frozen: $4.99
- Smithfield Marinated Pork Loins Select Varieties: Buy 1, Get 1 Free
- Johnsonville Breakfast Sausage Select Varieties: Buy 1, Get 1 Free
- Boneless Pork Tenderloins: $3.99/lb
- Flat Iron or Flank Steaks: $6.99/lb
- Private Selection Angus 90% Lean Ground Sirloin: $8.99/lb
- Wendy's Beef Patties: $8.99/lb
- Tyson Chicken Frozen Select Varieties: $5.10
- Gorton's Crunchy Breaded Fish Portions or Sticks Frozen: $3.99
- Private Selection Mesquite Smoked Turkey Breast or Swiss Cheese Sliced to Order: $8.99/lb

Vegetables on sale:
- Grainger County Tomatoes: $1.88/lb
- Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes Select Varieties: $1.99/lb
- California Red Seedless Grapes: $1.99
- Kroger Peaches or Nectarines: $2.49
- Kroger Strawberries: $4.99
- Washington Red Cherries: $3.99
- Private Selection Heirloom Navel Oranges 5 lb Bag: $4.99

BUDGET RATIONALE

Protein ranking (most economical to most expensive per serving for 4 people):
- Swaggerty's Farm Sausage Rolls: $1.59/pack - roughly $1.59 for 4 servings (exceptional value)
- Perdue Chicken Drumsticks (Buy 1, Get 2 Free): a typical family pack runs about $7-8, and with 3 packs for the price of 1, cost per serving drops to roughly $0.50-$0.75 per person - about $2-3 to feed 4
- Johnsonville Breakfast Sausage (BOGO): typically $5-6/pack, so 2 packs for ~$5-6 total - about $1.50/person
- Smithfield Marinated Pork Loins (BOGO): typically $8-10/loin, so 2 loins for ~$9, feeding 4 easily - about $2.25/person
- Boneless Pork Tenderloins: $3.99/lb, need about 2 lbs for 4 people - about $8 total, $2/person
- Oscar Mayer Beef Franks: $3.99/pack - about $1/person, but lower protein density
- Private Selection Angus Beef Patties Frozen: $4.99/pack - about $1.25/person depending on count
- Gorton's Crunchy Breaded Fish Portions or Sticks Frozen: $3.99/box - roughly $1-1.50/person (PREMIUM - seafood)
- Tyson Chicken Frozen: $5.10/pack - roughly $1.28/person
- Home Chef St. Louis Ribs: $8.99/lb, need about 3-4 lbs for 4 people - roughly $27-36 total, $7-9/person (PREMIUM)
- Flat Iron or Flank Steaks: $6.99/lb, need about 2 lbs for 4 people - roughly $14 total, $3.50/person (PREMIUM - steak)
- Private Selection Angus 90% Lean Ground Sirloin: $8.99/lb, need about 1.5 lbs - roughly $13.50 total, $3.38/person (PREMIUM - sirloin)
- Wendy's Beef Patties: $8.99/lb - roughly $13.50 for 4, $3.38/person (PREMIUM)
- Private Selection Mesquite Smoked Turkey Breast: $8.99/lb - roughly $9-13 for 4, $2.25-3.25/person (deli-sliced, less a cooking protein)

Why these meals: The Perdue chicken drumstick Buy 1 Get 2 Free deal is the star of this week - you're essentially getting three family packs for the price of one, which makes roasted drumsticks a ridiculously cheap dinner anchor. Swaggerty's sausage at $1.59 a roll and Smithfield pork loins on BOGO make two more nights incredibly affordable, and the boneless pork tenderloins at $3.99/lb round out the economical proteins with a lean, versatile cut. The one premium night goes to the Gorton's breaded fish at $3.99 flat - it's the cheapest premium seafood option on the flyer by a wide margin and keeps Friday feeling special without the sticker shock of the ribs or steak cuts, which at $8.99 and $6.99 per pound respectively would push the week's total well above a sensible range for a family dinner plan.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Oven-Roasted Chicken Drumsticks with Herb Potatoes and Tomatoes
Description: Juicy Perdue chicken drumsticks are seasoned and roasted at high heat until the skin is golden and crisp, served alongside roasted gourmet potatoes and fresh tomato wedges. This is a classic, crowd-pleasing dinner that takes almost no hands-on effort once everything is in the oven.
Sale items used: Perdue Chicken Drumstick Family Pack (Buy 1, Get 2 Free), Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes ($1.99/lb), Grainger County Tomatoes ($1.88/lb)
Prep time: 15 minutes prep, 45 minutes roasting
Serving note: 8-10 drumsticks (about 2-3 per person), 1.5 lbs potatoes, 1 lb tomatoes for 4 people
Recipes:
- Roasted Chicken Drumsticks with Potatoes - Mediterranean Latin Love Affair
- Oven Baked Chicken Legs with Potatoes - Veronika's Kitchen

Tuesday
Meal: Swaggerty's Sausage and Pineapple Fried Rice
Description: Sliced Swaggerty's sausage rolls are browned in a skillet and tossed with Ben's Ready Rice, diced pineapple, and a savory soy-ginger sauce for a quick sweet-and-savory fried rice. The pineapple adds brightness that balances the richness of the sausage beautifully.
Sale items used: Swaggerty's Farm Sausage Rolls ($1.59), Ben's Ready Rice ($0.99), Dole Pineapple 8 oz ($0.99)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: 2 sausage rolls (sliced), 2 packs Ben's Ready Rice, 1 can Dole Pineapple for 4 people

Wednesday
Meal: Smithfield Marinated Pork Loin with Rice and Tomato Salad
Description: A Smithfield marinated pork loin is roasted in the oven until juicy and caramelized, then sliced and served over fluffy Barilla pasta or with a side of fresh tomato salad. The marinade does all the seasoning work for you, making this an impressively hands-off weeknight centerpiece.
Sale items used: Smithfield Marinated Pork Loins (Buy 1, Get 1 Free), Barilla Pasta 12-16 oz ($0.99), Grainger County Tomatoes ($1.88/lb)
Prep time: 10 minutes prep, 45-55 minutes roasting
Serving note: 1 full pork loin (roughly 1.5-2 lbs serves 4 generously), 1 box Barilla pasta, 0.75 lb tomatoes for 4 people

Thursday
Meal: Boneless Pork Tenderloin Stir-Fry with Yakisoba Noodles
Description: Thin-sliced boneless pork tenderloin is stir-fried hot and fast with Maruchan Yakisoba noodles and fresh tomato for a savory, satisfying Asian-inspired dinner. Pork tenderloin is one of the leanest cuts available and absorbs marinade and sauce flavors exceptionally well.
Sale items used: Boneless Pork Tenderloins ($3.99/lb), Maruchan Yakisoba ($0.99), Grainger County Tomatoes ($1.88/lb)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: 1.5 lbs pork tenderloin (about 6 oz per person), 2 packs Yakisoba, 0.5 lb tomatoes for 4 people
Recipes:
- Yakisoba Recipe (Authentic Japanese Stir-Fried Noodles)
- 25-Minute Yakisoba Recipe (Japanese Noodle Stir-Fry) | foodiecrush.com
- Yakisoba Recipe (Japanese Stir-Fried Noodles) 焼きそば • Just One Cookbook

Friday
Meal: Gorton's Crunchy Breaded Fish with Ranch Style Beans and Pineapple Salsa
Description: Gorton's crunchy breaded fish portions are oven-baked until golden and served with warm Ranch Style Beans and a quick fresh pineapple-tomato salsa for a crispy, festive Friday dinner. The sweet-tangy salsa gives the fish a taco-night feel without any extra cost.
Sale items used: Gorton's Crunchy Breaded Fish Portions or Sticks Frozen ($3.99), Ranch Style Beans 15 oz ($0.99), Dole Pineapple 8 oz ($0.99), Grainger County Tomatoes ($1.88/lb)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: 1 box Gorton's fish (typically 10-12 pieces, about 2-3 per person), 1 can Ranch Style Beans, 1 can pineapple, 0.5 lb tomatoes for 4 people
Recipes:
- Grilled Breaded Fish Fillet Lettuce Wraps with Pineapple Salsa - Gorton's Seafood

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Perdue Chicken Drumstick Family Pack x1 (pays for 3 packs): $7.99
- Swaggerty's Farm Sausage Rolls x2: $3.18
- Ben's Ready Rice x2: $1.98
- Dole Pineapple 8 oz x2: $1.98
- Smithfield Marinated Pork Loin x1 (BOGO, pays for 2): $8.99
- Barilla Pasta 12-16 oz x1: $0.99
- Boneless Pork Tenderloins (1.5 lbs): $5.99
- Maruchan Yakisoba x2: $1.98
- Gorton's Crunchy Breaded Fish Portions Frozen x1: $3.99
- Ranch Style Beans 15 oz x1: $0.99
- Grainger County Tomatoes (3 lbs total across the week): $5.64
- Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes (1.5 lbs): $2.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or vegetable oil
- Garlic (fresh or powder)
- Onion powder
- Salt and black pepper
- Soy sauce (check label - most are dairy-free)
- Ground ginger or fresh ginger
- Sesame oil (optional)
- Italian seasoning or rosemary and thyme
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Lime juice or lemon juice (for pineapple salsa)
- Fresh cilantro (optional garnish)