Kroger Dairy-Free Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: The pork shoulder at $1.99/lb is the standout deal this week, anchoring one hearty dinner for well under $6 in protein. Kroger Dinner Sausage at $3.99 for an 18 oz pack and Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage at 2/$7.00 both deliver big flavor at very low per-serving costs, so they each earn a night. Springer Mountain Ground Chicken at $2.99 per 16 oz pack rounds out the economical proteins, giving the week real variety across sausage, pork, and poultry. The Kroger Boneless Chicken Breast Cutlets (Frozen, 2.5 lb) at $9.49 came in as the most practical single-pack chicken option without forcing a bulk 8 lb purchase, and at $2.37 per serving it earns the fifth night as the modest step up in protein cost. The shrimp, salmon, lobster, and ground beef were all skipped because even at sale prices they push well above the budget target for a full week, and the flyer's economical proteins are strong enough to carry five satisfying dinners on their own.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Sliced Pork Shoulder with Hatch Chile Peppers and Tomatoes over Rice
Description: Bone-in pork shoulder is browned in a skillet, then braised low and slow with sliced Hatch chile peppers and chopped Grainger County tomatoes until the meat is tender and the sauce is deeply savory. Serve sliced over steamed white rice with the braising juices spooned on top.
Sale items used: Whole Pork Shoulder Bone-In, Hatch Chile Peppers, Grainger County Tomatoes
Prep time: 20 minutes active, approximately 2.5 hours total braising time
Serving note: Use 2.5 lbs of pork shoulder for 4 people. Use 0.5 lb Hatch Chile Peppers and 1 lb Grainger County Tomatoes. Make-ahead note: start the braise in the early afternoon; the pork can rest off heat for up to 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Recipes:
- Chile Verde Pork w/ Hatch Chile Sauce - Foodology Geek
- Hatch Green Chile Pulled Pork | Garlic & Zest

Tuesday
Meal: Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage and Hatch Sweet Onion Skillet with Barbecue Sauce
Description: Sliced Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage is pan-seared with wedges of Hatch Sweet Onion until caramelized and golden, then finished with a drizzle of Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Sauce for a sticky, smoky glaze. Serve alongside steamed rice or with Lewis Bakery Half Loaf Bread for soaking up the sauce.
Sale items used: Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage, Hatch Sweet Onions, Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Sauce, Lewis Bakery Half Loaf Bread
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 packs of Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage (2/$7.00) for 4 people. Use 1 Hatch Sweet Onions 3 lb bag (you will use roughly half the bag this night). Use 1 bottle Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Sauce. Use 1 Lewis Bakery Half Loaf Bread.

Wednesday
Meal: Springer Mountain Ground Chicken Lettuce-Wrap Style Tacos with Guacamole and Tortilla Chips
Description: Springer Mountain Ground Chicken is browned in a skillet with diced Grainger County tomatoes and Hatch chile peppers, seasoned with cumin and garlic, then spooned into Mission Carb Balance Tortillas and topped with Yucatan Hatch Guacamole. Simple Truth Organic Tortilla Chips serve alongside for crunch.
Sale items used: Springer Mountain 92% Lean All Natural Ground Chicken or Chicken Patties, Grainger County Tomatoes, Hatch Chile Peppers, Mission Carb Balance Tortillas, Yucatan Hatch Guacamole, Simple Truth Organic Tortilla Chips
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 packs of Springer Mountain Ground Chicken (2 x 16 oz) for 4 people. Use 0.5 lb Grainger County Tomatoes and 0.25 lb Hatch Chile Peppers. Use 1 pack Mission Carb Balance Tortillas (8 ct). Use 1 container Yucatan Hatch Guacamole (7.5 oz). Use 1 bag Simple Truth Organic Tortilla Chips (from the 2/$5.00 deal, buy 2).
Recipes:
- Ground Chicken Lettuce Wraps | Springer Mountain Farms
- Ground Chicken Tacos (Dairy Free, Gluten Free) - Simply Whisked
- Chicken Taco Lettuce Wraps - Averie Cooks

Thursday
Meal: Kroger Dinner Sausage and Asparagus Sheet-Pan Roast with Tomatoes
Description: Kroger Dinner Sausage links are halved and roasted on a sheet pan alongside asparagus spears and halved Grainger County tomatoes, drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with garlic and black pepper until the sausage is browned and the vegetables are tender and slightly charred. This is a straightforward oven roast at 425 degrees F for about 25 minutes.
Sale items used: Kroger Dinner Sausage, Asparagus, Grainger County Tomatoes
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 pack Kroger Dinner Sausage (18 oz) for 4 people. Use 1 lb asparagus. Use 0.5 lb Grainger County Tomatoes.
Recipes:
- Sheet Pan Sausages and Potatoes with Asparagus and Garlic - Kitchen Joy
- Sheet Pan Sausage, Asparagus & Crispy Potatoes - Finished with Salt
- Easy Chicken Sausage and Veggie Sheet Pan - Nomaste Hungry

Friday
Meal: Pan-Seared Kroger Boneless Chicken Breast Cutlets with Hatch Sweet Onion and Peach Salsa
Description: Frozen Kroger Boneless Chicken Breast Cutlets are thawed, seasoned, and pan-seared in a hot skillet until golden and cooked through, then topped with a quick fresh salsa made from diced California Yellow or White Peaches or Nectarines, sliced Hatch Sweet Onion, and a squeeze of lime. The bright, fruity salsa balances the savory seared chicken for a summery finish to the week.
Sale items used: Kroger Boneless Chicken Breast Cutlets Frozen, California Yellow or White Peaches or Nectarines, Hatch Sweet Onions
Prep time: 35 minutes (plus thaw time; thaw cutlets in refrigerator overnight)
Serving note: Use 1 pack Kroger Boneless Chicken Breast Cutlets Frozen (2.5 lb) for 4 people. Use 1 lb California Yellow or White Peaches or Nectarines for the salsa. Use remaining Hatch Sweet Onions from the bag purchased Tuesday (no additional bag needed). Thaw the chicken in the refrigerator the night before.
Recipes:
- Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Peach Salsa - One-Pan, 30-Minute Meal - Julia's Album

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Whole Pork Shoulder Bone-In (2.5 lbs): $4.98
- Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage (2 packs, 2/$7.00): $7.00
- Springer Mountain 92% Lean All Natural Ground Chicken or Chicken Patties (x2 packs): $5.98
- Kroger Dinner Sausage, 18 oz (x1): $3.99
- Kroger Boneless Chicken Breast Cutlets, Frozen, 2.5 lb (x1): $9.49
- Hatch Chile Peppers (0.75 lb total across the week): $1.12
- Hatch Sweet Onions, 3 lb bag (x1): $3.99
- Grainger County Tomatoes (2 lbs total across the week): $3.76
- Asparagus (1 lb): $3.49
- California Yellow or White Peaches or Nectarines (1 lb): $1.88
- Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Sauce, 18 oz (x1): $1.59
- Mission Carb Balance Tortillas, 8 ct (x1): $3.99
- Yucatan Hatch Guacamole, Mild or Medium, 7.5 oz (x1): $4.99
- Simple Truth Organic Tortilla Chips (x2 bags, 2/$5.00): $5.00
- Lewis Bakery Half Loaf Bread, 12 oz (x1): $1.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil
- Garlic (fresh or minced)
- Cumin
- Black pepper
- Salt
- Lime (for peach salsa)
- White rice (for Monday and Tuesday)