Kroger Dairy-Free Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: The $0.99/lb Perdue chicken thighs are the star of this week, giving you a full dinner for under $2 in protein - that is an outstanding deal and it anchors two nights without repeating the same dish. Eckrich Smoked Sausage at $2.99 with the digital coupon is another great everyday value, and ground beef at $4.99/lb keeps a hearty sloppy joe night well within reach. Springer Mountain chicken breast at $3.99/lb rounds out the economical proteins with a clean, lean option for a stir-fry style skillet. Shrimp at $7.99/lb is the priciest protein on the list this week, so it earns the one premium night - and at roughly $3.00 per serving it is actually a reasonable splurge compared to lobster tails or tri tip, which would have pushed the per-person total much higher. Tri tip at $10.99/lb and lobster tails at $6.00 each (two tails for four people is not enough) were deliberately skipped to keep the week's total in a comfortable range.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Baked Perdue Chicken Thighs with Sweet Corn and Baby Carrots
Description: Bone-in chicken thighs are seasoned with garlic, paprika, and olive oil, then baked in the oven until the skin is golden and the meat is cooked through. Sweet corn on the cob and steamed baby carrots round out the plate for a simple, satisfying weeknight dinner.
Sale items used: Perdue Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs (or Wings), Kroger Sweet Corn (4 ct Tray), Kroger Cut & Peeled Baby Carrots (1 lb)
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 45 minutes total
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of Perdue chicken thighs (about 2 thighs per person), 1 tray of Kroger Sweet Corn (4 ears, one per person), and 1 bag of Kroger Cut & Peeled Baby Carrots (1 lb shared among 4). Total oven time is 40-45 minutes at 400 degrees F.

Tuesday
Meal: Eckrich Smoked Sausage and Kroger Packaged Vegetables Skillet
Description: Sliced Eckrich Smoked Sausage is browned in a skillet alongside a bag of Kroger Packaged Vegetables, seasoned with garlic, black pepper, and a splash of soy sauce for a savory one-pan meal. Serve over rice from the pantry for a filling, fast dinner with minimal cleanup.
Sale items used: Eckrich Smoked Sausage (12-14 oz), Kroger Packaged Vegetables (24-32 oz)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package of Eckrich Smoked Sausage (12-14 oz, sliced into coins) and 1 package of Kroger Packaged Vegetables (24-32 oz). Clip the digital coupon before shopping to get the $2.99 price on the sausage. Serve over cooked white rice from the pantry.
Recipes:
- Quick and Colorful Sausage and Veggies Skillet Delight

Wednesday
Meal: Ground Beef Sloppy Joes on Ball Park Buns
Description: Kroger 80% Lean Ground Beef is browned and simmered in Manwich Sauce until thick and saucy, then spooned generously over toasted Ball Park Buns. A side of Birds Eye Frozen Vegetables keeps the plate balanced and colorful.
Sale items used: Kroger 80% Lean Ground Beef, Manwich Sauce (15-16 oz), Ball Park Buns (8 ct), Birds Eye Frozen Vegetables (8-10.8 oz)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of Kroger 80% Lean Ground Beef, 1 can of Manwich Sauce, 1 pack of Ball Park Buns (8 ct, 2 buns per person), and 1 bag of Birds Eye Frozen Vegetables. Manwich Sauce and Birds Eye Frozen Vegetables are purchased as part of the Mix & Match 5 promotion - see shopping list for the full 5-item mix.

Check the label: supermarket buns and rolls often contain milk or whey even when nothing on the front says so.

Recipes:
- Dairy-Free Sloppy Joes Recipe (Wraps or Sandwiches)

Thursday
Meal: Pan-Seared Springer Mountain Chicken Tenders with Snacking Tomatoes and Baby Carrots
Description: Springer Mountain chicken tenders are seasoned with Italian herbs and seared in a hot skillet with olive oil until golden on the outside and juicy inside, finished with a squeeze of lemon. Private Selection Snacking Tomatoes and baby carrots serve as a fresh, crisp side that needs no cooking.
Sale items used: Springer Mountain Boneless Chicken Breast or Tenders, Private Selection Snacking Tomatoes (10 oz), Kroger Cut & Peeled Baby Carrots (1 lb)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of Springer Mountain chicken tenders, 1 package of Private Selection Snacking Tomatoes (10 oz, shared among 4), and 1 bag of Kroger Cut & Peeled Baby Carrots (1 lb shared among 4). Snacking tomatoes are purchased as 2 for $7.00 - the second package can be used for snacking or lunches during the week.
Recipes:
- Pan-Fried Chicken Tenders (Dairy and Gluten Free) Easy Paleo Recipe

Friday
Meal: Garlic-Seasoned Jumbo EZ Peel Shrimp with Kroger Packaged Vegetables
Description: Raw Jumbo EZ Peel Shrimp are tossed in garlic, olive oil, and red pepper flakes, then cooked quickly in a hot skillet until pink and slightly caramelized at the edges. A bag of Kroger Packaged Vegetables is stir-fried alongside and the whole dish is served over rice for a festive end-of-week dinner.
Sale items used: Jumbo EZ Peel Shrimp (21-25 ct, Raw, Sold in 2 lb bag), Kroger Packaged Vegetables (24-32 oz)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of Jumbo EZ Peel Shrimp (from the 2 lb bag, roughly 8-9 shrimp per person at the 21-25 ct per lb count) and 1 package of Kroger Packaged Vegetables (24-32 oz). The remaining shrimp in the bag can be refrigerated and used within 1-2 days. Serve over cooked white rice from the pantry.
Recipes:
- The BEST Paleo Paprika Garlic Shrimp Recipe (Gluten free, Dairy free)
- Dairy-Free Shrimp Scampi Recipe (No Butter!)

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Perdue Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs (or Wings) (2 lbs): $1.98
- Kroger Sweet Corn (4 ct Tray) (x1): $4.99
- Kroger Cut & Peeled Baby Carrots (1 lb) (x2): $2.78
- Eckrich Smoked Sausage (12-14 oz) (x1, with Digital Coupon): $2.99
- Kroger Packaged Vegetables (24-32 oz) (x2): $12.00
- Kroger 80% Lean Ground Beef (1.5 lbs): $7.49
- Manwich Sauce (15-16 oz) (x1, part of Mix & Match 5): $0.99
- Ball Park Buns (8 ct) (x1): $2.99
Check the label: supermarket buns and rolls often contain milk or whey even when nothing on the front says so.
- Birds Eye Frozen Vegetables (8-10.8 oz) (x1, part of Mix & Match 5): $0.99
- Hunt's Pasta Sauce (24 oz) (x1, part of Mix & Match 5): $0.99
- Heinz Yellow Mustard (14 oz) (x1, part of Mix & Match 5): $0.99
- Campbell's Tomato Soup (10.75 oz) (x1, part of Mix & Match 5): $0.99
- Springer Mountain Boneless Chicken Breast or Tenders (2 lbs): $7.98
- Private Selection Snacking Tomatoes (10 oz) (x2, 2 for $7.00): $7.00
- Jumbo EZ Peel Shrimp (21-25 ct, Raw, Sold in 2 lb bag) (1.5 lbs used, 2 lb bag purchased): $15.98

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil
- Garlic (fresh or minced)
- Paprika
- Italian seasoning
- Red pepper flakes
- Black pepper
- Salt
- Soy sauce
- Lemon
- White rice