Kroger Gluten-Free Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: Four of the five nights lean on genuinely low-cost proteins: Kroger Dinner Sausage at roughly $1.00 per serving, Whole Pork Shoulder at about $1.00 per serving, Springer Mountain Ground Chicken at about $1.50 per serving, and Johnsonville Hatch Green Chile Smoked Sausage at about $1.25 per serving. Those four nights keep protein costs very low and leave room for one premium night. The Large Peeled & Deveined Shrimp at $6.99/lb is the best premium value on this flyer compared to salmon at $9.99/lb or lobster tails at $6.00 per tail, so shrimp earns the single premium night at about $3.50 per serving. The Whole Beef Brisket is a tempting deal at $3.99/lb but requires a long braise well beyond 60 minutes and a large purchase, so it was skipped in favor of faster, more portion-friendly options. The 8 lb chicken package was also skipped because buying the full package just to use 2 lbs would inflate the total unfairly. Hatch Chile Peppers and Hatch Sweet Onions are on sale and add big flavor across multiple nights for very little money, and the Grainger County Tomatoes at $1.88/lb round out several meals without stretching the budget.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Pan-Seared Kroger Dinner Sausage with Hatch Chile Peppers and Tomatoes over Rice
Description: Sliced Kroger Dinner Sausage is browned in a skillet until caramelized, then simmered briefly with sliced Hatch Chile Peppers, diced Grainger County Tomatoes, and diced Hatch Sweet Onions for a smoky, slightly spicy one-pan dinner. Served over fluffy white rice, this is a hearty, naturally gluten-free weeknight meal with bold Southwestern flavor.
Sale items used: Kroger Dinner Sausage (18 oz), Hatch Chile Peppers, Grainger County Tomatoes, Hatch Sweet Onions (3 lb bag)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: 1 package (18 oz) Kroger Dinner Sausage sliced into rounds for 4 people; 1 lb Hatch Chile Peppers (about 4-5 peppers); 1 lb Grainger County Tomatoes (about 2-3 medium); use approximately 1 lb of the 3 lb Hatch Sweet Onions bag (remainder used later in the week). Serve over 2 cups dry white rice cooked from pantry.
Recipes:
- Gluten Free Sausage and Peppers Recipe
- Sausage and Rice Casserole (One Pan Dinner) - Hint of Healthy

Tuesday
Meal: Skillet-Browned Springer Mountain Ground Chicken Stuffed Bell Peppers with Tomatoes and Cheese
Description: Springer Mountain Ground Chicken is browned in a skillet with diced Grainger County Tomatoes, garlic, and cumin, then spooned into halved bell peppers and topped with Kroger Cheese before baking at 375 degrees for 25 minutes until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted. This is a satisfying, protein-packed gluten-free dinner with bright color and a savory, lightly spiced filling.
Sale items used: Springer Mountain 92% Lean All Natural Ground Chicken or Chicken Patties, 16 oz (x2 packages), Grainger County Tomatoes, Kroger Cheese (select varieties, 6-8 oz)
Prep time: 50 minutes
Serving note: 2 packages (32 oz total) Springer Mountain Ground Chicken for 4 people; 1 lb Grainger County Tomatoes; 1 package Kroger Cheese (6-8 oz). Use 4 large bell peppers from pantry or produce section (not on sale this week - substitute with extra tomatoes if preferred). Total time is about 50 minutes including baking.
Recipes:
- Gluten free unstuffed pepper skillet (one pan, 45 minutes)
- Ground Chicken Stuffed Peppers (Healthy and Easy) | Randa Nutrition

Wednesday
Meal: Slow-Braised Whole Pork Shoulder with Hatch Chile Peppers and Sweet Onions
Description: A bone-in Whole Pork Shoulder is seasoned with cumin, garlic, and salt, then braised low and slow in a covered pot with sliced Hatch Chile Peppers and Hatch Sweet Onions until the meat is fork-tender and deeply flavored. Serve sliced or pulled apart by hand alongside rice or roasted potatoes for a rich, naturally gluten-free dinner that fills the kitchen with incredible aroma.
Sale items used: Whole Pork Shoulder Bone-In, Hatch Chile Peppers, Hatch Sweet Onions (3 lb bag)
Prep time: 20 minutes active; 3 to 3.5 hours total braising time
Serving note: Purchase approximately 3 lbs of Whole Pork Shoulder Bone-In for 4 people ($1.99/lb x 3 lbs = $5.97); use 0.5 lb Hatch Chile Peppers; use approximately 1 lb of the remaining Hatch Sweet Onions. Make-ahead note: start the braise by early afternoon or braise the day before and reheat - the pork only improves overnight.
Recipes:
- Chile Verde Pork {Slow Cooker Recipe} - What A Girl Eats
- Hatch Green Chile Pulled Pork | Garlic & Zest

Thursday
Meal: Sauteed Johnsonville Hatch Green Chile Smoked Sausage with Asparagus and Tomatoes
Description: Sliced Johnsonville Hatch Green Chile Smoked Sausage is sauteed in a hot skillet with trimmed asparagus spears and halved Grainger County Tomatoes, seasoned with garlic and olive oil, until the sausage is lightly browned and the asparagus is crisp-tender. This quick, colorful skillet dinner is completely gluten-free and showcases the week's Hatch chile theme in a different format with a fresh vegetable pairing.
Sale items used: Johnsonville Hatch Green Chile Smoked Sausage (19 oz), Asparagus, Grainger County Tomatoes
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 1 package (19 oz) Johnsonville Hatch Green Chile Smoked Sausage for 4 people; 1 lb asparagus; 0.5 lb Grainger County Tomatoes. Serve alongside rice or roasted potatoes from pantry.

Friday
Meal: Garlic Butter Sauteed Large Peeled and Deveined Shrimp with Hatch Sweet Onions and Tomatoes over Rice
Description: Large Peeled & Deveined Shrimp are sauteed in a hot skillet with Kroger Butter, minced garlic, thinly sliced Hatch Sweet Onions, and diced Grainger County Tomatoes until the shrimp are pink and just cooked through, about 4-5 minutes. Served over white rice, this bright and flavorful dish is the week's premium night and comes together in under 20 minutes.
Sale items used: Large Peeled & Deveined Shrimp 31-40 ct, Raw, 2 lb bag, Kroger Butter (select varieties, 16 oz), Hatch Sweet Onions (3 lb bag), Grainger County Tomatoes
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: 1 full 2 lb bag of Large Peeled & Deveined Shrimp ($6.99/lb x 2 lbs = $13.98) for 4 people; 1 package Kroger Butter (16 oz, use about 4 tablespoons); use remaining Hatch Sweet Onions from the bag purchased Monday; 0.5 lb Grainger County Tomatoes. Serve over 2 cups dry white rice cooked from pantry.
Recipes:
- Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice
- Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Kroger Dinner Sausage, 18 oz (x1 package): $3.99
- Springer Mountain 92% Lean All Natural Ground Chicken or Chicken Patties, 16 oz (x2 packages): $5.98
- Johnsonville Hatch Green Chile Smoked Sausage, 19 oz (x1 package): $5.00
- Whole Pork Shoulder Bone-In (3 lbs): $5.97
- Large Peeled & Deveined Shrimp 31-40 ct, Raw, 2 lb bag (x1 bag): $13.98
- Hatch Chile Peppers (1.5 lbs): $2.24
- Hatch Sweet Onions, 3 lb bag (x1 bag): $3.99
- Grainger County Tomatoes (3.5 lbs): $6.58
- Asparagus (1 lb): $3.49
- Kroger Cheese, select varieties, 6-8 oz (x1 package): $1.49
- Kroger Butter, select varieties, 16 oz (x1 package): $2.99

Pantry staples needed:
- White rice (long grain, enough for 3 nights)
- Olive oil
- Garlic (fresh or minced)
- Cumin
- Salt and black pepper
- Bell peppers (4 large, for Tuesday's stuffed peppers - not on sale this week)