Kroger Low-Carb Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Protein ranking (most economical to most expensive per serving for 4 people):
- Johnsonville Smoked Dinner or Breakfast Sausage (Select Varieties, 9.6-14 oz): $2.99/ea - one package feeds 4 at roughly $0.75/serving
- Simple Truth Italian Chicken Sausage (16 oz): $4.99/ea - one package feeds 4 at roughly $1.25/serving
- Kroger 85% or 93% Lean Ground Turkey (16 oz): Buy 2, Get 1 Free - buying 2 packages (32 oz total) pays for 2 and gets 1 free; for a 4-person meal using 2 packages at $4.99 implied each, cost is roughly $1.25/serving (the free third pack is a bonus for another use)
- Simple Truth Boneless Chicken Breasts (Big Pack or Tenders or Thin Breasts): $3.99/lb - 2 lbs for 4 people = $7.98, roughly $2.00/serving
- Kroger 93% Lean Ground Beef (3 lb package): $6.99/lb - 1.5 lbs for 4 people = $10.49, roughly $2.62/serving
- Home Chef St. Louis Style Ribs (Fully Cooked, 2 lb, In the Deli): $13.99 flat for 2 lb package - roughly $3.50/serving
- Kroger Large Shrimp 31-40 ct or Medium Shrimp 51-60 ct (Frozen, 12 oz): $7.00/package - one 12 oz package for 4 people at roughly $1.75/serving; however, 12 oz is a light portion for 4 as a main, so two packages at $14.00 total = roughly $3.50/serving
- Private Selection Cedar Plank Salmon (Select Varieties, 24 oz): $17.99 flat for 24 oz package - roughly $4.50/serving

Why these meals: This week's flyer leans heavily on chicken and sausage as the real budget workhorses, and that is exactly where four of the five dinners land. The Johnsonville Smoked Dinner Sausage at $2.99 with a digital coupon is the single best protein value on the entire flyer, coming in under a dollar a serving, and it anchors Monday night. Simple Truth Italian Chicken Sausage at $4.99 for a full pound drives a satisfying skillet dinner on Wednesday. Ground turkey on the Buy 2 Get 1 Free deal makes Tuesday's skillet meal a strong value at about $1.25 a serving, and Simple Truth Boneless Chicken Breasts at $3.99/lb keep Thursday's pan-seared dinner well under $2 a serving. The Private Selection Cedar Plank Salmon at $17.99 for a 24 oz package is the one premium night, landing on Friday; it is actually the best premium value here because the flat package price covers all four servings without needing a second unit, making it cheaper per serving than the ribeye would be. The ribeye at $12.99/lb was deliberately skipped because feeding four people a proper steak portion would require at least 2.5 lbs and push that one night alone past $32. Hatch Chile Peppers at $1.49/lb and Hatch Sweet Onions at $3.99 for a 3 lb bag add fresh, low-carb flavor across multiple nights without meaningfully inflating the total.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Pan-Seared Johnsonville Smoked Sausage with Sauteed Hatch Chiles and Onions
Description: Sliced Johnsonville Smoked Dinner Sausage is browned in a skillet until the cut sides develop a deep crust, then tossed with sliced Hatch Chile Peppers and Hatch Sweet Onions softened in the same pan. The result is a smoky, slightly spicy one-pan dinner with bold Southwestern flavor and virtually no carbs.
Sale items used: Johnsonville Smoked Dinner or Breakfast Sausage (Select Varieties, 9.6-14 oz), Hatch Chile Peppers, Hatch Sweet Onions (3 lb bag)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 packages of Johnsonville Smoked Dinner Sausage (approximately 28 oz total) for 4 people. Use 0.75 lb Hatch Chile Peppers and 1 lb of Hatch Sweet Onions sliced thin. Each serving is roughly 7 oz sausage plus a generous pile of peppers and onions.

Tuesday
Meal: Skillet-Browned Ground Turkey with Kraft Shredded Cheese and Kroger Sour Cream
Description: Kroger 93% Lean Ground Turkey is cooked in a hot skillet, seasoned with cumin and garlic, then topped with melted Kraft Shredded Cheese and a dollop of Kroger Sour Cream for a satisfying low-carb taco-bowl-style dinner served straight from the pan. The lean turkey stays moist under the melted cheese, and the cool sour cream balances the warm spices beautifully.
Sale items used: Kroger 85% or 93% Lean Ground Turkey (16 oz), Kraft Shredded Cheese (7-8 oz), Kroger Cottage Cheese or Sour Cream (Select Varieties, 24 oz)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Buy 2 packages of Kroger Ground Turkey (32 oz total) and use both for this meal, feeding 4 generously at 8 oz raw per person. Use 1 package of Kraft Shredded Cheese (7-8 oz) melted over the top. Use approximately 6 oz of Kroger Sour Cream (from the 24 oz container, roughly one-quarter) for topping. The third free turkey package from the Buy 2 Get 1 Free deal can be frozen for later use.
Recipes:
- Low Carb Turkey Taco Skillet

Wednesday
Meal: Simple Truth Italian Chicken Sausage Skillet with Kroger Steamer Vegetables
Description: Simple Truth Italian Chicken Sausage is sliced and browned in a skillet to develop color on the cut sides, then served alongside Kroger Steamer Vegetables prepared according to package directions for a quick, complete low-carb plate. The Italian-seasoned sausage pairs naturally with the tender steamed vegetables for a clean, satisfying weeknight dinner.
Sale items used: Simple Truth Italian Chicken Sausage (16 oz), Kroger Steamer Vegetables (10-12 oz)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package of Simple Truth Italian Chicken Sausage (16 oz) sliced into rounds for 4 people, approximately 4 oz per person. Use 2 packages of Kroger Steamer Vegetables (approximately 20-24 oz total) to provide a full vegetable side for 4 servings.
Recipes:
- Paleo Chicken Sausage and Vegetable Skillet
- Italian Chicken Sausage and Vegetable Skillet
- Tuscan Chicken Sausage Skillet

Thursday
Meal: Pan-Seared Simple Truth Boneless Chicken Breasts with Hellmann's Mayonnaise Herb Crust
Description: Simple Truth Boneless Chicken Breasts are coated with a thin layer of Hellmann's Mayonnaise mixed with dried herbs, then seared in a hot oven-safe skillet and finished in the oven until cooked through, creating a golden, flavorful crust that keeps the lean breast meat juicy. This technique produces a restaurant-quality result with minimal ingredients and under 40 minutes total.
Sale items used: Simple Truth Boneless Chicken Breasts (Big Pack or Tenders or Thin Breasts), Hellmann's Mayonnaise (11.5 fl oz)
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Purchase 2 lbs of Simple Truth Boneless Chicken Breasts, providing approximately 0.5 lb per person. Use approximately 3 tablespoons of Hellmann's Mayonnaise (from the 11.5 fl oz jar) blended with pantry herbs for the crust coating.
Recipes:
- Crispy Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breasts (Low-Carb – Keto)

Friday
Meal: Oven-Roasted Private Selection Cedar Plank Salmon with Hatch Chile Pepper Relish
Description: Private Selection Cedar Plank Salmon is roasted according to package directions, then topped with a quick relish of finely diced fresh Hatch Chile Peppers and Hatch Sweet Onions softened briefly in a pan with olive oil. The cedar plank infuses the salmon with a subtle smoky depth while the bright, mildly spicy relish cuts through the richness of the fish.
Sale items used: Private Selection Cedar Plank Salmon (Select Varieties, 24 oz), Hatch Chile Peppers, Hatch Sweet Onions (3 lb bag)
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: The 24 oz package of Private Selection Cedar Plank Salmon provides approximately 6 oz per person for 4 people. Use 0.5 lb Hatch Chile Peppers and approximately 0.5 lb of the remaining Hatch Sweet Onions for the relish. Follow package roasting directions; total time is typically 35-40 minutes including preheat.
Recipes:
- Cedar Plank Salmon Recipe

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Johnsonville Smoked Dinner or Breakfast Sausage (Select Varieties, 9.6-14 oz) (x2 packages): $5.98
- Hatch Chile Peppers (1.25 lbs total across Monday and Friday): $1.86
- Hatch Sweet Onions (3 lb bag) (x1 bag, used across Monday and Friday): $3.99
- Kroger 85% or 93% Lean Ground Turkey (16 oz) (x2 packages, third free): $9.98
- Kraft Shredded Cheese (7-8 oz) (x2 packages, 2 for $5.00): $5.00
- Kroger Cottage Cheese or Sour Cream (Select Varieties, 24 oz) (x2 units, 2 for $5.00): $5.00
- Simple Truth Italian Chicken Sausage (16 oz) (x1 package): $4.99
- Kroger Steamer Vegetables (10-12 oz) (x2 packages, 2 for $3.00): $3.00
- Simple Truth Boneless Chicken Breasts (Big Pack or Tenders or Thin Breasts) (2 lbs): $7.98
- Hellmann's Mayonnaise (11.5 fl oz) (x1): $3.99
- Private Selection Cedar Plank Salmon (Select Varieties, 24 oz) (x1 package): $17.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil
- Garlic (fresh or powder)
- Cumin
- Dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)
- Salt and black pepper
- Paprika