Kroger Standard 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

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-$3.18 total for 4 people (very light protein, supplement with other ingredients)
- Perdue Chicken Drumsticks (BOGO x3): Buy 1 get 2 free means 3 packs for price of 1 - roughly $4-$6 total for 4 people depending on pack price; extraordinary value
- Johnsonville Breakfast Sausage (BOGO): Pay for 1 get 1 free - roughly $4-$5 for 4 people
- Smithfield Marinated Pork Loins (BOGO): Pay for 1 get 1 free - 2 loins for roughly $6-$8; feeds 4 easily for about $6-$8
- Boneless Pork Tenderloins: $3.99/lb x 1.5 lbs = roughly $6 for 4 people
- Oscar Mayer Beef Franks: $3.99/pack - roughly $4-$8 for 4 people (2 franks each)
- Private Selection Angus Beef Patties Frozen: $4.99/pack - roughly $5-$10 depending on pack count
- Gorton's Crunchy Breaded Fish: $3.99/box - roughly $4-$8 for 4 people (2 boxes likely needed); affordable but processed
- Tyson Chicken Frozen: $5.10/pack - roughly $5-$10 for 4 people
- Home Chef St. Louis Ribs: $8.99/lb x 2.5 lbs = roughly $22+ for 4 people; premium despite being fully cooked
- Flat Iron or Flank Steak: $6.99/lb x 2 lbs = roughly $14 for 4 people; best premium value on the flyer
- Private Selection Angus 90% Lean Ground Sirloin: $8.99/lb x 1.5 lbs = roughly $13-$14 for 4 people; labeled sirloin, premium price
- Wendy's Beef Patties: $8.99/lb - roughly $13-$14 for 4 people; premium price per lb
- Private Selection Mesquite Smoked Turkey Breast: $8.99/lb - deli-sliced, roughly $9-$13 for 4 people as a main; premium deli pricing

Why these meals: The Perdue drumstick deal is the star of the week - buying one family pack and getting two more free means you are essentially paying pennies per drumstick, which anchors one of the heartiest dinners on the plan. The Smithfield marinated pork loin BOGO is another standout, giving you two full loins for the price of one, which funds a second dinner with leftovers to spare. Swaggerty's sausage rolls at $1.59 and boneless pork tenderloins at $3.99/lb fill out the economical nights with real variety in flavor - Italian-style pasta with sausage and Classico sauce, and a simple herb-roasted tenderloin with potatoes. Flank steak at $6.99/lb is the most approachable premium cut on the flyer this week - the St. Louis ribs and ground sirloin both run $8.99/lb, and Wendy's patties are the same, so flank steak earns the one elevated night by offering the most flavor and versatility at the lowest premium price per pound. Skipping the St. Louis ribs at $8.99/lb and the sliced deli turkey at the same rate keeps the week's total solidly in budget while still delivering five genuinely varied, satisfying dinners.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Baked Perdue Chicken Drumsticks with Herb-Roasted Gourmet Potatoes and Tomatoes
Description: Oven-baked chicken drumsticks seasoned with garlic, paprika, and olive oil turn golden and crispy while gourmet potatoes and fresh tomatoes roast alongside in the same pan. It is an effortless one-pan dinner that fills the table with color and savory aroma.
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 active, 45 minutes in oven
Serving note: 3 drumsticks per person (12 total), 2 lbs potatoes quartered, 1 lb tomatoes halved for 4 people
Recipes:
- One-Pan Herb Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Potatoes & Peppers
- Herb Roasted Chicken Drumsticks with Roasted Potatoes & Veggies

Tuesday
Meal: Swaggerty's Sausage and Barilla Pasta with Classico Tomato Sauce
Description: Swaggerty's pork sausage rolls are sliced and browned in a skillet, then simmered with Classico pasta sauce and tossed with al dente Barilla pasta for a hearty Italian-style skillet dinner. A handful of diced fresh tomatoes stirred in at the end brightens the whole dish.
Sale items used: Swaggerty's Farm Sausage Rolls ($1.59), Barilla Pasta 12-16 oz ($0.99), Classico pasta sauce ($1.99), Grainger County Tomatoes ($1.88/lb)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 2 packs Swaggerty's sausage, 1 box Barilla pasta (12-16 oz), 1 jar Classico, 0.5 lb diced tomatoes for 4 people
Recipes:
- Easy Italian Sausage Tomato Pasta
- Creamy Sausage and Tomato Pasta

Wednesday
Meal: Herb-Crusted Boneless Pork Tenderloin with Garlic Gourmet Potatoes
Description: A pork tenderloin is rubbed with garlic, rosemary, and Dijon mustard then roasted at high heat until the outside is beautifully caramelized and the inside stays juicy and tender. Sliced gourmet potatoes tossed in butter and seasoning roast alongside and soak up all the pan drippings.
Sale items used: Boneless Pork Tenderloins ($3.99/lb), Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes ($1.99/lb), Kroger Butter ($3.99)
Prep time: 10 minutes active, 35 minutes in oven
Serving note: 1.5 lbs pork tenderloin, 2 lbs potatoes for 4 people; slice tenderloin into medallions to serve
Recipes:
- Herb Crusted Pork Tenderloin Recipe (Roasted)
- Herb Crusted Pork Tenderloin

Thursday
Meal: Smithfield Marinated Pork Loin with Pineapple Rice and Ranch-Style Beans
Description: The Smithfield marinated pork loin goes straight into a roasting pan and bakes hands-off while Ben's Ready Rice heats on the stovetop and gets stirred together with sweet Dole pineapple for a simple island-inspired side. Ranch-style beans warm in a pot alongside and round out the plate with earthy, smoky flavor.
Sale items used: Smithfield Marinated Pork Loins (BOGO - paying for 1), Ben's Ready Rice ($0.99), Dole Pineapple 8 oz ($0.99), Ranch Style Beans 15 oz ($0.99)
Prep time: 10 minutes active, 50 minutes in oven
Serving note: 1 full Smithfield pork loin (roughly 2 lbs), 2 packs Ben's Ready Rice, 1 can pineapple, 1 can ranch beans for 4 people
Recipes:
- Slow Cooker Pork Loin Pineapple Recipe
- Pineapple Pork with Coconut Rice Recipe

Friday
Meal: Seared Flank Steak with Garlic-Butter Roasted Potatoes and Fresh Tomato Salad
Description: Flank steak is marinated in soy sauce, garlic, and lime juice then seared hot and fast in a cast-iron skillet and sliced thin across the grain for maximum tenderness. Crispy roasted gourmet potatoes and a bright fresh tomato salad with olive oil and herbs round out this satisfying end-of-week dinner.
Sale items used: Flat Iron or Flank Steaks ($6.99/lb), Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes ($1.99/lb), Grainger County Tomatoes ($1.88/lb), Kroger Butter ($3.99)
Prep time: 20 minutes active plus 30 minutes marinating, 25 minutes cooking
Serving note: 2 lbs flank steak sliced thin, 1.5 lbs potatoes, 0.75 lb tomatoes for 4 people
Recipes:
- Garlic Butter Steak and Potatoes Skillet
- Garlic Butter Steak and Potatoes Skillet – Best Steak Recipe

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Perdue Chicken Drumstick Family Pack x1 (get 2 free, use 1 pack for 12 drumsticks): $5.99
- Swaggerty's Farm Sausage Rolls x2: $3.18
- Barilla Pasta 12-16 oz x1: $0.99
- Classico pasta sauce x1: $1.99
- Grainger County Tomatoes (2.25 lbs total across all meals): $4.23
- Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes (5.5 lbs total across all meals): $10.95
- Boneless Pork Tenderloin (1.5 lbs): $5.99
- Kroger Butter x1: $3.99
- Smithfield Marinated Pork Loin x1 (BOGO, pay for one): $6.99
- Ben's Ready Rice x2: $1.98
- Dole Pineapple 8 oz x1: $0.99
- Ranch Style Beans 15 oz x1: $0.99
- Flat Iron or Flank Steak (2 lbs): $13.98

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil
- Garlic (fresh or powder)
- Paprika
- Salt and pepper
- Dried rosemary or Italian seasoning
- Dijon mustard
- Soy sauce
- Lime juice or lime