Kroger Standard 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 generously as part of a skillet meal, roughly $0.75/serving
- Kroger 85% or 93% Lean Ground Turkey (16 oz): Buy 2, Get 1 Free - paying for 2 packs at an estimated $4.99 each, getting 3 packs total (48 oz); using 2 packs for the meal costs about $3.33 for those 2 packs, roughly $0.83/serving
- 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 needed = $10.49, roughly $2.62/serving
- Kroger Large Shrimp 31-40 ct or Medium Shrimp 51-60 ct (Frozen, 12 oz): $7.00/package - two 12 oz packages for 4 people = $14.00, roughly $3.50/serving
- Boneless Ribeye Steaks (Family Pack, Limit 5): $12.99/lb - 2 lbs for 4 people = $25.98, roughly $6.50/serving

This week's flyer has a strong lineup of economical proteins that make it easy to eat well without overspending. Johnsonville Smoked Dinner Sausage at $2.99 anchors the cheapest night, and the Buy 2 Get 1 Free deal on Kroger Ground Turkey makes it one of the best values on the flyer - you pay for two 16 oz packs and get a third free, so the turkey used across one dinner is very affordable. Simple Truth Boneless Chicken Breasts at $3.99/lb and Kroger 93% Lean Ground Beef round out two more solid everyday nights. The Kroger Large Shrimp at $7.00 per 12 oz bag earns the one premium night - it is far more approachable than the ribeye at $12.99/lb, which would cost nearly $26 just for the protein and would blow the weekly ceiling on its own, so the steak was deliberately skipped. The Private Selection Cedar Plank Salmon at $17.99 for 24 oz was also passed over since it would similarly strain the budget. Keeping the premium night to shrimp holds the total comfortably within range for all four people across the full week.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Johnsonville Smoked Sausage and Hatch Chile Pepper Skillet with Steamer Vegetables
Description: Sliced Johnsonville Smoked Dinner Sausage is browned in a skillet until lightly caramelized, then tossed with sauteed Hatch Chile Peppers and a side of Kroger Steamer Vegetables for a fast, smoky weeknight dinner. The mild heat of the Hatch chiles plays beautifully against the savory sausage, and the whole meal comes together in about 25 minutes.
Sale items used: Johnsonville Smoked Dinner or Breakfast Sausage (Select Varieties, 9.6-14 oz), Hatch Chile Peppers, Kroger Steamer Vegetables (10-12 oz)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 1 package Johnsonville Smoked Dinner Sausage (up to 14 oz), 0.75 lb Hatch Chile Peppers, 2 packages Kroger Steamer Vegetables (10-12 oz each) to serve 4.

Tuesday
Meal: Ground Turkey Taco Bowls with Sargento Shredded Cheese and Sour Cream
Description: Seasoned Kroger Ground Turkey is cooked in a skillet with taco spices and served over rice with Kraft Shredded Cheese and Kroger Sour Cream for a hearty, customizable bowl. Each person can load up their bowl with their preferred toppings, making this a crowd-pleasing, hands-on dinner.
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: 30 minutes
Serving note: 2 packages Kroger Ground Turkey (16 oz each, paying for 2 and receiving 1 free per the Buy 2 Get 1 Free deal - the third pack goes in the freezer), 1 package Kraft Shredded Cheese (7-8 oz), 1 container Kroger Sour Cream (24 oz) to serve 4.
Recipes:
- Turkey Taco Burrito Bowls

Wednesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Simple Truth Boneless Chicken Breasts with Sweet Corn and Gourmet Potatoes
Description: Simple Truth Boneless Chicken Breasts are seasoned and pan-seared until golden, then served alongside boiled sweet corn and roasted Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes for a classic, satisfying plate. The combination of juicy chicken, sweet summer corn, and tender potatoes makes this a well-rounded, colorful dinner.
Sale items used: Simple Truth Boneless Chicken Breasts (Big Pack or Tenders or Thin Breasts), Kroger Sweet Corn 4 ct, Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes 1.5 lb (Select Varieties)
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: 2 lbs Simple Truth Boneless Chicken Breasts, 1 pack Kroger Sweet Corn 4 ct (one ear per person), 1 bag Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes 1.5 lb - these two produce items are sold 2 for $7.00 so purchase one of each to hit that deal price.
Recipes:
- Pan Seared Boneless Chicken Breasts

Thursday
Meal: Kroger Ground Beef Pasta with Prego Pasta Sauce and Kraft Shredded Cheese
Description: Kroger 93% Lean Ground Beef is browned with garlic and onion, then simmered with Prego Pasta Sauce and tossed with Kroger Pasta for a hearty, comforting dinner that the whole family will love. A generous handful of Kraft Shredded Cheese melted over the top adds richness and ties everything together.
Sale items used: Kroger 93% Lean Ground Beef (3 lb package), Kroger Pasta (Select Varieties, 12-16 oz), Prego Pasta Sauce (14.5-24 oz), Kraft Shredded Cheese (7-8 oz), Hatch Sweet Onions (3 lb bag)
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: 1.5 lbs Kroger 93% Lean Ground Beef (from the 3 lb package at $6.99/lb, cost for 1.5 lbs = $10.49; remainder can be frozen), 1 package Kroger Pasta (12-16 oz), 1 jar Prego Pasta Sauce (up to 24 oz), 1 package Kraft Shredded Cheese (7-8 oz), approximately 0.5 lb Hatch Sweet Onions from the 3 lb bag.

Friday
Meal: Garlic Butter Skillet Shrimp with Steamer Vegetables and Private Selection Buns
Description: Kroger Large Shrimp are thawed, patted dry, and cooked quickly in a garlic butter skillet until pink and lightly golden, then served with a side of Kroger Steamer Vegetables and warm Private Selection Buns for dipping into the pan sauce. This is a festive, flavor-forward Friday dinner that feels special without the ribeye price tag.
Sale items used: Kroger Large Shrimp 31-40 ct (Frozen, 12 oz), Kroger Steamer Vegetables (10-12 oz), Private Selection Buns (Select Varieties, 8 ct)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: 2 packages Kroger Large Shrimp 31-40 ct (12 oz each, 24 oz total for 4 people), 2 packages Kroger Steamer Vegetables (10-12 oz each), 1 package Private Selection Buns (8 ct, 2 buns per person).
Recipes:
- Garlic Butter Shrimp

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Johnsonville Smoked Dinner or Breakfast Sausage (Select Varieties, 9.6-14 oz) (x1 package): $2.99
- Hatch Chile Peppers (0.75 lb): $1.12
- Kroger Steamer Vegetables (10-12 oz) (x4 packages, 2 for Monday and 2 for Friday): $6.00
- Kroger 85% or 93% Lean Ground Turkey (16 oz) (x2 packages paid, x1 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) (x1 package): $2.50
- Simple Truth Boneless Chicken Breasts (Big Pack or Tenders or Thin Breasts) (2 lbs): $7.98
- Kroger Sweet Corn 4 ct and Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes 1.5 lb (2 for $7.00 deal): $7.00
- Kroger 93% Lean Ground Beef (3 lb package) (1.5 lbs used, priced at $6.99/lb): $10.49
- Kroger Pasta (Select Varieties, 12-16 oz) (x1 package, part of 4 for $5.00 deal, priced at $1.25 each): $1.25
- Prego Pasta Sauce (14.5-24 oz) (x1 jar): $1.59
- Hatch Sweet Onions (3 lb bag): $3.99
- Kroger Large Shrimp 31-40 ct (Frozen, 12 oz) (x2 packages): $14.00
- Private Selection Buns (Select Varieties, 8 ct) (x1 package): $3.49

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or cooking oil (for searing chicken and shrimp)
- Butter (for garlic butter shrimp skillet)
- Garlic (fresh or jarred, for shrimp and pasta)
- Taco seasoning (for ground turkey bowls)
- Salt, black pepper, paprika, cumin
- Rice (for taco bowls)
- Chicken or beef broth (optional, for pasta sauce depth)