Kroger Standard Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: This week's Kroger flyer is genuinely loaded with budget-friendly proteins, so four of the five dinners lean on the cheapest options available. Perdue chicken thighs at $1.29/lb and boneless pork loin at $1.99/lb are two of the best meat deals you will find anywhere, and they anchor two very different dinners - a pan-seared thigh night and a sliced pork loin night - keeping those evenings well under $1.50 per person for protein alone. Smithfield Dinner Sausage Links at $3.99 for a 19 oz package and Springer Mountain boneless chicken breasts at $3.99/lb round out the economical four nights with a sausage-and-rice skillet and a chicken breast dinner, both distinct in flavor and method. The one premium night goes to the Large Peeled & Deveined Shrimp at $7.99/lb - shrimp is the most perishable and special-occasion protein on the flyer, and at roughly $4.00 per person it is the single best premium value compared to the chuck roast at $5.00 per person.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Pan-Seared Perdue Chicken Thighs with Zatarain's Rice and Steamed Vegetables
Description: Bone-in chicken thighs are seasoned and seared skin-side down in a skillet until the skin is golden and crisp, then flipped and finished through, delivering juicy meat with a savory crust. Zatarain's Rice Sides cook alongside on the stovetop while a bag of Kroger Steamable Vegetables rounds out the plate with minimal effort.
Sale items used: Perdue Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs (or Wings), Zatarain's Rice Sides (6.9 oz), Kroger Steamable Vegetables (Frozen, 10-12 oz)
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of chicken thighs for 4 people. Cook 2 boxes of Zatarain's Rice Sides (purchased as 2 for $3.00) and 1 bag of Kroger Steamable Vegetables (purchased as part of the 2 for $3.00 deal, second bag used Wednesday).
Recipes:
- Spicy Chicken Thighs with Rice and Steamed Veggies Recipe
- One Pot Chicken and Rice
- Best Chicken and Rice (One Pan)

Tuesday
Meal: Sliced Boneless Pork Loin with Tri-Color Peppers and Gourmet Potatoes
Description: A boneless pork loin section is seasoned with garlic, paprika, and herbs, then roasted in the oven until cooked through and sliced into medallions for serving. Tri-color peppers are sauteed in a skillet while Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes roast alongside the pork, creating a colorful and satisfying plate.
Sale items used: Boneless Pork Half Loin, Kroger Tri-Color Peppers (6 ct), Kroger Sweet Corn (4 ct) or Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes (1.5 lb bag)
Prep time: 55 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of boneless pork loin for 4 people. Use 1 bag (1.5 lb) of Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes and 3 tri-color peppers from the 6-count package (remaining 3 peppers used Thursday). The pork loin roasts at 400 degrees F for about 40 minutes; slice and rest 5 minutes before serving.

Wednesday
Meal: Smithfield Dinner Sausage Links Skillet with Sweet Corn and Steamed Vegetables
Description: Smithfield Dinner Sausage Links are browned in a skillet until caramelized on the outside and cooked through, then served alongside fresh sweet corn cut from the cob and a side of steamed vegetables for a hearty weeknight dinner. The whole meal comes together in one skillet plus a pot of boiling water for the corn, making cleanup easy.
Sale items used: Smithfield Bacon (12-16 oz) or Smithfield Dinner Sausage Links (19 oz), Kroger Sweet Corn (4 ct) or Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes (1.5 lb bag), Kroger Steamable Vegetables (Frozen, 10-12 oz)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package (19 oz) of Smithfield Dinner Sausage Links for 4 people. Use 4 ears of sweet corn (1 package of Kroger Sweet Corn, purchased as part of the 2 for $7.00 deal with Tuesday's potatoes). Use the second bag of Kroger Steamable Vegetables from Monday's 2 for $3.00 purchase.
Recipes:
- Sausage and Veggies Skillet - 30 Minute, One-Pan Meal
- Sausage and Summer Vegetables Skillet with Corn

Thursday
Meal: Springer Mountain Chicken Breast Stuffed with Feta and Tri-Color Peppers
Description: Springer Mountain boneless chicken breasts are butterflied, filled with crumbled Athenos Feta Cheese and sauteed tri-color pepper strips, then pan-seared and finished in the oven for a Mediterranean-inspired dinner with bold flavor. The stuffed breasts are sliced on the diagonal before serving to show off the colorful filling.
Sale items used: Springer Mountain Boneless Chicken Breasts or Tenders, Athenos Feta Cheese (Select Varieties, 5-5 oz, In the Deli), Kroger Tri-Color Peppers (6 ct)
Prep time: 45 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of Springer Mountain Boneless Chicken Breasts for 4 people (approximately 4 breasts at 0.5 lb each). Use 1 package of Athenos Feta Cheese and the remaining 3 tri-color peppers from Tuesday's 6-count package.
Recipes:
- Greek Chicken Stuffed Peppers with Feta & Quinoa

Friday
Meal: Garlic Butter Sauteed Shrimp with Rana Pasta
Description: Large Peeled & Deveined Shrimp are quickly sauteed in garlic butter in a hot skillet until pink and just cooked through, then tossed with Rana Pasta and finished with a squeeze of lemon for a bright, restaurant-quality dinner that comes together in under 20 minutes. The shrimp stay tender and slightly snappy, and the fresh pasta absorbs the garlicky pan sauce beautifully.
Sale items used: Large Peeled & Deveined Shrimp 31-40 ct (2 lb bag), Rana Pasta (10 oz)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of shrimp for 4 people (purchased as 2 lbs at $7.99/lb). Use 2 packages of Rana Pasta (10 oz each) to provide a generous pasta base for 4 people.
Recipes:
- Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta - Damn Delicious

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Perdue Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs (or Wings) (2 lbs): $2.58
- Zatarain's Rice Sides (6.9 oz) (x2, as 2 for $3.00): $3.00
- Kroger Steamable Vegetables (Frozen, 10-12 oz) (x2, as 2 for $3.00): $3.00
- Boneless Pork Half Loin (2 lbs): $3.98
- Kroger Tri-Color Peppers (6 ct) (x1): $6.00
- Kroger Sweet Corn (4 ct) and Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes (1.5 lb bag) (2 for $7.00): $7.00
- Smithfield Dinner Sausage Links (19 oz) (x1, with digital coupon): $3.99
- Springer Mountain Boneless Chicken Breasts or Tenders (2 lbs): $7.98
- Athenos Feta Cheese (Select Varieties, 5-5 oz, In the Deli) (x1): $4.99
- Large Peeled & Deveined Shrimp 31-40 ct (2 lb bag) (2 lbs): $15.98
- Rana Pasta (10 oz) (x2): $7.98

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or neutral cooking oil
- Butter
- Garlic (fresh or jarred)
- Salt and black pepper
- Paprika
- Dried herbs (such as thyme, oregano, or Italian seasoning)
- Lemon (fresh, for the shrimp pasta)