Lidl Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

SALE ITEMS FOUND

Meats on sale:
- Butcher's Specialty fresh grass-fed ribeye steak: $7.99 each
- Butcher's Specialty fresh boneless/skinless chicken tenderloins: $3.49/lb
- Smithfield fresh twin pack pork tenderloin: $5.99 each
- Butcher's Specialty fresh ground beef patties, 80% lean: $2.49 for 4 ct.
- Fish Market fresh wild caught sockeye salmon skin on fillet: $11.99/lb
- Butcher's Specialty fresh bone-in pork loin assorted thin chops: $2.49/lb
- Tyson frozen crispy chicken strips, family pack: $9.99 for 40 oz.
- Pulled chicken with barbecue sauce: $6.59 for 16 oz.
- Holten's frozen beef patties, party pack: $23.99 for 24 ct.
- Pork carnitas / burnt ends: $4.99 for 16 oz.

Vegetables on sale:
- Raspberries: $1.99 for 6 oz.
- Sweetpops tomatoes: $3.99 for 1.5 lb.
- Zucchini: $0.99 each
- Peak Harvest red potatoes: $2.99 for 5 lb.
- Organic whole baby bella mushrooms: $1.99 for 6 oz.

BUDGET RATIONALE

Protein ranking (most economical to most expensive per serving for 4 people):
- Ground beef patties (80% lean): $2.49 for 4 ct. - feeds 4 for $2.49 total (about $0.62/person)
- Bone-in pork loin thin chops: $2.49/lb - need about 2 lbs for 4 people, so roughly $4.98 total (about $1.25/person)
- Pork carnitas / burnt ends (deli): $4.99 for 16 oz. - one pack feeds 4, so $4.99 total (about $1.25/person)
- Pulled chicken with barbecue sauce (deli): $6.59 for 16 oz. - one pack feeds 4, so $6.59 total (about $1.65/person)
- Chicken tenderloins: $3.49/lb - need about 2 lbs for 4 people, so roughly $6.98 total (about $1.75/person)
- Tyson frozen crispy chicken strips: $9.99 for 40 oz. - one pack feeds 4 with plenty, so $9.99 total (about $2.50/person)
- Smithfield pork tenderloin twin pack: $5.99 each - typically one pack (two tenderloins) comfortably feeds 4, so $5.99 total (about $1.50/person) - note: placed here because tenderloin is a lean, mild everyday cut despite the price
- Ribeye steak: $7.99 each - need at least 3 to 4 steaks for 4 people, so roughly $24 to $32 total (about $6 to $8/person) - PREMIUM
- Sockeye salmon: $11.99/lb - need about 2 lbs for 4 people, so roughly $23.98 total (about $6/person) - PREMIUM

Why these meals: The backbone of this week is the ground beef patties at just $2.49 for four patties and the bone-in pork chops at $2.49/lb, two of the best protein values in the whole store this week. Pork carnitas from the deli adds a third very affordable night with zero active cooking, making Tuesday a stress-free win at under $5 for the whole family's protein. Chicken tenderloins at $3.49/lb are the familiar kid-favorite shape and flavor kids love, so they anchor Wednesday at a very reasonable price. For the one special night, salmon at $11.99/lb is technically the same cost per person as ribeye when you factor in how many steaks you'd actually need to buy, but salmon portions are easy, cook in 12 minutes, and the Lidl French-style seasoning makes it feel like a restaurant meal at home. Ribeye was skipped entirely because feeding four people real steaks would push just the protein cost past $25 to $30, which is tough to justify on a weekly dinner budget.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Cheesy Beef Burgers with Waffle Fries and Tomatoes
Description: Juicy beef patties on soft hamburger buns loaded with Colby Jack cheese and fresh Sweetpops tomatoes make a Monday dinner the whole table will cheer for. A side of crispy frozen waffle cut fries rounds everything out for a classic, zero-fuss weeknight meal the kids can help assemble themselves.
Sale items used: Butcher's Specialty fresh ground beef patties (4 ct.), hamburger buns, deli sliced Colby Jack cheese, Sweetpops tomatoes, frozen seasoned waffle cut French fried potatoes, Duc de Coeur spraying oil
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 1 beef patty per person on 1 bun each, 2 to 3 slices of Colby Jack per burger, roughly 1/4 of the 21.1 oz. bag of fries per person (about 5 oz. each)
Recipes:
- Loaded Cheeseburger Fries - Home. Made. Interest.
- Cheeseburger Fries - Quick Weeknight Meals
- Waffle Fry Slider Burgers | Neighborfood

Tuesday
Meal: Pork Carnitas Rice Bowls with Shredded Cheese
Description: Tender pulled pork carnitas served warm over fluffy white rice with a generous handful of shredded cheese on top is a filling, friendly bowl dinner that comes together in minutes. Kids love building their own bowls, and the mild savory flavor of the carnitas makes this a guaranteed plate-cleaner night.
Sale items used: Pork carnitas / burnt ends, Goya Canilla enriched rice, shredded cheese (family size)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: 4 oz. carnitas per person (one 16 oz. pack divided equally), approximately 3/4 cup cooked rice per person, 2 to 3 tablespoons shredded cheese per bowl
Recipes:
- Instant Pot Pork Carnita Bowls

Wednesday
Meal: Baked Chicken Tenderloin with Red Potatoes and Zucchini
Description: Seasoned chicken tenderloins baked until golden are served alongside roasted red potato wedges and sliced zucchini for a colorful, wholesome plate that even the pickiest eaters enjoy. The familiar shape of tenderloins makes them a kid magnet, and a drizzle of honey mustard on the side turns dinner into a dipping adventure.
Sale items used: Butcher's Specialty fresh boneless/skinless chicken tenderloins (2 lbs.), Peak Harvest red potatoes, zucchini (2), Duc de Coeur honey mustard, Duc de Coeur spraying oil, Duc de Coeur French-style seasoning
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: About 4 to 5 tenderloins per person (roughly 8 oz. raw per person), 3 to 4 small red potato wedges each, half a zucchini per person sliced into rounds
Recipes:
- Baked Chicken with Zucchini and Potatoes: 6 Easy Steps for a Perfect One-Pan Meal

Thursday
Meal: Honey Mustard Pork Chops with Mashed Potatoes
Description: Thin bone-in pork loin chops pan-seared and glazed with honey mustard cook up fast and deliver a mildly sweet, savory flavor kids will love paired with creamy ready-made mashed potatoes. This is a proper sit-down dinner that feels special but takes almost no effort on a busy Thursday night.
Sale items used: Butcher's Specialty fresh bone-in pork loin assorted thin chops (2 lbs.), Bob Evans mashed potatoes sour cream & chives, Duc de Coeur honey mustard, Duc de Coeur spraying oil
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: 1 to 2 thin chops per person (about 8 oz. raw bone-in per person), one 24 oz. tub of mashed potatoes divided into 4 portions (about 6 oz. each)
Recipes:
- Honey Mustard Sheet Pan Pork Chops with Potatoes - Plating Pixels
- Honey Mustard Pork Chops • Salt & Lavender

Friday
Meal: Pan-Seared Sockeye Salmon with Buttered Red Potatoes and Zucchini
Description: Skin-on sockeye salmon fillets seared until flaky and golden make Friday night feel like a special occasion without a lot of fuss, and mild wild salmon is a fantastic way to introduce kids to fish in the most approachable way. Buttery red potato halves and tender zucchini rounds complete the plate with color and familiar comfort.
Sale items used: Fish Market fresh wild caught sockeye salmon skin on fillet (2 lbs.), Peak Harvest red potatoes, zucchini (2), olive oil, Duc de Coeur French-style seasoning, Lidl Preferred Selection 100% lemon juice
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: One 8 oz. salmon portion per person, 3 to 4 red potato halves per person, half a zucchini per person sliced and sauteed
Recipes:
- Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe – Sheet Pan Salmon Recipe | Eatwell101

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Butcher's Specialty fresh ground beef patties, 80% lean (1 pack, 4 ct.): $2.49
- Hamburger buns (1 pack, 12 oz.): $1.19
- Deli sliced Colby Jack cheese (1 pack, 7.5 oz.): $1.49
- Sweetpops tomatoes (1 pack, 1.5 lb.): $3.99
- Frozen seasoned waffle cut French fried potatoes (1 bag, 21.1 oz.): $1.99
- Pork carnitas / burnt ends (1 pack, 16 oz.): $4.99
- Goya Canilla enriched rice (1 bag, 5 lb.): $3.99
- Shredded cheese, family size (1 bag, 32 oz.): $4.99
- Butcher's Specialty fresh boneless/skinless chicken tenderloins (2 lbs.): $6.98
- Peak Harvest red potatoes (1 bag, 5 lb. - used across Wednesday and Friday): $2.99
- Zucchini (4 individual, used across Wednesday and Friday): $3.96
- Duc de Coeur honey mustard (1 bottle, 8 oz.): $2.49
- Butcher's Specialty fresh bone-in pork loin assorted thin chops (2 lbs.): $4.98
- Bob Evans mashed potatoes, sour cream & chives (1 tub, 24 oz.): $3.49
- Fish Market fresh wild caught sockeye salmon skin on fillet (2 lbs.): $23.98
- Duc de Coeur French-style seasoning (1 jar): $1.99
- Lidl Preferred Selection 100% lemon juice (1 bottle, 6.8 fl. oz.): $0.99
- Duc de Coeur spraying oil (1 can, 6.7 fl. oz.): $3.49

Pantry staples needed:
- Butter (for potatoes and zucchini)
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Olive oil (or use the spraying oil already purchased above)