Market Basket Standard Meal Plan

SALE ITEMS FOUND

Meats on sale:
- Shoulder Steak London Broil: $3.99/lb
- Fresh Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks: $1.49/lb
- Fresh Pork Tenderloin: $2.69/lb
- Beef Roast: $9.99/lb
- Genoa Salami: $9.99/lb
- Farm Raised Salmon Steaks: $9.99/lb
- Ocean Fresh Wild Sockeye Salmon Fillets: $9.99/lb
- Fresh Ground Beef: $4.99/lb
- Fresh Meatloaf Mix: $4.99/lb
- Fresh Whole Chickens: $1.59/lb
- Fresh Organic Chicken Tenders: $8.99/lb
- Chicken Breast Cutlets: $4.49/lb
- Breaded Fresh Thin Sliced Chicken Air Fry: $7.99 for 12 oz
- Polish Kielbasa Sliced: $4.99/lb
- Sliced Bacon: $6.39 for 6 oz
- Polish Kielbasa Smoked: $3.49/lb
- Baby Back Ribs: $7.99 for 20.8-21 oz
- Hardwood Smoked Ham Grillsteak: $3.49 for 10 oz
- Ham Steak Anytime: $2.50 for 8 oz
- Boneless Honey Roasted Ham: $11.49 for 44 oz
- Gaspar's Linguica or Chourico: $6.49 for 16 oz
- Andouille Sausage: $3.99 for 12 oz
- Boneless Simple Carve Ham: $3.99/lb
- Fully Cooked Bacon: $3.99 for 2.52 oz
- Hardwood Smoked Premium Bacon: $5.99 for 16 oz
- Sliced Pepperoni: $2.99 for 7 oz
- Braunschweiger Liver: $2.49 for 8 oz
- Beef Burgers: $13.99 for 2-lb box
- Turkey Burgers: $8.99 for 2-lb box
- Hometown Sausage: $4.49 for 19.5-20 oz
- Ground Turkey: $4.49/lb
- Fresh Beef Patties: $10.99 for 1 lb
- Chicken Breast: $5.99/lb
- German Vienna Bologna: $3.29/lb
- Uncured Hams: $3.99 each
- Muenster Cheese: $4.99/lb
- Pepper Jack or Colby Jack: $4.99/lb
- Santa Fe Turkey Breast: $6.99/lb
- Ocean Fresh Wild Sea Scallops: $23.99/lb
- Tail off Shrimp Peeled and Deveined 16/20 Ct.: $19.89 for 2-lb bag
- E-Z Peel Shrimp 16/20 Ct.: $15.89 for 2-lb bag
- Cooked Shrimp 16/20 Ct.: $21.89 for 2-lb bag
- Smoked Salmon: $7.99 for 4 oz
- Ocean Fresh Wild Red Perch Fillets: $6.99/lb
- Legacy Breaded Shrimp: $3.99 for 38 oz
- Ocean Fresh Wild Mussels: $4.99/lb
- Frozen Salmon Fillets: $8.99 for 2-lb bag
- Snow Crab Legs and Claws: $28.99 for 1.5 lb bag
- Red Shrimp: $5.99/lb

Vegetables on sale:
- Baby Potatoes: $3.99 for 3-lb bag
- Fresh Calif. Strawberries: $4.99 for 2-lb pkg
- Vidalia Onions: $0.99/lb
- Bagged Green Peppers: $1.29/lb
- Organic Veggie Broccoli Slaw: $2.50 for 10 oz
- Gourmet Garden Squeeze or Lightly Dried Herbs: $3.99 for .35-4 oz
- Pineapple Spears or Watermelon: $3.99 for 16 oz
- Caesar Kits: $2.50 for 9.8-10.75 oz
- Mini Marzano Tomatoes: $4.99 for 24 oz
- Northeast Salads: $2.29 for 5 oz
- Grillabella Caps: $4.49 for 16 oz

BUDGET RATIONALE

Protein ranking (most economical to most expensive per serving for 4 people):
- Fresh Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks: $1.49/lb - about 2.5 lbs for 4 people = ~$3.73 total
- Fresh Whole Chickens: $1.59/lb - a 4-5 lb bird = ~$7.16 total
- Fresh Pork Tenderloin: $2.69/lb - about 1.5 lbs for 4 people = ~$4.04 total
- Polish Kielbasa Smoked: $3.49/lb - about 1 lb for 4 people = ~$3.49 total
- Ham Steak Anytime: $2.50 for 8 oz - need 2-3 packs for 4 people = ~$5.00 to $7.50 total
- Hardwood Smoked Ham Grillsteak: $3.49 for 10 oz - need 2-3 packs = ~$7.00 to $10.47 total
- Andouille Sausage: $3.99 for 12 oz - about 2 packs for 4 people = ~$7.98 total
- Shoulder Steak London Broil: $3.99/lb - about 2 lbs for 4 people = ~$7.98 total
- Boneless Simple Carve Ham: $3.99/lb - about 1.5 lbs for 4 people = ~$5.99 total
- Ground Turkey: $4.49/lb - about 1.5 lbs for 4 people = ~$6.74 total
- Chicken Breast Cutlets: $4.49/lb - about 2 lbs for 4 people = ~$8.98 total
- Fresh Ground Beef: $4.99/lb - about 1.5 lbs for 4 people = ~$7.49 total
- Fresh Meatloaf Mix: $4.99/lb - about 1.5 lbs for 4 people = ~$7.49 total
- Hometown Sausage: $4.49 for 19.5-20 oz - 1-2 packs for 4 people = ~$4.49 to $8.98 total
- Polish Kielbasa Sliced: $4.99/lb - about 1 lb for 4 people = ~$4.99 total
- Chicken Breast: $5.99/lb - about 2 lbs for 4 people = ~$11.98 total
- German Vienna Bologna: $3.29/lb - about 1 lb for 4 people = ~$3.29 total
- Red Shrimp: $5.99/lb - about 2 lbs for 4 people = ~$11.98 total (premium)
- Ocean Fresh Wild Mussels: $4.99/lb - about 2 lbs for 4 people = ~$9.98 total (premium)
- Ocean Fresh Wild Red Perch Fillets: $6.99/lb - about 2 lbs for 4 people = ~$13.98 total (premium)
- Gaspar's Linguica or Chourico: $6.49 for 16 oz - 2 packs = ~$12.98 total
- Baby Back Ribs: $7.99 for 20.8-21 oz - 2-3 packs for 4 people = ~$15.98 to $23.97 total (premium portion)
- Frozen Salmon Fillets: $8.99 for 2-lb bag - 1 bag for 4 people = ~$8.99 total (premium)
- Turkey Burgers: $8.99 for 2-lb box - 1 box for 4 people = ~$8.99 total
- Beef Burgers: $13.99 for 2-lb box - 1 box for 4 people = ~$13.99 total
- Farm Raised Salmon Steaks: $9.99/lb - about 2 lbs for 4 people = ~$19.98 total (premium)
- Ocean Fresh Wild Sockeye Salmon Fillets: $9.99/lb - about 2 lbs for 4 people = ~$19.98 total (premium)
- Beef Roast: $9.99/lb - about 2.5 lbs for 4 people = ~$24.98 total (premium)
- Fresh Beef Patties: $10.99 for 1 lb - 2 packs for 4 people = ~$21.98 total
- Boneless Honey Roasted Ham: $11.49 for 44 oz - 1 package easily feeds 4 = ~$11.49 total
- Tail off Shrimp Peeled and Deveined 16/20 Ct.: $19.89 for 2-lb bag - 1 bag for 4 people = ~$19.89 total (premium)
- Cooked Shrimp 16/20 Ct.: $21.89 for 2-lb bag - 1 bag = ~$21.89 total (premium)
- E-Z Peel Shrimp 16/20 Ct.: $15.89 for 2-lb bag - 1 bag = ~$15.89 total (premium)
- Ocean Fresh Wild Sea Scallops: $23.99/lb - about 2 lbs for 4 people = ~$47.98 total (premium)
- Snow Crab Legs and Claws: $28.99 for 1.5 lb bag - 2-3 bags for 4 people = ~$57.98 total (premium)

Why these meals: Chicken thighs at $1.49/lb and pork tenderloin at $2.69/lb are genuinely hard to beat for a family dinner - those two proteins anchor four of the five nights and keep the week very affordable. Smoked kielbasa and andouille sausage round out the economical nights with big flavor at a low price per serving. For the one premium night, frozen salmon fillets at $8.99 for a full two-pound bag are the clear standout - you get four generous portions for less than $9, which is far more reasonable than the wild sockeye at $9.99/lb, the farm-raised salmon steaks at a similar price, or any of the shrimp bags pushing $16 to $22. Snow crab, sea scallops, and the beef roast at $9.99/lb were deliberately skipped because even on sale they would push the week total well above a sensible range. The Vidalia onions, green peppers, baby potatoes, and Caesar kits pull in fresh vegetables at very low prices and complement the proteins naturally across the week.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Roasted Chicken Thighs with Baby Potatoes and Caesar Salad
Description: Bone-in chicken thighs roasted until golden and crispy, nestled alongside herb-seasoned baby potatoes straight from the sale bag. A crisp Caesar kit rounds the plate out with almost no extra effort.
Sale items used: Fresh Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks, Baby Potatoes, Caesar Kits, Gourmet Garden Squeeze or Lightly Dried Herbs
Prep time: 50 minutes
Serving note: 2.5 lbs chicken thighs (roughly 6-8 pieces), one 3-lb bag baby potatoes (use about half, save rest for later in the week), 1 Caesar kit serving all 4
Recipes:
- Caesar Chicken

Tuesday
Meal: Pork Tenderloin with Sauteed Green Peppers, Vidalia Onions, and Tri-Color Pasta
Description: Sliced pork tenderloin pan-seared and finished in a simple pan sauce with sweet Vidalia onions and green peppers for color and flavor. Served over tri-color pasta for a hearty, satisfying weeknight plate.
Sale items used: Fresh Pork Tenderloin, Bagged Green Peppers, Vidalia Onions, Tri Color Pastene Pasta
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: 1.5 lbs pork tenderloin, 1 lb green peppers, 1 lb Vidalia onions, 1 pkg tri-color pasta (16 oz, full package)
Recipes:
- Creamy Pork Tenderloin Pasta

Wednesday
Meal: Smoked Kielbasa and Andouille Sausage Skillet with Mini Tomatoes and Green Peppers
Description: Sliced smoked kielbasa and andouille sausage cooked together in a cast iron skillet with mini Marzano tomatoes and green peppers until everything is caramelized and deeply flavored. Served with crusty Parisian bread to soak up the juices.
Sale items used: Polish Kielbasa Smoked, Andouille Sausage, Mini Marzano Tomatoes, Bagged Green Peppers, Parisian Bread
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: 1 lb smoked kielbasa, 1 pack andouille sausage (12 oz), one 24-oz container mini tomatoes, 0.5 lb green peppers, 1 loaf Parisian bread
Recipes:
- Sausage and Peppers Skillet

Thursday
Meal: Baked Salmon Fillets with Roasted Baby Potatoes and Broccoli Slaw
Description: Salmon fillets seasoned with herbs and a squeeze of lemon-lime juice, baked until just flaky, served alongside the remaining baby potatoes and a tangy broccoli slaw tossed with a little mayo. This is the week's one seafood night and it delivers a restaurant-quality dinner at a fraction of the usual cost.
Sale items used: Frozen Salmon Fillets, Baby Potatoes (remainder from Monday), Organic Veggie Broccoli Slaw, Lemon Lime Juice, Gourmet Garden Squeeze or Lightly Dried Herbs
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: One 2-lb bag frozen salmon fillets (4 portions), remaining baby potatoes from Monday's bag (~1.5 lbs), one 10-oz bag broccoli slaw
Recipes:
- Sheet Pan Salmon with Roasted Potatoes and Broccoli

Friday
Meal: Ground Beef Taco Skillet with Refried Beans, Green Peppers, and Vidalia Onions
Description: Seasoned ground beef cooked down with diced green peppers and Vidalia onions, served over warmed Old El Paso refried beans and wrapped in tortillas or scooped with chips for a festive Friday feel. The Old El Paso dinner kit brings the seasoning and taco shells in one convenient package.
Sale items used: Fresh Ground Beef, Old El Paso Dinner Kit, Old El Paso Refried Beans, Bagged Green Peppers, Vidalia Onions
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 1.5 lbs ground beef, 1 Old El Paso dinner kit (shells and seasoning), one 16-oz can refried beans, 0.5 lb green peppers, 0.5 lb Vidalia onion
Recipes:
- Easy Taco Skillet

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks (2.5 lbs): $3.73
- Baby Potatoes, 3-lb bag (x1): $3.99
- Caesar Kits (x1): $2.50
- Gourmet Garden Squeeze or Lightly Dried Herbs (x1): $3.99
- Fresh Pork Tenderloin (1.5 lbs): $4.04
- Bagged Green Peppers (2 lbs total across the week): $2.58
- Vidalia Onions (1