Meijer Dairy-Free Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Protein ranking (most economical to most expensive per serving for 4 people):
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Thighs: $1.49/lb - 2 lbs feeds 4 = $2.98 total, about $0.75/serving
- Eckrich or Bar-S Meat Franks: $1 each - 4 franks for 4 people = $4.00 total, about $1.00/serving
- Bob Evans Breakfast Sausage Roll, Links or Patties: $3.49 each - 1 roll feeds 4 = $3.49 total, about $0.87/serving (ranked here as a supplemental protein alongside beans)
- Bush's Ingredient Beans (as a protein anchor): $1 each - 2 cans for a full pot = $2.00 total, about $0.50/serving
- Certified Angus Beef Ground Round: $7.29/lb - 1.5 lbs feeds 4 = $10.94 total, about $2.74/serving
- Smithfield Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin: $6.99 each - 1 filet feeds 4 = $6.99 total, about $1.75/serving
- Fresh from Meijer Seasoned Atlantic Salmon Portions: $8.99 each - 4 portions for 4 people = $35.96 total, about $8.99/serving (premium - excluded as too costly for budget ceiling)
- Certified Angus Beef Top Round Steak Boneless: $7.99/lb - 1.5 lbs feeds 4 = $11.99 total, about $3.00/serving
- Certified Angus Beef Boneless Strip Steak: $13.99/lb - 1.5 lbs feeds 4 = $20.99 total, about $5.25/serving (premium)

Why these meals: Chicken thighs at $1.49/lb are the standout deal of the week and anchor two dinners without repeating the same preparation - one night as a skillet braise with bell peppers and one night tossed with pasta and broth. Ground round at $7.29/lb is a reliable mid-week workhorse and earns one night as seasoned taco-style bowls over rice with beans. The Smithfield Pork Loin Filet at a flat $6.99 is genuinely good value for a whole filet that feeds four, and it takes the fourth night as a simple oven-roasted centerpiece with potatoes and carrots. The Certified Angus Beef Top Round Steak at $7.99/lb earns the one premium night - it is the least expensive steak on the flyer and far more budget-friendly than the strip steak or the salmon portions, which would have blown the weekly ceiling on their own. The salmon portions were skipped entirely because four individual portions at $8.99 each would have added nearly $36 to the cart in a single night, pushing the per-person total well above the comfortable range for the week.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Skillet-Braised Chicken Thighs with Bell Peppers and Vidalia Onions
Description: Bone-in chicken thighs are seared in a hot skillet until the skin is golden, then braised with sliced bell peppers, Vidalia onions, and chicken broth until cooked through and saucy. Serve over fluffy white rice with the pan juices spooned on top for a satisfying, colorful weeknight dinner.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Thighs, Red, Yellow, Orange or Aloha Bell Pepper, Bulk Vidalia Onions, Swanson Broth, Russet Potatoes (optional side swap)
Prep time: 45 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of chicken thighs (roughly 4 to 5 thighs), 3 bell peppers at $1 each, 1 lb Vidalia onions, and 1 can Swanson Broth. Serve with pantry rice.
Recipes:
- Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Peppers and Onions

Tuesday
Meal: Seasoned Ground Beef and Black Bean Rice Bowls
Description: Ground round is browned in a skillet with Vidalia onion and pantry spices, then simmered with a can of Bush's beans and Red Gold tomatoes to build a thick, savory filling. Spoon over cooked rice and top with sliced avocado and baby spinach for a hearty, complete bowl.
Sale items used: Certified Angus Beef Ground Round, Bush's Ingredient Beans, Red Gold Tomatoes, Extra Large Avocado, Fresh from Meijer Coleslaw or Baby Spinach, Bulk Vidalia Onions
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs ground round, 1 can Bush's beans, 1 can Red Gold Tomatoes, 2 avocados at $1 each, 1 bag baby spinach ($1 from the 2 for 2 deal), and 0.5 lb Vidalia onions. Cook pantry rice alongside.

Wednesday
Meal: Oven-Roasted Smithfield Pork Loin Filet with Creamer Potatoes and Carrots
Description: The pork loin filet is seasoned with pantry garlic, salt, and pepper, then roasted in the oven alongside halved creamer potatoes and Bolthouse carrot sides until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees and the vegetables are tender and lightly caramelized. Rest the pork for five minutes before slicing and serving with the roasted vegetables.
Sale items used: Smithfield Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin, The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes, Bolthouse Carrot Sides
Prep time: 55 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 Smithfield Pork Loin Filet, 2 packages of The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes at $1 each, and 1 package Bolthouse Carrot Sides. Total roasting time is approximately 45 to 50 minutes at 400 degrees; prep can begin 15 minutes before the oven is ready.

Thursday
Meal: Chicken Tenderloin and Pasta in Garlic Broth with Baby Spinach
Description: Boneless chicken tenderloins are sliced and sauteed in a pan with minced garlic and Vidalia onion, then Creamette pasta and Swanson broth are added and simmered together until the pasta is cooked and the broth reduces to a light, savory sauce. Stir in fresh baby spinach at the end and serve immediately for a one-pan meal with minimal cleanup.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Boneless Chicken Tenderloins, Creamette Pasta, Swanson Broth, Fresh from Meijer Coleslaw or Baby Spinach, Bulk Vidalia Onions
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs chicken tenderloins, 2 boxes Creamette Pasta at $1 each (use one full box, save the second), 2 cans Swanson Broth at $1 each, 1 bag baby spinach ($1 from the 2 for 2 deal), and 0.5 lb Vidalia onions.
Recipes:
- Dairy Free Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Friday
Meal: Pan-Seared Certified Angus Beef Top Round Steak with Sauteed Bell Peppers and Russet Potatoes
Description: Top round steak is sliced thin against the grain, then pan-seared in batches over high heat with sliced bell peppers and a splash of broth to build a quick pan sauce. Serve alongside baked or pan-fried Russet potato wedges seasoned with pantry salt, pepper, and garlic powder for a satisfying end-of-week steak dinner.
Sale items used: Certified Angus Beef Top Round Steak Boneless, Red, Yellow, Orange or Aloha Bell Pepper, Russet Potatoes, Swanson Broth
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs top round steak, 2 bell peppers at $1 each, 4 Russet Potatoes at $1 each, and 1 can Swanson Broth. Slice the steak thin before cooking so it sears quickly and stays tender rather than tough.

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Thighs (2 lbs): $2.98
- Red, Yellow, Orange or Aloha Bell Pepper (5 total - 3 for Monday, 2 for Friday): $5.00
- Bulk Vidalia Onions (2 lbs total across Monday, Tuesday, Thursday): $2.58
- Swanson Broth (4 cans - 1 Monday, 2 Thursday, 1 Friday): $4.00
- Certified Angus Beef Ground Round (1.5 lbs): $10.94
- Bush's Ingredient Beans (1 can): $1.00
- Red Gold Tomatoes (1 can): $1.00
- Extra Large Avocado (2): $2.00
- Fresh from Meijer Coleslaw or Baby Spinach (2 bags - 2 for 2 deal): $2.00
- Smithfield Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin (1): $6.99
- The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes (2 packages): $2.00
- Bolthouse Carrot Sides (1 package): $2.49
- Fresh from Meijer Boneless Chicken Tenderloins (1.5 lbs): $5.99
- Creamette Pasta (2 boxes): $2.00
- Certified Angus Beef Top Round Steak Boneless (1.5 lbs): $11.99
- Russet Potatoes (4): $4.00

Pantry staples needed:
- White rice
- Olive oil or neutral cooking oil
- Garlic (fresh or powder)
- Salt and black pepper
- Cumin and chili powder (for Tuesday bowls)
- Garlic powder (for potato wedges)