Meijer Dairy-Free Meal Plan

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Pan-Seared Certified Angus Beef Top Round Steak with Sauteed Bell Peppers and Cabbage Slaw
Description: A single 6-oz top round steak is seared in a hot skillet until browned and cooked through, then rested and sliced thin for easy eating. Sauteed green bell pepper strips and a simple vinegar-dressed green cabbage slaw round out the plate with bright, fresh flavor.
Sale items used: Certified Angus Beef Top Round Steak or Roast ($7.99/lb), Locally Grown Green Bell Peppers ($0.79 each), Locally Grown Green Cabbage ($0.69/lb)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Purchase approximately 0.4 lb of top round steak (cost: about $3.20); 1 green bell pepper; roughly 0.25 lb of green cabbage (cost: about $0.17). Top round can be tough, so slice against the grain after resting for best texture. If you prefer more tenderness, marinate the steak in a little oil, garlic, and vinegar for 30 minutes before cooking.

Tuesday
Meal: Braised Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Thighs with Campari Tomatoes and Celery
Description: Two bone-in chicken thighs are browned in a skillet then slowly braised with halved Campari tomatoes and sliced celery until the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender and the sauce is rich and savory. This one-pan meal is deeply satisfying and naturally dairy-free with no modifications needed.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Thighs ($1.49/lb), Campari Tomatoes ($2.99 for 16 oz.), Locally Grown Celery Hearts ($2.49 each)
Prep time: 20 minutes active, 45 minutes total
Serving note: Purchase approximately 0.75 lb of chicken thighs (about 2 thighs, cost: about $1.12); use roughly half the 16-oz container of Campari tomatoes this week (shared with Thursday); use 2 to 3 stalks from the celery heart. Total braising time is about 45 minutes - start the braise early and let it simmer hands-off while you prep other things.
Recipes:
- Tomato Braised Chicken Thighs
- Braised Chicken Thighs with Celery and Carrot

Wednesday
Meal: Grilled Fresh from Meijer Brats with Green Bell Pepper and Cabbage
Description: Two brats from the 19-oz pack are grilled or pan-seared until caramelized and cooked through, then served alongside sauteed green bell pepper strips and a quick pan-wilted green cabbage side. The combination is hearty, smoky, and completely dairy-free.
Sale items used: Bell's Beer or Fresh from Meijer Brats ($3.99 for 19 oz.), Locally Grown Green Bell Peppers ($0.79 each), Locally Grown Green Cabbage ($0.69/lb)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: The 19-oz pack contains approximately 5 brats - use 2 for this meal and refrigerate or freeze the remaining 3 for later use. Use 1 green bell pepper and approximately 0.25 lb of cabbage. The pack price is $3.99 flat regardless of how many you eat this week.

Thursday
Meal: Skillet-Browned Certified Angus Beef Ground Chuck Lettuce-Free Taco Bowls with Campari Tomatoes
Description: About a third of a pound of ground chuck is browned in a skillet with taco-style seasoning, then served over rice or ramen noodles as a base with diced Campari tomatoes, sliced bell pepper, and shredded cabbage piled on top. This bowl is filling, flavorful, and skips the lettuce entirely in favor of heartier vegetables.
Sale items used: Certified Angus Beef Ground Chuck ($5.29/lb), Campari Tomatoes ($2.99 for 16 oz. - remainder from Tuesday), Locally Grown Green Bell Peppers ($0.79 each), Locally Grown Green Cabbage ($0.69/lb), Maruchan Ramen ($3.49 for 12 pk.) - noodles only, discard the dairy-free-unsafe seasoning packet and season the beef yourself
Sale items used: Certified Angus Beef Ground Chuck ($5.29/lb), Campari Tomatoes (remainder from Tuesday purchase), Locally Grown Green Bell Peppers ($0.79 each), Locally Grown Green Cabbage ($0.69/lb)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Purchase approximately 0.4 lb of ground chuck (cost: about $2.12); use the remaining Campari tomatoes from Tuesday's purchase; use 1 bell pepper and about 0.25 lb of cabbage. Season the beef with pantry spices - cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt work perfectly here.

Friday
Meal: Oven-Baked Fresh from Meijer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs with BBQ Sauce and Grapes on the Side
Description: Two boneless skinless chicken thighs are coated in BBQ sauce and baked in the oven until sticky, caramelized, and cooked through, making for an easy and satisfying end-of-week dinner. A handful of fresh California Red Seedless Grapes on the side adds a sweet, refreshing contrast to the smoky chicken.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs ($1.99/lb), Kraft BBQ Sauce or Bullseye BBQ Sauce ($1.49 for 17.5-18 oz.), California Red Seedless Grapes ($1.99/lb)
Prep time: 10 minutes active, 35 minutes total
Serving note: Purchase approximately 0.5 lb of boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 2 thighs, cost: about $1.00); 1 bottle of BBQ sauce at $1.49 (you will use only a few tablespoons this meal - the rest keeps in the fridge); approximately 0.25 lb of grapes (cost: about $0.50). Bake at 400 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes, brushing with extra BBQ sauce halfway through.

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Thighs, approx. 0.75 lb (Tuesday): $1.12
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs, approx. 0.5 lb (Friday): $1.00
- Certified Angus Beef Top Round Steak or Roast, approx. 0.4 lb (Monday): $3.20
- Certified Angus Beef Ground Chuck, approx. 0.4 lb (Thursday): $2.12
- Bell's Beer or Fresh from Meijer Brats, 1 pack/19 oz. (Wednesday): $3.99
- Locally Grown Green Bell Peppers, x4 (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday): $3.16
- Locally Grown Green Cabbage, approx. 1 lb total (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday): $0.69
- Campari Tomatoes, 1 container/16 oz. (Tuesday and Thursday): $2.99
- Locally Grown Celery Hearts, x1 (Tuesday): $2.49
- California Red Seedless Grapes, approx. 0.25 lb (Friday): $0.50
- Kraft BBQ Sauce or Bullseye BBQ Sauce, 1 bottle (Friday): $1.49

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or neutral cooking oil
- Garlic (fresh or powder)
- Salt and black pepper
- Cumin
- Chili powder
- Onion powder
- Apple cider vinegar or white vinegar (for cabbage slaw)
- Rice or noodles as a bowl base for Thursday (pantry staple)