Meijer Gluten-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 - approx. $2.98 for 4 people ($0.75/serving)
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Spareribs: $2.79/lb - 2.5 lbs feeds 4 - approx. $6.98 for 4 people ($1.74/serving)
- Bob Evans Breakfast Sausage Roll, Links or Patties: $3.49 each - 1 package feeds 4 - approx. $3.49 for 4 people ($0.87/serving) - NOTE: ranked here by package cost; per-serving is actually cheaper than spareribs but spareribs are used as a dinner anchor cut
- Certified Angus Beef Ground Round: $7.29/lb - 1.5 lbs feeds 4 - approx. $10.94 for 4 people ($2.74/serving)
- Smithfield Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin: $6.99 each - 1 filet feeds 4 - approx. $6.99 for 4 people ($1.75/serving)
- Fresh from Meijer Seasoned Atlantic Salmon Portions: $8.99 each - 4 portions feeds 4 - approx. $35.96 for 4 people ($8.99/serving) - PREMIUM

Corrected ranking (strict per-serving order):
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Thighs: $1.49/lb - 2 lbs for 4 people - $2.98 total ($0.75/serving)
- Bob Evans Breakfast Sausage Roll, Links or Patties: $3.49 each - 1 package for 4 people - $3.49 total ($0.87/serving)
- Smithfield Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin: $6.99 each - 1 filet for 4 people - $6.99 total ($1.75/serving)
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Spareribs: $2.79/lb - 2.5 lbs for 4 people - $6.98 total ($1.75/serving)
- Certified Angus Beef Ground Round: $7.29/lb - 1.5 lbs for 4 people - $10.94 total ($2.74/serving)
- Fresh from Meijer Seasoned Atlantic Salmon Portions: $8.99 each - 4 portions for 4 people - $35.96 total ($8.99/serving) - PREMIUM - skipped, too expensive
- Certified Angus Beef Boneless Strip Steak: $13.99/lb - 2 lbs for 4 people - $27.98 total ($7.00/serving) - PREMIUM - skipped
- Certified Angus Beef Top Round Steak Boneless: $7.99/lb - 2 lbs for 4 people - $15.98 total ($4.00/serving) - PREMIUM

Why these meals: Chicken thighs at $1.49/lb are the standout deal this week, anchoring two dinners at under $3 total for the protein. Sausage at $3.49 a package and the Smithfield pork tenderloin at $6.99 flat give you two more satisfying, budget-friendly nights with very different flavor profiles. The Certified Angus Beef Ground Round at $7.29/lb is the most economical beef option and fills the fifth night with a hearty skillet dinner. The salmon portions at $8.99 each would have cost nearly $36 for four people, and the strip steak at $13.99/lb would have run close to $28, so both were skipped in favor of keeping the whole week well inside the per-person ceiling. The Top Round Steak at $7.99/lb is the single most affordable premium-tier beef cut and was also passed over since the ground round delivers better value; no premium protein night was needed this week because the economical options are strong enough to carry all five dinners comfortably.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Creamer Potatoes and Bell Peppers
Description: Bone-in chicken thighs are seasoned and seared in a skillet until the skin is golden and the meat is cooked through, then served alongside roasted creamer potatoes and sliced bell peppers softened in the same pan. The combination of crispy chicken skin, tender potatoes, and sweet peppers makes a complete one-pan gluten-free dinner with minimal cleanup.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Thighs, The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes, Red, Yellow, Orange or Aloha Bell Pepper
Prep time: 45 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of chicken thighs (roughly 4 to 5 pieces), 2 packages of creamer potatoes (each package is $1 each), and 2 bell peppers. Total protein cost $2.98, potatoes $2.00, peppers $2.00.

Tuesday
Meal: Bob Evans Sausage and Egg Scramble with Russet Potato Hash
Description: Crumbled Bob Evans breakfast sausage is browned in a skillet, then diced russet potatoes are added and cooked until crispy, and the whole pan is finished with scrambled eggs and a handful of baby spinach stirred in at the end. This hearty skillet dinner is naturally gluten-free and comes together in under 30 minutes.
Sale items used: Bob Evans Breakfast Sausage Roll, Links or Patties, Russet Potatoes, True Goodness Organic Extra Large Eggs, Fresh from Meijer Coleslaw or Baby Spinach
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package (1 roll) of Bob Evans sausage, 2 russet potatoes (2 units at $1 each), 1 package of True Goodness Organic Extra Large Eggs (use 6 eggs for 4 people), and 1 package of baby spinach from the $2 for 2 deal (buy 2 to get the deal, use one bag tonight and save the second for another meal).

Wednesday
Meal: Smithfield Pork Loin Filet with Meijer Frozen Steamable Vegetables and Avocado Salad
Description: The Smithfield pork loin filet is sliced into medallions, seasoned, and pan-cooked over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through, then served with a bag of Meijer frozen steamable vegetables prepared in the microwave. A simple side salad of sliced avocado, seedless mini cucumber, and locally grown leaf lettuce dressed with Kraft dressing rounds out the plate.
Sale items used: Smithfield Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin, Meijer Frozen Steamable Vegetables, Extra Large Avocado, Seedless Mini Cucumbers, Locally Grown Green or Red Leaf Lettuce, Kraft Dressing
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 Smithfield pork loin filet (1 unit at $6.99), 1 bag of Meijer Frozen Steamable Vegetables ($1 each), 2 avocados ($1 each), 1 package of seedless mini cucumbers ($1 each), approximately 0.5 lb of leaf lettuce ($1.00 estimated), and 1 bottle of Kraft Dressing ($1 each).

Thursday
Meal: Slow-Simmered Pork Spareribs with Vidalia Onion and Russet Potato
Description: Pork spareribs are cut into sections, seasoned, and slow-simmered in a covered pot with sliced Vidalia onions, Red Gold tomatoes, and Swanson broth until the meat is tender and pulls cleanly from the bone, then served over halved russet potatoes that cook in the same braising liquid. This is a low-effort braise that rewards patience with deeply savory, naturally gluten-free results.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Pork Spareribs, Bulk Vidalia Onions, Russet Potatoes, Red Gold Tomatoes, Swanson Broth
Prep time: 20 minutes active, approximately 90 minutes total
Serving note: Use 2.5 lbs of pork spareribs ($6.98), 1 lb of Vidalia onions ($1.29), 2 russet potatoes ($2.00), 1 can of Red Gold Tomatoes ($1.00), and 1 carton of Swanson Broth ($1.00). Make-ahead note: start the braise at least 90 minutes before serving; the ribs can be started earlier in the afternoon and held on low heat.
Recipes:
- Slow Cooker Ribs And Potatoes + VIDEO

Friday
Meal: Certified Angus Beef Ground Round Skillet with Bell Pepper, Spinach, and Meijer Shredded Cheese
Description: Ground round beef is browned in a large skillet with diced bell pepper and Vidalia onion, then baby spinach is wilted in and the whole skillet is topped with Meijer shredded cheese and served directly from the pan over a bed of creamer potatoes. The result is a satisfying, protein-rich gluten-free skillet dinner with bold savory flavor and no pasta or grains needed.
Sale items used: Certified Angus Beef Ground Round, Red, Yellow, Orange or Aloha Bell Pepper, Bulk Vidalia Onions, Fresh from Meijer Coleslaw or Baby Spinach, Meijer Chunk or Shredded Cheese, The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of Certified Angus Beef Ground Round ($10.94), 2 bell peppers ($2.00), approximately 0.5 lb of Vidalia onions ($0.65), the second bag of baby spinach saved from Tuesday's $2 for 2 purchase ($0 additional cost), 1 package of Meijer Chunk or Shredded Cheese from the $2 for 7 deal (buy the minimum needed - note the $2 for 7 deal requires purchasing 7 units; substitute Kraft Shredded or Chunk Cheese at $2 for 5 instead, buying 5 units and using 1 tonight), and 1 package of creamer potatoes ($1.00).

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Thighs (2 lbs): $2.98
- The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes (x3 packages - 2 for Monday, 1 for Friday): $3.00
- Red, Yellow, Orange or Aloha Bell Pepper (x4 - 2 for Monday, 2 for Friday): $4.00
- Bob Evans Breakfast Sausage Roll, Links or Patties (x1): $3.49
- Russet Potatoes (x4 - 2 for Tuesday, 2 for Thursday): $4.00
- True Goodness Organic Extra Large Eggs (x1 package): $6.99
- Fresh from Meijer Coleslaw or Baby Spinach (x2 - deal requires buying 2 at $2 for 2): $2.00
- Smithfield Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin (x1): $6.99
- Meijer Frozen Steamable Vegetables (x1): $1.00
- Extra Large Avocado (x2): $2.00
- Seedless Mini Cucumbers (x1): $1.00
- Locally Grown Green or Red Leaf Lettuce (0.5 lb): $1.00
- Kraft Dressing (x1): $1.00
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Spareribs (2.5 lbs): $6.98
- Bulk Vidalia Onions (1.5 lbs - 1 lb for Thursday, 0.5 lb for Friday): $1.94
- Red Gold Tomatoes (x1): $1.00
- Swanson Broth (x1): $1.00
- Certified Angus Beef Ground Round (1.5 lbs): $10.94
- Kraft Shredded or Chunk Cheese (x5 - required for $2 for 5 deal, use 1 tonight): $2.00

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or cooking oil
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Dried oregano or Italian seasoning (verify gluten-free label)
- Cumin (for sausage skillet)
- Chicken or pork seasoning blend (verify gluten-free label)