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 Drumsticks All natural: $0.99/lb - about 2.5 lbs feeds 4, roughly $2.48 total / $0.62 per person
- Fresh from Meijer Whole Pork Shoulder Butt Roast Bone in: $1.79/lb - about 3 lbs feeds 4, roughly $5.37 total / $1.34 per person
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Assorted Chops Bone in: $1.99/lb - about 2 lbs feeds 4, roughly $3.98 total / $1.00 per person
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Center Cut Chops Bone in: $2.99/lb - about 2 lbs feeds 4, roughly $5.98 total / $1.50 per person
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Breasts All natural: $2.29/lb - about 2 lbs feeds 4, roughly $4.58 total / $1.15 per person
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Wings All natural: $2.79/lb - about 2.5 lbs feeds 4, roughly $6.98 total / $1.75 per person
- Eckrich 2 Pc. Sausage Ropes 10-14 oz., Smok-Y Links 8.3 oz., Sausage Links 13-14 oz. or Li'l Smokies 12-14 oz: $2.29 each - 2 packs feeds 4, roughly $4.58 total / $1.15 per person
- Meijer Breakfast Sausage Roll, Links or Patties 12-16 oz: $2.79 each - 1 pack feeds 4, roughly $2.79 total / $0.70 per person
- Johnsonville Fresh Brats 19 oz: $4.79 each - 1 pack feeds 4, roughly $4.79 total / $1.20 per person
- Fresh from Meijer 80% Lean Ground Beef 3 lb. pkg. or larger: $4.99/lb - about 1.5 lbs feeds 4, roughly $7.49 total / $1.87 per person
- Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers 10 oz: $4.99 each - 2 packs feeds 4, roughly $9.98 total / $2.50 per person

Why these meals: Chicken drumsticks at $0.99/lb are the standout deal of the week and anchor one of the most economical dinners on the plan. Pork loin assorted chops at $1.99/lb and Eckrich sausage links at $2.29 a pack give two more very affordable nights with completely different flavor profiles. Johnsonville Fresh Brats at $4.79 for a 19 oz. pack round out a fourth everyday night with a fun skillet-and-potato format. The single premium night goes to Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers at $4.99 per 10 oz. pack - two packs cover four people and at roughly $2.50 per person it is the most expensive protein chosen this week, but it is also the most budget-friendly seafood option on the flyer by a wide margin compared to the ribeye at $13.99/lb or the deli meats at $9.99/lb. The buy-7-or-more produce deals on russet potatoes, bell peppers, and sweet corn make it easy to hit that threshold and pull down the vegetable costs significantly, keeping the full week's total comfortably within range.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Roasted Russet Potatoes and Sweet Corn
Description: Seasoned chicken drumsticks are baked in the oven until the skin is golden and crisp, served alongside wedges of russet potato roasted in the same pan. Ears of sweet corn are boiled and served as a simple, satisfying side that rounds out this classic weeknight dinner.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Drumsticks All natural ($0.99/lb), Russet Potatoes 5 lb. bag ($1 each when you buy 7 or more), Locally Grown Bulk Sweet Corn ($4/$1)
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 45 minutes oven time
Serving note: Buy 2.5 lbs of chicken drumsticks. Use 1 bag of Russet Potatoes 5 lb. bag (part of a 7-item buy-7 run). Buy 4 ears of sweet corn (part of a 4/$1 deal, so $1 total). Total oven time is about 45 minutes at 425 degrees F; no make-ahead needed.
Recipes:
- Baked Chicken Legs and Potatoes (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Tuesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Pork Loin Assorted Chops with Sauteed Bell Peppers and Mushrooms
Description: Bone-in pork loin assorted chops are seasoned and seared in a skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through with a golden crust, then rested while sliced bell peppers and mushrooms are sauteed in the same pan with a splash of broth. The pan sauce with peppers and mushrooms is spooned over the chops and served with a side of creamer potatoes boiled until tender.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Assorted Chops Bone in ($1.99/lb), Red, Yellow, Orange or Aloha Bell Pepper ($1 each when you buy 7 or more), True Goodness Organic Whole or Sliced White Mushrooms 8 oz ($2/$5), Swanson Broth 14.5 oz ($1 each when you buy 7 or more), The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes 3 lb. bag ($4.99 each)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Buy 2 lbs of pork loin assorted chops (roughly 4 chops). Buy 2 bell peppers and 1 pack of True Goodness Organic Whole or Sliced White Mushrooms 8 oz (both part of buy-7 or 2/$5 deals respectively). Use 1 can of Swanson Broth (part of buy-7 run). Use 1 bag of The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes 3 lb. bag for the side.
Recipes:
- Paleo Pork Chops with Mushroom Sauce (Whole30)

Wednesday
Meal: Skillet-Browned Eckrich Sausage Links with Bush's Beans and Red Gold Tomatoes
Description: Eckrich Sausage Links are sliced and browned in a skillet until caramelized on the edges, then combined with Bush's Ingredient Beans and Red Gold Tomatoes for a hearty one-pan stew. This smoky, savory combination is ladled over boiled russet potatoes for a filling gluten-free dinner with minimal cleanup.
Sale items used: Eckrich 2 Pc. Sausage Ropes 10-14 oz., Smok-Y Links 8.3 oz., Sausage Links 13-14 oz. or Li'l Smokies 12-14 oz ($2.29 each), Bush's Ingredient Beans 15-16 oz ($1 each when you buy 7 or more), Red Gold Tomatoes 14.5-15 oz ($1 each when you buy 7 or more), Russet Potatoes 5 lb. bag ($1 each when you buy 7 or more)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Buy 2 packs of Eckrich Sausage Links 13-14 oz to feed 4 generously. Buy 2 cans of Bush's Ingredient Beans and 2 cans of Red Gold Tomatoes (all part of the buy-7 run). Use the same Russet Potatoes 5 lb. bag purchased Monday; the bag has plenty remaining.

Thursday
Meal: Grilled Johnsonville Fresh Brats with Roasted Bell Peppers and Creamer Potatoes
Description: Johnsonville Fresh Brats are grilled or cooked in a grill pan over medium heat until cooked through with char marks, then served alongside roasted bell peppers and the remaining creamer potatoes halved and roasted in the oven with olive oil and seasoning. This is a completely different flavor profile from the sausage stew earlier in the week, leaning on the brats' fennel-and-herb seasoning and the sweetness of roasted peppers.
Sale items used: Johnsonville Fresh Brats 19 oz ($4.79 each), Red, Yellow, Orange or Aloha Bell Pepper ($1 each when you buy 7 or more), The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes 3 lb. bag ($4.99 each)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Buy 1 pack of Johnsonville Fresh Brats 19 oz (contains 5 brats, one per person with one extra). Use 2 bell peppers (part of the buy-7 run purchased earlier in the week). Use the remaining portion of The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes 3 lb. bag from Tuesday.

Friday
Meal: Pan-Seared Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers with Avocado and Cucumber Salad
Description: Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers are seasoned and seared in a skillet over medium-high heat for about 4 minutes per side until golden on the outside and cooked through, then served over a crisp salad of sliced mini cucumbers and avocado dressed with Hellmann's Mayonnaise and a squeeze of lemon. This bright, fresh dinner is a satisfying contrast to the hearty pork and sausage nights earlier in the week.
Sale items used: Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers 10 oz ($4.99 each), Seedless Mini Cucumbers 1 lb. bag ($1 each when you buy 7 or more), Extra Large Avocado ($1 each when you buy 7 or more), Hellmann's Mayonnaise 30 oz ($3.99 each)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Buy 2 packs of Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers 10 oz (4 burgers total, one per person). Buy 1 bag of Seedless Mini Cucumbers 1 lb. and 2 Extra Large Avocados (both part of the buy-7 run). Buy 1 bottle of Hellmann's Mayonnaise 30 oz - this is a large bottle but it is essential to the dressing and at $3.99 it is a reasonable pantry addition the household will continue to use.
Recipes:
- Easy Salmon Burgers (Gluten-Free)

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Drumsticks All natural (2.5 lbs): $2.48
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Assorted Chops Bone in (2 lbs): $3.98
- Eckrich Sausage Links 13-14 oz (x2 packs): $4.58
- Johnsonville Fresh Brats 19 oz (x1 pack): $4.79
- Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers 10 oz (x2 packs): $9.98
- Russet Potatoes 5 lb. bag (x1, part of buy-7 run): $1.00
- Locally Grown Bulk Sweet Corn (4 ears at $4/$1): $1.00
- Red, Yellow, Orange or Aloha Bell Pepper (x4, part of buy-7 run): $4.00
- True Goodness Organic Whole or Sliced White Mushrooms 8 oz (x2 at $2/$5): $5.00
- Swanson Broth 14.5 oz (x1, part of buy-7 run): $1.00
- The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes 3 lb. bag (x1): $4.99
- Bush's Ingredient Beans 15-16 oz (x2, part of buy-7 run): $2.00
- Red Gold Tomatoes 14.5-15 oz (x2, part of buy-7 run): $2.00
- Seedless Mini Cucumbers 1 lb. bag (x1, part of buy-7 run): $1.00
- Extra Large Avocado (x2, part of buy-7 run): $2.00
- Hellmann's Mayonnaise 30 oz (x1): $3.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper
- Dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- Lemon (for avocado-cucumber salad dressing)