Meijer Low-Carb Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: The four everyday nights lean on the cheapest proteins on this flyer - bone-in chicken thighs at $1.49/lb, Fresh from Meijer Brats at $3.99 for the whole pack, Certified Angus Beef Ground Chuck at $5.29/lb, and Smithfield Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin at $5.99 for the pack - all of which keep individual night costs very manageable. The Smithfield Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin earns the one premium slot this week: at $5.99 for a nearly 1.5-lb package, it is the best value among the slightly elevated proteins and still costs far less per serving than salmon or steak. The produce side of the flyer is genuinely strong this week - green bell peppers at $0.79 each, green cabbage at $0.69/lb, and Campari Tomatoes at $2.99 for 16 oz. all add color and volume to plates without adding carbs or much cost.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Pan-Seared Certified Angus Beef Ground Chuck Skillet with Bell Peppers and Campari Tomatoes
Description: Seasoned ground chuck is browned in a hot skillet until deeply caramelized, then tossed with sliced green bell peppers and halved Campari tomatoes and simmered briefly until the vegetables are just tender. The result is a hearty, saucy one-pan dinner with bold beefy flavor and bright acidity from the tomatoes.
Sale items used: Certified Angus Beef Ground Chuck, Locally Grown Green Bell Peppers, Campari Tomatoes
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of Certified Angus Beef Ground Chuck, 3 Locally Grown Green Bell Peppers, and 1 package (16 oz.) of Campari Tomatoes for 4 people.

Tuesday
Meal: Oven-Braised Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Thighs with Celery and Cabbage
Description: Bone-in chicken thighs are seasoned, seared skin-side down until golden, then nestled over a bed of sliced celery hearts and shredded green cabbage with a splash of broth and butter, covered, and finished in a 375-degree oven until cooked through and the vegetables are silky. The braising liquid becomes a light pan sauce spooned over each thigh at the table.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Thighs, Locally Grown Celery Hearts, Locally Grown Green Cabbage, Challenge Butter Sticks or Cubes
Prep time: 50 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Thighs (roughly 4 thighs), 1 Locally Grown Celery Hearts bunch, 1 lb of Locally Grown Green Cabbage, and 2 tablespoons of Challenge Butter Sticks or Cubes for 4 people.

Wednesday
Meal: Grilled Fresh from Meijer Brats with Sauteed Cabbage and Bell Pepper
Description: Fresh from Meijer Brats are grilled over medium-high heat until the casings are blistered and the interior is fully cooked, then served alongside a quick skillet of shredded green cabbage and sliced green bell pepper sauteed in butter until lightly caramelized. The combination delivers a smoky, savory plate with satisfying crunch from the vegetables.
Sale items used: Bell's Beer or Fresh from Meijer Brats, Locally Grown Green Cabbage, Locally Grown Green Bell Peppers, Challenge Butter Sticks or Cubes
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 pack (19 oz.) of Fresh from Meijer Brats (the whole pack), 1 lb of Locally Grown Green Cabbage, 2 Locally Grown Green Bell Peppers, and 2 tablespoons of Challenge Butter Sticks or Cubes for 4 people.

Thursday
Meal: Skillet-Seared Smithfield Pork Loin Filet Slices with Campari Tomato Pan Sauce
Description: The Smithfield Pork Loin Filet is sliced into medallions about three-quarters of an inch thick, seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic, and seared in a hot skillet in butter until golden on both sides and cooked through, then a quick pan sauce is built with halved Campari tomatoes, a splash of broth, and a knob of butter. The medallions are plated over the tomato pan sauce with a side of sauteed celery hearts for a complete, elegant low-carb dinner.
Sale items used: Smithfield Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin, Campari Tomatoes, Locally Grown Celery Hearts, Challenge Butter Sticks or Cubes
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 pack (19.2-27.2 oz.) of Smithfield Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin, 1 package (16 oz.) of Campari Tomatoes, 1 Locally Grown Celery Hearts bunch, and 3 tablespoons of Challenge Butter Sticks or Cubes for 4 people.
Recipes:
- Low Carb Pork Picatta Recipe

Friday
Meal: Bacon-Topped Broiled Fresh from Meijer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs with Shredded Cabbage Slaw
Description: Boneless skinless chicken thighs are seasoned, brushed with Duke's Mayonnaise for a rich, tangy crust, and broiled until cooked through and golden, then topped with crumbled cooked Smithfield Bacon for smoky crunch. A simple no-sugar slaw of shredded green cabbage tossed with Duke's Mayonnaise, a splash of apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper serves as the cool, crisp side.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs, Smithfield Bacon, Locally Grown Green Cabbage, Duke's Mayonnaise
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of Fresh from Meijer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs, 1 pack (12 oz.) of Smithfield Bacon, 1 lb of Locally Grown Green Cabbage, and approximately 4 tablespoons of Duke's Mayonnaise (split between the chicken coating and the slaw dressing) for 4 people.
Recipes:
- Chicken Bacon Cabbage Skillet

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Certified Angus Beef Ground Chuck (1.5 lbs): $7.94
- Locally Grown Green Bell Peppers (5 total - 3 for Monday, 2 for Wednesday): $3.95
- Campari Tomatoes (x2 packs, 16 oz. each - 1 for Monday, 1 for Thursday): $5.98
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Thighs (2 lbs): $2.98
- Locally Grown Celery Hearts (x2 - 1 for Tuesday, 1 for Thursday): $4.98
- Locally Grown Green Cabbage (4 lbs total - 1 lb Tuesday, 1 lb Wednesday, 1 lb Friday slaw, plus 1 lb buffer across the week): $2.76
- Challenge Butter Sticks or Cubes (x1 pack, 16 oz.): $3.99
- Bell's Beer or Fresh from Meijer Brats (x1 pack, 19 oz.): $3.99
- Smithfield Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin (x1 pack, 19.2-27.2 oz.): $5.99
- Fresh from Meijer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs (1.5 lbs): $2.99
- Smithfield Bacon (x1 pack, 12 oz.): $3.99
- Duke's Mayonnaise (x1 jar, 30 oz.): $3.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or neutral cooking oil
- Garlic (fresh or powder)
- Salt and black pepper
- Apple cider vinegar (for Friday slaw dressing)
- Chicken or beef broth (for Tuesday braise and Thursday pan sauce)
- Dried herbs such as thyme, paprika, or Italian seasoning