Meijer Standard Meal Plan

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Skillet-Braised Chicken Thighs with Creamer Potatoes and Vidalia Onions
Description: Two bone-in chicken thighs are browned in a skillet then braised low and slow with sliced Vidalia onions and halved creamer potatoes until everything is tender and golden. The natural sweetness of the onions melts into the pan drippings, creating a rich, savory sauce that coats every bite.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Thighs, The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes 1.5 lb. bag, Bulk Vidalia Onions
Prep time: 45 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 chicken thighs (roughly 0.75 lb at $1.49/lb); portion out about half the 1.5 lb creamer potato bag for this meal and save the rest for Wednesday and Friday; use about 0.25 lb of Vidalia onion. Total active cooking time is about 45 minutes including a 25-minute braise - start the braise first, then prep sides while it cooks.
Recipes:
- Cast Iron Chicken Thighs and Potatoes

Tuesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Smithfield Pork Loin Filet with Bell Peppers and Bolthouse Carrot Sides
Description: A single portion of Smithfield pork loin filet is seared in a hot skillet until caramelized, then sliced and served alongside sauteed bell pepper strips and steamed Bolthouse carrot sides. The pork stays juicy and flavorful with just a simple seasoning of garlic, salt, and pepper from your pantry.
Sale items used: Smithfield Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin 19.2-27.2 oz., Red/Yellow/Orange Bell Pepper, Bolthouse Carrot Sides 10-14 oz.
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: The Smithfield filet package (about 19-27 oz.) yields roughly 3-4 servings - cook one-third of the filet tonight (about 6-7 oz.) and refrigerate the rest for lunches or a second meal. Use 1 bell pepper, sliced. Use half the Bolthouse Carrot Sides package and save the rest. Bell peppers are purchased at the $1 buy-7 price, so plan to grab 7 total across the week for variety.
Recipes:
- Sheet Pan Pork and Peppers

Wednesday
Meal: Seasoned Atlantic Salmon Portions with Russet Potato Wedges and Baby Spinach Saute
Description: A pre-seasoned Fresh from Meijer Atlantic salmon portion is roasted in the oven until flaky and golden, served alongside crispy oven-baked russet potato wedges and a quick garlic-sauteed baby spinach. The whole meal comes together in under 35 minutes and delivers bold flavor with minimal effort.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Seasoned Atlantic Salmon Portions 9 oz., Russet Potatoes 5 lb. bag, Fresh from Meijer Baby Spinach 6 oz.
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: The 9 oz. salmon portion is a perfect single serving - use the whole package. Use 1 medium russet potato (the 5 lb. bag will carry through to Friday's wedges as well). Use half the 6 oz. baby spinach bag tonight; the Baby Spinach is part of a Buy 2 Get 2 Free deal so you will have plenty on hand. Start potato wedges in the oven first as they take the longest.
Recipes:
- Pan-Seared Salmon with Spinach

Thursday
Meal: Ground Round Beef Tacos with Avocado, Mini Cucumbers, and Kraft Shredded Cheese
Description: Seasoned Certified Angus Beef ground round is browned and spooned into warm tortillas, then topped with creamy sliced avocado, cool diced mini cucumber, and a generous handful of Kraft shredded cheese. It is a fast, satisfying weeknight taco night that uses fresh produce sale items for bright contrast.
Sale items used: Certified Angus Beef Ground Round 2.25 lb. pkg. or larger, Extra Large Avocado, Seedless Mini Cucumbers 1 lb. bag, Kraft Shredded or Chunk Cheese 7-8 oz., Aunt Millie's Stadium Buns or Bread (as tortilla substitute if needed)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use about 0.5 lb of ground round for one serving of tacos (3 tacos); the remainder of the 2.25 lb. package can be portioned and frozen for future meals. Use 1 avocado and about one-quarter of the cucumber bag. Use about 2 oz. of Kraft shredded cheese. Ground round is priced at $7.29/lb; estimated cost for the full 2.25 lb. package is shown in the shopping list since that is the minimum purchase size - freeze the rest. Avocado and cucumbers are purchased at the $1 buy-7 price; plan your 7-item mix across produce categories.
Recipes:
- Ground Beef Tacos with Tomato-Avocado Salsa
- Taco-Stuffed Avocados

Friday
Meal: Oven-Baked Pork Spareribs with Russet Potato Wedges and Leaf Lettuce Salad
Description: A small slab of fresh pork spareribs (about 1.5 lbs) is rubbed with pantry spices and slow-roasted in the oven until fall-off-the-bone tender, served with crispy russet potato wedges and a simple green leaf lettuce salad with Wish-Bone dressing. This is the most indulgent meal of the week and rewards a little patience with big, smoky-sweet flavor.
Sale items used: Pork Spareribs Fresh never frozen, Russet Potatoes 5 lb. bag, Locally Grown Green or Red Leaf Lettuce, Wish-Bone or Western Dressings 15 oz.
Prep time: 20 minutes active, about 2 hours total oven time
Serving note: Purchase about 1.5 lbs of spareribs at $2.79/lb for a generous single-person portion - ask the butcher to cut a partial rack if needed. Use 1-2 russet potatoes from the bag already purchased. Use about 0.25 lb of leaf lettuce. Make-ahead tip: season the ribs the night before and refrigerate uncovered so they are ready to go straight into the oven Friday evening; start them by 5:30 PM for a 7:30 PM dinner.
Recipes:
- Oven Baked Aromatic Pork Ribs with Potatoes
- Easy Oven Pork Spare Ribs Recipe for Year-Round BBQ

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Thighs (0.75 lb): $1.12
- The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes 1.5 lb. bag (x1, BOGO - pay for 1 get 1 free, use across the week): $0.00 (free with BOGO - see note; base price not listed in flyer so this item is noted as a pantry-side staple; see below)
- Smithfield Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin 19.2-27.2 oz. (x1 package): $6.99
- Red/Yellow/Orange Bell Pepper (x7 at $1 each, buy-7 price): $7.00
- Bolthouse Carrot Sides 10-14 oz. (x1): $2.49
- Fresh from Meijer Seasoned Atlantic Salmon Portions 9 oz. (x1): $8.99
- Russet Potatoes 5 lb. bag (x7 required for $1 price - or purchase at regular price; listed at $1 buy-7): $7.00
- Fresh from Meijer Baby Spinach 6 oz. (x2, Buy 2 Get 2 Free - pay for 2): $0.00 (base price not listed in flyer; moved to pantry note below)
- Certified Angus Beef Ground Round 2.25 lb. pkg. (x1 package at $7.29/lb x 2.25 lb): $16.40
- Extra Large Avocado (x7 at $1 each, buy-7 price): $7.00
- Seedless Mini Cucumbers 1 lb. bag (x7 required for $1 price): $7.00
- Kraft Shredded or Chunk Cheese 7-8 oz. (x2 at 2 for $5): $5.00
- Pork Spareribs Fresh never frozen (1.5 lbs at $2.79/lb): $4.19
- Locally Grown Green or Red Leaf Lettuce (0.25 lb at $1.99/lb): $0.50
- Wish-Bone or Western Dressings 15 oz. (x2 at 2 for $4): $4.00
- Bulk Vidalia Onions (0.25 lb at $1.29/lb): $0.32

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or neutral cooking oil
- Garlic (fresh or powder)
- Salt and black pepper
- Paprika and cumin (for taco seasoning)
- Chili powder
- Dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- Taco shells or small flour tortillas
- Butter (for sauteing spinach)
- BBQ sauce or dry rub spices for ribs (optional, pantry)
- The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes and Baby Spinach base prices were not listed in the flyer; treat those as items to price in-store and budget separately