Meijer Standard 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 - about 2 lbs for 4 people = $2.98 total, roughly $0.75/person
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Spareribs: $2.79/lb - about 3 lbs for 4 people = $8.37 total, roughly $2.09/person
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Chops Boneless: $3.99 each - 4 chops for 4 people = $15.96 total, roughly $3.99/person
- Fresh from Meijer Boneless Chicken Tenderloins: $3.99/lb - about 2 lbs for 4 people = $7.98 total, roughly $2.00/person
- Fresh from Meijer Fresh Brats: $3.99 each - 4 brats for 4 people = $15.96 total, roughly $3.99/person
- Certified Angus Beef Ground Round: $7.29/lb - about 1.5 lbs for 4 people = $10.94 total, roughly $2.74/person
- Smithfield Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin: $6.99 each - 1 filet for 4 people = $6.99 total, roughly $1.75/person
- Fresh from Meijer Seasoned Atlantic Salmon Portions: $8.99 each - 4 portions for 4 people = $35.96 total, roughly $8.99/person
- Certified Angus Beef Top Round Steak Boneless: $7.99/lb - about 2 lbs for 4 people = $15.98 total, roughly $4.00/person
- Certified Angus Beef Boneless Strip Steak: $13.99/lb - about 2 lbs for 4 people = $27.98 total, roughly $7.00/person

Corrected ranking (strict per-serving order):
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Thighs: $1.49/lb - 2 lbs for 4 = $2.98, ~$0.75/person
- Smithfield Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin: $6.99 each - 1 pkg for 4 = $6.99, ~$1.75/person
- Fresh from Meijer Boneless Chicken Tenderloins: $3.99/lb - 2 lbs for 4 = $7.98, ~$2.00/person
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Spareribs: $2.79/lb - 3 lbs for 4 = $8.37, ~$2.09/person
- Certified Angus Beef Ground Round: $7.29/lb - 1.5 lbs for 4 = $10.94, ~$2.74/person
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Chops Boneless: $3.99 each - 4 chops = $15.96, ~$3.99/person
- Fresh from Meijer Fresh Brats: $3.99 each - 4 brats = $15.96, ~$3.99/person
- Certified Angus Beef Top Round Steak Boneless: $7.99/lb - 2 lbs = $15.98, ~$4.00/person
- Certified Angus Beef Boneless Strip Steak: $13.99/lb - 2 lbs = $27.98, ~$7.00/person
- Fresh from Meijer Seasoned Atlantic Salmon Portions: $8.99 each - 4 portions = $35.96, ~$8.99/person

Why these meals: This week's anchor proteins are chicken thighs at just $0.75 per person, the Smithfield Pork Loin Filet at about $1.75 per person, Certified Angus Beef Ground Round at roughly $2.74 per person, and Fresh Brats at $3.99 per person - four genuinely affordable weeknight dinners that keep the budget comfortable. The single premium night goes to the Certified Angus Beef Top Round Steak Boneless at about $4.00 per person, which is the most budget-friendly of the steak and salmon options on this flyer; the salmon portions at $8.99 each would have pushed the per-person total well past the ceiling, so they were skipped entirely. The $1 bell peppers, $1 russet potatoes, $1 bag of creamer potatoes, and $1 cans of beans and tomatoes do a lot of heavy lifting this week, stretching every dinner further without adding much to the total. The Meijer Chunk or Shredded Cheese at $2 for 7 is a standout deal that adds flavor to two different meals for almost nothing.

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 tender Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes and sliced sauteed bell peppers. The combination of crispy chicken skin, buttery potatoes, and sweet peppers makes a satisfying one-skillet 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 (x2)
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of chicken thighs (about 4 thighs), 1 bag of creamer potatoes, and 2 bell peppers for 4 people. Microwave or boil the creamer potatoes while the chicken sears to keep everything ready at the same time.
Recipes:
- Perfect Pan Seared Chicken Thighs Recipe

Tuesday
Meal: Skillet-Browned Certified Angus Beef Ground Round Tacos with Avocado and Shredded Cheese
Description: Seasoned ground beef is browned in a skillet and served in a taco format with creamy avocado slices, shredded cheese, and crisp lettuce leaves standing in as a fresh topping. Aunt Millie's Stadium Buns are not used here - instead the lettuce leaves from the sale wrap the filling for a fresh, satisfying bite, or serve over the Creamette pasta for a different twist.
Description: Seasoned Certified Angus Beef Ground Round is browned in a skillet with Vidalia onion and served in Aunt Millie's Stadium Buns topped with avocado, shredded Meijer cheese, and fresh leaf lettuce. The combination of savory beef, creamy avocado, and melted cheese makes a hearty and flavorful weeknight dinner.
Sale items used: Certified Angus Beef Ground Round, Extra Large Avocado (x2), Meijer Chunk or Shredded Cheese, Locally Grown Green or Red Leaf Lettuce, Bulk Vidalia Onions, Aunt Millie's Stadium Buns or Bread
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs ground beef, 2 avocados, 1 bag of shredded cheese (one of the 7 in the deal - purchase 2 bags at $2 for 7 to use across the week), 0.5 lb lettuce, 0.5 lb Vidalia onion, and 1 pack of Stadium Buns for 4 people.
Recipes:
- Ground Beef Tacos with Avocado Cilantro Aioli

Wednesday
Meal: Stovetop Smithfield Pork Loin Filet with Sauteed Baby Spinach and Russet Potatoes
Description: The Smithfield Pork Loin Filet is sliced into medallions and pan-cooked over medium-high heat until browned and just cooked through, then served with wilted baby spinach sauteed in garlic and halved roasted russet potatoes. This is a lean, elegant dinner that comes together in under an hour with very little effort.
Sale items used: Smithfield Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin, Fresh from Meijer Coleslaw or Baby Spinach, Russet Potatoes (x2)
Prep time: 45 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 Smithfield Pork Loin Filet (typically around 1.5-2 lbs, feeds 4 when sliced into medallions), 1 bag of baby spinach, and 2 russet potatoes halved and roasted. Start the potatoes first as they take the longest; slice and sear the pork while potatoes finish.
Recipes:
- Slow Cooker Pork Loin and Potato Dinner
- pork loin chops in creamy spinach sauce

Thursday
Meal: Broiled Certified Angus Beef Top Round Steak with Vidalia Onion and Bolthouse Carrot Sides
Description: Boneless top round steak is marinated briefly in pantry seasonings and broiled to medium doneness, then sliced thin against the grain and served with caramelized Vidalia onion and Bolthouse Carrot Sides. Broiling gives the lean steak a nicely browned crust while keeping the interior juicy when sliced properly.
Sale items used: Certified Angus Beef Top Round Steak Boneless, Bulk Vidalia Onions, Bolthouse Carrot Sides
Prep time: 35 minutes (plus 20 minutes marinating time - marinate while the oven preheats)
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of top round steak for 4 people, 0.5 lb Vidalia onion, and 1 pack of Bolthouse Carrot Sides. Marinate the steak for at least 20 minutes before broiling; slice thin against the grain to maximize tenderness on this lean cut.

Friday
Meal: Grilled Fresh Brats with Sauteed Bell Peppers, Onions, and Stadium Buns
Description: Fresh from Meijer Fresh Brats are grilled or cooked in a grill pan until browned and cooked through, then nestled into Aunt Millie's Stadium Buns and topped with a colorful mix of sauteed bell peppers and Vidalia onions. This is a classic Friday crowd-pleaser that is fast, flavorful, and deeply satisfying after a long week.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Fresh Brats, Red/Yellow/Orange or Aloha Bell Pepper (x2), Bulk Vidalia Onions, Aunt Millie's Stadium Buns or Bread
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 4 brats (one per person), 2 bell peppers sliced, 0.5 lb Vidalia onion sliced, and 1 pack of Stadium Buns for 4 people. Cook the peppers and onions in a skillet while the brats grill so everything finishes at the same time.

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Thighs (2 lbs): $2.98
- The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes (x1): $1.00
- Red, Yellow, Orange or Aloha Bell Pepper (x4, used across Monday and Friday): $4.00
- Certified Angus Beef Ground Round (1.5 lbs): $10.94
- Extra Large Avocado (x2): $2.00
- Meijer Chunk or Shredded Cheese (x2 bags, $2 for 7 deal - pay $2 for 7 bags, use 2): $2.00
- Locally Grown Green or Red Leaf Lettuce (0.5 lb): $1.00
- Bulk Vidalia Onions (1.5 lbs, used Tuesday, Thursday, Friday): $1.94
- Aunt Millie's Stadium Buns or Bread (x2 packs, used Tuesday and Friday - $2 for 5 deal): $5.00
- Fresh from Meijer Coleslaw or Baby Spinach (x1): $1.00
- Russet Potatoes (x2): $2.00
- Smithfield Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin (x1): $6.99
- Certified Angus Beef Top Round Steak Boneless (2 lbs): $15.98
- Bolthouse Carrot Sides (x1): $2.49
- Fresh from Meijer Fresh Brats (x4 at $3.99 each): $15.96

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or cooking oil
- Garlic (fresh or powder)
- Salt and black pepper
- Paprika or chili powder (for taco beef and chicken)
- Cumin (for taco beef)
- Butter (for spinach saute and potatoes)
- Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce (for steak marinade)
- Taco seasoning or pantry spices for ground beef