Meijer Standard 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 = ~$2.48 total (~$0.62/person)
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Assorted Chops Bone in: $1.99/lb - about 2 lbs feeds 4 = ~$3.98 total (~$1.00/person)
- Fresh from Meijer Whole Pork Shoulder Butt Roast Bone in: $1.79/lb - about 3 lbs feeds 4 = ~$5.37 total (~$1.34/person)
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Breasts All natural: $2.29/lb - about 2 lbs feeds 4 = ~$4.58 total (~$1.15/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 - 1 pack feeds 4 = ~$2.29 total (~$0.57/person)
- Meijer Breakfast Sausage Roll, Links or Patties 12-16 oz: $2.79 each - 1 pack feeds 4 = ~$2.79 total (~$0.70/person)
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Wings All natural: $2.79/lb - about 3 lbs feeds 4 = ~$8.37 total (~$2.09/person)
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Center Cut Chops Bone in: $2.99/lb - about 2 lbs feeds 4 = ~$5.98 total (~$1.50/person)
- Johnsonville Fresh Brats 19 oz: $4.79 each - 1 pack (about 5 brats) feeds 4 = ~$4.79 total (~$1.20/person)
- Fresh from Meijer St. Louis Style Spareribs Fresh, never frozen: $3.49/lb - about 3 lbs feeds 4 = ~$10.47 total (~$2.62/person)
- Pork Shoulder Boneless Country Style Ribs: $3.49/lb - about 2 lbs feeds 4 = ~$6.98 total (~$1.75/person)
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Back Ribs Fresh, never frozen: $3.79/lb - about 3 lbs feeds 4 = ~$11.37 total (~$2.84/person)
- Fresh from Meijer 80% Lean Ground Beef 3 lb. pkg. or larger: $4.99/lb - about 1.5 lbs feeds 4 = ~$7.49 total (~$1.87/person)
- Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers 10 oz: $4.99 each - 1 pack (2 burgers) feeds 2; need 2 packs for 4 = ~$9.98 total (~$2.50/person)
- Dietz & Watson Ham, Chicken, Turkey or Italian Meat: $9.99/lb - about 1 lb feeds 4 = ~$9.99 total (~$2.50/person)
- Certified Angus Beef Boneless Ribeye Steak: $13.99/lb - about 2 lbs feeds 4 = ~$27.98 total (~$6.99/person)

Corrected ranking in strict per-serving order:
- Eckrich Sausage Ropes/Links: $2.29/pack - ~$0.57/person
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Drumsticks: $0.99/lb, 2.5 lbs - ~$0.62/person
- Meijer Breakfast Sausage Roll, Links or Patties: $2.79/pack - ~$0.70/person
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Assorted Chops Bone in: $1.99/lb, 2 lbs - ~$1.00/person
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Breasts: $2.29/lb, 2 lbs - ~$1.15/person
- Johnsonville Fresh Brats 19 oz: $4.79/pack - ~$1.20/person
- Fresh from Meijer Whole Pork Shoulder Butt Roast Bone in: $1.79/lb, 3 lbs - ~$1.34/person
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Center Cut Chops Bone in: $2.99/lb, 2 lbs - ~$1.50/person
- Pork Shoulder Boneless Country Style Ribs: $3.49/lb, 2 lbs - ~$1.75/person
- Fresh from Meijer 80% Lean Ground Beef 3 lb. pkg.: $4.99/lb, 1.5 lbs - ~$1.87/person
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Wings: $2.79/lb, 3 lbs - ~$2.09/person
- Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers 10 oz: $4.99/pack, 2 packs - ~$2.50/person
- Dietz & Watson Ham, Chicken, Turkey or Italian Meat: $9.99/lb - ~$2.50/person
- Fresh from Meijer St. Louis Style Spareribs: $3.49/lb, 3 lbs - ~$2.62/person
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Back Ribs: $3.79/lb, 3 lbs - ~$2.84/person
- Certified Angus Beef Boneless Ribeye Steak: $13.99/lb - ~$6.99/person

Why these meals: This week's flyer is loaded with genuinely cheap pork and chicken options, so four of the five dinners lean on those to keep the total well within budget. Chicken drumsticks at $0.99/lb are the standout deal of the week and anchor Monday's oven-baked dinner for under $2.50 in protein. Eckrich sausage links at $2.29 a pack and pork loin assorted chops at $1.99/lb are the next two cheapest proteins on the flyer, and they each headline a weeknight dinner with a completely different flavor direction. Ground beef at $4.99/lb for a 3 lb. package rounds out the economical four with a skillet taco bowl that uses the full-value buy-in-bulk deal. The single premium night goes to Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers at $4.99 per 10 oz. pack - two packs feed four people for about $2.50 per person, which is actually cheaper per serving than the spareribs or back ribs also on the flyer, making it the best value among the seafood and specialty proteins this week. The ribeye at nearly $7.00 per person was deliberately skipped, and the sweet corn at 4 ears for $1.00 is one of the best supporting deals on the entire flyer, appearing as a side on two nights to stretch value further.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Sweet Corn and Bell Peppers
Description: Bone-in chicken drumsticks are seasoned and roasted in the oven until the skin is golden and the meat is cooked through, served alongside sweet corn on the cob and sliced sauteed bell peppers. It is a simple, satisfying weeknight dinner that lets the quality of the all-natural drumsticks shine with minimal effort.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Drumsticks All natural ($0.99/lb), Locally Grown Bulk Sweet Corn ($4/$1), Red, Yellow, Orange or Aloha Bell Pepper ($1 each when you buy 7 or more)
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 45 minutes oven time
Serving note: Buy 2.5 lbs of chicken drumsticks (approximately 8-10 pieces for 4 people). Buy 4 ears of sweet corn. Buy 2 bell peppers. Total oven time is about 45 minutes at 425 degrees F; prep the corn and peppers while the chicken roasts so everything finishes together.
Recipes:
- Ultra-Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks

Tuesday
Meal: Skillet Eckrich Sausage Links with Creamer Potatoes and Mushrooms
Description: Eckrich sausage links are sliced and pan-seared in a skillet until browned, then tossed with halved creamer potatoes that have been boiled tender and sliced organic mushrooms cooked down in the same pan. The result is a hearty one-pan dinner with smoky, savory flavor and satisfying texture from the potatoes.
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), The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes 3 lb. bag. Select varieties ($4.99 each), True Goodness Organic Whole or Sliced White Mushrooms 8 oz ($2/$5)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Buy 1 pack of Eckrich Sausage Links (13-14 oz., enough for 4 people as a main). Buy 1 bag of The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes (3 lb. bag; use about half for this meal and save the rest). Buy 2 packs of True Goodness Organic Whole or Sliced White Mushrooms 8 oz. to hit the $2/$5 deal (use both packs across the week).
Recipes:
- Easy Skillet Smoked Sausage and Potatoes

Wednesday
Meal: Ground Beef Taco Rice Bowls with Romaine and Tomatoes
Description: Seasoned 80% lean ground beef is browned in a skillet with taco spices and served over cooked rice, topped with shredded cheese, chopped romaine, and diced canned tomatoes for a filling and flavorful bowl dinner. Each person builds their own bowl at the table, making this a fun and customizable weeknight meal.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer 80% Lean Ground Beef 3 lb. pkg. or larger ($4.99/lb), Meijer Chunk or Shredded Cheese 16 oz. Select varieties ($2/$7), Romaine Hearts 3 pk ($2/$5), Red Gold Tomatoes 14.5-15 oz ($1 each when you buy 7 or more)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Buy the 3 lb. package of ground beef and use 1.5 lbs for this meal (freeze the remaining 1.5 lbs for later use). Buy 1 pack of Meijer Chunk or Shredded Cheese 16 oz. (buy 2 to hit the $2/$7 deal; use the second pack across the week). Buy 1 pack of Romaine Hearts 3 pk. (buy 2 packs to hit the $2/$5 deal; use the extra romaine for salads). Buy 1 can of Red Gold Tomatoes (buy 7 items from the $1 buy-7 group to qualify; pair with other needed $1 items this week).

Thursday
Meal: Pan-Seared Pork Loin Assorted Chops with Sweet Corn and Avocado Salad
Description: Bone-in pork loin assorted chops are seasoned and seared in a hot skillet to develop a golden crust, then finished briefly to cook through, served alongside fresh sweet corn cut from the cob and a simple avocado salad with mini cucumbers. The combination of the savory pork and the cool, creamy avocado salad makes for a well-balanced and flavorful plate.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Assorted Chops Bone in ($1.99/lb), Locally Grown Bulk Sweet Corn ($4/$1), Extra Large Avocado ($1 each when you buy 7 or more), Seedless Mini Cucumbers 1 lb. bag ($1 each when you buy 7 or more)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Buy 2 lbs of pork loin assorted chops (approximately 4 chops for 4 people). Buy 4 ears of sweet corn (this is the second purchase of 4 ears; total corn across the week is 8 ears, which at $4 for $1 costs $2.00 total). Buy 2 avocados and 1 bag of seedless mini cucumbers (buy as part of the 7-item qualifying group alongside other $1 items needed this week).
Recipes:
- Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Avocado and Tomato Salad

Friday
Meal: Pan-Cooked Black Pearl Salmon Burgers on Aunt Millie's Stadium Buns with Romaine
Description: Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers are cooked in a skillet over medium-high heat until heated through and lightly crisped on the outside, then served on Aunt Millie's Stadium Buns with crisp romaine leaves and a spread of Hellmann's Mayonnaise. It is a quick, satisfying Friday dinner that feels a little special without a premium price tag.
Sale items used: Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers 10 oz ($4.99 each), Aunt Millie's Stadium Buns 6-8 ct./14-15 oz. or Bread 22 oz. Select varieties ($2/$5), Romaine Hearts 3 pk ($2/$5), Hellmann's Mayonnaise 30 oz. or Squeeze Bottle 20 oz. Select varieties ($3.99 each)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Buy 2 packs of Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers 10 oz. (each pack contains 2 burgers; 2 packs = 4 burgers for 4 people). Buy 2 packs of Aunt Millie's Stadium Buns to hit the $2/$5 deal (use 4 buns for this meal; save the rest for the week). The Romaine Hearts were already purchased on Wednesday; use the remaining hearts from that pack. Buy 1 bottle of Hellmann's Mayonnaise.

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Drumsticks All natural (2.5 lbs): $2.48
- Locally Grown Bulk Sweet Corn (8 ears, 2 purchases of 4): $2.00
- Red, Yellow, Orange or Aloha Bell Pepper (2 peppers, as part of 7-item buy): $2.00
- Eckrich Sausage Links 13-14 oz (x1 pack): $2.29
- The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes 3 lb. bag (x1 bag): $4.99
- True Goodness Organic Whole or Sliced White Mushrooms 8 oz (x2 packs at $2/$5): $5.00
- Fresh from Meijer 80% Lean Ground Beef 3 lb. pkg. or larger (3 lb. pkg.): $14.97
- Meijer Chunk or Shredded Cheese 16 oz (x2 packs at $2/$7): $7.00
- Romaine Hearts 3 pk (x2 packs at $2/$5): $5.00
- Red Gold Tomatoes 14.5-15 oz (x1 can, as part of 7-item buy): $1.00
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Assorted Chops Bone in (2 lbs): $3.98
- Extra Large Avocado (x2, as part of 7-item buy): $2.00
- Seedless Mini Cucumbers 1 lb. bag (x1 bag, as part of 7-item buy): $1.00
- Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers 10 oz (x2 packs): $9.98
- Aunt Millie's Stadium Buns 6-8 ct./14-15 oz. or Bread 22 oz (x2 packs at $2/$5): $5.00
- Hellmann's Mayonnaise 30 oz. or Squeeze Bottle 20 oz (x1): $3.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or vegetable oil (for searing and roasting)
- Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper (for seasoning chicken and pork)
- Taco seasoning (for ground beef bowls)
- Long-grain white rice (for taco bowls)
- Butter (for corn and skillet cooking)
- Hot sauce or salsa (optional, for taco bowls)
- Lime juice (for avocado salad)