Meijer Standard Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: Chicken drumsticks at $0.99/lb are the star deal of the week - you simply cannot beat that price for a satisfying, flavorful dinner, so they anchor Monday night and deliver the most value of any protein on this flyer. Pork loin assorted chops at $1.99/lb and boneless pork tenderloins at $2.99/lb give you two more hearty pork nights at very reasonable per-serving costs, rounding out the week with variety. Ground chuck at $5.29/lb is a solid mid-week workhorse for a pasta meat sauce that feeds four generously from a single package. The one premium night goes to Fresh from Meijer Atlantic Salmon Portions at $8.99 per 12 oz. pack - two packs cover four people, and at roughly $4.50 per serving it is the most affordable of the premium seafood and beef options on this flyer, making it the smartest splurge of the week.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Campari Tomatoes and Celery
Description: Bone-in drumsticks are seasoned with pantry spices and roasted at high heat until the skin is deeply golden and the meat is cooked through, then served alongside halved Campari tomatoes and sliced celery braised briefly in the pan drippings. It is a simple, satisfying weeknight dinner that lets the quality of the all-natural chicken shine without any fuss.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Drumsticks (All natural), Campari Tomatoes (16 oz.), Locally Grown Pascal Celery
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 45 minutes oven time
Serving note: Use 2.5 lbs of chicken drumsticks (roughly 8-10 pieces for 4 people), 1 pack of Campari Tomatoes (16 oz.), and 1 stalk of celery. Total time is about 60 minutes; slide the tomatoes and celery into the pan for the last 15 minutes so they soften in the drippings while the chicken finishes.
Recipes:
- Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Vegetables (Baked at 425°F)

Tuesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Boneless Pork Tenderloin with Avocado and Nectarine Salsa
Description: Pork tenderloin is sliced into medallions, seasoned simply, and seared in a hot skillet until golden on the outside and just cooked through, then topped with a fresh salsa of diced minis avocados, sliced nectarines, and a squeeze of lime. The sweet-savory topping cuts through the richness of the pork and makes this feel like a restaurant-quality plate on a weeknight budget.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Boneless Pork Tenderloins or Boneless Half Cut Pork Loins, Minis Avocados (6 ct. bag), California Yellow or White Nectarines
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of boneless pork tenderloin, 4 minis avocados from the 6 ct. bag, and 0.5 lb of nectarines (about 2 medium fruit). Slice the tenderloin into 1-inch medallions before searing so each piece cooks evenly in about 3-4 minutes per side.

Wednesday
Meal: Barilla Pasta with Ground Chuck Meat Sauce and Campari Tomatoes
Description: Ground chuck is browned and simmered with crushed Campari tomatoes, garlic, and Italian pantry spices into a rich, meaty sauce that clings to Barilla pasta cooked al dente. A handful of Meijer Shredded or Chunk Cheese melted over the top adds a savory, melty finish to each bowl.
Sale items used: Certified Angus Beef Ground Chuck (2.5 lb. pkg. or larger), Barilla Pasta (12-16 oz.), Campari Tomatoes (16 oz.), Meijer Shredded or Chunk Cheese (32 oz.)
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of ground chuck (from the 2.5 lb. package - freeze the remainder), 1 box of Barilla Pasta (12-16 oz.), 1 pack of Campari Tomatoes (16 oz.), and about 6 oz. of shredded cheese for topping. The 2.5 lb. minimum package size is required to get the sale price; portion out 1.5 lbs for tonight and wrap the rest tightly for the freezer.

Thursday
Meal: Skillet-Seared Pork Loin Assorted Chops with Honeycrisp Apple Pan Sauce
Description: Bone-in pork loin chops are seasoned with salt, pepper, and thyme, then seared in a cast-iron skillet until a deep crust forms, and finished with a quick pan sauce made from sliced Honeycrisp apples, a splash of apple cider vinegar, and chicken broth. The apples soften into a glossy, lightly sweet sauce that pairs beautifully with the savory pork.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Assorted Chops (Bone in), Bulk Honeycrisp Apples
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of bone-in pork loin assorted chops (roughly 4 chops, one per person) and 0.75 lb of Honeycrisp apples (about 2 medium apples). Let the chops rest 5 minutes after searing before plating so the juices redistribute.

Friday
Meal: Pan-Seared Atlantic Salmon Portions with Blueberry Reduction and Grapes
Description: Salmon portions are patted dry, seasoned, and seared skin-side down in a hot skillet until the skin is crisp, then flipped briefly to finish, and served with a quick pan sauce made from blueberries simmered with a touch of honey and balsamic until glossy. A small bunch of organic seedless grapes on the side adds a cool, refreshing contrast to the warm, rich salmon.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Atlantic Salmon Portions (12 oz.), Blueberries (Pint container), Organic Green or Red Seedless Grapes
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 packs of Fresh from Meijer Atlantic Salmon Portions (12 oz. each, totaling 24 oz. for 4 people - roughly one 6 oz. portion per person), 1 pint of blueberries, and 0.5 lb of organic grapes. The blueberry reduction takes about 8 minutes in the same pan after the salmon is removed; keep the salmon warm tented with foil while the sauce finishes.
Recipes:
- Smoked Paprika Salmon with Rosemary Grapes

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Drumsticks (All natural) (2.5 lbs): $2.48
- Campari Tomatoes (16 oz.) (x2 packs): $5.98
- Locally Grown Pascal Celery (x1): $1.79
- Fresh from Meijer Boneless Pork Tenderloins or Boneless Half Cut Pork Loins (1.5 lbs): $4.49
- Minis Avocados (6 ct. bag) (x1): $2.99
- California Yellow or White Nectarines (0.5 lb): $0.50
- Certified Angus Beef Ground Chuck (2.5 lb. pkg. or larger) (2.5 lb pkg): $13.23
- Barilla Pasta (12-16 oz.) (x1): $1.49
- Meijer Shredded or Chunk Cheese (32 oz.) (x1): $6.49
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Assorted Chops (Bone in) (2 lbs): $3.98
- Bulk Honeycrisp Apples (0.75 lb): $1.49
- Fresh from Meijer Atlantic Salmon Portions (12 oz.) (x2): $17.98
- Blueberries (Pint container) (x1): $3.99
- Organic Green or Red Seedless Grapes (0.5 lb): $1.15

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or neutral cooking oil
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- Garlic (fresh or powder)
- Italian seasoning or dried oregano and basil
- Dried thyme
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Apple cider vinegar
- Chicken broth or stock
- Honey
- Balsamic vinegar
- Lime (for nectarine salsa)