Publix Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

SALE ITEMS FOUND

Meats on sale:
- Boneless Top Sirloin Steak: $10.99/lb
- Ground Chuck: $5.99/lb
- Lobster Tails: $8.99 each
- White Shrimp: $18.49/lb
- GreenWise Sockeye Salmon Fillets: $16.99/lb
- Publix Hand-Breaded Panko Shrimp: $7.99 each
- The Original Bourbon Marinated Salmon: $8.99 each
- Boneless Chuck Roast: $7.99/lb
- Publix Chicken Breast Cutlets: $9.99/lb
- Bluehouse Atlantic Salmon Fillets: $9.99/lb
- Catfish Fillets: $9.99/lb
- GreenWise Snow Crab Clusters: $10.99/lb
- Publix Extra Lean Pork Loin Tenderloin: $7.99/lb
- Publix Parmesan Chicken Breast Cutlets: $6.99/lb
- GreenWise Lean Pork Loin Chops: $6.99/lb
- GreenWise Angus Ribeye Steak: $21.99/lb
- Hormel Black Label Bacon: 2 for $6.00
- Springer Mountain Farms Chicken Breast Strips: $7.99/lb
- GreenWise Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast: $5.99/lb
- Publix Whole Young Chicken: $1.49/lb
- Applegate Naturals Uncured Turkey Bacon: $5.49 for 8-oz pkg
- Publix Sweet Italian Sausage: $5.99 for 20-oz pkg
- Publix Top Round Roast Beef: $4.99/lb
- Honey Bourbon Salmon Burgers: $3.00 each
- Ball Park Franks: $3.00 for 15-oz pkg
- Publix Gourmet Beef Meatballs Bacon & Cheddar: $8.99/lb
- Publix Gourmet Meatballs Southwest Chipotle: $8.79/lb
- Springer Mountain Farms Ground Chicken Breast: $3.99 for 6-oz pkg
- Steakhouse Elite Signature Ground Beef: $9.99 for 16-oz pkg
- Boar's Head Ovengold Roasted Turkey Breast: $8.49/lb
- Publix Lemon Pepper Oven-Roasted Chicken: $6.99 each
- Smithfield Marinated Pork Tenderloin: $5.99 for 19.2-23-oz pkg

Vegetables on sale:
- Vidalia Sweet Onions: $3.49 for 5-lb bag
- Peaches or Nectarines: $2.99/lb
- Cherries: $4.99/lb
- Publix Pineapple Chunks: $3.99/lb
- Small Red Seedless Watermelon: $5.99 each
- Organic Strawberries: 3 for $10.00
- Red or White Seedless Grapes: $2.99/lb
- Crunch Pale Apple Slices: $2.99 for 2-3-oz pkg
- Black or Red Plums: $1.99/lb
- Plumeots: $2.49/lb
- Organic Plums: $2.49/lb
- Garden Life Romaine, Green, or Red Leaf: $3.99 for 7-oz cont
- Yellow Squash or Zucchini: $1.99 for 2-oz tray (price not listed per standard weight unit - listed as noted)
- Bulk Sweet Corn: 5 for $5.00
- Broccoli or Cauliflower: 2 for $6.00
- Green Avocados: 2 for $5.00
- Publix Tricolor Peppers: $4.99 for 3-ct pkg
- Publix White Mushrooms: 2 for $6.00
- Publix Classic Salad Blend: $2.00 for 16-oz pkg
- Publix Idaho Russet Potatoes: $3.99 for 5-lb bag

BUDGET RATIONALE

Protein ranking (most economical to most expensive per serving for 4 people):
- Publix Whole Young Chicken: $1.49/lb, approx. 4 lb bird = $5.96 total, ~$1.49 per serving
- Ball Park Franks: $3.00 for 15-oz pkg, 1 pkg feeds 4, ~$0.75 per serving (listed here by total package cost context; ~$3.00 total, $0.75/serving)
- Publix Sweet Italian Sausage: $5.99 for 20-oz pkg, 1 pkg feeds 4, ~$1.50 per serving
- Ground Chuck: $5.99/lb, 1.5 lb for 4 people = $8.99 total, ~$2.25 per serving
- GreenWise Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast: $5.99/lb, 1.5 lb for 4 people = $8.99 total, ~$2.25 per serving
- Smithfield Marinated Pork Tenderloin: $5.99 for 19.2-23-oz pkg, 1 pkg feeds 4, ~$1.50 per serving
- GreenWise Lean Pork Loin Chops: $6.99/lb, 1.5 lb for 4 people = $10.49 total, ~$2.62 per serving
- Publix Parmesan Chicken Breast Cutlets: $6.99/lb, 1.5 lb for 4 people = $10.49 total, ~$2.62 per serving
- Publix Top Round Roast Beef: $4.99/lb, 1.5 lb for 4 people = $7.49 total, ~$1.87 per serving
- Publix Extra Lean Pork Loin Tenderloin: $7.99/lb, 1.5 lb for 4 people = $11.99 total, ~$3.00 per serving
- Boneless Chuck Roast: $7.99/lb, 2 lb for 4 people = $15.98 total, ~$4.00 per serving
- Springer Mountain Farms Chicken Breast Strips: $7.99/lb, 1.5 lb for 4 people = $11.99 total, ~$3.00 per serving
- Publix Chicken Breast Cutlets: $9.99/lb, 1.5 lb for 4 people = $14.99 total, ~$3.75 per serving
- Bluehouse Atlantic Salmon Fillets: $9.99/lb, 1.5 lb for 4 people = $14.99 total, ~$3.75 per serving
- Catfish Fillets: $9.99/lb, 1.5 lb for 4 people = $14.99 total, ~$3.75 per serving
- Boneless Top Sirloin Steak: $10.99/lb, 1.5 lb for 4 people = $16.49 total, ~$4.12 per serving
- GreenWise Snow Crab Clusters: $10.99/lb, 2 lb for 4 people = $21.98 total, ~$5.50 per serving
- GreenWise Sockeye Salmon Fillets: $16.99/lb, 1.5 lb for 4 people = $25.49 total, ~$6.37 per serving
- White Shrimp: $18.49/lb, 1.5 lb for 4 people = $27.74 total, ~$6.94 per serving
- GreenWise Angus Ribeye Steak: $21.99/lb, 1.5 lb for 4 people = $32.99 total, ~$8.25 per serving

Why these meals: This week's plan leans hard on four genuinely budget-friendly proteins: a Publix Whole Young Chicken at just $1.49/lb anchors one night with a roasted bird that stretches beautifully for four, Publix Sweet Italian Sausage at $5.99 for a full 20-oz package keeps another night well under $2 per person, Ground Chuck at $5.99/lb makes a classic burger night feel like a treat, and Smithfield Marinated Pork Tenderloin at $5.99 for a nearly 1.5-lb package is one of the best deals on the entire flyer. The one premium night goes to Bluehouse Atlantic Salmon Fillets at $9.99/lb, which is the least expensive per-serving seafood option on a flyer otherwise loaded with expensive shrimp, crab, and sockeye salmon - it brings variety without blowing the budget. The BOGO on Ronzoni Pasta and the 5 for $5.00 corn deal add real value to the supporting sides, and skipping the ribeye, snow crab, and sockeye salmon keeps the week's total comfortably within range.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Oven-Roasted Publix Whole Young Chicken with Corn on the Cob and Broccoli
Description: A whole young chicken is seasoned simply and roasted in the oven until golden and juicy, filling the kitchen with a smell kids absolutely love. Corn on the cob and steamed broccoli round out the plate for a classic, familiar dinner that everyone at the table will clean up.
Sale items used: Publix Whole Young Chicken, Bulk Sweet Corn, Broccoli or Cauliflower
Prep time: 20 minutes active, 75 minutes total roasting time
Serving note: Use one 4-lb Publix Whole Young Chicken (at $1.49/lb = $5.96); roast at 425 degrees F for about 70-75 minutes. Buy 4 ears of Bulk Sweet Corn (4 of the 5 for $5.00 deal = $4.00 for 4 ears). Buy 1 unit of Broccoli or Cauliflower from the 2 for $6.00 deal = $3.00 for one head. Make-ahead note: pat the chicken dry and season it the night before and refrigerate uncovered for crispier skin; pull it from the fridge 30 minutes before roasting.
Recipes:
- Oven Roasted Chicken with Charred Broccoli

Tuesday
Meal: Skillet-Browned Ground Chuck Cheeseburgers on Buns with Potato Wedges
Description: Seasoned ground chuck patties are cooked in a skillet until browned and juicy, then topped with melted shredded cheese and served on soft buns - a total crowd-pleaser for kids. Oven-baked potato wedges from the sale russet bag make the perfect side to scoop up with ketchup.
Sale items used: Ground Chuck, Kraft Shredded Cheese, Dave's Killer Bread Organic Burger Buns, Publix Idaho Russet Potatoes, Hunt's Tomato Ketchup
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lb Ground Chuck (at $5.99/lb = $8.99 total). Buy 1 package of Kraft Shredded Cheese from the 2 for $6.00 deal = $3.00 for one package. Buy 1 package of Dave's Killer Bread Organic Burger Buns at $4.99. Buy 1 bag of Publix Idaho Russet Potatoes at $3.99 (5-lb bag; use about 2 lbs for wedges, remainder used later in the week). Buy 1 bottle of Hunt's Tomato Ketchup at $1.99.
Recipes:
- Basic Burgers and Potato Wedges

Wednesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Bluehouse Atlantic Salmon Fillets with Sauteed Zucchini and Rice
Description: Salmon fillets are seasoned simply and seared in a skillet until the outside is lightly golden and the inside is tender and flaky - a mild, approachable fish that even picky eaters tend to enjoy. Sauteed zucchini and fluffy jasmine rice make it a complete, colorful plate.
Sale items used: Bluehouse Atlantic Salmon Fillets, Yellow Squash or Zucchini, Mahatma Jasmine Rice
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lb Bluehouse Atlantic Salmon Fillets (at $9.99/lb = $14.99 total); plan on roughly one 6-oz fillet per person. Buy 1 tray of Yellow Squash or Zucchini at $1.99. Buy 1 bag of Mahatma Jasmine Rice at $2.00 (2-lb bag; use about half the bag for 4 servings, remainder is a pantry bonus).
Recipes:
- Seared Salmon and Zucchini over Shallot Rice with an Herb Drizzle

Thursday
Meal: Skillet-Cooked Publix Sweet Italian Sausage with Tricolor Peppers and Potato Wedges
Description: Sweet Italian sausage links are sliced and cooked in a skillet with colorful tricolor peppers and sweet onion until everything is tender and lightly caramelized - a simple, savory combination kids recognize and enjoy. Leftover potato wedges from the russet bag round out the plate for a hearty, no-fuss dinner.
Sale items used: Publix Sweet Italian Sausage, Publix Tricolor Peppers, Vidalia Sweet Onions
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package of Publix Sweet Italian Sausage at $5.99 (20-oz pkg feeds 4). Buy 1 package of Publix Tricolor Peppers at $4.99 (3-ct pkg; use all three peppers). Buy 1 bag of Vidalia Sweet Onions at $3.49 (5-lb bag; use about 1 medium onion, remainder used as a pantry staple through the week). Use remaining Publix Idaho Russet Potatoes from Tuesday's bag (already purchased, no additional cost).
Recipes:
- Easy Italian Sausage and Potato Skillet

Friday
Meal: Oven-Baked Smithfield Marinated Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Broccoli and Corn
Description: The Smithfield Marinated Pork Tenderloin goes straight from the package into the oven - no prep needed since it comes pre-seasoned - and bakes until juicy and sliceable, making Friday dinner practically effortless. Roasted broccoli and the last ear of corn from the week's 5 for $5.00 deal round out the plate with minimal cleanup.
Sale items used: Smithfield Marinated Pork Tenderloin, Broccoli or Cauliflower, Bulk Sweet Corn
Prep time: 10 minutes active, 30-35 minutes total baking time
Serving note: Use 1 package of Smithfield Marinated Pork Tenderloin at $5.99 (19.2-23-oz pkg feeds 4 with slices). Use the second unit of Broccoli or Cauliflower from the 2 for $6.00 deal = $3.00 (this is the second unit of the pair purchased Monday). Use the 5th ear of Bulk Sweet Corn from Monday's 5 for $5.00 purchase (already included in Monday's cost, no additional charge).

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Publix Whole Young Chicken (1 bird, approx. 4 lb): $5.96
- Bulk Sweet Corn (5 ears, 5 for $5.00): $5.00
- Broccoli or Cauliflower (2 for $6.00, both units used across Monday and Friday): $6.00
- Ground Chuck (1.5 lb at $5.99/lb): $8.99
- Kraft Shredded Cheese (1 package from 2 for $6.00 deal): $3.00
- Dave's Killer Bread Organic Burger Buns (1 package): $4.99
- Publix Idaho Russet Potatoes (1 bag, 5-lb): $3.99
- Hunt's Tomato Ketchup (1 bottle, 20-oz): $1.99
- Bluehouse Atlantic Salmon Fillets (1.5 lb at $9.99/lb): $14.99
- Yellow Squash or Zucchini (1 tray): $1.99
- Mahatma Jasmine Rice (1 bag, 2-lb): $2.00
- Publix Sweet Italian Sausage (1 package, 20-oz): $5.99
- Publix Tricolor Peppers (1 package, 3-ct): $4.99
- Vidalia Sweet Onions (1 bag, 5-lb): $3.49
- Smithfield Marinated Pork Tenderloin (1 package): $5.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or cooking oil (for searing salmon and skillet cooking)
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika (for potato wedges)
- Butter (for corn and broccoli)