Publix Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Roasted Russet Potatoes and Steamed Broccoli
Description: Juicy oven-baked chicken drumsticks seasoned with simple salt, pepper, and garlic powder are a guaranteed kid crowd-pleaser, crispy on the outside and tender inside. Served alongside golden roasted russet potato chunks and bright steamed broccoli florets, this is a classic, comforting dinner that kids aged 5-12 will happily clean their plates for.
Sale items used: Publix Chicken Drumsticks ($1.99/lb), Russet Potatoes ($0.99/lb), Broccoli or Cauliflower 2 for $6.00
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 45 minutes oven time
Serving note: Buy approximately 1.5 lbs of drumsticks (about 4-5 pieces) for 2 people at $1.99/lb = $2.99; buy 1 lb russet potatoes at $0.99/lb = $0.99; buy 1 bunch broccoli as part of the 2 for $6.00 deal (buy 1 broccoli + 1 cauliflower to use across Monday and Thursday) = $6.00 for both. Total oven time is about 60 minutes - preheat oven early and prep potatoes while drumsticks start roasting to keep everything ready at the same time.

Tuesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Pork Loin Chops with Sweet Corn and Baby Cut Carrots
Description: Tender pan-seared pork loin chops with a simple buttery seasoning are easy to slice and kid-friendly, with mild familiar flavor that pairs perfectly with sweet summer corn on the cob. Steamed baby cut carrots add a naturally sweet, colorful side that kids love to munch on, making this a fun and balanced weeknight plate.
Sale items used: Publix Assorted Pork Loin Chops ($3.99/lb), Bulk Sweet Corn 5 for $3.00, Publix Baby Cut Carrots ($1.29/lb bag)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Buy approximately 1 lb of pork loin chops (2 chops) from the 8-chop package at $3.99/lb = $3.99; buy 2 ears of sweet corn as part of the 5 for $3.00 deal = $1.20; buy 1 bag of baby cut carrots at $1.29. Note that pork loin chops come in an 8-chop package - freeze the remaining chops for future meals to avoid waste.
Recipes:
- Pan Seared Pork Chops (Easy Recipe)

Wednesday
Meal: Ground Beef Taco Skillet with Shredded Cheese and Beefsteak Tomatoes
Description: A simple one-pan taco skillet using seasoned ground beef, melted shredded cheese, and fresh diced beefsteak tomatoes is the kind of meal kids go absolutely wild for - serve it over rice or with tortilla chips from the pantry. Everything comes together in one skillet in under 30 minutes, making it a stress-free midweek dinner with big familiar flavors kids recognize and love.
Sale items used: Lean Ground Beef ($8.99/lb), Publix Shredded Cheese 2 for $11.00, Beefsteak Tomatoes ($1.99/lb)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Buy approximately 0.75 lb of lean ground beef at $8.99/lb = $6.74; buy 1 package of shredded cheese (the 2 for $11.00 deal requires buying 2 packages at $5.50 each - use one now and one later in the week or for snacks) = $11.00 for both; buy approximately 0.5 lb of beefsteak tomatoes at $1.99/lb = $1.00.
Recipes:
- Taco Skillet

Thursday
Meal: Baked Tilapia Fillets with Russet Potato Mash and Steamed Cauliflower
Description: Mild, flaky baked tilapia fillets with a light butter and lemon seasoning are one of the most kid-accepted fish options - no strong fishy flavor, just tender and easy to eat. Creamy russet potato mash and soft steamed cauliflower round out the plate with comforting textures that even picky eaters tend to enjoy.
Sale items used: Tilapia Fillets ($7.99/lb), Russet Potatoes ($0.99/lb), Broccoli or Cauliflower 2 for $6.00 (cauliflower from Monday's purchase)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Buy approximately 0.75 lb of fresh tilapia fillets (about 2 fillets) at $7.99/lb = $5.99; buy an additional 1 lb of russet potatoes at $0.99/lb = $0.99; the cauliflower is already accounted for in Monday's 2 for $6.00 broccoli/cauliflower purchase at no additional cost.
Recipes:
- Baked Tilapia (With Lemon Butter)

Friday
Meal: Skillet-Cooked Hormel Marinated Pork Loin Tenderloin Slices with Sweet Corn and Strawberries
Description: Pre-marinated Hormel pork loin tenderloin sliced into medallions and cooked quickly in a skillet delivers juicy, flavorful pork with zero fuss - the marinade does all the flavor work so kids get a delicious, not-too-spicy meal they will love. Paired with sweet corn on the cob and fresh strawberries, this Friday dinner feels like a fun end-of-week celebration meal that is both easy and colorful.
Sale items used: Hormel Marinated Pork Loin Tenderloin 2 for $12.00, Bulk Sweet Corn 5 for $3.00, Strawberries 3 for $10.00
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: The Hormel deal is 2 for $12.00 - buy 2 packages and use the 18.4-oz size; one package is plenty for 2 people tonight, freeze the second for another meal = $12.00 for both; buy 2 more ears of sweet corn (you already bought 2 on Tuesday, so buy the remaining 3 from the 5 for $3.00 deal to complete it) = $1.80 for the remaining 3 ears; buy 1 package of strawberries as part of the 3 for $10.00 deal (you need at least 1 package; buying just 1 at the deal price requires purchasing 3 total - buy 3 packages and enjoy extras as snacks throughout the week) = $10.00 for all 3.
Recipes:
- Rosemary Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Strawberries

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Publix Chicken Drumsticks (1.5 lbs): $2.99
- Russet Potatoes (2 lbs total across Monday and Thursday): $1.98
- Broccoli + Cauliflower (1 bunch each, 2 for $6.00 deal): $6.00
- Publix Assorted Pork Loin Chops (1 lb): $3.99
- Bulk Sweet Corn (5 ears, 5 for $3.00 deal): $3.00
- Publix Baby Cut Carrots (1-lb bag): $1.29
- Lean Ground Beef (0.75 lb): $6.74
- Publix Shredded Cheese (x2 packs, 2 for $11.00 deal): $11.00
- Beefsteak Tomatoes (0.5 lb): $1.00
- Tilapia Fillets (0.75 lb): $5.99
- Hormel Marinated Pork Loin Tenderloin (x2 pkgs, 2 for $12.00 deal): $12.00
- Strawberries (x3 pkgs, 3 for $10.00 deal): $10.00

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or vegetable oil (for roasting and searing)
- Butter (for mashed potatoes and corn)
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt and black pepper
- Taco seasoning packet
- Tortilla chips or rice (to serve with taco skillet)
- Milk (for mashed potatoes)
- Lemon juice or lemon (for tilapia)
- Paprika (optional, for drumsticks)