Publix Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: Chicken drumsticks at $1.99/lb are the standout deal of the week and anchor Monday's dinner for under $4 total on protein. Pork loin chops at $3.99/lb and the Hormel Marinated Pork Loin Tenderloin at 2 for $12 give you two more satisfying, kid-friendly dinners without breaking the bank. Lean Ground Beef at $8.99/lb is the priciest of the four everyday proteins but still a familiar family favorite, and 1.25 lbs stretches nicely into a taco-style skillet. Tilapia Fillets at $7.99/lb earned the single premium night this week because they are genuinely the most affordable seafood option on the flyer and kids tend to enjoy mild white fish; every other seafood and steak option runs significantly higher per serving. The steaks, ribs, shrimp, and salmon on this flyer are all sale prices on already-expensive cuts, so they were deliberately skipped to keep the week's total manageable for a family of four.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Roasted Russet Potatoes and Steamed Broccoli
Description: Seasoned chicken drumsticks are baked in the oven until the skin is golden and the meat is cooked through, served alongside tender roasted potato wedges and steamed broccoli florets. This is a classic, crowd-pleasing dinner that kids recognize and love, with simple seasoning from pantry staples.
Sale items used: Publix Chicken Drumsticks (4-lb or more pkg), Russet Potatoes, Broccoli or Cauliflower (each bunch)
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 45 minutes bake time (60 minutes total)
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of chicken drumsticks (roughly 6 to 8 drumsticks for 4 people), 2 lbs of russet potatoes cut into wedges, and 1 bunch of broccoli. Total time is right at 60 minutes; get potatoes in the oven first for 15 minutes before adding the drumsticks so everything finishes together.

Tuesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Pork Loin Chops with Sweet Corn and Baby Cut Carrots
Description: Publix Assorted Pork Loin Chops are seasoned simply and seared in a skillet until golden brown and cooked through, paired with boiled sweet corn on the cob and steamed baby cut carrots on the side. Kids love picking up corn on the cob, and the mild pork chops are a familiar, no-fuss weeknight protein.
Sale items used: Publix Assorted Pork Loin Chops (8 chops per pkg), Bulk Sweet Corn (extra large), Publix Baby Cut Carrots (1-lb bag)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of pork loin chops (approximately 4 chops from the 8-chop pkg, saving the rest for another use or freezing), 4 ears of sweet corn, and 1 lb of baby cut carrots. The 8-chop package gives you flexibility; pull out 4 chops and freeze the remainder.
Recipes:
- Pan Seared Pork Chops (Easy Recipe)

Wednesday
Meal: Ground Beef Taco Skillet with Shredded Cheese and Beefsteak Tomatoes
Description: Lean ground beef is browned in a skillet with mild taco-style seasoning from pantry staples, then served over rice or scooped into soft bread with Publix Shredded Cheese and diced beefsteak tomatoes on top. The build-your-own format is a big hit with kids aged 5 to 12 and keeps the table lively and fun.
Sale items used: Lean Ground Beef (7% fat, 3-lb or more pkg), Publix Shredded Cheese or Chunk or Slices (16-oz pkg), Beefsteak Tomatoes, Bimbo White Bread (medium, 20-oz bag)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.25 lbs of lean ground beef, 1 lb of beefsteak tomatoes (about 2 medium tomatoes, diced), one 16-oz pkg of Publix Shredded Cheese (one of the 2-for-$11 pair; use the second pkg later in the week or freeze it), and 1 loaf of Bimbo White Bread for scooping. Serve skillet-style so kids can top their own portions.
Recipes:
- Taco Skillet

Thursday
Meal: Baked Tilapia Fillets with Russet Potato Mash and Steamed Cauliflower
Description: Fresh tilapia fillets are lightly seasoned with pantry staples and baked in the oven until flaky and tender, served with creamy mashed russet potatoes and steamed cauliflower florets. The mild flavor of tilapia is one of the most kid-accepted fish options, and the mashed potatoes make it feel like a cozy, familiar dinner.
Sale items used: Tilapia Fillets (fresh), Russet Potatoes, Broccoli or Cauliflower (each bunch)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of tilapia fillets (about 4 portions at roughly 6 oz each), 2 lbs of russet potatoes for mashing, and 1 bunch of cauliflower. Bake tilapia at 400 degrees F for 12 to 15 minutes while potatoes boil and cauliflower steams on the stovetop.
Recipes:
- Baked Tilapia (With Lemon Butter)

Friday
Meal: Skillet-Cooked Hormel Marinated Pork Loin Tenderloin Slices with Sweet Corn and Strawberries
Description: Hormel Marinated Pork Loin Tenderloin is sliced into medallions and cooked in a skillet until browned and cooked through, served with boiled sweet corn on the cob and a side of fresh strawberries for a fun Friday feel. The tenderloin comes pre-marinated so there is zero extra prep needed, making this the easiest dinner of the week.
Sale items used: Hormel Marinated Pork Loin Tenderloin (18.4 or 24-oz pkg), Bulk Sweet Corn (extra large), Strawberries (16-oz pkg)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 pkgs of Hormel Marinated Pork Loin Tenderloin (the 2-for-$12 deal; two 18.4-oz pkgs give approximately 2.3 lbs total, plenty for 4 people as medallions). Serve with 4 ears of sweet corn and 1 pkg (16 oz) of strawberries. Slice the tenderloin into 1-inch rounds before cooking for faster, even browning in the skillet.
Recipes:
- Rosemary Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Strawberries

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Publix Chicken Drumsticks, 4-lb or more pkg (2 lbs used): $3.98
- Publix Assorted Pork Loin Chops, 8 chops per pkg (2 lbs): $7.98
- Lean Ground Beef, 7% fat, 3-lb or more pkg (1.25 lbs): $11.24
- Tilapia Fillets, fresh (1.5 lbs): $11.99
- Hormel Marinated Pork Loin Tenderloin, 18.4 or 24-oz pkg (x2 pkgs): $12.00
- Russet Potatoes (4 lbs total, used across Monday and Thursday): $3.96
- Broccoli or Cauliflower, each bunch (x2 bunches, one broccoli for Monday and one cauliflower for Thursday): $6.00
- Bulk Sweet Corn, extra large (8 ears total, 4 for Tuesday and 4 for Friday): $4.80
- Publix Baby Cut Carrots, 1-lb bag (x1 bag): $1.29
- Beefsteak Tomatoes (1 lb): $1.99
- Publix Shredded Cheese or Chunk or Slices, 16-oz pkg (x2 pkgs, 2-for-$11 deal): $11.00
- Bimbo White Bread, medium, 20-oz bag (x1 bag): $1.99
- Strawberries, 16-oz pkg (x1 pkg from the 3-for-$10 deal, paying per-unit price): $3.34

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or vegetable oil
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Cumin and chili powder (for taco skillet)
- Butter (for mashed potatoes)
- Milk or cream (for mashed potatoes)
- Rice (optional base for taco skillet)