Publix Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Oven-Roasted Pork Picnic with Brown Sugar Fall Hard Squash
Description: A small bone-in pork picnic roast is slow-roasted until tender and juicy, then pulled or sliced for an easy family plate. Cubed fall squash is tossed with butter and brown sugar and roasted until sweet and soft, like candy-coated fall veggies.
Sale items used: Publix Pork Picnic, Fall Hard Squash
Prep time: 15 minutes prep, about 2 hours roasting
Serving note: Buy about 2.5 lbs of pork picnic (ask the meat counter to cut a smaller portion if the whole roast is bigger) and 2 lbs of fall hard squash (about 3 cups peeled and cubed). Use 2 tbsp brown sugar and 1 tbsp butter for the squash. Roast the pork at 325F for about 2 hours until it shreds easily, and add the squash to the oven for the last 35 to 40 minutes. Timing note: the roast can go in the oven up to a day ahead, then be reheated and sliced. Leftover pork is great on sandwiches or in quesadillas.
Recipes:
- Brown Sugar Roasted Butternut Squash
- Easy Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe
- Brown Sugar Roasted Butternut Squash

Tuesday
Meal: Baked Honey-Garlic Chicken Wings with Roasted Baby Cut Carrots
Description: Crispy oven-baked wings are tossed in a mild, sticky honey-garlic glaze that kids love to eat with their hands. Baby carrots roast on the same pan until lightly caramelized and sweet.
Sale items used: Publix Chicken Wings, Publix Baby Cut Carrots
Prep time: 10 minutes prep, 40 minutes baking
Serving note: Use about 1.5 lbs of chicken wings (roughly 10 to 12 wings, about 5 to 6 per person) and half of one 1 lb bag of baby cut carrots (about 8 oz). Bake the wings at 425F for 40 minutes, flipping once. Toss them in a glaze of 3 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp soy sauce and 2 minced garlic cloves warmed in a small pan. Roast the carrots on a second pan with 1 tbsp oil and a pinch of salt for the last 25 minutes.
Recipes:
- Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
- Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Wings - The Whole Cook
- Honey Garlic Chicken Wings (Oven Baked)

Wednesday
Meal: Cheesy Mini Meatloaf Muffins with Garlic Bread and Buttered Carrots
Description: Ground sirloin meatloaf mix is pressed into a muffin tin with a cheesy center, so each kid gets their own mini loaf with a ketchup glaze. Warm garlic bread and soft buttered carrots round out the plate.
Sale items used: Ground Sirloin, Sargento Shredded Cheese, Publix Garlic Bread, Publix Baby Cut Carrots
Prep time: 15 minutes prep, 20 minutes baking
Serving note: Use 0.75 lb of ground sirloin mixed with 1 egg, 1/3 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup ketchup and 1/2 cup shredded cheese (save the rest of the bag for Thursday). Makes about 6 muffins, so there will be a couple of leftovers. Bake at 375F for 20 minutes, topped with extra ketchup. Heat 1 loaf of garlic bread per the package. Simmer the other half of the carrot bag (about 8 oz) in water for 8 to 10 minutes, drain, and toss with 1 tbsp butter and a pinch of salt.
Recipes:
- Mini Meatloaf Muffins
- Meatloaf Muffins (Easy Muffin Tin Meatloaf Recipe)
- Kid-Friendly Easy Mini Meatloaf Muffins

Thursday
Meal: Cheesy Pan-Seared Pork Tenderloin Medallions with Salad Kit and Grapes
Description: Pork tenderloin is sliced into quick-cooking medallions, seared golden, and topped with melty cheddar-style shredded cheese. They are served with a crisp salad kit and a bowl of sweet grapes on the side.
Sale items used: Publix Extra Lean Pork Loin Tenderloins, Sargento Shredded Cheese, Publix Salad Kit, Red or White Seedless Grapes
Prep time: 10 minutes prep, 12 minutes cooking
Serving note: Use 1 lb of pork tenderloin (about 0.5 lb per person), sliced into 1-inch medallions. Season with salt and a little garlic powder, and sear 3 to 4 minutes per side in 1 tbsp oil. Top with about 1/2 cup shredded cheese, cover for 1 minute to melt. Use half of one salad kit bag (the other kit is for Friday) and serve with about 1 lb of grapes, washed and pulled into small clusters.
Recipes:
- Seared Pork Tenderloin with Grapes
- Pork Medallions with Pan Sauce
- Juicy Pan Seared Pork Medallions - Easy Dinner Recipe!

Friday
Meal: Garlic Butter Skillet Shrimp with Garlic Bread and Salad Kit
Description: Plump white shrimp are cooked in a mild garlic butter sauce in one skillet in just a few minutes. Serve with warm garlic bread for dipping and a fresh salad kit on the side.
Sale items used: White Shrimp, Publix Garlic Bread, Publix Salad Kit
Prep time: 10 minutes prep, 10 minutes cooking
Serving note: Buy 0.75 lb of white shrimp, peeled and deveined at the seafood counter. Cook in 2 tbsp butter with 2 minced garlic cloves for 2 to 3 minutes per side until pink, then finish with a squeeze of lemon if your kids like it. Heat the second loaf of garlic bread and serve with the second salad kit, using the full bag for 2 people.
Recipes:
- Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe: How to Make It
- Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe (with Video)

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Publix Pork Picnic (2.5 lbs): $6.23
- Fall Hard Squash (2 lbs): $1.98
- Publix Chicken Wings (1.5 lbs): $5.99
- Publix Baby Cut Carrots (x2 bags): $2.50
- Ground Sirloin (0.75 lb): $5.99
- Sargento Shredded Cheese (x1 bag): $3.50
- Publix Garlic Bread (x2 loaves): $6.00
- Publix Extra Lean Pork Loin Tenderloins (1 lb): $4.99
- Publix Salad Kit (x2 kits): $6.00
- Red or White Seedless Grapes (1 lb): $2.99
- White Shrimp (0.75 lb): $6.74

Pantry staples needed:
- Brown sugar
- Butter
- Honey
- Soy sauce
- Garlic cloves and garlic powder
- Cooking oil
- Salt
- Ketchup
- Breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- Lemon (optional)