Publix Low-Carb Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: The star of this week is the Publix Chicken Drumsticks at just $1.99/lb, which makes Monday's dinner one of the most affordable meals you can put on the table - figure about $4 for the protein alone for four people. Pork loin chops at $3.99/lb anchor Wednesday with a satisfying pan-seared dinner that stays well under $10 for the protein. The Hormel Marinated Pork Loin Tenderloin at 2 for $12 is a great deal because one package handles all four servings for $6, and the marinade does the seasoning work for you. Lean ground beef at $8.99/lb is a workhorse for Thursday's skillet meal, and tilapia fillets at $7.99/lb give Friday a lighter, fresh-tasting finish that still keeps the per-serving cost reasonable. The BOGO chicken breast deal is genuinely strong this week, but with drumsticks and pork already covering the budget nights, the chicken breast goes to Tuesday where it earns its place without competing with cheaper options. This is an unusually premium-heavy flyer with steaks and specialty salmon pushing well past $10 per serving, so all five nights deliberately stay in the economical half of the ranking - there is no premium protein night this week because no single premium item offered enough value to justify the cost when the budget proteins are this strong.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower
Description: Seasoned chicken drumsticks are baked at high heat until the skin is golden and crispy, then served alongside roasted broccoli and cauliflower florets tossed in olive oil, garlic, and salt. This is a straightforward, satisfying low-carb dinner that lets the natural flavor of the chicken shine with minimal effort.
Sale items used: Publix Chicken Drumsticks (4-lb or more pkg), Broccoli or Cauliflower (each bunch) - 2 for $6.00
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 40 minutes oven time
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of chicken drumsticks for 4 people (roughly 2 drumsticks per person). Purchase 2 bunches (one broccoli, one cauliflower) at the 2 for $6.00 deal; use both bunches roasted alongside the chicken. Total oven time is about 40 minutes at 425 degrees F, well within 60 minutes total.

Tuesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast with Sauteed Baby Bella Mushrooms
Description: Boneless skinless chicken breasts are pounded to even thickness and seared in a hot skillet until golden on the outside and juicy inside, then topped with a quick saute of sliced baby bella mushrooms cooked down with garlic and a splash of chicken broth. The mushrooms create a savory, pan-sauce-style topping that keeps the dish rich and low-carb without any thickeners.
Sale items used: Publix Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast (4-lb or more pkg) - BOGO, GreenWise Organic Baby Bella Mushrooms (8-oz pkg, sliced) - 2 for $5.00
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Purchase one 4-lb or more BOGO package; use 2 lbs of chicken breast for tonight (about 8 oz per person), and reserve the remaining 2 lbs in the freezer for another use. Purchase 2 packs of GreenWise Organic Baby Bella Mushrooms at 2 for $5.00 and use both 8-oz packs for the full 4-person saute.

Wednesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Pork Loin Chops with Beefsteak Tomatoes and Fresh Mozzarella
Description: Pork loin chops are seasoned with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs, then seared in a cast-iron skillet until cooked through with a browned crust, and served alongside thick slices of beefsteak tomato layered with fresh mozzarella and a drizzle of olive oil and basil. The tomato-mozzarella side keeps net carbs low while adding brightness and richness to balance the savory pork.
Sale items used: Publix Assorted Pork Loin Chops (8 chops per pkg), Beefsteak Tomatoes, Belgioioso Fresh Mozzarella Cheese (16-oz pkg)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of pork loin chops for 4 people (2 chops per person from the 8-chop package). Purchase 1 lb of beefsteak tomatoes at $1.99/lb and slice for the side. Use the full 16-oz pkg of Belgioioso Fresh Mozzarella Cheese divided among 4 plates.
Recipes:
- Easy and Tasty Mozzarella Pork Chops with Tomato Low Carb Recipe

Thursday
Meal: Lean Ground Beef Skillet with Broccoli and Shredded Cheese
Description: Lean ground beef is browned in a large skillet with diced beefsteak tomatoes, garlic, cumin, and chili powder, then broccoli florets are stirred in and cooked until just tender, and the whole skillet is finished with a generous handful of shredded cheese melted over the top. This one-pan meal is hearty, deeply savory, and keeps net carbs well under 20g per serving.
Sale items used: Lean Ground Beef (7% fat, 3-lb or more pkg), Beefsteak Tomatoes, Publix Shredded Cheese or Chunk or Slices (16-oz pkg) - 2 for $11.00
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Purchase 1.5 lbs of lean ground beef at $8.99/lb for 4 people. Purchase 1 lb of beefsteak tomatoes at $1.99/lb and dice for the skillet. Purchase 1 pack of Publix Shredded Cheese (16-oz) at the 2 for $11.00 price - one pack is sufficient for this meal; note the deal requires buying 2 packs, so the second pack can be used for snacking or another meal this week. Use the broccoli bunch already purchased Monday; if a second bunch is needed, add one more at $3.00 (half of the 2 for $6.00 deal).
Recipes:
- Low Carb Cheesy Beef and Broccoli Rice Skillet

Friday
Meal: Pan-Seared Hormel Marinated Pork Loin Tenderloin with Savory Umami Seasoned Broccoli and Zucchini
Description: A Hormel Marinated Pork Loin Tenderloin is sliced into medallions and seared in a hot skillet until caramelized on the outside and cooked through, then served alongside the Publix Savory Umami Seasoned Broccoli and Zucchini heated in a separate pan. The umami-seasoned vegetables complement the marinated pork beautifully, and the whole meal comes together in under 40 minutes with almost no prep work needed.
Sale items used: Hormel Marinated Pork Loin Tenderloin (18.4 or 24-oz pkg) - 2 for $12.00, Publix Savory Umami Seasoned Broccoli and Zucchini (19-oz bag)
Prep time: 10 minutes active, 25 minutes cook time
Serving note: Purchase 2 packages of Hormel Marinated Pork Loin Tenderloin at 2 for $12.00; use one 18.4-oz package tonight for 4 people (about 4.6 oz per person), and reserve the second package in the freezer for another meal. Use the full 19-oz bag of Publix Savory Umami Seasoned Broccoli and Zucchini for the side, divided among 4 plates.
Recipes:
- Keto Pork Tenderloin Skillet Dinner

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Publix Chicken Drumsticks (4-lb or more pkg, using 2 lbs): $3.98
- Broccoli or Cauliflower - 2 bunches (2 for $6.00 deal): $6.00
- Publix Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast (4-lb or more pkg, BOGO - 1 pkg, 2 lbs used this week): $5.39
- GreenWise Organic Baby Bella Mushrooms (2 packs, 2 for $5.00): $5.00
- Publix Assorted Pork Loin Chops (2 lbs at $3.99/lb): $7.98
- Beefsteak Tomatoes (2 lbs total across Wednesday and Thursday at $1.99/lb): $3.98
- Belgioioso Fresh Mozzarella Cheese (16-oz pkg): $6.99
- Lean Ground Beef (7% fat, 1.5 lbs at $8.99/lb): $13.49
- Publix Shredded Cheese or Chunk or Slices (2 packs, 2 for $11.00): $11.00
- Hormel Marinated Pork Loin Tenderloin (2 pkgs, 2 for $12.00): $12.00
- Publix Savory Umami Seasoned Broccoli and Zucchini (19-oz bag): $5.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil
- Garlic (fresh or minced)
- Salt and black pepper
- Italian seasoning or dried basil and oregano
- Cumin
- Chili powder
- Chicken broth (small amount for mushroom saute)
- Fresh basil (optional garnish for Wednesday)