ALDI Dairy-Free Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

The chicken wings and pork chops are the clear budget anchors this week, both coming in well under $2 per person per meal. The beef tender is the only premium cut on the flyer and earns the one premium night at roughly $2.62 per person, which is actually quite reasonable for a beef tender. Because the dairy-free requirement eliminates kefir, croissant sandwiches, egg bites, and protein pudding from consideration, the produce and pantry sale items do a lot of work rounding out meals this week. The pork chops appear twice because they are the most versatile everyday cut and chicken is capped at two nights; the beef tender appears once as the premium night. The Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad is used as a quick no-cook protein on one night alongside produce, keeping that meal fast and the overall week balanced.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Pan-Seared Thin-Sliced Pork Chops with Zucchini and Grape Tomatoes
Description: Thin-sliced boneless pork chops are seasoned with garlic, olive oil, and herbs, then seared quickly in a hot skillet until golden and cooked through in about 10 minutes per batch. Sliced zucchini and halved grape tomatoes are sauteed in the same pan, picking up the savory drippings for a simple one-pan side.
Sale items used: Fresh Family Pack Thin-Sliced Boneless Pork Chops, Zucchini, Cherub Grape Tomatoes (10 oz. pkg.)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of pork chops for 4 people (about 0.5 lb per person). Use 1 lb of zucchini and 1 package of Cherub Grape Tomatoes.

Tuesday
Meal: Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings with Multicolored Peppers
Description: The Buffalo Party Pack chicken wings are seasoned and baked in the oven at 425 degrees until crispy and cooked through, then tossed in your favorite hot sauce for classic buffalo flavor. Sliced multicolored peppers are roasted on the same sheet pan alongside the wings during the final 15 minutes, adding a sweet and colorful side.
Sale items used: Fresh Buffalo Party Pack Chicken Wings (40 oz.), Multicolored Peppers
Prep time: 50 minutes
Serving note: Use the full 40 oz. pack of wings for 4 people. Use all 3 peppers from the 3-pack, sliced into strips.

Wednesday
Meal: Steakhouse Petite Beef Tender with Zucchini and Nectarine Salsa
Description: The petite beef tender is sliced into medallions, seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and the rosemary or steakhouse seasoning it comes with, then seared in a cast-iron skillet over high heat to a golden crust and medium doneness. A fresh nectarine salsa made with diced nectarines, grape tomatoes, and a splash of orange juice from the Cara Cara oranges adds a bright, summery contrast to the rich beef.
Sale items used: Morton's of Omaha Fresh Rosemary or Steakhouse Petite Beef Tender, Plums or Nectarines, Cherub Grape Tomatoes (10 oz. pkg.), Cara Cara Oranges
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of beef tender for 4 people (about 6 oz. per person). Use 2 nectarines diced for the salsa, 1 package of grape tomatoes halved, and juice of 1 Cara Cara orange. The remaining oranges are a great side or dessert.

Thursday
Meal: Pan-Seared Thin-Sliced Pork Chops with Multicolored Pepper and Tomato Saute on 12 Grain Bread
Description: Thin-sliced pork chops are seared in a skillet with olive oil, garlic, and smoked paprika, then served open-faced on toasted slices of L'oven Fresh 12 Grain Wide Pan Bread for a hearty and satisfying dinner. Diced multicolored peppers and grape tomatoes are quickly sauteed with the pork drippings and spooned over the top as a chunky, colorful topping.
Sale items used: Fresh Family Pack Thin-Sliced Boneless Pork Chops, Multicolored Peppers, Cherub Grape Tomatoes (10 oz. pkg.), L'oven Fresh 12 Grain Wide Pan Bread (24 oz.)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of pork chops for 4 people. Use the remaining peppers from the second 3-pack (or a fresh 3-pack), 1 package of grape tomatoes, and 8 slices of bread (2 per person open-faced).

Friday
Meal: Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps with Pita Crackers and Green Grapes
Description: The Park Street Deli Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad is served scooped into crisp lettuce leaves for a fresh, no-cook wrap that comes together in minutes. Savoritz Pita Crackers and a bowl of California Green Grapes round out the plate for a light but satisfying end-of-week dinner.
Sale items used: Park Street Deli Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad (16 oz.), Savoritz Pita Crackers (5 oz.), California Green Grapes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Serving note: Use the full 16 oz. container of chicken salad divided among 4 people (4 oz. per person). Use 1 package of pita crackers shared among 4. Use 1 lb of green grapes for the table. Check the chicken salad label to confirm no dairy-containing ingredients such as mayonnaise with dairy additives; standard cranberry almond chicken salad is typically made with mayo and is dairy-free, but verify at purchase.
Recipes:
- Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad {10-Minute Recipe}

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh Buffalo Party Pack Chicken Wings (40 oz.) (x1 pack): $4.99
- Fresh Family Pack Thin-Sliced Boneless Pork Chops (4 lbs total, 2 lbs per pork chop night): $11.96
- Morton's of Omaha Fresh Rosemary or Steakhouse Petite Beef Tender (1.5 lbs): $10.49
- Zucchini (1 lb): $1.19
- Multicolored Peppers (x2 3-packs): $4.98
- Cherub Grape Tomatoes (10 oz. pkg.) (x3 pkgs): $5.97
- Plums or Nectarines (0.5 lb, approx. 2 nectarines): $0.75
- Cara Cara Oranges (x1 3-lb. bag): $2.99
- California Green Grapes (1 lb): $1.29
- L'oven Fresh 12 Grain Wide Pan Bread (24 oz.) (x1 loaf): $2.69
- Park Street Deli Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad (16 oz.) (x1 container): $4.99
- Savoritz Pita Crackers (5 oz.) (x1 pkg): $2.49

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil
- Garlic (fresh or minced)
- Salt and black pepper
- Smoked paprika
- Hot sauce (for wings)
- Dried herbs (oregano, thyme, or Italian seasoning)
- Butter lettuce or romaine leaves (for wraps, Friday)