ALDI Gluten-Free Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: This week's flyer is actually quite friendly to a budget-conscious gluten-free household once you set aside all the bakery items. Chicken wings at $2.29/lb and the Smithfield Marinated Pork Strips at $4.99 for a full 16 oz package are the two standout deals anchoring the cheapest nights of the week. The big 48 oz package of Kirkwood Ground Turkey at $7.99 gives you a generous amount of meat for a very reasonable $2 per person, making it a strong mid-week anchor. Ground beef burgers at $6.49/lb round out the economical proteins nicely for a skillet night. Salmon earns the one premium slot at $8.99/lb - it is the only true premium protein on this flyer and pan-searing a modest 1.5 lbs keeps the cost controlled. The grass-fed ground beef was skipped because buying two full $5.99 packages to feed four people pushes the cost higher than the burger patties for the same result, and the week did not need two ground beef nights anyway. Zucchini at $1.19/lb and grape tomatoes at $1.99 a bag do a lot of work as affordable produce sides throughout the week.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Baked Chicken Wings with Zucchini and Grape Tomatoes
Description: Seasoned chicken wings are roasted in the oven at 425 degrees until the skin is golden and crispy, then served alongside sliced zucchini and grape tomatoes that are roasted on the same pan in the final 15 minutes. The combination of juicy wings with lightly caramelized vegetables makes a satisfying, naturally gluten-free dinner with minimal cleanup.
Sale items used: Farmer Focus Fresh Antibiotic Free Family Pack Whole Chicken Wings, Zucchini, Cherub Grape Tomatoes 10 oz pkg
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 45 minutes oven time
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of chicken wings for 4 people. Use 1 lb of zucchini (about 2 medium), sliced into half-moons. Use 1 package (10 oz) of Cherub Grape Tomatoes. Total oven time is about 45 minutes, so get the wings in first and add the vegetables at the 30-minute mark.

Tuesday
Meal: Skillet Ground Turkey and Zucchini Rice Bowl
Description: Ground turkey is browned in a skillet with diced zucchini, garlic, and cumin, then served over steamed white rice with a spoonful of Friendly Farms Nonfat Greek Yogurt on top as a cool, creamy finish. The whole skillet comes together in about 25 minutes and delivers a hearty, protein-packed bowl that is completely gluten-free.
Sale items used: Kirkwood Fresh 85/15 Ground Turkey 48 oz, Zucchini, Friendly Farms Nonfat Greek Yogurt Assorted Varieties 32 oz
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use the full 48 oz package of ground turkey (it is a generous portion for 4 and leftovers reheat well for lunch). Use 1 lb of zucchini, diced small. Use about 1 cup (roughly 8 oz) of the Greek yogurt as a topping, divided among 4 bowls. Serve over 2 cups dry white rice cooked per package directions (pantry staple).
Recipes:
- Gluten-Free Ground Turkey And Zucchini Skillet For Spring Dinner

Wednesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Salmon with Peach Salsa and Avocado
Description: Fresh Atlantic Salmon Portions are seasoned with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika then seared skin-side down in a hot skillet until the skin is crisp and the flesh is just cooked through. A quick fresh salsa of diced peaches and mini avocados spooned over the top adds bright, summery flavor that pairs beautifully with the rich salmon.
Sale items used: Fresh Atlantic Salmon Portion, Peaches, Bagged Mini Avocados (6-pack)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Purchase 1.5 lbs of Fresh Atlantic Salmon Portion, which gives each person roughly a 6 oz portion. Use 1 lb of peaches (about 2-3 peaches), diced. Use 1 package of Bagged Mini Avocados (6-pack) - use 4 of the mini avocados for the salsa and save the remaining 2 for another use.
Recipes:
- Old Bay Salmon with Peach-Avocado Salsa

Thursday
Meal: Smithfield Pork Strip and Grape Tomato Skillet with Rice
Description: The Smithfield Fresh Marinated Pork Strips are sliced into bite-sized pieces and seared in a hot skillet until browned and cooked through, then grape tomatoes are added to the pan and cooked briefly until they blister and release their juices into a light pan sauce. Everything is spooned over steamed rice for a fast, flavorful gluten-free dinner that is ready in under 30 minutes.
Sale items used: Smithfield Fresh Marinated Pork Strips 16 oz, Cherub Grape Tomatoes 10 oz pkg
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use the full 16 oz package of Smithfield Fresh Marinated Pork Strips for 4 people. Use 1 package (10 oz) of Cherub Grape Tomatoes, left whole. Serve over 2 cups dry white rice cooked per package directions (pantry staple). Check the marinade label at the store to confirm it is gluten-free, as some pork marinades contain soy sauce with wheat.

Check the label: soy sauce is usually brewed with wheat. Tamari is the gluten-free alternative.

Friday
Meal: Seasoned Ground Beef Skillet with Watermelon and Green Grapes on the Side
Description: Ground beef burger meat is crumbled and browned in a skillet with diced onion, garlic, and chili powder, then served over baked potatoes split open and loaded with the savory beef mixture and a dollop of Greek yogurt in place of sour cream. A refreshing side of sliced Whole Seedless Watermelon and California Green Grapes makes this a festive, colorful end-of-week dinner.
Sale items used: Fresh 93/7 Ground Beef Burgers, Friendly Farms Nonfat Greek Yogurt Assorted Varieties 32 oz, Whole Seedless Watermelon, California Green Grapes
Prep time: 20 minutes active, 45-50 minutes if baking potatoes in oven
Serving note: Purchase 1.5 lbs of Fresh 93/7 Ground Beef Burgers. Use about 1 cup (8 oz) of Greek yogurt divided among 4 loaded potatoes. Use 1 whole watermelon, sliced into wedges for the table. Purchase 1 lb of California Green Grapes as a side. Bake 4 medium russet potatoes (pantry staple) at 400 degrees for 45-50 minutes, or microwave each for 8-10 minutes to keep total time under 30 minutes.

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Farmer Focus Fresh Antibiotic Free Family Pack Whole Chicken Wings (2 lbs): $4.58
- Kirkwood Fresh 85/15 Ground Turkey 48 oz (x1 package): $7.99
- Fresh Atlantic Salmon Portion (1.5 lbs): $13.49
- Smithfield Fresh Marinated Pork Strips 16 oz (x1 package): $4.99
- Fresh 93/7 Ground Beef Burgers (1.5 lbs): $9.74
- Zucchini (2 lbs): $2.38
- Cherub Grape Tomatoes 10 oz pkg (x2 packages): $3.98
- Peaches (1 lb): $1.39
- Bagged Mini Avocados (6-pack) (x1 package): $2.89
- Whole Seedless Watermelon (x1): $4.49
- California Green Grapes (1 lb): $1.29
- Friendly Farms Nonfat Greek Yogurt Assorted Varieties 32 oz (x1 package): $2.79

Pantry staples needed:
- White rice (for Tuesday and Thursday)
- Russet potatoes (for Friday)
- Olive oil or cooking oil
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic (fresh or powder)
- Cumin
- Chili powder
- Smoked paprika
- Onion