Food City Dairy-Free Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: The two standout values this week are Fresh Split Chicken Breast, Sanderson Farms Family Pack and Whole Boneless Pork Loin, Food City Fresh, both at just $1.99/lb, which anchor two of the five dinners at around a dollar a serving for protein. Ground Beef, Food City Fresh, 81% Lean at $2.99/lb is the third economical anchor, and Nathan's Beef Franks at $4.99 for a full pack rounds out the budget-friendly nights with a fun, different format. Fresh Tilapia Fillets, Farm Raised at $6.99/lb earns the one premium night as the most practical and least expensive of the higher-cost proteins on this flyer, coming in well below the shrimp and steak options. The Chuck Roast was skipped because its braising time runs well past 60 minutes and its per-serving cost is high, and both sirloin steaks were passed over as the most expensive proteins on the flyer. Canned That's Smart! Vegetables at $0.89 each and Loose Corn at 2/$1.00 keep the side dish costs minimal across the week.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Pan-Seared Fresh Tilapia Fillets with Sweet Corn and Canned Green Beans
Description: Seasoned tilapia fillets are seared in a hot skillet until golden and flaky, served alongside sweet corn cut from the cob and warmed canned green beans. The bright, mild fish pairs well with the natural sweetness of the corn for a light but satisfying weeknight dinner.
Sale items used: Fresh Tilapia Fillets, Farm Raised; Loose Corn, Sweet; That's Smart! Vegetables, Selected Varieties (green beans)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of Fresh Tilapia Fillets, Farm Raised for 4 people. Buy 4 ears of Loose Corn, Sweet (2 pairs at 2/$1.00). Buy 1 can of That's Smart! Vegetables, Selected Varieties (green beans).
Recipes:
- Pan-Fried Tilapia with Corn and Green Beans

Tuesday
Meal: Skillet Ground Beef and Potato Hash with Vidalia Onions and Tomatoes
Description: Ground beef is browned in a skillet with diced Vidalia onions, then tossed with sliced cooked potatoes and chopped beefsteak tomatoes for a hearty one-pan hash. The caramelized onions and beef drippings season the potatoes naturally, making this a filling and flavorful dinner with no dairy needed.
Sale items used: Ground Beef, Food City Fresh, 81% Lean; Tasteful Selections Potatoes, Selected Varieties, 16 oz; Vidalia Onions, Sweet; Beefsteak Tomatoes, Vine Ripened
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of Ground Beef, Food City Fresh, 81% Lean. Buy 1 bag (16 oz) of Tasteful Selections Potatoes, Selected Varieties. Buy 1 lb of Vidalia Onions, Sweet. Buy 1 lb of Beefsteak Tomatoes, Vine Ripened.
Recipes:
- Italian Ground Beef and Potatoes Recipe

Wednesday
Meal: Baked Fresh Split Chicken Breast with Canned Corn and Sliced Watermelon
Description: Split chicken breasts are seasoned with pantry spices and baked until the skin is golden and the meat is juicy, served with warmed canned corn and refreshing chilled watermelon on the side. This straightforward oven dinner is hands-off once the chicken goes in, making it easy to get everything on the table at once.
Sale items used: Fresh Split Chicken Breast, Sanderson Farms Family Pack; That's Smart! Vegetables, Selected Varieties (corn); Sliced Watermelon Quarters, Cut Fresh In-Store
Prep time: 45 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of Fresh Split Chicken Breast, Sanderson Farms Family Pack for 4 people. Buy 1 can of That's Smart! Vegetables, Selected Varieties (corn). Buy 1 lb of Sliced Watermelon Quarters, Cut Fresh In-Store as a side.

Thursday
Meal: Sliced Whole Boneless Pork Loin with Canned Peas and Honeycrisp Apples
Description: A portion of the boneless pork loin is sliced into medallions, seasoned, and pan-cooked until browned through, then served with warmed canned peas and fresh sliced Honeycrisp apples on the side for a naturally sweet complement. The apple slices brighten the savory pork without any added dairy, keeping the plate colorful and balanced.
Sale items used: Whole Boneless Pork Loin, Food City Fresh; That's Smart! Vegetables, Selected Varieties (peas); Juicy Honeycrisp Apples
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of Whole Boneless Pork Loin, Food City Fresh, sliced into medallions. Buy 1 can of That's Smart! Vegetables, Selected Varieties (peas). Buy 1 lb of Juicy Honeycrisp Apples.
Recipes:
- Roast Pork Loin with Fennel & Apples

Friday
Meal: Grilled Nathan's Beef Franks on That's Smart! Sandwich Bread with Vidalia Onions and Beefsteak Tomatoes
Description: Beef franks are grilled or cooked in a skillet until charred and snappy, then served on sandwich bread with sliced Vidalia onions and fresh beefsteak tomatoes as toppings. This crowd-pleasing Friday dinner comes together in minutes and lets everyone build their own plate with the fresh produce toppings.
Sale items used: Nathan's Beef Franks, Sandwich Brats or Johnsonville Brats, 11-14 oz / 12-14 oz; That's Smart! Sandwich Bread, 20 oz; Vidalia Onions, Sweet; Beefsteak Tomatoes, Vine Ripened
Prep time: 15 minutes
Serving note: Buy 1 pack of Nathan's Beef Franks, Sandwich Brats or Johnsonville Brats (feeds 4). Buy 1 loaf of That's Smart! Sandwich Bread, 20 oz. Buy 0.5 lb of Vidalia Onions, Sweet. Buy 0.5 lb of Beefsteak Tomatoes, Vine Ripened.

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh Tilapia Fillets, Farm Raised (2 lbs): $13.98
- Loose Corn, Sweet (4 ears / 2 pairs): $1.00
- That's Smart! Vegetables, Selected Varieties - green beans (1 can): $0.89
- Ground Beef, Food City Fresh, 81% Lean (1.5 lbs): $4.49
- Tasteful Selections Potatoes, Selected Varieties, 16 oz (1 bag): $2.99
- Vidalia Onions, Sweet (1.5 lbs total across Tuesday and Friday): $1.94
- Beefsteak Tomatoes, Vine Ripened (1.5 lbs total across Tuesday and Friday): $2.99
- Fresh Split Chicken Breast, Sanderson Farms Family Pack (2 lbs): $3.98
- That's Smart! Vegetables, Selected Varieties - corn (1 can): $0.89
- Sliced Watermelon Quarters, Cut Fresh In-Store (1 lb): $0.99
- Whole Boneless Pork Loin, Food City Fresh (2 lbs): $3.98
- That's Smart! Vegetables, Selected Varieties - peas (1 can): $0.89
- Juicy Honeycrisp Apples (1 lb): $1.99
- Nathan's Beef Franks, Sandwich Brats or Johnsonville Brats, 11-14 oz / 12-14 oz (1 pack): $4.99
- That's Smart! Sandwich Bread, 20 oz (1 loaf): $1.69

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or vegetable oil (for searing and pan-cooking)
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Salt and black pepper
- Dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- Mustard (for franks, optional)
- Ketchup (for franks, optional, check label for dairy-free)