Food City Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: This week's plan is built around simple, kid-friendly favorites that make the most of Food City's sales. Monday's pulled pork sandwiches use the Boston Butt at just $2.98, slow-cooked into something the whole family can pile onto King's Hawaiian Rolls. From there, you'll move into hands-on dinners kids genuinely love: baked chicken tenders with crispy potato fries on Tuesday, backyard-style burgers with coleslaw on Wednesday, and grilled beef franks with a fresh tomato salad on Thursday. Friday wraps things up with a special treat, pan-seared sirloin steak bites over creamy mashed specialty potatoes, giving the week a satisfying finish without any last-minute grocery runs. Every ingredient is chosen to stretch across the week, so you're shopping smart while still keeping dinner easy and approachable every night.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Description: Tender shredded pork slow-cooked until it pulls apart easily, piled onto soft rolls with a simple side salad. A cozy, familiar dinner kids love to build themselves.
Sale items used: Food City Fresh Boston Butt, King's Hawaiian Rolls 12 Ct., American or Italian Salad Mix
Prep time: 20 minutes active, plus slow cook time
Serving note: 2 lbs Boston Butt, 8 of the 12 rolls, half the salad mix bag. Start the pork in the slow cooker in the morning; total cook time runs 6-8 hours, so plan ahead.
Recipes:
- Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches Recipe
- Pulled Pork Sandwich Recipe (In The Slow Cooker!)
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches - Dinner at the Zoo

Tuesday
Meal: Baked Chicken Tenders with Crispy Potato Fries
Description: Juicy chicken breast strips baked until golden, served alongside oven fries cut from russet potatoes. A simple, hands-friendly dinner kids can dip and enjoy.
Sale items used: Boneless Chicken Breast, Basket & Bushel Russet Potatoes 10 Lb., Food Club Shredded Cheese
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: 2 lbs chicken breast cut into strips, 2 lbs of the potato bag cut into fries, small sprinkle of shredded cheese over the fries before baking.
Recipes:
- Potato Chip Chicken Tenders Recipe
- Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries & Homemade Chicken Tenders
- Healthier Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Tenders and Fries

Wednesday
Meal: Backyard Gourmet Burgers with Coleslaw
Description: Griddled beef burgers on soft buns, paired with a light homemade cabbage coleslaw for crunch. A classic dinner that feels like a mini cookout any night of the week.
Sale items used: Gourmet Burgers, Cabbage, Heinz Ketchup
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 4 Gourmet Burgers (one per person), 1 lb cabbage shredded for coleslaw, ketchup on the side.
Recipes:
- Grilled Smokehouse Barbecue Burgers with Coleslaw
- The Best Burger Recipe and Classic Creamy Coleslaw
- Bobby Flay Texas Coleslaw Burgers

Thursday
Meal: Grilled Beef Franks with Fresh Tomato Salad
Description: Snappy beef franks grilled until lightly charred, served with a simple sliced tomato side salad. Quick, familiar, and easy for kids to eat with their hands.
Sale items used: Nathan's Beef Franks, Tomatoes on the Vine
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: 1 pack of Nathan's Beef Franks (serves 4), 1 lb tomatoes sliced and lightly seasoned.
Recipes:
- Chicago-Style Hot Dog Salad

Friday
Meal: Pan-Seared Sirloin Steak Bites with Mashed Specialty Potatoes and Salad
Description: Bite-sized pieces of Top Sirloin Steak pan-seared until browned outside and tender inside, served over creamy mashed specialty potatoes with a side salad. A special end-of-week treat that is still easy for kids to eat.
Sale items used: Top Sirloin Steak (Certified Angus Beef), Specialty Potatoes 24 Oz., American or Italian Salad Mix
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: 1.5 lbs Top Sirloin Steak cut into bite-sized pieces, 2 units of Specialty Potatoes 24 oz mashed, remaining half of the salad mix bag from Monday.
Recipes:
- Garlic Butter Steak and Potatoes Recipe
- Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Potatoes
- Steak Bites with Mashed Potatoes

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Food City Fresh Boston Butt (2 lbs): $2.98
- King's Hawaiian Rolls 12 Ct. (1 pack): $3.99
- American or Italian Salad Mix (2 packs): $5.98
- Boneless Chicken Breast (2 lbs): $5.98
- Basket & Bushel Russet Potatoes 10 Lb. (1 bag): $3.99
- Food Club Shredded Cheese (1 pack): $1.69
- Gourmet Burgers (4 each): $12.00
- Cabbage (1 lb): $0.69
- Heinz Ketchup (1 bottle): $3.99
- Nathan's Beef Franks (1 pack): $4.99
- Tomatoes on the Vine (1 lb): $1.99
- Top Sirloin Steak (Certified Angus Beef) (1.5 lbs): $13.49
- Specialty Potatoes 24 Oz. (2 units): $6.00

Pantry staples needed:
- Salt, pepper, and cooking oil
- Butter or milk for mashing potatoes
- Coleslaw dressing ingredients (mayo, vinegar, sugar) if not using bottled dressing