Food City Standard Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: The pork loin at $1.29/lb is the standout deal of the week, and it anchors Monday at under $3 for the whole protein. Bone-in pork chops at $1.49/lb and Sanderson Farms split chicken breast at $1.99/lb are both genuinely cheap cuts that keep two more nights well under $5 in protein. The Gourmet Burgers at $3.00 each give Friday a fun, flavorful finish at exactly $12.00 for four patties, which is a fair price for a seasoned specialty burger. Salmon at $9.99/lb earns the one premium night on Thursday - it is the least expensive of the truly premium proteins on this flyer and delivers a restaurant-quality dinner for about $20 in protein alone. Ground Round was skipped because the 3 lb minimum purchase would push that single night's protein cost above $20, making it a poor value for one dinner for four. The Smithfield Marinated Pork Picnic Shoulder Roast at $7.99 flat is a tempting deal, but its long braising time makes it a weekend project rather than a weeknight dinner, so it was left out in favor of faster cuts.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Pan-Seared Boneless Pork Loin with Corn and Canned Green Beans
Description: Thick slices of Whole Boneless Pork Loin are seasoned and seared in a skillet until golden and cooked through, served alongside sweet fresh corn cut from the cob and tender canned green beans. It is a simple, satisfying weeknight plate that costs well under a dollar per person in protein.
Sale items used: Whole Boneless Pork Loin (Food City Fresh), Fresh Corn 4 pk, Food Club Vegetables (green beans variety)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Buy approximately 2 lbs of pork loin; slice into 4 portions of about 8 oz each. Use 2 ears of corn from the 4-pack (save remaining 2 ears for Wednesday). Use 1 can of Food Club Vegetables (green beans). Total cook time is well under 60 minutes.

Tuesday
Meal: Baked Split Chicken Breast with Russet Potatoes and Salad
Description: Sanderson Farms split chicken breasts are seasoned with pantry spices and baked until the skin is crisp and the meat is juicy, served with halved roasted russet potatoes and a crisp bagged salad on the side. The split breast is one of the best-value cuts in the store this week and this straightforward oven dinner lets it shine.
Sale items used: Fresh Split Chicken Breast, Sanderson Farms, Family Pack; Russet Potatoes, Basket & Bushel, 10 lb; American or Italian Salad, Fresh Express, 9-11 oz
Prep time: 15 minutes prep, 45 minutes bake
Serving note: Buy approximately 2.5 lbs of split chicken breast (4 pieces). Use about 2 lbs of russet potatoes from the 10 lb bag (bag will carry over for other uses). Use 1 bag of Fresh Express salad. Total time is about 60 minutes; put potatoes in oven first for a 10-minute head start.

Wednesday
Meal: Bone-In Pork Chop Skillet with Corn and Classico Pasta Sauce Braised Tomatoes
Description: Bone-in mixed pork chops are browned in a skillet and finished with a ladleful of Classico pasta sauce and pantry herbs, creating a quick Italian-style pan sauce, served with the remaining fresh corn from Monday's purchase. The tomato-braised method keeps the chops moist and adds bold flavor without any extra shopping.
Sale items used: Mixed Pork Chops, Food City Fresh, Bone-In, Family Pack; Classico Pasta Sauce, Selected Varieties; Fresh Corn 4 pk (remaining 2 ears from Monday)
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Buy approximately 2.5 lbs of bone-in pork chops (4 chops). Buy 1 jar of Classico Pasta Sauce (2/$6.00 deal; use half the jar and save the rest). Use the 2 remaining ears of corn from Monday's 4-pack. Total time is under 60 minutes.
Recipes:
- pork chop skillet

Thursday
Meal: Pan-Seared Fresh Salmon Fillets with Specialty Potatoes and Canned Corn
Description: Fresh salmon fillets are patted dry and seared skin-side down in a hot skillet until the skin is crispy, then flipped briefly to finish, served with roasted specialty potatoes and a side of canned vegetables. This is the premium night of the week, and salmon at $9.99/lb delivers a genuinely impressive dinner for a fraction of what it would cost at a restaurant.
Sale items used: Salmon Fillets, Fresh; Specialty Potatoes, Selected Varieties, Basket & Bushel, 24 oz; That's Smart! Vegetables, Selected Varieties
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Buy approximately 2 lbs of salmon fillets (4 portions of about 6-8 oz each). Buy 1 bag of Specialty Potatoes (24 oz feeds 4 as a side). Buy 1 can of That's Smart! Vegetables. Total time is well under 60 minutes.

Friday
Meal: Gourmet Burger Patties on Sub Rolls with Tillamook Sliced Cheese and Salad
Description: Gourmet Burgers (choose Black & Bleu, Spinach & Feta, or Bacon & Cheddar variety) are pan-cooked or grilled to your preference and served on fresh-baked sub rolls with Tillamook sliced cheese and a side salad. These seasoned specialty patties make Friday feel like a treat without a premium price tag.
Sale items used: Gourmet Burgers, Black & Bleu, Spinach & Feta, Bacon & Cheddar and More, 5 oz; Sub Rolls, Fresh Baked in the Bakery, 4 ct; Tillamook Sliced Cheese; American or Italian Salad, Fresh Express, 9-11 oz
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Buy 4 individual Gourmet Burger patties (1 per person at $3.00 each = $12.00). Buy 1 pack of Sub Rolls (4 ct). Buy 1 package of Tillamook Sliced Cheese ($1.99 each). Buy 1 bag of Fresh Express salad. Total time is well under 60 minutes.
Recipes:
- Cheeseburger Sub With Special Sauce

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Whole Boneless Pork Loin (Food City Fresh) (2 lbs): $2.58
- Fresh Corn, 4 pk (x1 pack): $3.99
- Food Club Vegetables, green beans variety (x1 can): $0.89
- Fresh Split Chicken Breast, Sanderson Farms, Family Pack (2.5 lbs): $4.98
- Russet Potatoes, Basket & Bushel, 10 lb (x1 bag): $4.99
- American or Italian Salad, Fresh Express, 9-11 oz (x2 bags): $5.98
- Mixed Pork Chops, Food City Fresh, Bone-In, Family Pack (2.5 lbs): $3.73
- Classico Pasta Sauce, Selected Varieties (x1 jar, part of 2/$6.00 deal, buy 2): $6.00
- Salmon Fillets, Fresh (2 lbs): $19.98
- Specialty Potatoes, Selected Varieties, Basket & Bushel, 24 oz (x1 bag): $2.99
- That's Smart! Vegetables, Selected Varieties (x1 can): $0.89
- Gourmet Burgers, Black & Bleu, Spinach & Feta, Bacon & Cheddar and More, 5 oz (x4 patties): $12.00
- Sub Rolls, Fresh Baked in the Bakery, 4 ct (x1 pack): $3.99
- Tillamook Sliced Cheese (x1 package): $1.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or vegetable oil (for searing and roasting)
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic powder and onion powder
- Dried Italian seasoning or oregano
- Paprika
- Butter (for finishing pork and salmon)
- Lemon (for salmon)
- Condiments for burgers (ketchup, mustard, mayo)