Food City Standard Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: The two standout anchor proteins this week are Fresh Split Chicken Breast and Whole Boneless Pork Loin, both at just $1.99/lb - that is an exceptional price for either cut and they each feed four people for under $4. Ground Beef at $2.99/lb (with card and the qualifying $25 purchase, which this shop easily clears) is another strong everyday value and gives the week a completely different flavor direction. Fresh Tilapia Fillets at $6.99/lb rounds out the economical half of the week with a light, fast-cooking fish dinner that breaks up the meat-heavy lineup. The single premium night goes to Wild Caught Gulf Shrimp at $8.99/lb - it is the most affordable of the premium proteins on this flyer and comes in well below either sirloin option, making it the smartest splurge of the week. The Prime Top Sirloin at $10.99/lb and the Chuck Roast (which needs a long braise) were both deliberately skipped to keep the total in a comfortable range for a weeknight plan.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Pan-Seared Boneless Pork Loin Slices with Vidalia Onions and Beefsteak Tomatoes
Description: Thick slices of Whole Boneless Pork Loin are seasoned and seared in a hot skillet until golden, then finished with sweet Vidalia Onions and Beefsteak Tomatoes that soften into a savory pan sauce. Served alongside Tasteful Selections Potatoes roasted in the same oven, this is a hearty, flavor-packed weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.
Sale items used: Whole Boneless Pork Loin, Food City Fresh; Vidalia Onions, Sweet; Beefsteak Tomatoes, Vine Ripened; Tasteful Selections Potatoes, Selected Varieties, 16 oz.
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of pork loin sliced into 4 portions (about 8 oz each). Use 1 lb Vidalia Onions, 1 lb Beefsteak Tomatoes, and 1 bag (16 oz) Tasteful Selections Potatoes for the side.

Tuesday
Meal: Skillet Ground Beef Tacos with Beefsteak Tomatoes and Vidalia Onions on Sandwich Bread Wraps
Description: Seasoned Ground Beef is browned in a skillet with diced Vidalia Onions and Beefsteak Tomatoes, then spooned onto slices of That's Smart! Sandwich Bread folded into soft wraps for a budget-friendly taco-style dinner. The juicy beef filling is bold and satisfying, and the pantry spices bring all the classic taco flavor without any specialty ingredients.
Sale items used: Ground Beef, Food City Fresh, 81% Lean; Vidalia Onions, Sweet; Beefsteak Tomatoes, Vine Ripened; That's Smart! Sandwich Bread, 20 oz.
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs ground beef for 4 people (about 6 oz per person before cooking). Use 0.5 lb Vidalia Onions and 0.5 lb Beefsteak Tomatoes diced into the filling. One loaf of That's Smart! Sandwich Bread provides ample wraps for the meal and leftovers for the week.

Wednesday
Meal: Baked Fresh Split Chicken Breast with Caesar Kit Salad
Description: Sanderson Farms Fresh Split Chicken Breasts are rubbed with pantry spices and baked until the skin is crispy and the meat is juicy, making for a classic, satisfying dinner with almost no hands-on time. A Fresh Express Caesar Kit tossed tableside adds a crisp, creamy counterpoint and rounds out the plate without any extra cooking.
Sale items used: Fresh Split Chicken Breast, Sanderson Farms Family Pack; Caesar or Caesar Lite Kit, Fresh Express, 9.8-10 oz.
Prep time: 50 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of split chicken breasts (2 large or 4 smaller pieces) for 4 people. Use 1 kit (9.8-10 oz) of Fresh Express Caesar or Caesar Lite Kit, which serves 4 as a side salad. Chicken goes into the oven first; toss the salad while it rests.

Thursday
Meal: Lemon-Garlic Pan-Fried Fresh Tilapia Fillets with That's Smart! Vegetables
Description: Fresh Tilapia Fillets are lightly dredged in pantry flour and pan-fried in a little oil until flaky and golden at the edges, then finished with a squeeze of lemon and garlic butter right in the skillet. That's Smart! Vegetables are heated on the stovetop as a quick, colorful side that keeps the total cost of this dinner impressively low.
Sale items used: Fresh Tilapia Fillets, Farm Raised; That's Smart! Vegetables, 14.5-15.25 oz.
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of Fresh Tilapia Fillets for 4 people (about 6 oz per person). Use 2 cans (14.5-15.25 oz each) of That's Smart! Vegetables for a generous side for four.

Friday
Meal: Garlic Butter Wild Caught Gulf Shrimp over Skillet-Toasted Garlic Loaf Bread
Description: Wild Caught Gulf Shrimp are warmed through in a skillet with garlic butter, lemon, and a pinch of red pepper flakes, then spooned over thick slices of Garlic Loaf Bread that have been toasted cut-side down in the pan until golden and crisp. It is a fast, festive Friday dinner that feels indulgent but comes together in under 20 minutes since the shrimp are already cooked.
Sale items used: Wild Caught Gulf Shrimp, Cooked, Previously Frozen, 41/60 ct.; Garlic Loaf Bread, Baked Fresh Daily
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of Wild Caught Gulf Shrimp for 4 people (about 6 oz per person). Use 1 loaf of Garlic Loaf Bread, Baked Fresh Daily, sliced into 4 generous portions as the base.
Recipes:
- Ultimate Cheesy Garlic Butter Shrimp Bread Boats

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Whole Boneless Pork Loin, Food City Fresh (2 lbs): $3.98
- Vidalia Onions, Sweet (1.5 lbs): $1.94
- Beefsteak Tomatoes, Vine Ripened (1.5 lbs): $2.99
- Tasteful Selections Potatoes, Selected Varieties, 16 oz. (x1 bag): $2.99
- Ground Beef, Food City Fresh, 81% Lean (1.5 lbs): $4.49
- That's Smart! Sandwich Bread, 20 oz. (x1 loaf): $1.69
- Fresh Split Chicken Breast, Sanderson Farms Family Pack (2 lbs): $3.98
- Caesar or Caesar Lite Kit, Fresh Express, 9.8-10 oz. (x1 kit): $2.99
- Fresh Tilapia Fillets, Farm Raised (1.5 lbs): $10.49
- That's Smart! Vegetables, 14.5-15.25 oz. (x2 cans): $1.78
- Wild Caught Gulf Shrimp, Cooked, Previously Frozen, 41/60 ct. (1.5 lbs): $13.49
- Garlic Loaf Bread, Baked Fresh Daily (x1 loaf): $3.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or vegetable oil
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic (fresh or minced)
- Paprika and cumin (for taco seasoning)
- Chili powder
- All-purpose flour (for tilapia dredge)
- Butter
- Lemon juice or fresh lemon
- Red pepper flakes
- Dried oregano or Italian seasoning