Giant Dairy-Free Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: This week's plan builds around Giant's sale proteins, giving you chicken drumsticks on Monday, ground beef tacos on Tuesday, pork chops on Wednesday, a whole roasted chicken fryer on Thursday, and shrimp stir-fry on Friday, so every dinner is fully dairy-free without feeling repetitive. Cosmic Crisp or Pink Lady apples show up twice, roasted alongside both the drumsticks and the whole chicken, turning a $2.58 produce buy into a sweet, hands-off side twice over. Hass avocados and the Giant salad blends, grape tomatoes or mini cucumbers packs also pull double duty across the week, keeping things fresh while making good use of what's on sale. Prep stays simple too, from quick 25-minute skillet and stir-fry nights to a mostly hands-off roast on Thursday, so you get variety without a lot of extra kitchen time.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Roasted Apples and Salad Blend
Description: Chicken drumsticks are seasoned and baked until crisp-skinned and juicy, served alongside sweet roasted apple wedges. A simple dressed salad blend rounds out the plate.
Sale items used: Fresh Chicken Drumsticks or Leg Quarters, Cosmic Crisp or Pink Lady Apples, Giant Salad Blends
Prep time: 45 minutes
Serving note: 2 lb drumsticks, 1 lb apples sliced and roasted, 1 bag salad blend with oil-and-vinegar dressing.
Recipes:
- Healthy Baked Chicken Drumsticks (Easy Sheet Pan Dinner)
- Roasted Chicken Drumsticks with Squash and Apple
- Roasted chicken legs with apple Recipe

Tuesday
Meal: Ground Beef Taco Skillet with Avocado and Salad Blend
Description: Ground beef is browned in a skillet with taco seasoning for a quick, flavorful weeknight taco filling. Serve with sliced avocado and a crisp salad blend on the side.
Sale items used: 73% Lean Ground Beef, Hass Avocados, Giant Salad Blends
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 1.5 lb ground beef, 2 avocados sliced, 1 bag salad blend, plus tortillas or taco shells from pantry.
Recipes:
- Ground Beef Taco Skillet (One-Pot Recipe)
- Mexican Ground Beef Taco Skillet
- Easy Taco Skillet (One-Pan Dinner in 30 Minutes)

Wednesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Mini Cucumber Salad
Description: Pork chops are pan-seared for a golden crust and juicy center, finished with a squeeze of lemon. A cool mini cucumber salad balances the richness.
Sale items used: St. Louis-Style Pork Ribs or Assorted Pork Chops, Giant Salad Blends, Grape Tomatoes or Mini Cucumbers
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: 2 lb pork chops, 1 pack mini cucumbers sliced thin with vinegar and herbs.
Recipes:
- Pan-Seared Pork Chops - Food Faith Fitness
- Pan Seared Pork Chops (Easy Recipe)
- Pan-Seared Pork Chops Recipe: How to Make It

Thursday
Meal: Whole Roasted Chicken Fryer with Apples
Description: A whole chicken fryer is roasted until golden and tender, with apple wedges caramelizing alongside in the pan. Simple herbs keep the flavor clean and comforting.
Sale items used: Whole Chicken Fryer, Cosmic Crisp or Pink Lady Apples
Prep time: 75 minutes (roast ahead or start early; most of this time is hands-off oven roasting)
Serving note: One 4 lb whole chicken fryer, 1 lb apples quartered and roasted alongside.
Recipes:
- Roast Whole Chicken with Potatoes and Apples (Dairy-free)
- Roast Chicken With Apples
- Chicken with Apples and Maple-Lime Sauce

Friday
Meal: Shrimp Stir-Fry with Mini Cucumbers and Avocado
Description: Large shrimp are quickly stir-fried with garlic for a fast, flavorful finish, tossed with crisp mini cucumbers. Sliced avocado adds a creamy contrast on top.
Sale items used: Large Raw EZ Peel Shrimp, Giant Salad Blends, Grape Tomatoes or Mini Cucumbers, Hass Avocados
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 1.5 lb shrimp, 1 pack mini cucumbers, 2 avocados sliced for topping.
Recipes:
- 5-Ingredient Shrimp and Avocado Stir-Fry with Lemon
- Shrimp Stir-Fry with Tomatoes, Avocado, and Garlic
- 15-Minute Spicy Shrimp And Vegetable Stir-Fry

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh Chicken Drumsticks or Leg Quarters (2 lbs): $1.98
- 73% Lean Ground Beef, Family Size (1.5 lbs): $5.24
- St. Louis-Style Pork Chops (2 lbs): $4.98
- Whole Chicken Fryer (4 lbs): $5.96
- Large Raw EZ Peel Shrimp (1.5 lbs): $8.99
- Cosmic Crisp or Pink Lady Apples (2 lbs): $2.58
- Hass Avocados (4 count): $5.00
- Giant Salad Blends, Grape Tomatoes or Mini Cucumbers (4 packs, mixed salad blends and mini cucumbers): $10.00

Pantry staples needed:
- Taco seasoning
- Tortillas or taco shells
- Cooking oil
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic
- Soy sauce (check label for dairy-free, most are)
- Lemon
- Vinegar and dried herbs for salad dressings