Kroger Dairy-Free Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: The star of this week is the Perdue Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs at $1.29/lb, which is one of the best meat prices you will find anywhere and anchors Monday's dinner for under $3 total. The Boneless Pork Half Loin at $1.99/lb is another outstanding deal and gives you a completely different flavor profile mid-week. Smithfield Dinner Sausage Links and Simple Truth Italian Chicken Sausage round out two more economical nights with big flavor at very low cost. The Large Peeled & Deveined Shrimp at $7.99/lb is the premium night this week - it is the best premium value on the flyer because the chuck roast and ground chuck both cost more per serving, and the shrimp cooks in minutes with no waste. The Boneless Chuck Roast was skipped because feeding four people at $9.99/lb pushes that protein alone past $20, and the Simple Truth Organic Ground Beef at $25 for the package was skipped for the same reason. The Kroger Tri-Color Peppers at $6.00 for 6 peppers and the Zatarain's Rice Sides at 2 for $3.00 add color and substance across the week without inflating the total.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Baked Perdue Chicken Thighs with Zatarain's Rice and Steamable Vegetables
Description: Bone-in chicken thighs are seasoned with garlic, paprika, and olive oil, then baked in the oven until the skin is golden and the meat is cooked through. A box of Zatarain's Rice Sides and a bag of Kroger Steamable Vegetables round out the plate for a satisfying, hands-off weeknight dinner.
Sale items used: Perdue Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs (or Wings), Zatarain's Rice Sides, Kroger Steamable Vegetables (Frozen)
Prep time: 45 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of Perdue Chicken Thighs (about 4 to 5 thighs) for 4 people. Cook 1 box of Zatarain's Rice Sides and 1 bag of Kroger Steamable Vegetables. Total oven time is about 40 to 45 minutes at 400 degrees F.
Recipes:
- One Pot Baked Chicken Thighs and Rice

Tuesday
Meal: Sliced Boneless Pork Loin with Tri-Color Peppers and Kroger Sweet Corn
Description: A boneless pork loin section is pan-seared and then finished in the oven, sliced into medallions, and served alongside sauteed tri-color peppers and boiled sweet corn on the cob. The peppers add bright color and a slightly sweet flavor that pairs naturally with the lean, mild pork.
Sale items used: Boneless Pork Half Loin, Kroger Tri-Color Peppers (6 ct), Kroger Sweet Corn (4 ct)
Prep time: 50 minutes
Serving note: Use a 2 lb section of Boneless Pork Half Loin for 4 people, sliced into 4 portions after resting. Use 4 of the 6 tri-color peppers, sliced and sauteed. Use all 4 ears of corn from the 4 ct pack. Total time is about 50 minutes including a 5-minute rest; slice the pork after resting for best results.
Recipes:
- Sheet Pan Pork and Peppers

Wednesday
Meal: Smithfield Dinner Sausage Links with Prego Pasta Sauce over Rana Pasta
Description: Smithfield Dinner Sausage Links are browned in a skillet, sliced on the bias, and simmered briefly in Prego Pasta Sauce before being tossed with cooked Rana Pasta for a hearty, one-pan dinner. This is a quick and filling meal that comes together in about 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.
Sale items used: Smithfield Bacon (12-16 oz) or Smithfield Dinner Sausage Links (19 oz), Prego Pasta Sauce (Select Varieties, 23-24 oz), Rana Pasta (10 oz)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package of Smithfield Dinner Sausage Links (19 oz) for 4 people. Use 1 package of Rana Pasta (10 oz) and 1 jar of Prego Pasta Sauce (23-24 oz). Check the Prego label and select a variety with no added dairy. The Rana Pasta package is 10 oz; supplement with a pantry pasta if desired for heartier portions.
Recipes:
- Pasta with Italian Sausage and Broccoli

Thursday
Meal: Simple Truth Italian Chicken Sausage and Tri-Color Pepper Skillet with Zatarain's Rice
Description: Simple Truth Italian Chicken Sausage is sliced and cooked in a skillet with tri-color peppers until lightly browned, then served over a bed of fluffy Zatarain's Rice Sides for a colorful and flavorful one-pan meal. The Italian-seasoned sausage brings bold herb flavor while the peppers add sweetness and crunch.
Sale items used: Simple Truth Italian Chicken Sausage (16 oz), Kroger Tri-Color Peppers (6 ct), Zatarain's Rice Sides
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package of Simple Truth Italian Chicken Sausage (16 oz) for 4 people. Use the remaining 2 tri-color peppers from the 6 ct pack purchased Tuesday. Cook 1 box of Zatarain's Rice Sides as the base.
Recipes:
- Easy Sausage and Rice Skillet Recipe
- One Pot Chicken Sausage and Rice Skillet

Friday
Meal: Garlic and Herb Pan-Seared Large Peeled and Deveined Shrimp with Kroger Sweet Corn and Steamable Vegetables
Description: Large Peeled and Deveined Shrimp are quickly pan-seared in olive oil with garlic, red pepper flakes, and fresh herbs until pink and lightly caramelized at the edges, then served alongside Kroger Steamable Vegetables and sweet corn for a bright, festive end to the week. The shrimp cook in under 5 minutes, making this the fastest dinner of the week despite being the most impressive.
Sale items used: Large Peeled & Deveined Shrimp 31-40 ct (2 lb bag), Kroger Sweet Corn (4 ct), Kroger Steamable Vegetables (Frozen)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of Large Peeled and Deveined Shrimp from the 2 lb bag for 4 people (the remaining shrimp can be refrigerated for use within 1 to 2 days). Use 1 bag of Kroger Steamable Vegetables and the 4 ct Kroger Sweet Corn pack. Boil corn while the shrimp sear for a fully parallel cook.
Recipes:
- 10-Minute Pan Seared Shrimp (Dairy Free)

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Perdue Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs (or Wings) (2 lbs): $2.58
- Zatarain's Rice Sides (2 boxes, 2 for $3.00 deal): $3.00
- Kroger Steamable Vegetables (Frozen) (2 bags, 2 for $3.00 deal): $3.00
- Boneless Pork Half Loin (2 lbs): $3.98
- Kroger Tri-Color Peppers (6 ct) (1 pack): $6.00
- Kroger Sweet Corn (4 ct) (1 pack, purchased as part of 2 for $7.00 deal with potatoes): $3.50
- Private Selection Gourmet Potatoes (1.5 lb bag) (1 bag, purchased as part of 2 for $7.00 deal to complete the pair): $3.50
- Smithfield Dinner Sausage Links (19 oz) (1 package): $3.99
- Prego Pasta Sauce (Select Varieties, 23-24 oz) (1 jar): $1.59
- Rana Pasta (10 oz) (1 package): $3.99
- Simple Truth Italian Chicken Sausage (16 oz) (1 package): $4.99
- Large Peeled & Deveined Shrimp 31-40 ct (2 lb bag) (1 bag, 1.5 lbs used): $15.98

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil
- Garlic (fresh or minced)
- Paprika
- Red pepper flakes
- Dried Italian herbs or herb blend
- Salt and black pepper
- Water for boiling corn and cooking pasta