Kroger Standard Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: The star of this week is the Perdue Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs at just $0.99/lb - that is one of the best meat prices you will find anywhere, and it anchors Monday's dinner for under $2 total. Kroger Dinner Sausage Links at $3.99 a package and Eckrich Smoked Sausage at $2.99 with the digital coupon give you two more hearty, flavorful nights at well under $1 per person for the protein alone. Springer Mountain Boneless Chicken Breast at $3.99/lb is a clean, versatile cut that rounds out a fourth economical night without repeating the drumstick format. The Jumbo EZ Peel Shrimp at $7.99/lb earns the one premium spot this week - at roughly $3.00 per serving it is meaningfully cheaper than the lobster tails ($6.00/serving) and the Tri Tip Roast ($5.50/serving), making it the best premium value on this flyer while still delivering a genuinely special Friday dinner. The Mix & Match 5-for-$0.99 deal on pantry items like Hunt's Pasta Sauce, Birds Eye Frozen Vegetables, and Knorr Sides is a real budget multiplier that keeps side costs minimal across the whole week.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Baked Perdue Chicken Thighs with Roasted Baby Carrots and Knorr Rice Side
Description: Bone-in chicken thighs are seasoned and baked until the skin is golden and the meat is fully cooked through, served alongside tender oven-roasted baby carrots and a fluffy Knorr rice side. This is a classic, satisfying weeknight dinner that comes together with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Sale items used: Perdue Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs (or Wings), Kroger Cut & Peeled Baby Carrots (1 lb), Knorr Sides (4.5-7 oz)
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 40 minutes bake time
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of Perdue Chicken Thighs (roughly 4-5 thighs) for 4 people. Use 1 lb bag of Kroger Cut & Peeled Baby Carrots tossed in olive oil and roasted alongside the chicken. Use 1 package of Knorr Sides prepared per package directions. Total time is about 55 minutes; preheat oven while prepping to stay on schedule.
Recipes:
- Oven-Baked Chicken Thighs with Roasted Carrots and Rice

Tuesday
Meal: Kroger Dinner Sausage Links with Sauteed Birds Eye Vegetables and Naan Dippers
Description: Kroger Dinner Sausage Links are pan-seared until browned and cooked through, then served with a colorful Birds Eye frozen vegetable mix sauteed in the same skillet to pick up the savory drippings. Stonefire Naan Dippers serve as a warm, chewy side for scooping and dipping.
Sale items used: Kroger Dinner Sausage Links (18 oz), Birds Eye Frozen Vegetables (8-10.8 oz), Stonefire Naan Dippers (7.05 oz, In the Bakery)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package (18 oz) of Kroger Dinner Sausage Links, which provides 4 generous servings. Use 1 package of Birds Eye Frozen Vegetables (part of the Mix & Match 5 deal). Use 1 package of Stonefire Naan Dippers warmed in the oven for 5 minutes.

Wednesday
Meal: Sloppy Joe Sandwiches with Kroger 80% Lean Ground Beef on Kroger Bread
Description: Kroger 80% Lean Ground Beef is browned and simmered in Manwich Sauce until thick and saucy, then spooned generously over slices of toasted Kroger Bread for a hearty, messy, crowd-pleasing dinner. A side of Kraft BBQ Sauce-dressed baby carrots adds crunch and color to the plate.
Sale items used: Kroger 80% Lean Ground Beef, Manwich Sauce (15-16 oz), Kroger Bread (20 oz), Kraft BBQ Sauce (17.5-18 oz), Kroger Cut & Peeled Baby Carrots (1 lb)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of Kroger 80% Lean Ground Beef for 4 people. Use 1 can of Manwich Sauce. Use 1 loaf of Kroger Bread (toast 8 slices for open-faced sandwiches). Use 1 lb bag of Kroger Cut & Peeled Baby Carrots served raw with Kraft BBQ Sauce as a dipping side. Manwich Sauce, Kraft BBQ Sauce, and Kroger Bread are all part of the Mix & Match 5 deal at $0.99 each.
Recipes:
- Sloppy Joes Recipe

Thursday
Meal: Pan-Seared Eckrich Smoked Sausage and Sweet Corn with Hunt's Pasta Sauce over Knorr Pasta Side
Description: Sliced Eckrich Smoked Sausage is pan-seared until caramelized, then combined with sweet corn cut from the cob and tossed with Hunt's Pasta Sauce over a prepared Knorr pasta side for a smoky, hearty one-pan dinner. The combination of sweet corn, tangy tomato sauce, and savory smoked sausage makes this a deeply satisfying meal with very little cleanup.
Sale items used: Eckrich Smoked Sausage (12-14 oz) (with Digital Coupon), Kroger Sweet Corn (4 ct Tray), Hunt's Pasta Sauce (24 oz), Knorr Sides (4.5-7 oz)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package (12-14 oz) of Eckrich Smoked Sausage sliced into coins. Use 4 ears of sweet corn from 1 Kroger Sweet Corn 4 ct Tray, cut from the cob after a quick boil or microwave. Use 1 can of Hunt's Pasta Sauce and 1 package of Knorr Sides. Hunt's Pasta Sauce and Knorr Sides are part of the Mix & Match 5 deal at $0.99 each.

Friday
Meal: Garlic Butter Pan-Seared Jumbo EZ Peel Shrimp with Birds Eye Steamer Vegetables
Description: Raw Jumbo EZ Peel Shrimp are peeled and pan-seared in garlic butter until pink and lightly golden at the edges, then plated over a steamed Birds Eye Steamer Vegetables bag for a bright, satisfying end-of-week dinner. The shrimp cook in under 10 minutes, making this the fastest meal of the week despite feeling like a special occasion.
Sale items used: Jumbo EZ Peel Shrimp (21-25 ct, Raw, Sold in 2 lb bag), Birds Eye Steamer Vegetables (8-16 oz)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of Jumbo EZ Peel Shrimp from the 2 lb bag (approximately 32-38 shrimp for 4 people, about 8-9 shrimp per person). Use 1 package of Birds Eye Steamer Vegetables microwaved per package directions. The remaining shrimp from the bag can be refrigerated and used within 1-2 days or refrozen.
Recipes:
- Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp and Vegetable Skillet
- Garlic Butter Shrimp and Veggies Skillet

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Perdue Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs (or Wings) (2 lbs): $1.98
- Kroger Cut & Peeled Baby Carrots (1 lb) x2: $2.78
- Knorr Sides (4.5-7 oz) x2 (part of Mix & Match 5): $1.98
- Kroger Dinner Sausage Links (18 oz) x1: $3.99
- Birds Eye Frozen Vegetables (8-10.8 oz) x1 (part of Mix & Match 5): $0.99
- Stonefire Naan Dippers (7.05 oz, In the Bakery) x1: $1.99
- Kroger 80% Lean Ground Beef (1.5 lbs): $7.49
- Manwich Sauce (15-16 oz) x1 (part of Mix & Match 5): $0.99
- Kroger Bread (20 oz) x1 (part of Mix & Match 5): $1.99
- Kraft BBQ Sauce (17.5-18 oz) x1 (part of Mix & Match 5): $0.99
- Eckrich Smoked Sausage (12-14 oz) x1 (with Digital Coupon): $2.99
- Kroger Sweet Corn (4 ct Tray) x1: $4.99
- Hunt's Pasta Sauce (24 oz) x1 (part of Mix & Match 5): $0.99
- Jumbo EZ Peel Shrimp (21-25 ct, Raw, Sold in 2 lb bag) (1.5 lbs used, priced per lb): $11.99
- Birds Eye Steamer Vegetables (8-16 oz) x2 (2 for $4.00): $4.00

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil
- Garlic (fresh or minced)
- Butter
- Salt and black pepper
- Paprika or seasoning blend for chicken
- Cooking spray