Meijer Dairy-Free Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: Chicken thighs at $1.49/lb are the standout deal of the week and anchor two dinners with completely different flavor profiles so the week never feels repetitive. Pork loin chops at $3.99 flat and the Smithfield pork tenderloin at $6.99 fill two more nights with great value cuts that cook quickly on a weeknight. The single premium night goes to the Fresh from Meijer Seasoned Atlantic Salmon Portions at $8.99 per 9 oz. pack - two packs cover four people and it is the most practical premium option on the flyer compared to strip steak at nearly $28 for four servings. Ground beef was skipped entirely because the 2.25 lb minimum package at $7.29/lb pushes the per-person cost higher than the pork options, and the 3 lb roll formats are priced too high to keep the week within range. The Russet Potatoes 5 lb. bag and Bell Peppers at $1 each (when buying 7) are used as supporting vegetables across multiple nights to stretch the budget, and the Knorr Pasta or Rice Side at $1.50 fills out a couple of plates without adding much cost.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Baked Chicken Thighs with Roasted Bell Peppers and Russet Potatoes
Description: Bone-in chicken thighs are seasoned and baked alongside cubed russet potatoes and sliced bell peppers until the skin is golden and the potatoes are tender. This is a simple one-pan oven dinner that comes together with minimal prep and delivers satisfying, hearty flavors.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Thighs All natural ($1.49/lb), Red, Yellow, Orange or Aloha Bell Pepper ($1 when you buy 7 or more), Russet Potatoes 5 lb. bag ($1 when you buy 7 or more)
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 45 minutes oven time
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of chicken thighs (roughly 4-5 pieces) for 4 people. Use 3 bell peppers and about 1.5 lbs of russet potatoes from the 5 lb bag. Total oven time is about 45 minutes at 425 degrees F, so dinner is on the table in about 60 minutes from start to finish.

Tuesday
Meal: Seared Pork Loin Chops with Vidalia Onion Pan Sauce and Steamed Vegetables
Description: Boneless pork loin chops are seared in a hot skillet until cooked through, then a quick pan sauce is built with sliced Vidalia onions and Swanson broth for a savory, lightly sweet finish. Meijer Frozen Steamable Vegetables round out the plate for a fast, complete weeknight dinner.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Chops Boneless ($3.99 final price), Bulk Vidalia Onions ($1.29/lb), Swanson Broth 14.5 oz. ($1 when you buy 7 or more), Meijer Frozen Steamable Vegetables 12 oz. ($1 when you buy 7 or more)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: One pack of Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Chops Boneless feeds 4 people. Use about 0.5 lb of Vidalia onions (roughly 1 medium onion). One 14.5 oz. can of Swanson broth is enough for the pan sauce. One 12 oz. bag of steamable vegetables serves 4 as a side.

Wednesday
Meal: Sliced Smithfield Pork Tenderloin with Knorr Rice Side and Bolthouse Carrot Sides
Description: The Smithfield Pork Loin Filet is roasted in the oven until juicy and then sliced thin against the grain for tender, flavorful portions. A prepared Knorr Rice Side and the Bolthouse Carrot Sides complete the plate for a well-rounded, low-effort dinner.
Sale items used: Smithfield Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin 19.2-27.2 oz. ($6.99), Knorr Pasta or Rice Side 4-5.7 oz. ($1.50 for 2 for $3 final price), Bolthouse Carrot Sides 10-14 oz. ($2.49)
Prep time: 10 minutes active, 25-30 minutes oven time
Serving note: One Smithfield package (19.2-27.2 oz.) feeds 4 people comfortably when sliced. Buy 2 Knorr Rice Sides (2 for $3) so there is enough rice for 4 servings. One Bolthouse Carrot Sides package serves 4 as a side. Total time is about 40 minutes.

Thursday
Meal: Pan-Seared Chicken Tenderloins with Frederik's Gourmet Pasta and Vidalia Onion
Description: Boneless chicken tenderloins are seasoned and pan-seared until golden, then served over cooked Frederik's Gourmet Pasta tossed with sauteed Vidalia onion and a splash of broth to keep it dairy-free and flavorful. This is a lighter, brighter dinner that contrasts nicely with the heartier pork and baked chicken nights earlier in the week.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Boneless Chicken Tenderloins All natural ($3.99/lb), Frederik's by Meijer Gourmet Pasta 12-16 oz. ($2.99), Bulk Vidalia Onions ($1.29/lb), Swanson Broth 14.5 oz. ($1 when you buy 7 or more)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of chicken tenderloins for 4 people. One 12-16 oz. package of Frederik's Gourmet Pasta feeds 4 as a base. Use about 0.5 lb of Vidalia onions. One 14.5 oz. can of Swanson broth is enough to finish the pasta sauce.

Friday
Meal: Oven-Baked Fresh Seasoned Atlantic Salmon Portions with Russet Potatoes and Bell Pepper
Description: Fresh from Meijer Seasoned Atlantic Salmon Portions are baked in the oven until flaky and served alongside roasted cubed russet potatoes and sliced bell pepper for a colorful, satisfying end-of-week dinner. The salmon portions come pre-seasoned, so this meal requires almost no prep beyond cutting the vegetables.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Seasoned Atlantic Salmon Portions 9 oz. ($8.99), Russet Potatoes 5 lb. bag ($1 when you buy 7 or more), Red, Yellow, Orange or Aloha Bell Pepper ($1 when you buy 7 or more)
Prep time: 10 minutes active, 20-25 minutes oven time
Serving note: Buy 2 packages of Fresh from Meijer Seasoned Atlantic Salmon Portions (2 x 9 oz. = 18 oz. total) for 4 people, roughly one portion per person with a generous side. Use about 1.5 lbs of russet potatoes from the bag already purchased. Use 2 bell peppers. Total time is about 35 minutes.
Recipes:
- Sheet Pan Salmon With Veggies

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Thighs All natural (2 lbs): $2.98
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Chops Boneless (1 pack, final price): $3.99
- Smithfield Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin 19.2-27.2 oz. (1 pkg): $6.99
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Boneless Chicken Tenderloins All natural (1.5 lbs): $5.99
- Fresh from Meijer Seasoned Atlantic Salmon Portions 9 oz. (x2 pkgs): $17.98
- Russet Potatoes 5 lb. bag (x7 bags to qualify for $1 each deal, using 1 bag across the week): $7.00
- Red, Yellow, Orange or Aloha Bell Pepper (x7 to qualify for $1 each deal, using 5 across the week): $7.00
- Bulk Vidalia Onions (1 lb): $1.29
- Swanson Broth 14.5 oz. (x7 to qualify for $1 each deal, using 2 across the week): $7.00
- Meijer Frozen Steamable Vegetables 12 oz. (x7 to qualify for $1 each deal, using 1 across the week): $7.00
- Frederik's by Meijer Gourmet Pasta 12-16 oz. (1 pkg): $2.99
- Knorr Pasta or Rice Side 4-5.7 oz. (2 pkgs, 2 for $3 final price): $3.00
- Bolthouse Carrot Sides 10-14 oz. (1 pkg): $2.49

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or cooking oil for searing and roasting
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Dried Italian herbs or oregano
- Cooking spray