Meijer Dairy-Free Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: Chicken drumsticks at $0.99/lb are the undisputed star of this flyer - you can feed four people a satisfying dinner for under $2.50 in protein, which is nearly unbeatable. Pork loin assorted chops at $1.99/lb and chicken breasts at $2.29/lb give you two more very affordable weeknight anchors, and Eckrich sausage at $2.29 a pack rounds out the economical proteins nicely. The Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers at $4.99 per 10 oz pack are the best premium value on this flyer this week - two packs feed four people for about $10, which is a fraction of what the ribeye would cost and still delivers a special Friday feel. Vidalia onions and baby-cut carrots from the sale round out several meals without adding much cost, and the Frederik's by Meijer Gourmet Pasta at $2.99 gives Tuesday a hearty, filling base that stretches the ground beef further.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Baby-Cut Carrots and Vidalia Onions
Description: Chicken drumsticks are seasoned with garlic, paprika, and olive oil, then baked alongside baby-cut carrots and sliced Vidalia onions until the skin is golden and the vegetables are tender and caramelized. This is a one-pan dinner that comes together with almost no prep and delivers big, savory flavor at a fraction of the cost of most weeknight proteins.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Drumsticks All natural, Baby-Cut Carrots 1 lb. bag, Vidalia Onions 5 lb. bag
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 45 minutes in the oven
Serving note: Use 2.5 lbs of chicken drumsticks (roughly 8 to 10 pieces for 4 people), 1 lb bag of baby-cut carrots, and about 1 lb of Vidalia onions sliced 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 start to finish.
Recipes:
- One Pan Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Potatoes & Carrots

Tuesday
Meal: Ground Beef and Pasta Skillet with Vidalia Onions and Carrots
Description: Ground beef is browned in a skillet with diced Vidalia onion, then simmered with canned tomatoes, garlic, and Italian seasoning before being tossed with cooked Frederik's by Meijer Gourmet Pasta for a hearty one-pan meal. The carrots are sliced thin and cooked directly into the sauce, adding sweetness and bulk without any extra cost.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer 80% Lean Ground Beef 3 lb. pkg. or larger, Frederik's by Meijer Gourmet Pasta 12-16 oz. Select varieties, Vidalia Onions 5 lb. bag, Baby-Cut Carrots 1 lb. bag
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of ground beef from the 3 lb package (freeze the remainder), 1 box of Frederik's by Meijer Gourmet Pasta, about 0.5 lb of Vidalia onion from the bag, and 1 cup of baby-cut carrots from the 1 lb bag purchased Monday. Pantry canned tomatoes and Italian seasoning carry the sauce.

Wednesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Pork Loin Assorted Chops with Sauteed Vidalia Onions and Nectarines
Description: Bone-in pork loin assorted chops are seasoned with salt, pepper, and dried thyme, then seared in a hot skillet until cooked through with a golden crust. Sliced Vidalia onions and halved California Yellow or White Nectarines are cooked in the same pan drippings, creating a sweet and savory pan sauce that pairs beautifully with the pork.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Assorted Chops Bone in, Vidalia Onions 5 lb. bag, California Yellow or White Nectarines
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 2.5 lbs of pork loin assorted chops (one generous chop per person plus one extra), about 0.5 lb of Vidalia onion from the bag, and 1 lb of nectarines (roughly 3 to 4 pieces). This meal cooks entirely on the stovetop in about 25 minutes.

Thursday
Meal: Johnsonville Fresh Brats Simmered and Seared with Vidalia Onions and Maille Mustard
Description: Johnsonville Fresh Brats are simmered in water with sliced Vidalia onions until cooked through, then finished in a hot skillet to develop a browned, snappy exterior. Serve the brats and caramelized onions on Meijer Split Top White or Wheat Bread with Maille Mustard for a satisfying, pub-style dinner that is completely dairy-free.
Sale items used: Johnsonville Fresh Brats 19 oz, Vidalia Onions 5 lb. bag, Meijer Split Top White or Wheat Bread 22 oz, Maille Mustard 7.3-8 oz. Select varieties
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 pack of Johnsonville Fresh Brats 19 oz (approximately 5 brats, giving 4 people one each with one extra to split), about 0.75 lb of Vidalia onion from the bag, and 4 slices of Meijer Split Top White or Wheat Bread. One jar of Maille Mustard serves as the condiment and will have plenty left over.

Friday
Meal: Pan-Seared Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers with Wholly Guacamole and Nectarine Salsa
Description: Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers are seared in a skillet over medium-high heat until golden on both sides and cooked through, then served open-faced on Meijer Split Top White or Wheat Bread topped with Wholly Guacamole and a quick fresh salsa made from diced California Yellow or White Nectarines, red onion, and lime juice. The combination of rich salmon, creamy guacamole, and bright fruit salsa makes this a vibrant, special-feeling Friday dinner that is naturally dairy-free.
Sale items used: Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers 10 oz, Wholly Guacamole 7.5 oz. Deli Dept. only, Meijer Split Top White or Wheat Bread 22 oz, California Yellow or White Nectarines
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 packs of Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers 10 oz (one burger per person, assuming 2 burgers per 10 oz pack), 1 container of Wholly Guacamole 7.5 oz, 4 slices of Meijer Split Top White or Wheat Bread from the loaf used Thursday, and about 0.5 lb of nectarines for the salsa. Sear each burger about 4 minutes per side over medium-high heat.

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Drumsticks All natural (2.5 lbs): $2.48
- Fresh from Meijer 80% Lean Ground Beef 3 lb. pkg. or larger (3 lb package, use 1.5 lbs this week): $14.97
- Frederik's by Meijer Gourmet Pasta 12-16 oz. Select varieties (x1): $2.99
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Assorted Chops Bone in (2.5 lbs): $4.98
- California Yellow or White Nectarines (1.5 lbs total, used Wednesday and Friday): $2.99
- Johnsonville Fresh Brats 19 oz (x1): $4.79
- Meijer Split Top White or Wheat Bread 22 oz (x1): $1.89
- Maille Mustard 7.3-8 oz. Select varieties (x1): $3.99
- Black Pearl Atlantic Salmon Burgers 10 oz (x2): $9.98
- Wholly Guacamole 7.5 oz. Deli Dept. only (x1): $2.99
- Baby-Cut Carrots 1 lb. bag (x1): $1.29
- Vidalia Onions 5 lb. bag (x1): $4.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil
- Garlic (fresh or minced)
- Paprika
- Dried thyme
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper
- Canned diced tomatoes (14-15 oz)
- Lime juice or fresh lime
- Red onion (small, for Friday salsa)
- Water (for simmering brats)