Meijer Dairy-Free Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: This week's plan leans on pork twice, first as a slow-braised pulled pork with onions and carrots on Monday, then as pan-seared bone-in chops with sauteed apples and onions on Wednesday, so you get two very different meals from a similar shopping base. Tuesday keeps things quick with a chicken and celery stir-fry using pantry soy sauce and garlic, Thursday is a simple frozen meatball and Rao's marinara night over pasta, and Friday closes things out with a pan-seared top sirloin steak alongside crispy roasted russet potatoes. You will also notice the onions, carrots, and potatoes are split across multiple dinners, like the yellow onion bag doing double duty on Monday and Wednesday, so nothing sits unused in your fridge. Every dish here is naturally dairy-free, from the BBQ-tossed pork to the plain marinara, so you can cook straight through the week without swapping a single ingredient.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Slow-Braised Pulled Pork with Onions and Carrots
Description: Bone-in pork shoulder is slow-braised with onions and carrots until fork-tender, then shredded and tossed with BBQ sauce. Serve it in bowls or over rice for a hearty, dairy-free start to the week.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Whole Pork Shoulder Butt Roast Bone in, Russet Potatoes 5 lb. bag or Yellow Onions 3 lb. bag, Baby Petite Carrots 12 oz, Meijer BBQ Sauce 18 oz
Prep time: 20 minutes active
Serving note: 2 lbs pork shoulder butt roast; half of one 3 lb bag of yellow onions (sliced); half of one 12 oz bag baby carrots; 1/3 cup BBQ sauce. Make-ahead note: total braise time is about 3 hours, so start it early afternoon or braise the day before and reheat.
Recipes:
- Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder
- Veggie-Packed BBQ Pulled Pork Tenderloin (slow cooker or Instant Pot)
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Apples and Onions

Tuesday
Meal: Chicken and Celery Stir-Fry
Description: Thin-sliced chicken breast is quickly stir-fried with celery and the remaining carrots for a crisp, fast weeknight dinner. A splash of soy sauce and garlic (pantry staples) rounds out the flavor.
Sale items used: Tyson Trimmed & Ready Fresh Chicken Breasts, Thin Sliced Breasts, Strips or Tenderloins, Locally Grown Pascal Celery, Baby Petite Carrots 12 oz
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 1.5 lbs thin-sliced chicken breast; 1 stalk celery, sliced; remaining half of the 12 oz bag baby carrots, sliced.
Recipes:
- Whole30 + Keto Chicken Celery Stir Fry
- Celery Stir Fry
- Celery & Peanut Chicken Stir Fry

Wednesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Sautéed Apples and Onions
Description: Bone-in center cut pork chops are pan-seared until golden, then topped with a quick sauté of Honeycrisp apples and onions. A simple, skillet-based dinner with a touch of sweetness.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Center Cut Chops Bone in, Bulk Honeycrisp Apples, Russet Potatoes 5 lb. bag or Yellow Onions 3 lb. bag
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: 1.5 lbs pork loin center cut chops (bone in); 2 lbs Honeycrisp apples, sliced; remaining half of the yellow onion bag, sliced.
Recipes:
- Apple Butter Pork Chops
- Pork Chops with Apples and Onions {Easy One Pan Recipe}
- Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

Thursday
Meal: Meatballs in Marinara over Pasta
Description: Frozen meatballs are simmered in Rao's Pasta Sauce and served over pasta for an easy, comforting weeknight meal. Naturally dairy-free when using the plain pasta sauce.
Sale items used: Meijer Meatballs 20-32 oz. Frozen, Rao's Pasta Sauce 15 or 24 oz
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: 1 package (20-32 oz) Meijer frozen meatballs; 1 jar (24 oz) Rao's Pasta Sauce; pasta from pantry staples, cooked per package directions for 4 people.
Recipes:
- Meatballs in Marinara Sauce
- Dairy-Free Meatballs Without Cheese
- Paleo Meatballs in Marinara (Dairy-Free!)

Friday
Meal: Pan-Seared Top Sirloin Steak with Roasted Potatoes
Description: Top sirloin steak is seared to a flavorful crust and served alongside crispy roasted russet potatoes. A satisfying, restaurant-style finish to the week.
Sale items used: Certified Angus Beef Top Sirloin Steak, Russet Potatoes 5 lb. bag or Yellow Onions 3 lb. bag
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: 1.25 lbs top sirloin steak; half of the 5 lb bag russet potatoes, cut and roasted.
Recipes:
- Easy Pan Seared Top Sirloin Steak: Delicious & Flavorful Steak Dinner
- Steak Bites and Potatoes
- Steak And Potatoes

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh from Meijer Whole Pork Shoulder Butt Roast Bone in (2 lbs): $3.58
- Russet Potatoes 5 lb. bag or Yellow Onions 3 lb. bag (1 bag onions): $2.49
- Baby Petite Carrots 12 oz (1 bag): $1.69
- Meijer BBQ Sauce 18 oz (1 bottle): $1.89
- Tyson Trimmed & Ready Fresh Chicken Breasts, Thin Sliced Breasts, Strips or Tenderloins (1.5 lbs): $7.49
- Locally Grown Pascal Celery (1 each): $1.69
- Fresh from Meijer Pork Loin Center Cut Chops Bone in (1.5 lbs): $4.49
- Bulk Honeycrisp Apples (2 lbs): $2.98
- Meijer Meatballs 20-32 oz. Frozen (1 each): $5.99
- Rao's Pasta Sauce 15 or 24 oz (1 each): $5.99
- Certified Angus Beef Top Sirloin Steak (1.25 lbs): $13.74
- Russet Potatoes 5 lb. bag or Yellow Onions 3 lb. bag (1 bag potatoes): $2.49

Pantry staples needed:
- Pasta (for Thursday)
- Soy sauce, garlic, cooking oil (for Tuesday stir-fry)
- Salt, pepper, cooking oil for searing and roasting