Meijer Gluten-Free Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: Chicken thighs at $1.49/lb are the clear anchor of this week, appearing twice and keeping two nights well under $4 total for protein. The Smithfield Pork Loin Filet at $6.99 flat for the whole package is a fantastic deal for four people, and the Bob Evans Breakfast Sausage Roll at $3.49 pairs beautifully with eggs and potatoes for a hearty skillet dinner. Pork spareribs at $2.79/lb are a genuinely economical cut that earns their own night with a simple oven braise. The single premium night goes to Fresh from Meijer Seasoned Atlantic Salmon Portions, which at $8.99 per 9 oz. package is the most accessible premium option on this flyer - two packages feed four people for $17.98, far better value than the strip steak which would cost nearly $28 for the same group. The Certified Angus Beef Ground Round and strip steak were both skipped because their per-serving costs would push the weekly total past the ceiling. Sale produce like Russet Potatoes, bell peppers, and Bolthouse Carrot Sides keep side costs minimal all week.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Oven-Braised Pork Spareribs with Russet Potato Wedges and Bell Peppers
Description: Meaty pork spareribs are seasoned and slow-braised in the oven with diced bell peppers and Swanson chicken broth until tender and deeply flavored. Russet potato wedges roast alongside on a separate sheet pan, crisping up in the oven heat for a satisfying gluten-free dinner.
Sale items used: Pork Spareribs Fresh, never frozen ($2.79/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); Swanson Broth 14.5 oz. ($1 when you buy 7 or more)
Prep time: 20 minutes active, about 2 hours total in oven
Serving note: Purchase 3 lbs of spareribs at $2.79/lb = $8.37. Buy 3 bell peppers at $1 each = $3.00. One 5 lb. bag of Russet Potatoes = $1.00. Buy 7 Swanson Broth cans to qualify for the $1 each price; use 2 cans for this meal (remaining 5 cans are pantry stock). This meal takes about 2 hours total - start the ribs by 5 p.m. for a 7 p.m. dinner, or braise the ribs the day before and reheat while the potato wedges roast.
Recipes:
- Braised and Glazed Gluten-Free Spare Ribs

Tuesday
Meal: Skillet-Seared Smithfield Pork Loin Filet with Creamer Potatoes and Bolthouse Carrot Sides
Description: A Smithfield Pork Loin Filet is sliced into medallions and seared in a hot skillet until golden, then finished with a simple pan sauce made from chicken broth and Vidalia onion. The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes are boiled until tender and served alongside steamed Bolthouse Carrot Sides for a complete, colorful plate.
Sale items used: Smithfield Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin 19.2-27.2 oz. ($6.99); The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes 1.5 lb. bag ($BOGO - buy 1 get 1 free); Bolthouse Carrot Sides 10-14 oz. ($2.49); Bulk Vidalia Onions ($1.29/lb); Swanson Broth 14.5 oz. ($1 when you buy 7 or more, from Monday's 7-pack)
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: One Smithfield Pork Loin Filet package (19.2-27.2 oz.) feeds 4 comfortably = $6.99. BOGO on Creamer Potatoes - pay for 1 bag, get 1 free = $price not listed per bag; since the BOGO base price is not stated in the flyer, use 1 bag purchased at its regular (non-BOGO) price - note this item's base price is not listed so it is excluded from the shopping list cost; use pantry potatoes or substitute the Russet Potatoes already purchased Monday. One package Bolthouse Carrot Sides = $2.49. About 0.5 lb Vidalia Onion = $0.65. Use 1 Swanson Broth can from Monday's 7-pack purchase.

Wednesday
Meal: Baked Chicken Thighs with Roasted Bell Peppers and Russet Potato Mash
Description: Bone-in chicken thighs are seasoned with pantry spices and baked in the oven until the skin is golden and the meat is juicy, served over creamy mashed Russet Potatoes. Roasted bell peppers add sweetness and color to the plate, making this a hearty and completely gluten-free weeknight dinner.
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, from Monday's 7-pack); Russet Potatoes 5 lb. bag ($1 when you buy 7 or more, from Monday's purchase); Kraft Shredded or Chunk Cheese 7-8 oz. ($2 for $5 - use 1 pack)
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 45 minutes total
Serving note: Purchase 2.5 lbs of chicken thighs at $1.49/lb = $3.73. Use 2 bell peppers from Monday's 7-pack. Use Russet Potatoes from Monday's bag. One 7-8 oz. pack of Kraft Shredded or Chunk Cheese = $2.50 (half of the 2 for $5 deal; buy 2 packs and use the second on Friday).

Thursday
Meal: Pan-Seared Boneless Chicken Tenderloins over Spinach with Avocado and Cucumber
Description: Boneless chicken tenderloins are seasoned and pan-seared in a skillet until cooked through, then served over a fresh bed of baby spinach with sliced avocado and mini cucumbers dressed with Wish-Bone dressing. This bright, protein-rich dinner comes together in under 30 minutes and needs no starch to feel complete.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Boneless Chicken Tenderloins All natural ($3.99/lb); Extra Large Avocado ($1 when you buy 7 or more); Seedless Mini Cucumbers 1 lb. bag ($1 when you buy 7 or more); Wish-Bone or Western Dressings 15 oz. (2 for $4); Bulk Vidalia Onions ($1.29/lb)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Purchase 1.5 lbs of chicken tenderloins at $3.99/lb = $5.99. Buy 4 avocados at $1 each (requires buying 7 total to qualify - buy 7 avocados, use 4 tonight and save 3 for snacking or the week) = $7.00 for 7. One 1 lb. bag Seedless Mini Cucumbers = $1.00 (requires buying 7 qualifying $1 items; combine with avocados and cucumbers in the same transaction to reach 7 units). One bottle Wish-Bone or Western Dressings = $2.00 (half of 2 for $4; buy 2 bottles). About 0.25 lb Vidalia Onion = $0.32.
Recipes:
- Pan-Fried Chicken Tenders (Dairy and Gluten Free)
- Pan-Seared Chicken Tenderloin

Friday
Meal: Baked Seasoned Atlantic Salmon Portions with Mashed Russet Potatoes and Shredded Cheese
Description: Fresh from Meijer Seasoned Atlantic Salmon Portions are baked in the oven until flaky and golden, served alongside buttery mashed Russet Potatoes topped with Kraft Shredded Cheese for a satisfying gluten-free Friday dinner. The salmon's built-in seasoning means minimal prep, and the whole meal is on the table in under 40 minutes.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Seasoned Atlantic Salmon Portions 9 oz. ($8.99 per package); Russet Potatoes 5 lb. bag ($1 when you buy 7 or more, from Monday's purchase); Kraft Shredded or Chunk Cheese 7-8 oz. (2 for $5 - second pack from Wednesday's purchase); Bulk Vidalia Onions ($1.29/lb)
Prep time: 10 minutes active, 35 minutes total
Serving note: Purchase 2 packages of Fresh from Meijer Seasoned Atlantic Salmon Portions at $8.99 each = $17.98 for 4 people (each 9 oz. portion serves approximately 2 people). Use remaining Russet Potatoes from Monday's bag. Use second pack of Kraft Shredded or Chunk Cheese from Wednesday's 2 for $5 purchase. About 0.25 lb Vidalia Onion = $0.32.
Recipes:
- Salmon with Balsamic Honey Glaze and Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
- Salmon Topped With Mashed Potatoes

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Pork Spareribs Fresh, never frozen (3 lbs): $8.37
- Smithfield Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin 19.2-27.2 oz. (x1 package): $6.99
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Thighs All natural (2.5 lbs): $3.73
- 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 packages): $17.98
- Russet Potatoes 5 lb. bag (x1 bag, qualifies as part of 7-unit $1 purchase): $1.00
- Red, Yellow, Orange or Aloha Bell Pepper (x7 peppers at $1 each, qualifies for $1 price): $7.00
- Extra Large Avocado (x7 avocados at $1 each, qualifies for $1 price): $7.00
- Seedless Mini Cucumbers 1 lb. bag (x1 bag at $1, qualifies as part of 7-unit purchase): $1.00
- Bulk Vidalia Onions (1 lb.): $1.29
- Bolthouse Carrot Sides 10-14 oz. (x1 package): $2.49
- Swanson Broth 14.5 oz. (x7 cans at $1 each, qualifies for $1 price): $7.00
- Kraft Shredded or Chunk Cheese 7-8 oz. (x2 packs, 2 for $5): $5.00
- Wish-Bone or Western Dressings 15 oz. (x2 bottles, 2 for $4): $4.00

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or cooking oil for searing and roasting
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried herbs (for chicken thighs and spareribs)
- Butter (for mashed potatoes)
- Milk or cream (for mashed potatoes)
- Gluten-free confirmed chicken broth or use purchased Swanson Broth above