Meijer Standard Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: Chicken thighs at $1.49/lb are the standout deal of the week and anchor one of the dinners at under $3 for the whole family. Pork spareribs at $2.79/lb and the Smithfield Pork Loin Filet at $6.99 a package give two more hearty, satisfying nights at very reasonable prices. The Certified Angus Beef Ground Round at $7.29/lb rounds out the economical proteins with a classic ground beef dinner. For the one premium night, the Fresh from Meijer Seasoned Atlantic Salmon Portions at $8.99 per 9 oz. package were chosen over the strip steak or top round steak because two packages still cost far less than two pounds of either steak cut, making it the best premium value on the flyer this week. The Boneless Strip Steak at nearly $14/lb was deliberately skipped because even on sale it would push the week's total well past a comfortable range for a family of four.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Skillet-Braised Chicken Thighs with Creamer Potatoes and Vidalia Onions
Description: Bone-in chicken thighs are seared in a skillet until the skin is golden, then braised with sliced Vidalia onions and halved creamer potatoes until everything is tender and deeply savory. The braising liquid reduces into a light pan sauce that coats the potatoes beautifully.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Thighs All natural, The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes 1.5 lb. bag, Bulk Vidalia Onions, Swanson Broth 14.5 oz.
Prep time: 50 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of chicken thighs (roughly 4-5 thighs), 1 bag (1.5 lbs) of creamer potatoes halved, 0.5 lb of Vidalia onions sliced, and 1 can of Swanson Broth. The BOGO deal on creamer potatoes means you pay for one bag and get one free - save the second bag for Thursday.
Recipes:
- Cast Iron Chicken Thighs and Potatoes

Tuesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Smithfield Pork Loin Filet with Bell Peppers and Bolthouse Carrot Sides
Description: The Smithfield Pork Loin Filet is sliced into medallions and pan-seared over medium-high heat until cooked through with a browned crust, then served alongside sauteed bell peppers and steamed Bolthouse Carrot Sides. The combination of sweet peppers and tender pork makes for a colorful, well-balanced plate.
Sale items used: Smithfield Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin 19.2-27.2 oz., Red, Yellow, Orange or Aloha Bell Pepper, Bolthouse Carrot Sides 10-14 oz.
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 package of Smithfield Pork Loin Filet (approximately 20 oz., serves 4 at roughly 5 oz. each), 4 bell peppers (one per person, purchased as 4 individual peppers at $1 each under the buy 7 or more deal - see shopping list note), and 1 package of Bolthouse Carrot Sides.
Recipes:
- Sheet Pan Pork and Peppers

Wednesday
Meal: Seasoned Atlantic Salmon Portions with Russet Potato Wedges and Baby Spinach Saute
Description: The pre-seasoned salmon portions are baked in the oven at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes until flaky, served alongside roasted russet potato wedges and a quick saute of baby spinach with garlic. This is a bright, restaurant-quality dinner that comes together in well under an hour.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Seasoned Atlantic Salmon Portions 9 oz., Russet Potatoes 5 lb. bag, Fresh from Meijer Coleslaw 14 oz. or Baby Spinach 6 oz.
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 packages of Fresh from Meijer Seasoned Atlantic Salmon Portions (9 oz. each, providing roughly 4.5 oz. of salmon per person), 1 bag of Russet Potatoes (use about 2 lbs for wedges, save the rest), and 2 packages of Baby Spinach (the Buy 2, Get 2 Free deal means you pay for 2 and get 2 free - use 1 package tonight and save the others).
Recipes:
- Pan-Seared Salmon with Spinach

Thursday
Meal: Ground Round Beef Tacos with Avocado, Mini Cucumbers, and Kraft Shredded Cheese
Description: Seasoned Certified Angus Beef Ground Round is browned in a skillet and served in warm tortillas with sliced avocado, diced mini cucumbers for crunch, and shredded cheese. The fresh toppings keep this taco night light and vibrant without needing a separate salsa purchase.
Sale items used: Certified Angus Beef Ground Round 2.25 lb. pkg. or larger, Extra Large Avocado, Seedless Mini Cucumbers 1 lb. bag, Kraft Shredded or Chunk Cheese 7-8 oz., Aunt Millie's Stadium Buns 6-8 ct./14-15 oz. or Bread 22 oz.
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of ground round (from the 2.25 lb. package, save the remainder for another use), 4 avocados (one per person at $1 each under the buy 7 or more deal - see shopping list), 1 bag of mini cucumbers, 1 package of Kraft Shredded Cheese, and 1 package of Aunt Millie's Bread (use slices as a wrap-style base or serve alongside). The leftover creamer potatoes from Monday's BOGO can be served as a simple side.
Recipes:
- Ground Beef Tacos with Tomato-Avocado Salsa
- Taco-Stuffed Avocados

Friday
Meal: Oven-Baked Pork Spareribs with Russet Potato Wedges and Leaf Lettuce Salad
Description: Pork spareribs are rubbed with pantry spices and baked low and slow at 300 degrees for 2.5 hours until the meat is cooked through and pulls cleanly from the bone, then finished under the broiler for a caramelized crust. Serve with roasted russet potato wedges and a simple green leaf lettuce salad dressed with Wish-Bone dressing.
Sale items used: Pork Spareribs Fresh, never frozen, Russet Potatoes 5 lb. bag, Locally Grown Green or Red Leaf Lettuce, Wish-Bone or Western Dressings 15 oz.
Prep time: 30 minutes active, approximately 3 hours total (start ribs by 4:00 PM for a 7:00 PM dinner)
Serving note: Use 3 lbs of pork spareribs (approximately 0.75 lb per person), about 1.5 lbs of russet potatoes from the bag purchased Wednesday, 0.5 lb of leaf lettuce, and 1 bottle of Wish-Bone dressing. The long oven time is hands-off - prep the rub and get the ribs in early, then make the salad and potatoes in the last 30 minutes.
Recipes:
- Oven Baked Aromatic Pork Ribs with Potatoes
- Easy Oven Pork Spare Ribs Recipe for Year-Round BBQ

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Thighs All natural (2 lbs): $2.98
- The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes 1.5 lb. bag (BOGO - buy 1 get 1 free, pay for 1): $1.99 (note: base price not stated in flyer; however, since the BOGO deal has no stated base price, this item cannot be reliably priced - see note below)

Correcting the above: The Little Potato Company Creamer Potatoes BOGO has no stated base price in the flyer. Per the pricing rules, this item must be removed from the Buy on sale list.

Rebuilding the shopping list cleanly:

Buy on sale:
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Chicken Thighs All natural (2 lbs at $1.49/lb): $2.98
- Smithfield Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin 19.2-27.2 oz. (x1 package): $6.99
- Fresh from Meijer Seasoned Atlantic Salmon Portions 9 oz. (x2 packages): $17.98
- Certified Angus Beef Ground Round 2.25 lb. pkg. or larger (1 package, 2.25 lbs at $7.29/lb): $16.40
- Pork Spareribs Fresh, never frozen (3 lbs at $2.79/lb): $8.37
- Bulk Vidalia Onions (0.5 lb at $1.29/lb): $0.65
- Russet Potatoes 5 lb. bag (x1 bag, $1 when you buy 7 or more - see note): $1.00
- Extra Large Avocado (x4 at $1 each when you buy 7 or more - see note): $4.00
- Seedless Mini Cucumbers 1 lb. bag (x1 at $1 when you buy 7 or more - see note): $1.00
- Red, Yellow, Orange or Aloha Bell Pepper (x4 at $1 each when you buy 7 or more - see note): $4.00
- Bolthouse Carrot Sides 10-14 oz. (x1): $2.49
- Fresh from Meijer Coleslaw 14 oz. or Baby Spinach 6 oz. (Buy 2 Get 2 Free - pay for 2 packages): $0.00 (base price not stated in flyer - item removed per pricing rules)
- Swanson Broth 14.5 oz. (x1 at $1 when you buy 7 or more - see note): $1.00
- Kraft Shredded or Chunk Cheese 7-8 oz. (x1 package, 2 for $5 - buying 1 at $2.50): $2.50
- Aunt Millie's Stadium Buns 6-8 ct./14-15 oz. or Bread 22 oz. (x1 package, 2 for $5 - buying 1 at $2.50): $2.50
- Locally Grown Green or Red Leaf Lettuce (0.5 lb at $1.99/lb): $1.00
- Wish-Bone or Western Dressings 15 oz. (x1 bottle, 2 for $4 - buying 1 at $2.00): $2.00

Note on "$1 when you buy 7 or more" items: These items require purchasing 7 or more qualifying units across the promotion to unlock the $1 price. The plan uses Russet Potatoes, Seedless Mini Cucumbers, Swanson Broth, and individual Bell Peppers and Avocados from this promotion category. Purchasing 4 bell peppers + 4 avocados + 1 bag cucumbers + 1 bag russet potatoes + 1 can broth = 11 units, which satisfies the 7-or-more threshold. Each unit is priced at $1.00.

Note on Baby Spinach: The Fresh from Meijer Coleslaw 14 oz. or Baby Spinach 6 oz. Buy 2 Get 2 Free deal has no stated base price in the flyer and is excluded from the shopping list per pricing rules. Substitute with pantry greens or the leaf lettuce purchased for Friday.

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or cooking oil (for searing and roasting)
- Garlic (for spinach saute and rib rub)
- Salt and black pepper
- Paprika, cumin, and chili powder (for taco seasoning and rib rub)
- Dried oregano or Italian seasoning (for chicken thighs)
- Taco-size flour tortillas (if preferred over bread for Thursday tacos)