Publix Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Roasted Russet Potatoes and Steamed Broccoli
Description: Juicy oven-baked chicken drumsticks seasoned with simple salt, pepper, and garlic powder are a classic kid favorite that practically cook themselves. Served alongside crispy roasted potato chunks and tender steamed broccoli florets, this is a wholesome and satisfying plate sized just right for one.
Sale items used: Publix Chicken Drumsticks ($1.99/lb), Russet Potatoes ($0.99/lb), Broccoli or Cauliflower 2 for $6.00
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 40 minutes bake time
Serving note: Use 2 drumsticks (approximately 0.5 lb); roast about 0.5 lb russet potatoes cut into chunks; steam roughly half a small broccoli bunch (about half of one head from the 2 for $6.00 deal - save the rest for Thursday). Total cook time is about 55 minutes, so preheat the oven first and prep potatoes while it heats to save time.

Tuesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Pork Loin Chops with Sweet Corn and Baby Cut Carrots
Description: A single tender pork loin chop is pan-seared until golden and cooked through, giving it a lightly crispy edge kids love. Fresh sweet corn on the cob and steamed baby cut carrots round out the plate with natural sweetness that makes veggies easy to enjoy.
Sale items used: Publix Assorted Pork Loin Chops ($3.99/lb), Bulk Sweet Corn 5 for $3.00, Publix Baby Cut Carrots ($1.29/lb bag)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 pork loin chop (approximately 0.5 lb at $3.99/lb); buy 1 ear of corn (from the 5 for $3.00 deal - save remaining ears for Friday); use about one-third of the 1-lb carrot bag and refrigerate the rest for snacking. The pork chop package contains 8 chops - portion out one and freeze the remaining chops in individual bags for future meals.
Recipes:
- Pan Seared Pork Chops (Easy Recipe)

Wednesday
Meal: Ground Beef Taco Skillet with Shredded Cheese and Beefsteak Tomatoes
Description: Seasoned ground beef is cooked in a skillet with mild taco spices and topped with melted shredded cheese and fresh diced beefsteak tomato for a fun, build-your-own-bowl vibe kids love. Serve it over rice or with tortilla chips from the pantry for a complete and filling meal.
Sale items used: Lean Ground Beef ($8.99/lb), Publix Shredded Cheese 2 for $11.00, Beefsteak Tomatoes ($1.99/lb)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use approximately 0.33 lb of ground beef (about one-third of a pound, enough for a generous single serving); dice about 0.25 lb of beefsteak tomato (roughly one small tomato); use about one-quarter of the 16-oz shredded cheese bag and refrigerate the rest. The ground beef comes in a 3-lb or more package - portion out what you need and freeze the rest in meal-sized portions.
Recipes:
- Taco Skillet

Thursday
Meal: Baked Tilapia Fillets with Russet Potato Mash and Steamed Cauliflower
Description: Mild and flaky baked tilapia is a great fish for kids who are new to seafood, with a gentle flavor that pairs perfectly with creamy mashed russet potatoes. Steamed cauliflower florets add a soft, kid-friendly veggie side that can be lightly buttered for extra appeal.
Sale items used: Tilapia Fillets ($7.99/lb), Russet Potatoes ($0.99/lb), Broccoli or Cauliflower 2 for $6.00
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 1 tilapia fillet (approximately 0.5 lb at $7.99/lb); mash about 0.5 lb russet potatoes; use the remaining cauliflower from the 2 for $6.00 broccoli/cauliflower deal purchased Monday (buy one broccoli and one cauliflower to cover both days). Bake tilapia at 400 degrees F for about 12 to 15 minutes while potatoes boil on the stovetop.
Recipes:
- Baked Tilapia (With Lemon Butter)

Friday
Meal: Skillet-Cooked Hormel Marinated Pork Loin Tenderloin Slices with Sweet Corn and Strawberries
Description: Pre-marinated Hormel pork tenderloin is sliced into medallions and quickly cooked in a skillet until juicy and lightly caramelized - the built-in marinade means zero extra seasoning work and big flavor kids enjoy. Sweet corn on the cob and fresh strawberries make this feel like a fun end-of-week summer dinner.
Sale items used: Hormel Marinated Pork Loin Tenderloin 2 for $12.00, Bulk Sweet Corn 5 for $3.00, Strawberries 3 for $10.00
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use about one-third of one tenderloin package (roughly 6 oz of sliced medallions) and refrigerate or freeze the rest for later in the week; cook 1 ear of corn saved from Tuesday's purchase; use about one-third of the 16-oz strawberry container as a fresh side. The Hormel deal is 2 packages for $12.00 - you must buy both, so freeze the second package and the unused portion of the first for future meals.
Recipes:
- Rosemary Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Strawberries

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Publix Chicken Drumsticks (0.5 lb): $1.00
- Russet Potatoes (1 lb total, covers Monday and Thursday): $0.99
- Broccoli or Cauliflower (2 for $6.00 - 1 broccoli + 1 cauliflower, covers Monday and Thursday): $6.00
- Publix Assorted Pork Loin Chops (approximately 0.5 lb for 1 chop): $2.00
- Bulk Sweet Corn (2 ears at 5 for $3.00): $1.20
- Publix Baby Cut Carrots (1-lb bag): $1.29
- Lean Ground Beef (approximately 0.33 lb): $2.97
- Publix Shredded Cheese (1 bag, 16-oz, from 2 for $11.00 deal - must buy 2): $11.00
- Beefsteak Tomatoes (approximately 0.25 lb): $0.50
- Tilapia Fillets (approximately 0.5 lb): $4.00
- Hormel Marinated Pork Loin Tenderloin (2 for $12.00 - must buy both): $12.00
- Strawberries (1 pkg, 16-oz, from 3 for $10.00 - must buy 3): $10.00
- Nellie's Free Range Eggs (1 dozen, for pantry use and breakfasts): $3.99
- Bimbo White Bread (1 bag): $1.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or vegetable oil (for roasting and pan-searing)
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Mild taco seasoning packet
- Butter (for mashed potatoes and corn)
- Milk (for mashed potatoes)
- Rice or tortilla chips (to serve with taco skillet)
- Paprika (optional, for chicken drumsticks)