Publix Standard Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: This week's flyer is a real win for budget-minded shoppers because the most economical proteins are genuinely cheap. Chicken drumsticks at $1.99/lb anchor one dinner for under $4 in protein, and the BOGO chicken breast deal brings boneless skinless breast down to an effective $2.70/lb, making it one of the best values on the flyer. Pork loin chops at $3.99/lb and the Hormel Marinated Pork Loin Tenderloin at 2 for $12 round out the affordable nights with great flavor variety. For the single premium night, tilapia at $7.99/lb is the most accessible seafood option on the flyer - it feeds four for about $12 in protein, far less than shrimp, salmon cuts, or any of the steaks, so it earns its spot as a lighter, fresher Friday night without blowing the budget. Skipping the strip steaks, skirt steak, salmon select cuts, and shrimp keeps the week's total well-managed, and the produce deals on russet potatoes, sweet corn, broccoli, and beefsteak tomatoes fill out every plate for very little extra cost.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Roasted Russet Potatoes and Sweet Corn
Description: Seasoned chicken drumsticks are baked until the skin is golden and crispy, served alongside wedges of roasted russet potatoes and steamed sweet corn on the cob. It is a hearty, crowd-pleasing dinner that comes together with almost no prep and minimal cleanup.
Sale items used: Publix Chicken Drumsticks (4-lb or more pkg), Russet Potatoes, Bulk Sweet Corn (extra large)
Prep time: 15 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of chicken drumsticks (roughly 6 to 8 pieces) for 4 people. Use 2 lbs of russet potatoes, cut into wedges. Use 4 ears of sweet corn. Total oven time is about 45 to 50 minutes at 425 degrees F, so plan to start the potatoes 10 minutes before the drumsticks.
Recipes:
- Oven Baked Chicken Legs with Potatoes

Tuesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Pork Loin Chops with Sautéed Baby Bella Mushrooms and Broccoli
Description: Publix Assorted Pork Loin Chops are seared in a hot skillet until golden brown, then topped with a quick pan sauce made with sautéed GreenWise Organic Baby Bella Mushrooms. A steamed broccoli bunch rounds out the plate with color and crunch.
Sale items used: Publix Assorted Pork Loin Chops (8 chops per pkg), GreenWise Organic Baby Bella Mushrooms (8-oz pkg, sliced), Broccoli or Cauliflower (each bunch)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of pork loin chops (4 to 6 chops from the 8-chop pkg). Use 1 pkg (8 oz) of sliced baby bella mushrooms. Use 1 bunch of broccoli, cut into florets. Total cook time is about 25 to 30 minutes.

Wednesday
Meal: Herb-Roasted Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast with Beefsteak Tomatoes and Cauliflower
Description: BOGO boneless skinless chicken breasts are seasoned with garlic, olive oil, and dried herbs, then roasted in the oven until juicy and cooked through. Sliced beefsteak tomatoes and roasted cauliflower florets serve as bright, simple sides.
Sale items used: Publix Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast (4-lb or more pkg), Beefsteak Tomatoes, Broccoli or Cauliflower (each bunch)
Prep time: 15 minutes
Serving note: Purchase a 4-lb pkg to trigger the BOGO deal; use 2 lbs of chicken breast for tonight's dinner and refrigerate or freeze the remaining 2 lbs for later in the week or future meals. Use 1 lb of beefsteak tomatoes, sliced. Use 1 bunch of cauliflower, cut into florets and roasted alongside the chicken. Total oven time is about 25 to 30 minutes at 400 degrees F.
Recipes:
- One-Pan Roast Chicken with Cauliflower and Tomatoes

Thursday
Meal: Skillet-Cooked Hormel Marinated Pork Loin Tenderloin with Roasted Carrots and Russet Potatoes
Description: Hormel Marinated Pork Loin Tenderloin is sliced into medallions and cooked in a skillet until caramelized on the outside and tender within, with the marinade already built in for bold flavor. Roasted baby cut carrots and russet potato cubes cook in the oven at the same time for a complete, satisfying meal.
Sale items used: Hormel Marinated Pork Loin Tenderloin (18.4 or 24-oz pkg), Publix Baby Cut Carrots (1-lb bag), Russet Potatoes
Prep time: 15 minutes
Serving note: Purchase 2 pkgs of Hormel Marinated Pork Loin Tenderloin (2 for $12.00) to get the deal; use both pkgs tonight for 4 generous servings. Use 1 lb of baby cut carrots and 1.5 lbs of russet potatoes, cubed and roasted at 400 degrees F for about 30 minutes. Pork medallions take about 12 to 15 minutes in the skillet.

Friday
Meal: Pan-Seared Tilapia Fillets with Sweet Corn and Beefsteak Tomato Salad
Description: Fresh tilapia fillets are seasoned with salt, pepper, and paprika, then pan-seared in a hot skillet until flaky and lightly golden on each side. A simple side salad of sliced beefsteak tomatoes and sweet corn cut from the cob adds brightness and a summery finish to the meal.
Sale items used: Tilapia Fillets (fresh), Beefsteak Tomatoes, Bulk Sweet Corn (extra large)
Prep time: 15 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of tilapia fillets (roughly one fillet per person plus a small extra). Use 1 lb of beefsteak tomatoes, sliced. Use 1 ear of sweet corn, kernels cut from the cob and tossed into the salad raw or briefly blanched. Total cook time is about 15 to 20 minutes.
Recipes:
- Seared Tilapia with Corn and Cherry Tomato Salad

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Publix Chicken Drumsticks (4-lb or more pkg, using 2 lbs): $3.98
- Russet Potatoes (3.5 lbs total, used across Monday and Thursday): $3.47
- Bulk Sweet Corn (extra large, 5 ears): $3.00
- Publix Assorted Pork Loin Chops (8 chops per pkg, using 2 lbs): $7.98
- GreenWise Organic Baby Bella Mushrooms (8-oz pkg, sliced, x1): $2.50
- Broccoli or Cauliflower (2 bunches, 2 for $6.00 deal): $6.00
- Publix Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast (4-lb or more pkg, BOGO - pay for 2 lbs, get 2 lbs free): $10.78
- Beefsteak Tomatoes (2 lbs total, used across Wednesday and Friday): $3.98
- Hormel Marinated Pork Loin Tenderloin (18.4 or 24-oz pkg, x2, 2 for $12.00): $12.00
- Publix Baby Cut Carrots (1-lb bag): $1.29
- Tilapia Fillets (fresh, 1.5 lbs): $11.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil
- Garlic (fresh or powder)
- Salt and black pepper
- Paprika
- Dried herbs (such as thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning)
- Butter (for skillet cooking)