Once a week cooking & meal planning around the 4/26/16 Jewel ad

There is a smarter way to approach once week cooking meal, and it starts with knowing a few key details. This guide covers them, along with tips you can apply immediately.

Key Takeaways

• Worth noting: tuesday: Pot roast & its associated veggies, watermelon, and cucumber slices from the other half of your cucumber.
• Wednesday: Burrito bowls made with the slow cooker pulled pork.
• Garnish with fresh avocado, sour cream, tomatoes, and shredded cheese, and serve spinach salad (half the 16 oz container) on the side.
• Thursday: Carnitas Hash (double recipe to serve four) made with leftover potatoes from the pot roast and leftover pulled pork, with sourdough toast.

Tips That Make a Difference

So, I thought it might be useful to scratch up a shop on Saturday, cook on Sunday meal plan near this week's Jewel ad so that dinner is mostly done* Sunday through Friday this week. Why Jewel? Since it's the most ubiquitous Chicago chain, so most of you should have a store near you. * I have a family of four, so modify for your own family size and situation -- we'll get at least three meals out of the one batch of pulled pork, for instance, but you may not.

• In the shopping list below I'm assuming you have basic pantry staples on hand for these recipes -- if not, add what you require into your own shopping list after looking at the ingredient lists.
• Some weeknight dinners require a little cooking, but will be super quick to prepare with leftovers from the precooked main dishes -- applying leftover meat in grilled sandwiches and hash, for instance.
• More importantly, friday: Pot roast grilled cheese sandwiches applying the leftover pot roast, shredded cheese, and sourdough bread, served with sauteed garlic spinach (other half of your 16 oz container).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Saturday: Chicken quesadillas made with leftover chile-lime chicken, served with sour cream and guacamole. On the side, roasted baby carrots & cauliflower (apply a couple of teaspoon dried thyme if you don't have fresh handy).

• Shopping list for Jewel -- Seven dinners for four for $60.00.
• Remember that i'm guesstimating on some of the unadvertised prices here.
• Produce such as limes, potatoes, and avocados will be cheaper at numerous other stores if you are up for a separate trip.

Is Once Week Cooking Meal Worth It?

If you save on produce at another store, I'd definitely add in some more fruit. 🙂 One 7-8 lb whole pork shoulder roast. A seven pound roast would cost you about $5.00 (after $2.00 coupon); Jewel has Hormel fresh bone-in pork shoulder roast at $.99/lb limit 3 through Sunday and you can apply the $2.00/1 Hormel coupon I told you about here. There’s also a $1.00/1 printable here (but it hasn’t reset in a long time).

• As a rule, one boneless beef chuck roast, near $10.00.
• 4 lb Signature Farms chicken leg quarters, $4.96.
• One pack hamburger buns, about $1.50.

Where the Real Savings Hide

5 lb bag of russet potatoes, about $2.50. In short, one 16 oz Earthbound Farm organic spinach, $3.99.

• Apply $1.00/1 in the April Organic Booklet, on MyMixx, or printable here = $2.99.
• 2 lbs tomatoes on the vine, $1.98.
• 2 lbs Signature baby carrots, $1.69. ½ pound fresh green beans, $.50.

A Closer Look at Once Week Cooking Meal

Worth noting: 8 oz container mushrooms, about $1.99. 16 oz Lucerne sour cream, $1.50.

• Two packs Lucerne shredded cheese, $2.79.
• One whole seedless watermelon, $2.99 (through Sunday).
• More importantly, one loaf sourdough bakery bread, $3.99.

What to Know About Once Week Cooking Meal

Dozen Lucerne large eggs, $.88. Four large jalapeno peppers, about $.50.

• One head garlic, near $.30.
• Remember that mission soft taco shells, $1.50. (Apply the $.55/1 printable if you still have, or look for $1.00/2 tearpads in store.) 2 lbs white onions, $1.58.
• One head cauliflower, about $2.00.

How Once Week Cooking Meal Really Works

That brings you to $59.92, and seven dinners for four for $60.00. Your turn My meal plan won't exactly match this one, but I'm definitely getting that affordable Hormel pork roast!

As a rule, what are you guys meal planning and/or once a week cooking for this coming week? ... Facebook Twitter Email Messenger.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I save money on once week cooking meal?

Compare prices across a few retailers, look for active coupon codes, and time bigger buys around sales events. Since it's the most ubiquitous Chicago chain, so most of you should have a store near you. * I have a family of four, so modify for your own family size and situation -- we'll get at least three meals out of the one batc....

Is it worth shopping around for once week cooking meal?

Usually yes. In the shopping list below I'm assuming you have basic pantry staples on hand for these recipes -- if not, add what you require into your own shopping list after looking at the ingredient lists.

What should I check before buying?

Read the terms, confirm any code still works, and factor in shipping or returns. Some weeknight dinners require a little cooking, but will be super quick to prepare with leftovers from the precooked main dishes -- applying leftover meat in grilled sandwiches and hash, for instance.

Smart Ways to Save More on Once Week Cooking Meal

• Check for student, military, or first order offers you may qualify for.
• Time non urgent purchases around major sale events for the deepest cuts.
• Leave items in your cart for a day; some stores send a follow up discount.
• Pair cashback with a coupon so you save twice on the same order.
• Stack a coupon code with an existing sale whenever the store allows it.

Final Thoughts

Put these ideas to work and once week cooking meal gets a lot less expensive. Bookmark this page, check back for fresh deals, and let the savings do the talking.

Originally published at mashupmom.com.