A Simple Trader Joe’s Meal Plan and Grocery List – Under $50!

Disclaimer: This page may include affiliate links. I may earn a small commission from some of the brands mentioned here. Click here for more info.

Looking for a simple Trader Joe’s Meal Plan for under $50? I created a simple Trader Joe’s meal plan for two that my husband and I use all the time! Just download the spreadsheet at the bottom of the post – and it gives you everything you need!


Have you ever tried shopping at Trader Joe’s on a budget?

It’s HARD!

I wrote up this simple Trader Joe’s meal plan when my family and I were on a strict budget. I needed to keep my costs low – but I also wanted to be able to shop at Trader Joe’s.

As you will see from the post, we buy a lot of staples at a regular grocery store – milk, eggs, paper products, condiments, etc.

But, this Trader Joe’s meal plan includes everything you need for all your meals – all week!

This Trader Joe’s Menu Plan is pretty easy to use!  Just download the spreadsheet at the bottom of the post – and it gives you everything you need. 

Just as a caveat – these prices are likely to fluctuate. These were the prices listed at my local store, but there is a possibility that items are priced differently at your store.

Please leave any comments if you find discrepancies in any of these items!

LIMITED DEAL

The Dinner Daily

5
 

 

This meal plan is like no other. It’s customizable, printable, and uses your store’s coupon flyers! I still make some of the same recipes I got for free during my 2-week trial. We love this in our house! Try the 2 weeks for free today.

 

BREAKFAST

I budget $10 for breakfast for two people for the week.

  • Apple Cinnamon Naturally Flavored Instant Oatmeal ($2.49/10 pouches = $1.25/wk.)
  • Greek Yogurt ($.99/ea. = $4.95/wk. for one person)

Mid-morning snacks:

  • Crunchy Oats and Honey Granola Bars ($1.99)
  • Strawberries ($2.69)

TOTAL = $10.88


LUNCH

I keep our lunch budget to under $10.

  • Always: Smoked Turkey Lunchmeat ($2.99)
  • Healthy 8 Chopped Veggie Mix ($2.99) AND Balsamic Vinaigrette ($1.99)
  • OR Greek Yogurt ($.99/ea. = $4.95/wk. for one person)

Lunch Add-Ons:

  • I add strawberries and granola bars to top it off.

Total = $7.99 (leaves room for bread and cheese, see below)


SNACKS

I usually leave $5-10 for snacks.

  • Reduced Guilt Wheat Crisps ($2.29) AND Roasted Red Pepper Hummus ($2.99)
  • OR Peanut Butter ($2.79) for my No-Sugar Protein Bites OR a tub of the best Way More Chocolate Chips Cookies in town ($3.99)!

Total = $5.28-$6.78


DINNER

I budget $5/dinner which should come to less than $30.  All recipes are linked.

Dinner 1:

Cook bag of Frozen Chicken Breast Meat ($6.99) in slow cooker.  Directions here.  Add 1/3 of cooked chicken to Asian Stir-Fry Kit ($3.99).  Sauté and season with Asian seasonings and Soy Sauce.  Serve over rice.  Serve with frozen Green Beans if desired ($1.99 for 24 oz.). Total = $12.97 (including green beans and chicken for all week)

Dinner 2:

Cook 4 Cheese Jumbo Ravioli ($2.99) OR Turkey Meatballs ($2.99) and Tuscano Marinara Sauce ($1.99 not shown).  Serve with Fruit Bowl made from Strawberries, Kiwi ($2.49) and any other fruit.  Total = $7.47

Dinner 3:

Make Mexican Pizza with Fat-Free Refried Beans ($.99), Organic Black Beans ($.89) and ingredients on hand (tortillas, cheese, lettuce, tomato). Total = $1.88

Dinner 4:

Make Stuffed Peppers with 2 Green Peppers ($.79/ea = $1.58), 1/3 amount Shredded Chicken (from above), tomato sauce, rice, cheese, and seasoning.  Serve with frozen Green Beans.  Total = $1.58

Dinner 5:

Use remainder of shredded chicken and make Barbeque Chicken over rice.  Mix chicken with homemade barbeque sauce and serve over rice.  Serve with green beans or Fruit Bowl.

Dinner 6:

The Beloved Panini (with same ingredients as lunch sandwiches) and Fruit Bowl.

Dinner 7:

Leftovers, Random or Date Night!

Total = $23.90


GRAND TOTAL = $48.03 – $49.55


IN THE PANTRY

Milk, Shredded and Sliced Cheese, Condiments, Bread, Oatmeal & Honey (for No-Sugar Protein Bites), Seasonings, Soy Sauce, Rice, Tortillas, Lettuce & Tomatoes (for Mexican Pizza), 8 oz. Tomato Sauce (for Stuffed Peppers), Salami (for The Beloved Panini)


WHAT I BUY ELSEWHERE

Milk, Cheese, Eggs, Baking Ingredients, Seasonings and Condiments, Household and Cleaning Supplies


THE GROCERY LIST

Produce

  • 2 Green Peppers ($.79/ea)
  • Kiwi ($2.49)
  • Strawberries ($2.69)
  • Healthy 8 Chopped Veggie Mix ($2.99)
  • Asian Stir-Fry Kit ($3.99)

Fridge

  • Roasted Red Pepper Hummus ($2.99)
  • 4 Cheese Jumbo Ravioli ($2.99) (Optional)
  • Smoked Turkey Lunchmeat ($2.99)
  • Greek Yogurt ($.99/ea.)

Frozen

  • Frozen Chicken Breast Meat ($6.99)
  • Green Beans ($1.99 for 24 oz.)
  • Turkey Meatballs ($2.99)

Grocery

  • Apple Cinnamon Naturally Flavored Instant Oatmeal ($2.49/10 pouches)
  • Crunchy Oats and Honey Granola Bars ($1.99)
  • Balsamic Vinaigrette ($1.99)
  • Reduced Guilt Wheat Crisps ($2.29)
  • Peanut Butter ($2.79) (Optional)
  • Way More Chocolate Chips Cookies ($3.99) (Optional)
  • Tuscano Marinara Sauce ($1.99)
  • Fat-Free Refried Beans ($.99)
  • Organic Black Beans ($.89)

You might also like:

Cheap easy meals on a budget – 5 strategies that really work

How to take care of your home as a work at home mom


A Simple Trader Joe’s Meal Plan and Grocery List for Two for Under $50

This Post Has 5 Comments

  1. Maggie

    This is fantastic. I just found you and I’m thrilled

    1. Ginny

      Yay! Thanks for stopping by and saying hi!

  2. denise

    Are the links to the recipes still active? i click on them; but they take me to your homepage.

    1. Ginny

      Unfortunately, most of the recipes have been removed. This is an old post, and I haven’t kept it updated. I’m sorry!

  3. Georgann Bolnick

    This blog about A Simple Trader Joe’s Meal Plan and Grocery
    List helps me a lot in my diet. You can have the best Custom Keto Diet plan here:
    https://s96.me/keto-diet Kiss you all!

Leave a Reply

Oh hey there!

I’m Ginny and can’t wait to meet you! I work 50+ hours a week. Mom my two kids. And strive everyday to spend more real time with my husband and kids.

All I want to be is a good mom who works hard. That’s not too much to ask, right?  Come hang out with me and do more than the bare minimum.

Search

Let’s get to the good stuff

Resources for exactly where you are.

Untitled (800 x 1200 px) (1500 x 800 px) (600 x 600 px) (3)

FREE GUIDE

Just starting working from home?

Enjoy my Starter WAHM Guide to learn how to work and mom smarter.

Untitled (800 x 1200 px) (1500 x 800 px) (600 x 600 px) (4)

FREE PLANNER

Need a new way to schedule your day?

Grab my free schedule printable to juggle all your schedules on one piece of paper.

Untitled (800 x 1200 px) (1500 x 800 px) (600 x 600 px) (1)

DELUXE MOM PLANNER

Looking for a complete routine planner?

Customize my Digital Schedule Template to organize your routines, meals, and kids activities.

Want to ask your questions? Come join me here!

Join the other moms

Make friends with other moms when you need naptime tips…or just someone to chat with while you are nursing at midnight.

This is a judgment free zone. A listening ear. A way to meet likeminded friends.

You aren’t alone! Join other moms who are juggling with the same stuff that you are. Ask all your questions and even find friends in your own area! Click below to be invited into the Modern WAHM Facebook Group.