Meal Prep Cost Calculator

Calculate the true cost of meal prepping and compare it to eating out. This calculator helps you determine cost per serving, weekly and monthly savings, and break-even points for your meal prep investment. Factor in ingredient costs, containers, prep time, and compare against restaurant spending to see exactly how much money you can save by preparing meals at home. Perfect for budgeting, meal planning, and making informed decisions about your food spending.

Total cost of all ingredients for your meal prep

How many meals will this batch produce?

One-time cost for reusable containers (optional)

How many times will you reuse the containers?

How many meals per week are you replacing?

What you typically spend eating out per meal

Time spent on meal prep (optional)

Your perceived value of time (optional)

Meal Prep Cost Formulas: Cost Per Serving = (Total Ingredient Cost ÷ Servings) + (Container Cost ÷ Container Uses) Weekly Meal Prep Cost = (Ingredient Cost ÷ Servings) × Meals Per Week Weekly Restaurant Cost = Restaurant Cost × Meals Per Week Weekly Savings = Weekly Restaurant Cost - Weekly Meal Prep Cost Monthly Savings = Weekly Savings × 4.33 Annual Savings = Weekly Savings × 52 Savings Percentage = ((Restaurant Cost - Meal Prep Cost) ÷ Restaurant Cost) × 100 With Time Value: Time Cost Per Serving = (Prep Hours × Hourly Rate) ÷ Servings Net Weekly Savings = Weekly Savings - (Time Cost × Batches Per Week) Container Break-Even = Container Cost ÷ (Restaurant Cost - Meal Prep Cost Per Serving)
Example Meal Prep Analysis: Ingredient Cost: $50 Servings Produced: 10 meals Container Cost: $20 (reusable) Container Uses: 50 times Meals Per Week: 10 Restaurant Cost: $15/meal Prep Time: 2 hours Hourly Value: $25/hour Calculations: Cost Per Serving = ($50 ÷ 10) + ($20 ÷ 50) = $5.00 + $0.40 = $5.40 Weekly Meal Prep Cost = $5.00 × 10 = $50.00 Weekly Restaurant Cost = $15 × 10 = $150.00 Weekly Savings = $150 - $50 = $100.00 Monthly Savings = $100 × 4.33 = $433.00 Annual Savings = $100 × 52 = $5,200.00 Savings Percentage = (($150-$50) ÷ $150) × 100 = 66.7% Time Cost = 2 × $25 = $50 Time Cost Per Serving = $50 ÷ 10 = $5.00 Net Weekly Savings = $100 - $50 = $50.00/week Container Break-Even = $20 ÷ ($15-$5) = 2 meals

How much does meal prep cost per serving?

Meal prep typically costs $3-$7 per serving depending on ingredients, portion sizes, and dietary preferences. Basic meals with chicken, rice, and vegetables average $3.50-$4.50 per serving. Higher-protein meals with premium ingredients cost $5-$7 per serving. Budget-friendly options using beans, eggs, and seasonal produce can cost $2-$3 per serving. Compare this to restaurant meals averaging $12-$18 and fast food at $8-$12.

How much money can I save by meal prepping instead of eating out?

Meal prepping saves $200-$400 monthly compared to dining out regularly. If you eat lunch out 5 days weekly at $12/meal, that's $240/month. Meal prepping those lunches costs $60-$80, saving $160-$180 monthly. For someone eating out twice daily (lunch and dinner), annual savings reach $3,000-$5,000. Even replacing 50% of restaurant meals with meal prep saves $1,500-$2,500 yearly. Additional savings come from reduced food waste and fewer impulse purchases.

What is a realistic weekly meal prep budget?

A realistic weekly meal prep budget is $40-$80 for one person preparing 10-14 meals. This breaks down to $3-$6 per meal. Budget meal prep: $30-$40/week using affordable proteins (chicken thighs, eggs, beans), seasonal vegetables, and bulk grains. Moderate budget: $50-$65/week with varied proteins, fresh produce, and some convenience items. Premium meal prep: $70-$100/week for organic ingredients, grass-fed meats, and specialty items. Families of four typically spend $120-$200 weekly.

Should I include the cost of my time when calculating meal prep savings?

Including time cost provides a complete picture of meal prep economics. If you spend 2 hours prepping and value your time at $25/hour, that's $50 in time cost. For 10 meals, that adds $5 per serving. However, many people find meal prep relaxing or enjoyable, making time cost subjective. Also consider time saved during the week—no cooking daily, no restaurant waits, no decision fatigue. Most people find net savings remain substantial even accounting for prep time.

What are the hidden costs and benefits of meal prep?

Hidden costs include: initial container investment ($15-$30), storage space, electricity for cooking/refrigeration, and learning curve time. Hidden benefits include: reduced food waste (saving $20-$40/month), better portion control aiding weight management, healthier eating reducing medical costs, time saved during busy weekdays, reduced stress from meal planning, and environmental benefits from less packaging and food waste. Most people find the benefits far outweigh the hidden costs.

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