Meal prep cost calculator
Put in what you spent and how much of each item went into the batch. See the real cost of every container, and what prepping saves you over buying lunch.
Batch total $25.20 for 10 containers
Counting the cost honestly
The mistake that makes meal prep look expensive is charging the whole bag of rice or bottle of oil to one batch. The % used column fixes that: a 2 kg bag of rice that gives 600 g to this week's prep is 30% used. Protein is usually 50–70% of the cost of a container, so it's where savings come from.
- Swap half the meat for legumes. Lentils or black beans cooked from dry cost a fraction per gram of protein and bulk up chili and bowls.
- Choose thighs over breasts. Usually cheaper per kilo, and they reheat juicier.
- Buy exactly what the plan needs. A list from the grocery list generator keeps impulse buys and waste out of the basket.
Questions people ask
Is meal prep cheaper than eating out?
Almost always. A home-cooked chicken, rice and vegetable container typically costs a fraction of a takeout lunch, because you pay grocery prices and buy protein in bulk. Enter your own receipt and lunch price above to see your exact difference.
How do I calculate the cost per meal prep container?
Add up what you spent on everything that went into the batch (use the share of pantry items you actually used), then divide by the number of containers. Include the containers themselves only if they are disposable.
What are the cheapest meal prep proteins?
Per gram of protein, dried lentils and beans, eggs, chicken thighs, whole chickens, canned tuna and tofu are usually the cheapest. Ground turkey and chicken breast bought in family packs are close behind.
How can I make meal prep cheaper?
Plan recipes that share ingredients, buy protein in family packs, use frozen vegetables, cook grains and legumes from dry, and shop from an exact list so nothing goes to waste.