How to calculate recipe cost per serving
To work out a meal’s cost, multiply each package price by the fraction you use, add those ingredient costs and divide by the portions you will actually serve.
Compare a recipe with today’s prices
List the amounts you will actually use, calculate their share of each package price and divide by the number of portions you will serve. Keep the full checkout cost separate from the ingredient cost used in one meal.
| Cost | What it means |
|---|---|
| Checkout cost | What you pay to buy whole packs |
| Recipe ingredient cost | The fraction of each pack used in the dish |
| Cost per portion | Recipe ingredient cost divided by realistic portions |
Use our grocery-dollar checklist and the dinner planner to build a realistic shopping list.
Recipe cost calculator
Use one unit per ingredient: grams with grams, ounces with ounces, or items with items. Enter the price of the whole package and the amount used. Amount used may exceed one pack.
Figures use the currency you enter. Includes ingredients only, not energy, delivery, tax or labour. Nothing is sent or saved.
Where to go next
Kitchen guideCheap meal prep ideas: a practical mix-and-match plan
Budget-friendly meal prep using beans, eggs, potatoes and shared vegetables, with a shopping checklist and realistic waste-saving swaps.
Kitchen guideStretch your grocery dollar
A practical grocery budget routine: compare unit prices, plan around what you have and reduce unused food.
Updated October 30, 2026 · Practical guidance