{
  "slug": "meal-prep-cost",
  "title": "Meal Prep Cost Per Serving Calculator",
  "heading": "Meal Prep Cost Calculator",
  "category": "other",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/meal-prep-cost",
  "summary": "Cost per serving vs takeout, and what prepping actually saves you.",
  "description": "Add up ingredient cost for a batch, divide by servings, and compare it to what you'd otherwise spend eating out — annualized so the number actually lands.",
  "formula": "Per-serving = batch cost ÷ servings. Annual savings = (takeout − per-serving) × meals/week × 52.",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-30",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=meal-prep-cost",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "batch",
      "label": "Total ingredient cost",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 42,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "servings",
      "label": "Servings produced",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 10,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 1,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "takeout",
      "label": "Typical takeout meal",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 16,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "perWeek",
      "label": "Prepped meals per week",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 10,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 1,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "hours",
      "label": "Prep hours per batch",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 2,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "per",
      "label": "Cost per serving",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "weekly",
      "label": "Weekly savings",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "annual",
      "label": "Annual savings",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "hourly",
      "label": "Effective $ per prep hour",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Total ingredient cost: 42 $",
      "Servings produced: 10",
      "Typical takeout meal: 16 $",
      "Prepped meals per week: 10",
      "Prep hours per batch: 2"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Cost per serving: $4.20",
      "Weekly savings: $118.00",
      "Annual savings: $6,136",
      "Effective $ per prep hour: $59.00"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter total ingredient cost ($).",
      "Enter servings produced.",
      "Enter typical takeout meal ($).",
      "Enter prepped meals per week.",
      "Enter prep hours per batch.",
      "Read your cost per serving on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "batch": 25,
        "servings": 6,
        "takeout": 10,
        "perWeek": 6,
        "hours": 1.2
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "batch": 42,
        "servings": 10,
        "takeout": 16,
        "perWeek": 10,
        "hours": 2
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "batch": 67,
        "servings": 16,
        "takeout": 26,
        "perWeek": 16,
        "hours": 3.2
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.",
    "Results are rounded for readability; add a buffer before ordering, booking, or committing.",
    "Double-check anything with a real cost attached against a local quote."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "Why does the hourly number matter?",
      "a": "It tells you whether prepping is worth your time. If it lands under your real hourly rate, prep less and simplify recipes instead."
    },
    {
      "q": "Should I include utilities?",
      "a": "Oven and stove energy is usually well under $0.50 a batch. Add it to ingredient cost if you want the strict number."
    }
  ],
  "related": [],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Meal Prep Cost Per Serving Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/meal-prep-cost)"
}