Food

Should I meal prep?

Calculate how much money you'd save by preparing meals at home vs eating out, factoring in your time.

By ShouldICalc Team

Updated January 2025 · See our methodology

Your Numbers

10
3 21

How many meals you'd prep instead of buying

$15
$8 $30
$5
$2 $10
3
1 8

Time spent shopping, cooking, and cleaning

$25
$10 $100

What's an hour of your free time worth?

Your Results

Annual Savings

$0 – $0

per year

5-Year Savings

$0 – $0

Break Even

— months

💡 Calculating...

Enter your numbers above to see personalized results.

Trade-offs to Consider

Every decision has pros and cons. Here's what to weigh:

  • Money

    Significant savings on food costs, but requires upfront investment in containers and equipment.

  • Time

    Batch cooking saves time during the week, but requires dedicated prep time on weekends.

  • Quality

    You control ingredients, portions, and nutrition. But variety can be limited.

  • Convenience

    Ready-to-eat meals all week, no daily cooking. But you need refrigerator/freezer space.

Related Products

Products that can help you save money. (Affiliate links)

🥡

Glass Meal Prep Containers (10-Pack)

Microwave & freezer safe, leak-proof

View on Amazon
📦

Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1

Pressure cook, slow cook, and more

View on Amazon
⏱️

Quality Kitchen Scale

Essential for portion control

View on Amazon

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long do meal prepped foods last?
Most cooked meals last 4-5 days refrigerated. For longer storage, freeze portions and thaw as needed. Some foods like soups and stews actually taste better after a day or two.
What if I get bored eating the same thing?
Prep ingredients rather than full meals (cook proteins, chop veggies, make sauces separately). This lets you mix and match throughout the week. Or prep 2-3 different meals each week.
Is meal prep actually faster than cooking daily?
Yes, significantly. Cooking in batches eliminates repeated setup and cleanup. What might take 30 minutes daily takes 2-3 hours once per week.
What are the best meals to prep?
Start with meals that reheat well: grain bowls, soups, stews, burritos, casseroles, and stir-fries. Avoid foods that get soggy (salads with dressing, fried items) unless you keep components separate.

How We Calculate Meal Prep Savings

Direct Food Savings

The average restaurant meal costs $15-20, while a home-cooked meal costs $3-5. We calculate the difference based on how many meals you’d replace.

Time Value

Your time isn’t free. We factor in the opportunity cost of meal prep time based on your hourly rate. This makes the calculation more realistic than calculators that ignore time.

What We Don’t Include

  • Health benefits of controlling ingredients
  • Reduced food waste (you plan portions)
  • Learning to cook valuable skills
  • Social aspect of dining out

Who Benefits Most from Meal Prep

  • Busy professionals - Spend less time thinking about lunch/dinner
  • Health-conscious eaters - Control calories, macros, and ingredients
  • Budget-conscious families - Feed more people for less
  • Fitness enthusiasts - Consistent nutrition for training

Tips to Maximize Savings

  1. Plan around sales - Check store flyers and plan meals using discounted proteins
  2. Buy in bulk - Rice, beans, and frozen vegetables are cheap when bought large
  3. Use the freezer - Double recipes and freeze half for future weeks
  4. Keep it simple - You don’t need gourmet meals, just nutritious food