Weekly Meal Prep Costs UK | How Much Does Meal Prep Cost? (2026)

Meal prep has become increasingly popular among people who want to eat more consistently while reducing the stress of deciding what to cook every day.

However, one of the most common questions is how much meal prep actually costs.

The answer isn't simply the price of the food. Your total weekly cost can also be affected by supermarket shopping, ingredients, portion sizes, food waste, preparation time, storage and whether you purchase prepared meals.

In this guide, we'll look at weekly meal prep costs in the UK, different budget scenarios and the factors that can make your weekly food spending higher or lower.

What Does Meal Prep Cost Per Week?

There is no single weekly figure that applies to everyone.

Someone preparing inexpensive meals from supermarket ingredients may spend considerably less than someone buying premium ingredients or ordering chef-prepared meals.

Likewise, a single person preparing five lunches will have very different requirements from a family preparing several meals every day.

A useful starting point is therefore to think about your meal prep budget in terms of cost per meal and then calculate how many meals you need each week.

Typical Weekly Meal Prep Budget Scenarios

Different households can have very different meal prep requirements. Looking at several scenarios can therefore be more useful than focusing on one average figure.

These are broad planning scenarios rather than fixed price recommendations. Actual costs will depend on where you shop, what you eat and how many meals you prepare.

How Much Does Homemade Meal Prep Cost?

Homemade meal prep can be one of the more cost-effective approaches when it is planned carefully.

Buying ingredients in larger quantities and preparing several portions at once can reduce the average cost per meal.

For example, a large batch of rice, vegetables and a protein source can potentially provide several meals from one cooking session.

The important thing is to calculate the total ingredient cost and divide it by the number of portions produced.

Calculating Your Homemade Meal Prep Cost

Working out the cost of homemade meal prep is relatively straightforward.

Add together the cost of the ingredients used in your batch, then divide the total by the number of portions you produce.

For example, if the ingredients for a batch cost £30 and produce 10 portions, the ingredient cost is £3 per meal.

You can then multiply the cost per meal by the number of meals you prepare each week to estimate your weekly food cost.

What Can Increase Your Weekly Meal Prep Cost?

Several factors can push the cost of meal prep higher than expected.

Food Waste and the True Cost of Meal Prep

Food waste is an important factor when calculating how much your meal prep really costs.

Buying ingredients that are only partially used can make a meal appear cheaper than it actually is.

For example, if you purchase several ingredients for a recipe but only use a small amount of each, the unused food still represents money spent.

Planning recipes that use overlapping ingredients throughout the week can help reduce this problem.

Meal Prep Cost Per Meal vs Cost Per Week

Looking at the cost per meal is useful, but the weekly total is often more helpful when planning your overall food budget.

If a meal costs £4 and you prepare 10 meals, your meal prep food cost would be £40 for those meals.

If you prepare 15 meals at the same cost per portion, the weekly total would increase accordingly.

This is why knowing how many meals you actually need is just as important as finding a low cost per portion.

How Many Meals Should You Prepare Each Week?

You don't necessarily need to prepare every meal for the entire week.

Some people prepare lunches for work while continuing to cook dinner at home. Others may prepare evening meals in advance or combine homemade meal prep with prepared meal delivery.

The right number depends on your schedule, eating habits and budget.

• Prepare only the meals you struggle to organise
• Focus on busy workdays
• Prepare lunches in advance
• Use batch cooking for several dinners
• Keep convenient meals available for particularly busy days

Preparing the meals that provide the greatest benefit can sometimes be more practical than trying to prepare every meal in advance.

Meal Prep for One Person

Meal prep for one person can be relatively affordable, but buying ingredients in appropriate quantities is important.

Large packs of ingredients may appear cheaper per unit but can become expensive if some of the food is never used.

Choosing recipes that share ingredients across several meals can help make a single-person meal prep plan more efficient.

Meal Prep for Couples

Couples can often benefit from preparing meals together because ingredients can be purchased in larger quantities and divided across more portions.

Preparing two portions of the same meal can also reduce the time spent cooking compared with preparing separate meals.

However, variety is still important, particularly if both people have different food preferences.

Meal Prep for Families

Meal prep costs can increase significantly for families because more portions are required each week. However, preparing larger quantities can also create opportunities to reduce the average cost per meal.

Buying ingredients in larger packs and preparing several portions at the same time can make family meal prep more efficient.

Families can also save money by planning meals around ingredients that can be used across several recipes rather than buying completely different ingredients for every meal.

Prepared Meal Delivery: How Much Does It Cost?

Prepared meal delivery usually costs more per meal than cooking entirely from supermarket ingredients because the price includes the preparation, cooking, portioning, packaging and convenience of having the meal ready to eat.

However, the comparison isn't simply about the cost of ingredients.

Prepared meals can save time spent shopping, preparing ingredients, cooking and cleaning, which can make the additional cost worthwhile for people with busy schedules.

The cost of prepared meal delivery can also vary depending on the number of meals ordered, the provider, portion sizes and whether discounts or larger meal bundles are available.

What Does a Weekly Prepared Meal Budget Look Like?

A weekly prepared meal budget will depend on how many meals you want to replace with prepared food.

These figures are illustrative examples rather than fixed market prices. Actual meal costs can vary significantly between providers, recipes, portion sizes, promotions and ordering quantities.

The important point is that you can calculate your own weekly budget by multiplying the cost of one meal by the number of meals you actually need.

How to Reduce Your Weekly Meal Prep Costs

There are several practical ways to keep meal prep affordable without sacrificing the quality or variety of your meals.

• Plan your meals before shopping
• Buy ingredients that can be used across several recipes
• Cook larger batches where practical
• Freeze meals that won't be eaten immediately
• Use seasonal ingredients where appropriate
• Compare the cost per portion rather than the pack price
• Reduce food waste by planning portions carefully
• Use larger meal bundles when they genuinely reduce the average cost
• Compare meal prep with the takeaway and convenience food you would otherwise purchase

Small changes to the way you plan and purchase food can make a noticeable difference to your total weekly spending.

Meal Prep vs Takeaway: Weekly Savings

For many people, one of the biggest financial benefits of meal prep comes from reducing the number of takeaway meals purchased during the week.

A single takeaway may not seem particularly expensive, but ordering several times can quickly increase your weekly food spending.

Prepared meals can provide a convenient alternative when you're short on time without necessarily carrying the same additional delivery and service costs associated with takeaway food.

For a more detailed comparison, read our guide to Meal Prep vs Takeaway Cost.

Is Meal Prep Cheaper Than Supermarket Shopping?

Homemade meal prep can often have a lower direct food cost than prepared meal delivery, particularly when ingredients are purchased efficiently and food waste is kept low.

However, supermarket shopping is only one part of the equation.

When comparing the two approaches, consider the time required to shop, prepare ingredients, cook several portions and clean up afterwards.

For people with plenty of free time, the lower ingredient cost of homemade meal prep may be more important. For busy households, the convenience of prepared meals may justify the additional cost.

You can explore this comparison in more detail in our guide to Meal Prep vs Supermarket Shopping.

How Much Should You Budget for Meal Prep?

There is no single weekly meal prep budget that works for everyone.

A single person preparing five lunches may have a relatively modest budget, while a family preparing most of its meals in advance will naturally spend considerably more.

A useful approach is to decide how many meals you need, establish your target cost per meal and then calculate the total weekly amount.

It can also be helpful to leave some flexibility in your budget for snacks, breakfast, drinks and meals that aren't included in your meal prep plan.

BOZU Meal Prep and Weekly Food Planning

At BOZU, our prepared meals are designed for people who want convenient, chef-prepared food without having to spend their week shopping, preparing ingredients and cooking from scratch.

Ordering multiple meals can make it easier to plan your week in advance and understand how much you are spending on prepared meals.

For busy professionals, families and anyone who finds it difficult to maintain a consistent meal routine, having prepared meals available can also reduce the temptation to rely on more expensive last-minute food choices.

Making Your Meal Prep Budget Work

The most effective meal prep budget is one that fits your actual lifestyle rather than simply aiming for the lowest possible cost.

If you have plenty of time available, homemade batch cooking may provide excellent value. If your schedule is extremely busy, paying more for prepared meals may save enough time and reduce enough convenience spending to make the additional cost worthwhile.

The key is to look at your total weekly food spending rather than focusing on the price of one individual meal.

Once you understand how much you currently spend on supermarket food, takeaway meals and prepared food, it becomes much easier to decide where meal prep fits into your budget.

Weekly Meal Prep Costs: Key Takeaways

• Your weekly meal prep cost depends on how many meals you prepare.
• Homemade meal prep can reduce the cost per portion through batch cooking.
• Food waste can significantly increase the true cost of homemade meals.
• Prepared meal delivery usually costs more than raw ingredients but provides additional convenience.
• Replacing takeaway meals with meal prep can help reduce weekly food spending.
• Buying larger quantities can sometimes reduce the average cost per meal.
• The cheapest meal isn't necessarily the best value.
• Your ideal meal prep budget should reflect your lifestyle, household size and priorities.

Final Thoughts

Working out your weekly meal prep costs is ultimately about understanding what you are spending and what you are getting in return.

Homemade meal prep can provide excellent value when ingredients are purchased efficiently and food waste is minimised. Prepared meal delivery costs more but can provide significant convenience for people who don't have the time to cook regularly.

For many people, the best solution may be a combination of approaches. You might prepare some meals yourself, use prepared meals on particularly busy days and reduce takeaway purchases throughout the week.

The right choice is the one that provides a good balance between cost, nutrition, convenience and the amount of time you have available.

Related Meal Prep Guides

If you're comparing meal prep costs and looking for ways to manage your food budget, these guides may also be useful:

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does meal prep cost per week in the UK?

There is no single weekly cost because it depends on the number of meals, ingredients, portion sizes and whether you prepare the food yourself or buy prepared meals. Calculating your cost per meal and multiplying it by the number of meals you need is the simplest way to estimate your weekly budget.

Is homemade meal prep cheaper than prepared meal delivery?

Homemade meal prep can have a lower direct food cost because you are mainly paying for ingredients. Prepared meal delivery includes additional costs for preparation, cooking, portioning, packaging and convenience.

How much should one person budget for meal prep?

The amount depends on how many meals you prepare and the type of food you choose. Someone preparing only weekday lunches will naturally have a different budget from someone preparing most of their meals for the week.

Can meal prep save money?

Meal prep can help reduce food spending by making meals more planned, reducing food waste and potentially replacing some takeaway or last-minute food purchases.

Is meal prep worth the cost?

Meal prep can be worthwhile when the combination of food, convenience and time savings provides enough value for your circumstances. The best option depends on your budget, schedule and eating habits.

Does buying meal prep in bulk save money?

Buying several meals together can sometimes reduce the average cost per meal, depending on the provider and pricing structure. Always calculate the total cost divided by the number of meals to confirm the actual saving.