ProteinBro
Free Tool

Meal Prep Cost Calculator

Build your weekly grocery list, adjust prices to match your local store, and see exactly what you're spending per meal. Pre-loaded with a classic Boy Kibble cart to get you started.

10meals
Total Cost
$34.22
for the week
Per Meal
$3.42
45g protein per meal
Per Day
$4.89
$148/month
Per Meal Macros
1153 cal45g P77g C74g F

Grocery List

Protein
Ground Beef 80/20
26.1g protein/100g
3lb
Carbs
White Rice
2.7g protein/100g
5lb
Veggies
Broccoli
2.4g protein/100g
2lb
Onions
1.1g protein/100g
1lb
Fats
Olive Oil
0g protein/100g
1bottle (17oz)
Seasoning
Garlic
6.4g protein/100g
2head
Total (6 items)$34.22

Weekly Totals Breakdown

Total Calories
11529
Total Protein
448g
Total Carbs
774g
Total Fat
736g
Protein per $1
13.1g
Calories per $1
337
Cost per 40g protein
$3.05

How It Works

1. Build your grocery list — Start with the default Boy Kibble cart or customize with your own ingredients.

2. Adjust quantities & prices — Use +/- to change amounts. Click any price to edit it to match your local store.

3. Set your meal count — Tell us how many meals you'll make from these groceries to get per-meal cost.

Nutrition data from USDA FoodData Central. Prices are US national averages (March 2026). Macros are approximate — actual values depend on cooking method and portion sizes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does meal prep cost per week?

A typical high-protein meal prep costs $30-60 per week for 10-14 meals, or roughly $2-5 per meal. The exact cost depends on your protein sources (chicken thighs are cheapest, beef is pricier), whether you buy in bulk, and your local grocery prices. Use our calculator with your actual prices for an accurate estimate.

What is the cheapest meal prep for bodybuilding?

The cheapest high-protein meal prep combines chicken thighs ($2.49/lb), white rice ($0.90/lb), and frozen vegetables ($1.99/bag). This combo gives you about 40g protein per meal at roughly $2.00-2.50 per serving. Ground beef 80/20 with rice (classic boy kibble) is also very budget-friendly at around $2.50-3.00 per meal.

How do I calculate cost per meal?

Divide your total grocery cost by the number of meals you'll make. For example: $45 in groceries ÷ 10 meals = $4.50 per meal. Our calculator does this automatically — just add your ingredients, set quantities and prices, and choose how many meals you'll portion out.

Is meal prepping actually cheaper than eating out?

Yes, significantly. A typical restaurant meal costs $12-18, fast food is $8-12, and a home-cooked meal prep serving costs $2-5. Even buying higher-quality ingredients, meal prepping saves 60-80% compared to eating out. For a gym bro eating 3-4 meals per day, that's $200-400/month in savings.

How much protein can I get for $50 a week?

With $50/week and smart shopping, you can get 800-1200g of protein per week (115-170g/day). Focus on chicken thighs, eggs, canned tuna, and ground beef 80/20. Add rice and frozen vegetables for complete meals. That's enough protein for most lifters at a fraction of the cost of supplements alone.

What's included in the macro calculations?

Our calculator uses USDA FoodData Central nutrition data for each ingredient. It sums up total calories, protein, carbs, and fat from all your ingredients, then divides by your meal count to show per-meal macros. Note: actual macros may vary slightly based on cooking method, trimming, and exact portion sizes.