How much does a home-cooked meal cost? The ingredient cost of our 5,040 recipes, worked out from supermarket prices in 9 countries.
Median cost per person of 842 recipes where every ingredient has a price in all 9 countries.
| Country | Per person | Index (Belgium = 100) |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | $0.93 | 100 |
| France | $1.12 | 121 |
| Netherlands | $0.91 | 98 |
| Germany | $0.87 | 94 |
| Spain | $0.85 | 92 |
| Italy | $0.98 | 105 |
| Poland | $0.83 | 90 |
| United States | $1.15 | 124 |
| Singapore | $1.28 | 138 |
| Category | Per person | Recipes |
|---|---|---|
| Main dishes | $1.51 | 2534 |
| Appetizers | $1.14 | 853 |
| Vegetarian | $0.96 | 196 |
| Drinks | $0.80 | 301 |
| Snacks | $0.65 | 303 |
| Sauces | $0.60 | 273 |
| Desserts | $0.59 | 1184 |
| Baking | $0.46 | 591 |
Main dishes with at least six ingredients, all priced, cheapest per person in Belgium.
Average score* 68/100A Jerusalem-style dish of caramelized vermicelli, with a sweet and savory flavor profile and a hint of spice, bound with egg and baked covered, then brown…
Average score* 97/100A Kerala-inspired dish: thinly sliced potatoes coated in a mixture of salt, turmeric, and chili, fried in coconut oil in a pan or on a dosa plate.
Average score* 72/100Potato and potato gnocchi made with potato starch and grated cheese, shaped into small rolls, generously seasoned, and then baked in a moderate oven.
Average score* 99/100A quick scrambled egg with onions, green chili peppers, and black pepper, served very hot alongside a bowl of rice, as is traditional in Kerala.
Average score* 88/100Sautéed green beans cooked in olive oil, seasoned with a mixture of minced garlic, fried breadcrumbs, hard-boiled egg yolk, cumin, paprika, and vinegar.
Average score* 95/100A very simple Filipino dish made with salted mustard leaves, beaten eggs, tomatoes, and onions, seasoned with garlic cooked in a little oil.
Average score* 93/100A popular dish from Kerala: peeled and diced cassava, cooked gently in salted water until tender, possibly mixed with coconut milk and flavored with curry…
Average score* 78/100A traditional Persian dish from Nishapur: long-cooked rice, soft and creamy, with fenugreek and black cumin fried in oil with turmeric.
Average score* 94/100Vegetarian oat and semolina pancakes, seasoned with curry, topped with sautéed leeks and onions, and fried until golden brown.
Average score* 97/100A quick and delicious Cantonese-style fried rice, stir-fried quickly with onions, ham, green peas, and scrambled eggs, seasoned with a splash of soy sauce.
Prices come from supermarket websites in each country and are updated daily: for each ingredient, the cheapest suitable item. Only ingredients count (no energy or equipment). Amounts from other countries are converted to euros at the ECB rate. Last updated: October 16, 2026.
To cite these figures: “Home Cooking Price Index”, Recette de cuisine, with a link to this page. Recipe-by-recipe data: open JSON API