How much does a home-cooked meal cost? The ingredient cost of our 5,605 recipes, worked out from supermarket prices in 9 countries.
Median cost per person of 1,225 recipes where every ingredient has a price in all 9 countries.
| Country | Per person | Index (Belgium = 100) |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | $1.06 | 100 |
| France | $1.25 | 118 |
| Netherlands | $1.01 | 95 |
| Germany | $0.99 | 93 |
| Spain | $0.97 | 91 |
| Italy | $1.10 | 104 |
| Poland | $0.95 | 89 |
| United States | $1.26 | 119 |
| Singapore | $1.43 | 135 |
| Category | Per person | Recipes |
|---|---|---|
| Main dishes | $1.72 | 2534 |
| Appetizers | $1.21 | 853 |
| Vegetarian | $0.97 | 196 |
| Drinks | $0.90 | 301 |
| Snacks | $0.74 | 303 |
| Desserts | $0.65 | 1184 |
| Sauces | $0.62 | 273 |
| Baking | $0.47 | 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* 64/100Polish vegetarian potato pancakes: cooked pearl barley, dried mushrooms soaked and then cooked, chopped, mixed with eggs, coated in breadcrumbs, and fried…
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* 93/100A classic Bengali dish: baked clay pots filled with a mixture of ground spices (nigella, dried chili, and turmeric), coated in a pumpkin seed paste, and f…
Average score* 98/100A 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* 92/100Apple Dauphines: Fluffy mashed potatoes mixed with a choux pastry, shaped with a spoon, and fried until golden and puffed up.
Average score* 89/100Sautéed 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…
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 17, 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