How much does an average dinner at home cost you?

[powellrj]

Back when all 3 kids lived at home I tried to keep it at $10, now that most nights its just DH and I, I am spending $5-10 per night. I cooked more when the kids were home. Now that its usually just the 2 of us, DH doesn't get home until 8 or 9 and I am just too tired to cook a meal that late, so I tend to make more expensive heat and serve meals like steaks and chops.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I've never tried to figure an individual meal price, and DH does the grocery shopping, so I don't really know what things cost. We spend about $200/week on groceries. We get most meat of our from a local butcher shop that sells local farm raised meat. Eggs come from a local farm. Family of 4, including a 13-yo boy and 10-yo boy. We buy fresh or frozen veggies, not canned. We use boxed mac and cheese and pasta, but not much other processed food.

Meals in a typical week:
Whole chicken or beef roast, potatoes and veggie
Pasta, salad (not bag), bread
BBQ Pork chops (homemade sauce), potatoes, veggie
Grilled steak, baked potatoes, salad
Tacos

DH also cooks breakfast when he is here. He makes homemade oatmeal almost every day, on weekends it is bacon or sausage, eggs or omlets. We do breakfast for dinner once a month or so.

If we have a whole chicken, we use the leftover chicken to make a casserole or something for another night. The same with any leftover beef roast. We all pack lunches for work/school, usually leftovers. DH makes a big salad and keeps it in the fridge, and we eat on it most of the week--romaine, baby spinach, cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots. Snacks are mostly fresh fruit, cut up veggies, or homemade cookies.

We rarely eat out. Maybe 2-3 times a year at a sit down place, fast food only when we are traveling.

 

[wallawallakids]

We spend more than most on this thread. I am fine with that. It probably has more to do with the fact that I only buy organic food and organic/ grass fed meats. I am picky about fish/dairy etc. It isn't for everyone but I feel that we do pretty well given my feelings on GMOs/ corn syrup free/ all natural foods and the need for organics. I know I pay more because of it.

My average dinners run us $25. Divide that by 6 and I am paying slightly more than $4/pp. I am very happy with that. Going out to eat results in us eating junk that isn't certified organic or healthy and it costs us far more than $25. Usually for the 6 of us it is around $150.

We never eat out unless we are on vacation. I would rather pay more for quality food and reap the benefits. I firmly believe we pay less in medical expenses because of that. I also refuse to let my children eat school lunches for the same reason. Sure $3 for lunch at school is probably less than what I pack it for from home, but knowing their fruits and vegetables are pesticide free gives me peace of mind. You can think I am crazy now. My parents do!!

Before I get flamed, not saying my budget and theories work for everyone, or even should. These are my personal beliefs and how I have chosen to feed my family. No judgement on those that do it differently.

 

[disneysteve]

I need some of you guys' recipes! Sounds like I spend in a week and a half what some of you guys spend in a month. I am always looking for budget meals.

I think the one big key is cutting out as much processed stuff as you can. It is far cheaper and healthier to do your own cooking from scratch. The less processed and prepared foods you use, the less you spend, and the better off you are nutritionally.

 

[powellrj]

Before I get flamed, not saying my budget and theories work for everyone, or even should. These are my personal beliefs and how I have chosen to feed my family. No judgement on those that do it differently.

Why would anyone flame you, it works for your family, so go for it! I don't really have anywhere that sells that kind of meat around here, but I do shop at a small local meat market for all of my meat and I have noticed a huge difference in their product from what comes from the grocery store.

 

[hsmamato2]

interesting question... I'll answer based on last nights dinner....
let's see....
basmati rice (hard to calculate, 17.00 for 25 lb. bag,used 2 cups) so maybe .50(?)
Thai coconut stir fry.....I'll list ingredients-
1/2 lb. bnlss. chicken sliced-1.00
1 bag frz. broc-1.00
1 can coconut milk-1.79(expensive)
1 onion (? 3 lbs.=1.79)
spices
1/2 c. masaman curry paste-.50
4 carrots(? 5 lbs. 1.99)
misc. stuff (garlic cloves,used up a few old mushrooms,etc)
splash of fish sauce+ 3T GF soy sauce-.35
so about a total of 5.++...??? for 2 adults 2 teens- with enough left over for tonights dinner (yay) =.65 per serving?
hard to calculate some of the 'pantry' items like spices,etc.
night before last was waffles and eggs and oj (yes indeed)
cost for that was
2.59 for the GF bisquick mix (Aldi brand)
1.50 for around 8 eggs used
??? real maple syrup(12.99 for 32 oz jar)
1.39 OJ (Aldi frozen concentrate,mixed up)
so again, around 5-6.00 for dinner+ enough waffles left over for breakfast the next day on the way out the door.....
this is an interesting view of our dinner habits.....makes all our dinners out seem WAY too pricey!

 

[hsmamato2]

oh, I forgot.. I ALWAYS have some dessert type stuff available...the guys i my house are always prowling after dinner looking for sweets...the cheapest way to keep them happy is to always have some baked cookies,cake, or something on the counter...or some ice cream in the freezer.....I do a lot of baking...

 

[pigletto]

Why would anyone flame you, it works for your family, so go for it! I don't really have anywhere that sells that kind of meat around here, but I do shop at a small local meat market for all of my meat and I have noticed a huge difference in their product from what comes from the grocery store.

Agreed. No point in being judgey about someone else's food choices. If I could afford it I am sure we would eat similarly. In fact, by adjusting our priorities I am sure we could afford it. Just not there.. yet. But I applaud you for feeding your family the way you feel is best for them.

 

[burnurcomputer]

I would honestly say around $15. Its normal to eat 2 bags of veg. or two heads of broccoli or cauliflower. We have a starch of some kind and we eat meat most evenings. I have a family of 6 (Me, DH, 15, 13, 5 and 3), and they are all big eaters. I am eating gluten free, so if I want some bread type item with a meal it costs much more then regular


Edit to add: some meals that I make are very expensive comparatively. I make a seafood pasta dish with shrimp, scallops, and some crab meat. When you add in the tomato, spinach, and all the other ingradients its ummmm, lets just say very costly! However, it still costs way less then going out to a restaurant!

 

[aprilchem]

interesting question... I'll answer based on last nights dinner....
let's see....
basmati rice (hard to calculate, 17.00 for 25 lb. bag,used 2 cups) so maybe .50(?)
Thai coconut stir fry.....I'll list ingredients-
1/2 lb. bnlss. chicken sliced-1.00
1 bag frz. broc-1.00
1 can coconut milk-1.79(expensive)
1 onion (? 3 lbs.=1.79)
spices
1/2 c. masaman curry paste-.50
4 carrots(? 5 lbs. 1.99)
misc. stuff (garlic cloves,used up a few old mushrooms,etc)
splash of fish sauce+ 3T GF soy sauce-.35
so about a total of 5.++...??? for 2 adults 2 teens- with enough left over for tonights dinner (yay) =.65 per serving?
hard to calculate some of the 'pantry' items like spices,etc.
night before last was waffles and eggs and oj (yes indeed)
cost for that was
2.59 for the GF bisquick mix (Aldi brand)
1.50 for around 8 eggs used
??? real maple syrup(12.99 for 32 oz jar)
1.39 OJ (Aldi frozen concentrate,mixed up)
so again, around 5-6.00 for dinner+ enough waffles left over for breakfast the next day on the way out the door.....
this is an interesting view of our dinner habits.....makes all our dinners out seem WAY too pricey!

Yum on your curry - off topic, but what brand of curry paste do you use? We use Mae Ploy and 1/2 cup of that stuff would burn my mouth to bits! I was hoping there's a milder option out there!

 

[hsmamato2]

I like sweet,my guys like SPICY I use massaman style... it's less intense than the regular red or green,and sweeter. Usually my guys add more hot sauce to whatever I make anyway

 

[mefordis]

I'm exactly the same.

We spend more than most on this thread. I am fine with that. It probably has more to do with the fact that I only buy organic food and organic/ grass fed meats. I am picky about fish/dairy etc. It isn't for everyone but I feel that we do pretty well given my feelings on GMOs/ corn syrup free/ all natural foods and the need for organics. I know I pay more because of it.

My average dinners run us $25. Divide that by 6 and I am paying slightly more than $4/pp. I am very happy with that. Going out to eat results in us eating junk that isn't certified organic or healthy and it costs us far more than $25. Usually for the 6 of us it is around $150.

We never eat out unless we are on vacation. I would rather pay more for quality food and reap the benefits. I firmly believe we pay less in medical expenses because of that. I also refuse to let my children eat school lunches for the same reason. Sure $3 for lunch at school is probably less than what I pack it for from home, but knowing their fruits and vegetables are pesticide free gives me peace of mind. You can think I am crazy now. My parents do!!

Before I get flamed, not saying my budget and theories work for everyone, or even should. These are my personal beliefs and how I have chosen to feed my family. No judgement on those that do it differently.

 

[pocomom]

However, it still costs way less then going out to a restaurant!

Totally! We eat some expensive dishes and some cheap dishes. When I am trying to cut the grocery budget I tend to throw a few more of the cheap in the rotation, rather than change our eating style completely.. Last night we had " baked potato bar and homemade veggie soup" and I made some homemade cinnamon buns as a treat. Very cheap, delish, healthy with enough unhealthy to keep my dh happy (sour cream,butter etc on his and of course the cinnamon buns. )
But I find if I skimp too much ... And start serving things nobody enjoys for the price/health component the temptation to splurge on restaurant meals is high. And frankly it is hard for our family of five to eat out at any table service place for under $60 , so in a sense even an expensive at home meal is still saving and probably still healthier!

 

[disneysteve]

even an expensive at home meal is still saving and probably still healthier!

Absolutely. When we go out to a sit-down meal, it is at least $15/person. I can't think of anything we would possibly make at home that would cost anywhere close to that much. Any anything I make at home is pretty much guaranteed to be healthier than the restaurant equivalent.

 

[crisi]

Absolutely. When we go out to a sit-down meal, it is at least $15/person. I can't think of anything we would possibly make at home that would cost anywhere close to that much. Any anything I make at home is pretty much guaranteed to be healthier than the restaurant equivalent.

I can - crab legs for instance. Or a lamb chop meal can come to $15 a person. The Christmas prime rib meal is well over $15 a person. But its still cheaper to eat crab legs or lamb chops at home than to go out for them - and they are treats at home - and treats out.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I am like the other poster who mentioned that anything I. Make at home is less than eating out. Just yesterday we were at costco and I asked DH if he want edit I have steaks for dinner. He said that we should save that for when we go out to dinner sometime. I of course replied why pay twice as much for a steak!?

As far as our habits, he travels for work and is out at least one night per week and often more. On those nights the kids and I eat really cheap...I am sure less than $1 per serving....probably way less.

When he is home I try to mix things up b/c he works out a lot and then eats a lot. Some nights I make a casserole or other like item to stretch the meat. Then other nights I make chicken of some sort (parm crusted, grilled, etc) with a side item and salad. Those nights he eats 2 huge chicken breasts by himself so those meals are definitely more expensive. I do buy meat, usually organic, at costco to help cut down on the cost.

 

[arthur06]

I think that we are well above the average price compared to many others.

We are a family of 5. 3 boys (13, 7, 5) all with healthy appetites.

Just a meal with ground beef requires 1.5 to 2 lbs.

We try to mix up different meats, but hardly ever will just have hot dogs for supper.

During the summer we grill 3-4 times a week. Steaks, ribs, pork chops, burgers, kabobs. I have always feed the kids the same way we eat. We don't eat steaks and they get hot dogs (unless the ask for them).

Our favorite meal:
Steaks on the grill ($30)
Hashbrown Casserole ($7)
Corn on the cob ($3)
and we are at $40 already.

We spend a lot more on meals in the summer, and the winter is more casseroles.

 

[nikkistevej]

I think that we are well above the average price compared to many others.

We are a family of 5. 3 boys (13, 7, 5) all with healthy appetites.

Just a meal with ground beef requires 1.5 to 2 lbs.

We try to mix up different meats, but hardly ever will just have hot dogs for supper.

During the summer we grill 3-4 times a week. Steaks, ribs, pork chops, burgers, kabobs. I have always feed the kids the same way we eat. We don't eat steaks and they get hot dogs (unless the ask for them).

Our favorite meal:
Steaks on the grill ($30)
Hashbrown Casserole ($7)
Corn on the cob ($3)
and we are at $40 already.

We spend a lot more on meals in the summer, and the winter is more casseroles.

Summer is more for us too, we love to grill out, lots of steak, shrimp, fish, DD loves it all too.

 

[disneysteve]

I can - crab legs for instance. Or a lamb chop meal can come to $15 a person. The Christmas prime rib meal is well over $15 a person. But its still cheaper to eat crab legs or lamb chops at home than to go out for them - and they are treats at home - and treats out.

Hi crisi

I didn't say it wasn't possible. I said there wasn't anything we would make that would cost that much. We don't have any seafood in house as DW is allergic. We don't eat red meat (with rare exceptions). The vast majority of our meals are vegetarian as DD is vegetarian so if we want to make a meal that all 3 of us will eat, we stick with that. Of course, vegetarian cooking is also a lot cheaper since meat tends to be the costliest part of a meal.

 

[bettymae1121]

It's hard to break it down by meal as we buy our meat from a local farm. 1/8 cow and 1/4 hog runs last us six months and costs about $90 per month. It works out to about $6 a pound but that's across all cuts, from ground beef to prime steak! So for ground beef it's expensive but for rib eye steaks it's a steal!

If I had to guess, depending on the exact meal I'd say between $8 and $12 per dinner for 2 adults and a toddler with a decent appetite.