How to Calculate the Cost of a Recipe

Costing a recipe means adding up what you paid for the amount of each ingredient you actually used — not the full price of every pack you opened.

The four steps

1. List every ingredient and the quantity the recipe uses.
2. Note the pack size and pack price for each one (check your receipt or the shelf label).
3. Work out the cost used: pack price × (amount used ÷ pack size).
4. Add the ingredient costs together for the total recipe cost.

Worked example

A 1kg bag of flour costs £1.20 and the recipe uses 500g. The flour costs £1.20 × (500 ÷ 1000) = £0.60. Repeat for each ingredient and add them up.

Don't forget the small things

Oil, spices and stock cubes add up. If you use a teaspoon of something, estimate it as a weight (around 5g) or simply enter a small direct cost.