Cooking at Home vs. Buying Ready-Made Curry: Which is More Cost-Effective Today? A Clear Comparison on Saving Money

In an era of rising living costs, choosing between "cooking at home" and "buying ready-made curry pouches" has become a major dilemma for workers. Let's examine the numbers and surrounding factors to see which option truly fits and offers value.

Inflation and fluctuating prices of cooking ingredients directly impact the daily expenses of Thai people, making the question "Is cooking at home or buying ready-made curry more economical?" a frequently debated topic in society.

Looking only at initial figures, the answer may not rest solely on "cost per dish" but depends on family size and hidden costs that many might overlook.

A clear comparison of expenses between "cooking at home" and "buying ready-made curry pouches."

A survey of fast food and ready-made curry prices in fresh markets in Bangkok and its vicinity shows that curry pouches average 40–60 baht per pouch (excluding rice). Meanwhile, buying ingredients to cook a dish like stir-fried minced pork with basil or tofu soup costs about 120–180 baht per pot or pan.

Statistics from the Office of Trade Policy and Strategy (OTPS) show that the consumer price index for ready-made food has risen along with fresh ingredient prices such as pork, chicken eggs, and fresh vegetables, causing both options to have higher costs than in the past.

Individuals living alone vs. large families: differing cost-effectiveness equations

Living alone or in a condo, buying ready-made curry may be more cost-effective

• For those living alone, cooking at home often leads to "leftover ingredients" since fresh ingredients are typically sold in sets or minimum quantities. When factoring in the cost of wasted ingredients (food waste), time, water, electricity, and gas, buying ready-made curry or prepared meals per serving usually saves more money and time.

Families of 3-4 or more: cooking at home clearly wins

• Conversely, households with 3–4 or more members find that cooking 2–3 dishes at once costs about 200–300 baht in ingredients but can feed the whole family, averaging 25–30 baht per person per meal. This is significantly cheaper than buying 3-4 curry pouches and also provides more food.

Hidden factors to consider before deciding (Hidden Costs)

Beyond money, evaluating value requires considering these factors:

• Time costs: Cooking at home requires 1–2 hours daily for preparation, cooking, and cleaning. For those working late, this time may be worth more than the food price difference.
• Long-term health: Eating out risks excessive sodium, MSG, and unhealthy fats. Cooking at home allows better nutrition control, reducing risks of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and potentially saving future medical costs.

A balanced approach: how to eat most cost-effectively today

To save money without spending too much time, the best current solution is "a combination."

• Cook rice at home, buy dishes: Cooking brown or white rice at home (costing under 5 baht per meal) and buying only ready-made curry to pair can reduce expenses by 20-30%.
• Batch cooking: Choose dishes that keep well, like stewed pork, sour curry, or stew, cook large quantities on days off, and freeze portions to eat during the week.
• Flexible ingredient purchasing: Plan menus ahead and use ingredients across multiple dishes to reduce fresh food waste.

Choosing between cooking at home or buying ready-made curry has no absolute right or wrong answer. It depends on family size, available time, and health goals. Calculating true costs helps manage your budget most efficiently.