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Cost Comparison: Homemade Organic Meals vs. Takeaway

Introduction

Living in the serene countryside of New South Wales, Australia, with my six children and my mother on our family compound, I’ve embraced the challenge of growing our own food to manage costs and ensure quality. However, the daily grind often makes it tempting to opt for takeaway meals. In this article, I explore the cost differences between preparing homemade organic meals and ordering takeaway, focusing on two family favorites: burgers and pizza. My goal is not to judge the choice of takeaway but to provide a clear comparison to help families make informed decisions.

The Context: Balancing Quality and Convenience

Organic ingredients are undeniably expensive, and growing our own food helps offset these costs. However, with the demands of raising a large family, prioritizing tasks can push home gardening to the back burner. Takeaway meals often serve as a lifeline for busy families, offering convenience when time is short. This comparison acknowledges that reality while examining whether homemade meals using high-quality ingredients can be a cost-effective alternative.

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The Experiment: Burgers and Pizza

To compare costs, I prepared burgers and pizza at home using organic or high-quality ingredients and priced them against takeaway options. For accuracy, I used supermarket prices for ingredients, even though we used some home-raised beef and freshly laid eggs from our Rhode Island Red chickens. The takeaway prices were sourced from a local McDonald’s for burgers and a local independent pizza shop for pizzas, reflecting higher-quality options rather than fast-food chains like Domino’s or Pizza Hut.

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Homemade Burgers

Ingredients and Preparation:

• Burger Buns: Made with spelt flour for a denser but fluffy texture, prepared in a mixer and proofed on my car dashboard in the warm Australian sun. The recipe yields eight buns, baked at 180°C for 20 minutes, with an egg wash and sesame seeds for that classic burger look.

• Patties: Used 100% beef mince (700g total: four 125g patties for adults/teens, four 75g patties for younger kids), seasoned simply with sea salt and pepper for a beefy flavor. Supermarket prices for organic beef mince were used for costing.

• Toppings: Included lettuce, tomato, pickles, fried onions (for an Aussie Bunnings vibe), and cheese for some cheeseburgers. Due to a shortage of avocado oil, we skipped homemade mayonnaise, using ketchup or mustard instead.

• Cost: Approximately $15–$20 for eight burgers, depending on the exact cost of organic ingredients like spelt flour ($3/kg), beef mince ($20/kg), cheese ($10/kg), and vegetables ($5–$7 total).

Takeaway Comparison:

• McDonald’s prices: $8.45 per quarter pounder (x4 = $33.80) and $5 per cheeseburger (x4 = $20), totaling $53.80 for eight burgers.

• Savings: Homemade burgers saved about $33.80–$38.80, nearly 60–65% less than takeaway.

Notes: The homemade version allowed customization for picky eaters (e.g., plain buns or bunless burgers with extra salad for low-carb preferences). The quality of organic ingredients and home-raised beef elevated the flavor, making it a frugal yet delicious treat.

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Homemade Pizza

Ingredients and Preparation:

• Dough: Made with spelt flour and generous olive oil for crispiness, prepared in a mixer and baked on stainless steel trays in a hot oven (preheated to maximum). Three large pizzas were made to feed eight people.

• Toppings:

  • Hawaiian pizza: High-quality ham ($15/kg), Australian tinned pineapple ($2/can), and cheese ($10/kg).

  • Plain cheese pizza: Simple and family-friendly.

  • “Grown-up” pizza: Olives, extra vegetables, and optional anchovies for bolder flavors.

  • Sauce: Half a bottle of organic pasta sauce ($2.50/bottle) for all three pizzas.

• Cost: Approximately $20–$25 for three large pizzas, including spelt flour ($3/kg), ham ($7–$8), cheese ($8–$10), pineapple ($2), vegetables ($3–$5), and sauce ($1.25).

Takeaway Comparison:

• Local pizza shop: $15–$20 per large pizza (x3 = $45–$60).

• Savings: Homemade pizzas saved about $20–$35, roughly 45–60% less than takeaway.

Notes: Spelt flour made the dough digestible for those with wheat sensitivities, and the organic sauce was versatile for other meals like spaghetti bolognese. The homemade pizzas were filling and customizable, unlike some fast-food options that may lack substance.

Key Findings

• Cost Savings: Homemade burgers and pizzas cost nearly half as much as their takeaway counterparts, even when using organic or high-quality ingredients. For a family of eight, this translated to savings of $53–$73.80 for one meal of each.

• Quality Control: Homemade meals allowed us to use organic ingredients, home-raised beef, and fresh eggs, ensuring better taste and nutrition. Customizations catered to dietary preferences, such as low-carb or picky eaters.

• Time vs. Convenience: Preparing both meals required planning (e.g., dough at 10:30 AM for lunch) but was manageable with simple techniques like proofing in a warm car. Takeaway remains a valid option when time is scarce, as it eliminates prep and cooking labor.

Reflections

This exercise was eye-opening, showing that investing time in homemade meals can significantly reduce costs while enhancing quality. Growing our own food, like eggs from our Rhode Island Reds, further lowers expenses. However, I recognize that takeaway is sometimes the only feasible option for busy families, and there’s no shame in that—it’s a helping hand when we need it most.

Conclusion

Making burgers and pizza at home with organic ingredients is not only cost-effective but also rewarding, offering better flavor and flexibility. While takeaway has its place, this comparison highlights the value of home cooking for both the wallet and the palate. I hope this inspires you to try a homemade meal night—your family (and budget) might thank you!

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