You calculate the cost price of a taco by adding up all ingredients: tortilla, meat or vegetarian filling, vegetables, sauces and toppings. Many taco entrepreneurs forget small ingredients like spices and oil, causing them to underestimate their profit margin. In this article you'll learn step by step how to calculate the exact cost price per taco.
Gather all ingredients and quantities
For an accurate cost price calculation you need the exact quantity of each ingredient. This means not just the main ingredient, but also all garnishes, sauces and spices.
- Tortilla (corn or wheat)
- Main filling (meat, chicken, fish, vegetarian)
- Vegetables (onion, tomato, lettuce, bell pepper)
- Cheese
- Sauces (salsa, guacamole, crème fraîche)
- Spices and seasonings
- Oil for cooking
💡 Example ingredient list:
For 1 chicken taco:
- Tortilla (30g): €0.15
- Marinated chicken (80g): €1.20
- Lettuce (15g): €0.08
- Tomato (20g): €0.12
- Cheese (15g): €0.18
- Guacamole (25g): €0.35
- Salsa (20g): €0.10
- Oil/spices: €0.05
Total cost price: €2.23
Calculate the cost price of your main filling
The filling is usually the most expensive part of your taco. Pay close attention to marinades, spices and cooking losses.
- Weigh the raw ingredient (before preparation)
- Add marinade and spices
- Calculate with the weight after preparation (meat loses moisture)
- Divide by the number of portions you get from it
⚠️ Note:
Meat loses 15-25% weight during cooking. Calculate with the final weight, not the purchase weight. Otherwise you'll underestimate your cost price.
Include all toppings and sauces
Small ingredients add up quickly. A spoonful of guacamole seems like little, but costs around €0.30-0.40 per portion.
💡 Sauce cost prices:
- Guacamole (25g): €0.35
- Salsa (20g): €0.10
- Crème fraîche (15g): €0.08
- Grated cheese (15g): €0.18
- Jalapeños (5g): €0.06
Total toppings: €0.77 per taco
Determine your desired food cost percentage
For tacos a healthy food cost is between 25-32%. With delivery this can be slightly higher due to packaging costs.
- Taco bar/restaurant: 25-30%
- Food truck: 28-32%
- Delivery: 30-35%
With these percentages you calculate your minimum selling price:
Minimum selling price = Cost price / (Food cost % / 100)
💡 Price calculation:
Cost price: €2.23
Desired food cost: 28%
Minimum selling price excl. VAT: €2.23 / 0.28 = €7.96
Selling price incl. 9% VAT: €7.96 × 1.09 = €8.68
Rounded menu price: €8.95
Account for variations and menus
Different tacos have different cost prices. Calculate them all separately and determine an average for your menu engineering.
- Vegetarian tacos are usually cheaper (€1.50-2.00)
- Fish and premium meat are more expensive (€2.50-3.50)
- Taco menus: calculate separately what fries/rice costs
⚠️ Note:
Update your cost prices monthly. Avocado and other fresh ingredients fluctuate strongly in price, especially in winter.
How do you calculate the cost price of a taco? (step by step)
Create an ingredient list with exact quantities
Write down all ingredients that go on the taco: tortilla, meat/filling, vegetables, cheese, sauces and spices. Weigh each portion you use and note the weight in grams.
Calculate the costs per ingredient
Divide the purchase price by the total weight to get the price per gram. Multiply this by the weight you use per taco. Add up all ingredients for the total cost price.
Determine your selling price with desired food cost
Divide your cost price by your desired food cost percentage (usually 25-32% for tacos). Add 9% VAT for the final price on your menu.
✨ Pro tip
Weigh your toppings with a kitchen scale. Many chefs give too generous portions of guacamole and cheese, which can increase your cost price by €0.50 per taco.
Calculate this yourself?
In the KitchenNmbrs app you can do this in just a few clicks. 7 days free, no credit card.
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Frequently asked questions
Should I include the tortilla in the cost price?
Yes, the tortilla is often €0.10-0.20 per piece and counts toward your cost price. Corn tortillas are usually slightly more expensive than wheat tortillas.
How do I account for meat that shrinks during cooking?
Weigh your meat after cooking and calculate the cost price based on the final weight. Meat loses 15-25% weight, so 100g raw becomes approximately 80g cooked.
What is a normal food cost for tacos?
For tacos a healthy food cost is between 25-32%. With delivery this can be slightly higher (up to 35%) due to packaging costs and platform fees.
How often should I update my taco cost prices?
Update at least monthly, especially for fresh ingredients like avocado and tomatoes. These fluctuate strongly in price due to seasons.
Should I include packaging in the cost price?
Yes, for takeout and delivery. Calculate €0.15-0.30 for a taco box or wrap. This counts toward your total cost price per portion.
📚 Sources consulted
- EU Verordening 852/2004 — Levensmiddelenhygiëne (2004) — Official source
- EU Verordening 853/2004 — Hygiënevoorschriften voor levensmiddelen van dierlijke oorsprong (2004) — Official source
- EU Verordening 1169/2011 — Voedselinformatie aan consumenten (2011) — Official source
- NVWA — Hygiënecode voor de horeca (2024) — Official source
- NVWA — Allergenen in voedsel (2024) — Official source
- Codex Alimentarius — International Food Standards (2024) — Official source
- FSA — Safer food, better business (HACCP) (2024) — Official source
- BVL — Lebensmittelhygiene (HACCP) (2024) — Official source
- Warenwetbesluit Bereiding en behandeling van levensmiddelen (2024) — Official source
- WHO — Foodborne diseases estimates (2024) — Official source
Food Standards Agency (FSA) — https://www.food.gov.uk
The HACCP standards shown in this application are for informational purposes only. KitchenNmbrs does not guarantee that displayed values are current or complete. Always consult the FSA or your local authority for the latest regulations.
Written by
Jeffrey Smit
Founder & CEO of KitchenNmbrs
Jeffrey Smit built KitchenNmbrs from 8 years of hands-on experience as kitchen manager at 1NUL8 Group in Rotterdam. His mission: give every restaurant owner control over food cost.
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