1
Step 1Open the server Apps tab
Select the tutorial-vps VPS, open the Apps tab, and start a new app deployment. Keep sensitive server details hidden before capturing or sharing screenshots.
Back to all templates
Mealie
Application512MB+ RAM
Self-hosted recipe manager and meal planner with a beautiful interface
applicationautomationmealieopen-sourceself-hosteddocker
Deploy Mealie in 3 Steps
1
Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
2
Select Mealie
Choose from our template library
3
Deploy & Configure
Fill in settings and click Deploy
No Docker knowledge required
Step-by-step deployment guide
Deploy Mealie on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the Mealie template in Server Compass to deploy a self-hosted recipe manager and meal planner on your VPS, then verify the login UI in a browser.
About 10 minutesBrowser verified
2
Step 2Choose an app template
Click New App and choose the template deployment path so Server Compass can load the built-in catalog.
3
Step 3Search for Mealie
Use the template picker search to find Mealie in the Server Compass template catalog.
4
Step 4Select the Mealie template
Choose the Mealie template. Server Compass fills the Mealie web service, data volume, timezone setting, and public web port.
5
Step 5Review the Mealie settings
Confirm the app name and compose service. In this run, the app was named mealie-demo and used host port 4032.
6
Step 6Deploy Mealie
Review the generated compose settings, confirm the Mealie web port is available, and click Deploy.
7
Step 7Watch the deployment progress
Keep the deployment modal open while Server Compass uploads the compose file, pulls the Mealie image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.
8
Step 8Confirm Mealie is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the Mealie app is marked Running with its application URL available.
9
Step 9Open Mealie in the browser
Open the application URL in a browser. The Mealie login page confirms the recipe manager is reachable.
After Mealie Opens
- Sign in with the default Mealie credentials and change them immediately.
- Put Mealie behind HTTPS before exposing it publicly.
- Create your household and add your first recipes, meal plans, and shopping lists.
- Review signup settings before inviting other users.
- Back up the Mealie data volume because it stores recipes, images, and household data.
Verified Result
The Mealie web interface loaded successfully from the deployed container.
Mealie deployment questions
What does the Mealie template deploy?
It deploys Mealie as a single-container recipe manager and meal planner with persistent local data storage.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host port 4032, which maps to the Mealie web UI on container port 9000.
Does Mealie need setup after deployment?
Yes. Log in with the default credentials, change the password, create your household, and start adding recipes.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the Mealie template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
After Deployment
After deploying Mealie with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
1
Visit the application URL
2
Log in with the default admin email and password
3
Change the admin password in user profile
4
Create your household and start adding recipes
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
Mealie FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting Mealie
How do I deploy Mealie with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select Mealie from the templates list. Fill in the required configuration and click Deploy. The entire process takes under 3 minutes.
What are the system requirements for Mealie?
Mealie requires a minimum of 512MB RAM. We recommend a VPS with at least 1024MB RAM for optimal performance. Any modern Linux server with Docker support will work.
Can I migrate my existing Mealie data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard Mealie backup and restore procedures.
How do I update Mealie to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest Mealie image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is Mealie free to self-host?
Mealie is open-source software. You only pay for your VPS hosting (typically $5-20/month) and optionally Server Compass ($29 one-time). No subscription fees or per-seat pricing.
Ready to Self-Host Mealie?
Download Server Compass and deploy Mealie to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
Download Server Compass