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How to Cook Great Meals on the Road—No Kitchen Needed

Cook great meals on the go with these helpful tips—whether you’re remodeling, saving money while traveling, or limited on healthy dining options.

Food, wine, and travel writer Wini Moranville is the author of "Everyday French Cooking: Modern French Cuisine Made Simple." Over the past 25 years, she has written hundreds of articles, covering everything from Christmas Cookies to Cognac for Better Homes and Gardens, Bonjour Paris, Relish Magazine, and other national publications.

This past summer, I spent more than seven weeks on the road—and I didn't eat in a restaurant once. As much as I love dining out in normal times, the resurgence of COVID along with crowded, understaffed restaurants in the vacation spots I visited, made me give restaurant dining a pass this year. Make no mistake, I will be back; dining out is one of the greatest joys of traveling. However, it's good to know that you can truly cook joyful, vacation-style meals in a hotel room. It helps immensely that these days, most lodgings come equipped with at least a fridge and a microwave. And many national hotel brands offer small kitchenettes with two-burner cooktops to make cooking on a road trip even easier.

Here's how I managed to eat splendidly for 45 days while cooking without a kitchen.

Top Tips for Cooking in a Hotel Room

Here are my top lessons learned that prove cooking on a road trip is possible.

• Bookmark Some No-Cook Recipes: The most obvious go-to recipes for cooking in a hotel room is a stash of no-cook recipes .
• Mix Up a Salad: Salads hit the spot, especially when you're traveling somewhere warm. Here's a great collection of main-dish salads . Look for the no-cook options such as White Bean-Tuna Salad, Salmon Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette; or Chicken, Tomato, and Cucumber Salad (use baked chicken from the deli instead of cooking your own).
• Go Local: To add a sense of place to your cooking, head to farmers markets to get great fresh produce. Keep an eye out for local specialties, which I found everywhere, including great Jewish rye bread in Florida and amazing crusty Sheboygan Rolls, smoked fish, and terrific local cheeses in Wisconsin.
• Nibble Through Dinner: When you really don't want to cook, a cheese and charcuterie board can make a spectacular meal in a hotel room, RV, or dorm room.
• Get Adept at Adapting: Look at your favorite recipe and think about how it can be cooked with the appliances and utensils you have. To make this Fast Chicken Fettuccine, for example, use microwavable fully-cooked pasta instead of boiled fettuccine and switch in baked chicken from the deli for the breast meat. Use any vegetable that looks good at the market.
• Substitute, Substitute, Substitute: To avoid buying anything you'll only use once, bookmark this list of spice substitutions and baking substitutions . And remember, when it comes to cheese, a great aged cheddar can do it all—from showering over pasta or tucking into sandwiches to adding to salads and topping crackers at the cocktail hour.
• Look for Fully Cooked Meats: When you're really short on time, ham and smoked sausages (such as kielbasa) can be quickly heated in the microwave and served with readymade microwaveable potatoes. Tear open a chopped salad kit and call it dinner.
• Dessert?: Bake nothing and go local. I cherished heading to bakeries and orchards to score slices of great regional pies throughout my travels. These included Cherry Pie in Door County, Wisconsin; Lemon Ice-Box Pie in Memphis; Derby Pie in Louisville; and Chess Pies all over the South. An after-dinner walk to a local ice-cream stand also lets you take in the local scene.

Essential Equipment for an On-the-Go Kitchen

Cooking in hotel rooms requires gearing up a travel cooking kit of essential tools. The trick is to keep it all organized, handy, and minimal—with as few breakable items as possible. No unitaskers allowed in my toolbox: I didn't bring a garlic press (a knife minces just fine), a grater (I used a knife to chop things finely), nor a vegetable peeler (I scraped or peeled veggies the old-fashioned way—with a paring knife).

I had everything I needed with these essentials, which I packed in one large plastic tote ($20, Walmart ).

• Kitchen Scissors ($12, Target ): I probably used these more than anything else in my kitchen kit, as so many foods, from cereal and salad kits to spice packs, come in not-so-easy-to-open packaging.
• Serrated Paring Knife with Cover ($13, Amazon ): This cuts both bread and tomatoes, as well as other thin-skinned veggies. You'll be glad this one comes with a cover—it travels more safely that way.
• Paring Knife with Cover: Sure, at home I own a great knife set, but on the road, I was thoroughly amazed by how much I could do with this one essential knife.
• Small, Thin, Cutting Board ($25, Amazon ): This needs to be lightweight and small, but not so small it's worthless—in some tight-spaced hotel rooms, it will pretty much be your worktop.
• Unbreakable Plastic Glasses ($27, Amazon ): A must-have for everything from your morning orange juice to your dinnertime wine.
• Microwavable Plates ($5, Bed Bath & Beyond ) and Bowls ($5, Bed Bath & Beyond ): These can be used for everything from heating refrigerated soups to serving cereal.
• A Microwavable Bowl Set ($22, Amazon) : I brought this along just for the two larger bowls, which I used for cooking as well as serving. The large one is great for tossing salads.
• Cooking Lid for Microwave and Stove Top ($11, Bed Bath & Beyond ): This can be used for microwave cooking and also works to cover pans on the stove. (Surprisingly, many hotel kitchenettes were equipped with pans, but curiously, very few lids for the pans.)
• Kitchen Towels ($22, Williams Sonoma ), Dish Cloths ($20, Williams Sonoma ), as well as sponges, dish scrubbers, and liquid dish soap.
• A Four-Piece Kitchen Tools Set ($20, Amazon ): A spatula, turner, solid spoon, and slotted spoon are all I needed for cooking.
• Flatware Set with Case ($15, Target ): Get one set for each person in your entourage.
• Corkscrew ($33, Williams Sonoma ): Frankly, I pack two, it's just too annoying when one is misplaced.
• Can Opener ($7, Walmart ): For the obvious reason.
• Multi-Surface Cleaner ($4, Walmart ) and Cleaning Cloths: As part of their COVID precautions, not one hotel room I stayed in across 45 days offered daily cleaning. I love Mrs. Meyer's cleaner. It cleaned everything beautifully and left a very uplifting scent.

Tip: I did not find myself in need of coffee mugs. Most hotel rooms come equipped with coffeemakers and mugs, or at least heatproof paper cups. The latter isn't ideal, but I appreciated having one less thing to pack. Measuring cups and spoons? You can probably guesstimate amounts. After all, since you have no oven, you're not baking anything—and that's when exact measurements are key.

Optional Equipment for Your Travel Cooking Kit

If you'll be traveling for many days, you may want some of these nice-to-have items packed too.

• Small Portable Folding Table and Chairs: Some hotel rooms do not come equipped with a table and chairs; many simply have a desk and just one desk chair. Our workaround was to set up a little portable table by the window (or in the best cases, on the balcony). If the hotel room's desk could be moved out from the wall, often we left our portable table in the car's trunk and simply brought up an extra chair, using the desk, prettied up with a beautiful tablecloth ($90, Williams Sonoma ), of course, as our dining table. A small table also gives you extra workspace.
• Small, Lightweight Toaster * ($21, Walmart ): Many hotel rooms offer free breakfast; however, I noticed many offerings had been pared down to grab-and-go items, such as prefab pastries, cereal, donuts, and such. If you love toast in the morning, tote a small toaster.
• Small Electric Skillet*: I swear by my electric skillet ($35, Amazon ), which is perfect when cooking for two.

* Note that some hotel rooms explicitly prohibit cooking appliances beyond the microwave and coffeemakers provided. Be sure to follow the rules.

My Traveling Pantry

At home, I have dozens of herbs and spices, all kinds of pasta and grains, and way too many different varieties of vinegar and oils. On the road, when cooking in hotel rooms, I'm a minimalist, making do with just these staples.

• Pure Olive Oil: Sure, extra-virgin olive oil tastes great for salad dressings, and other oils work well for cooking. But I find that pure olive oil can do both; it's good in salads as well as for cooking.
• White Wine Vinegar: In my experience, a good-quality white wine vinegar can usually be substituted for most other vinegars in the kinds of easygoing recipes you can make in a hotel room. Learn more about vinegar substitutions.
• Salt and Pepper.
• Seasoning Blends: I tend cook a lot of Mexican, Middle Eastern, and Italian dishes while traveling. Rather than packing dozens of individual spices, I stash just three seasoning blends. Favorites include Harissa Spice Blend, Mexican Seasoning Spice Blend, and Italian Seasoning Blend.

Once I get to my destination, I stock up on these shelf-stable items:

• Couscous : This makes great side dish that can be cooked in a microwave in minutes.
• Precooked Rice Pouches: Pre-cooked, shelf-stable microwavable rice is much better than I thought it would be! I especially like the jasmine and basmati varieties.
• Fully Cooked Pasta Pouches: I'd give microwavable pre-cooked pasta a B+ overall — A+ for convenience (it cooks in minutes), and B+ for flavor. Sure, freshly cooked al dente pasta is better, but this product definitely pulls off an easy pasta-night supper.
• Bulgur Wheat: In an attempt to get whole grains into my diet while traveling, I often serve this wholesome, nutty-good grain. Look for a package that offers microwave instructions or the option to soak the grain in boiled water (rather than stovetop directions).

10 Recipes You Can Cook in a Hotel Room

Now that you know the basics, you'll be surprised at how many recipes you can cook in a hotel room that has a microwave and a fridge. Here are a few to get you started:

• Homemade Microwave Macaroni and Cheese: No need to buy purchased pouches when you can make it fresher with real cheese.
• Eggs in the Microwave: These are great for breakfast or poached egg salads for lunch.
• Spicy Shrimp Pasta: Substitute precooked shrimp and pasta instead of cooking your own.
• Butternut Squash and Chickpea Curry: Use a prepared korma sauce in place of the first five ingredients. Cook the butternut squash in the microwave. Serve with a pouch of microwavable cooked basmati rice.
• Lemon-Pesto Pasta: Substitute cooked microwavable pasta for the dried penne; cook the green beans (or any veggie of your choosing) in the microwave. Some hotel chains offer kitchenettes with two-burner cooktops and basic kitchen equipment (and even dishwashers!), making it easy to cook great recipes on vacation. Try these simple stove top-only, no-oven recipes. They also cook up easily in an electric skillet.
• One Pot Ham and Greens Pasta
• Chicken and Lemon Broccoli Alfredo
• Beef Sirloin Tips with Smoky Pepper Sauce
• Lemon-Thyme Roasted Chicken with Fingerlings
• Curried Pork and Rice

Truth be told, I was amazed at how much fun it was to cook in a hotel room. For me, devising a great meal with a minimum of tools and ingredients brought the same kind of satisfaction I get when solving a challenging puzzle. But before you hit the road, I have just one more word of advice: Whether you whip up no-cook salads and sandwiches or call on the microwave or a two-burner cooktop, the trick is to keep it simple. You're on vacation, after all. Enjoy!

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Easy Vacation Dinners

These easy vacation meals will be a breeze to make in your beach house, rental house, or anywhere really that you need to feed the family. For the nights you don’t want to go to a restaurant but still want a yummy dining experience, keep this recipe list at your fingertips.

Depending on where you go on vacation and how much your eating out budget is, you will likely want some easy meals to make yourself. (But if you’re just looking for snack ideas for a day at the beach, head over to our Beach Food Ideas post!)

Whether you are in an VRBO, AirBnb, a townhouse, or a hotel with a kitchenette, you usually will have a few key appliances and ingredients to make these vacation meals.

I’m focusing this post on recipes that don’t require tons of spices, specialty appliances, or less common herbs you simply won’t have on hand.

Watch How to Make Ham and Cheese Casserole

Here’s an easy ham casserole that won’t drag you down with carbs. It’s keto and great for a vacation meal. This dish works well for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

Easy dinners to make on vacation

When you’re out of town and want to feed our family without having to go out to eat every night (and without sticking them with peanut butter sandwiches) try these easy vacation dinners. They are simple enough and you don’t need tons of ingredients. You also don’t lots of spices or tricky cookware you don’t have.

They’re simple, inexpensive, and satisfying. Of course, while you’re on vacation you’ll want to eat some meals out in restaurants. But for the other nights, try these dishes.

These meals are easy to make on vacation without all your normal spices, tools, appliances, and cookware. Simple and easy to make to fill your family if you want to save money while away on vacation.

Super Easy Spaghetti Recipe (Done in 15 Minutes!)

This easy spaghetti doesn't require hours of cooking (who wants that when you're busy on vacation having fun?) and is tasty.

Caprese Chicken (5 Ingredient)

This is a five ingredient chicken dinner dish. If you need to fill up with some healthy protein, this is a healthy vacation dinner option.

Chicken Feta Pasta (5 Ingredient)

This chicken feta pasta is tasty, cheesy, and healthy. It will be filling and easy to make in an evening after a long day.

Broccoli Chicken Mac and Cheese 

With 5 ingredients (not including salt and pepper, of course) is filling and quick and easy. It won't leave you with a lot of food or ingredients that go bad.

Taco Casserole (5 Ingredient)

This taco casserole blends quite a few spices, still with only a few ingredients. It's inexpensive and super tasty.

Chili Dog Pizza

Now, if you're going for broke and want to cook something that's a crowd pleaser you wouldn't ordinarily eat at home... this is it.

Pasta With Tomatoes, Basil and Garlic

This is another super easy tasty pasta dish that'll fill you up after a long day of sightseeing.

Sheet Pan Pesto Chicken and Vegetables

This is a sheet pan dinner (meaning, throw everything on a sheet pan and bake it, voila, SO QUICK AND EASY!) and only requires

Ground Beef Teriyaki Ramen

Ramen is the KING of easy dinners. This 5 ingredient meal throws in some veggies and takes the ramen up a notch.

Chicken Enchilada Bake

This chicken enchilada bake is easy to make, super tasty, and only has a few ingredients.

Cheeseburger and Fries Casserole

This cheeseburger and fry casserole is comforting, filling, and uses frozen or canned ingredients.. read: super easy and inexpensive.

Pizza Chicken Roll-Ups

These pizza chicken roll ups combine two beloved dinner staples... pizza and chicken. Put them together with a side of a roasted veggie and voila, easy dinner.

Best Grilled Cheese Recipe 

These yummy grilled cheese sandwiches are perfect dinners, serve it up with some roasted veggies or a nice salad and you'll be filled up and ready to sight see again tomorrow.

Best Buttered Noodles Recipe

Talk about only using a few ingredients... this one is simple, inexpensive, and still super delicious.

Easy Crescent Taco Bake

This is one of our family's personal favorites. Easy to find ingredients, quick, filling, and a crowd pleaser on those late vacation nights.

Smothered Chicken Bake (5 ingredient)

This is beautiful, rich, creamy, and a great way to make an inexpensive vacation dinner with baked chicken.

Chicken And Broccoli Pasta (Instant Pot)

Chicken and broccoli pasta is a family dinnertime staple for many. Use the instant pot and make it tasty and quick for a 30-minute meal.

Beach vacation meal planning

Now, we’ve already talked about beach food ideas , which are easy foods for a day in the sand. But this list is about great foods to cook during your beach vacation in your beach rental house.

Tasty, light, fresh, and great off the grill; these are quick ways to whip up an amazing meal.

Idea for Beach Dinners

These are great meals that are beach inspired, you can get easy seafood, or foods you can cook with your grill, and easy beach dinners that you can either eat on the beach or in your beach vacation rental.

Easy Shrimp Pappardelle (5 ingredients!) 

Got some fresh shrimp? Here's a great and super simple 5 ingredient garlic shrimp pasta recipe.

Best Oven-Baked Tilapia Recipe

If you've caught some fresh fish and want to cook it up, this uses the oven (so you don't have to spend an hour on a charcoal grill!) and the result is amazing.

Best Crab Cake Recipe - How to Make Crab Cakes

These can be a little more difficult to make, but if you've been crabbing and want to try and whip up some yummy crab cakes, this recipe is simple and easy to follow.

Balsamic Glazed Salmon

Embrace the seafood side with this easy to make and delicious glazed salmon.

Prosciutto-Wrapped Scallops with Spinach

Gone scalloping? Here are some easy recipes to cook a delicious meal with scallops that are wrapped in prosciutto... which is always a winner.

Express Shrimp & Sausage Jambalaya

Get some sausage with that shrimp and make an awesome cajun jambalaya one evening.

No-Frills Shrimp Boil Recipe

New to the shrimp boil? This is a no frills shrimp boil that you can make as long as you have a pot, shrimp, potatoes, and corn. This is one of our favorite beach house dinners because it's so easy and delicious.

Fried Whole Fish with Tomatillo Sauce Recipe

Ever wanted to try your hand at cooking a WHOLE FISH? Now's your chance to be the chef of this dish. Plus, you know the kids would think it's fun.

Grilled Shrimp with Old Bay and Aioli Recipe

This shrimp dish is another one of our favorite evening meal recipes for when you're on vacation and want to whip up something quickly. It looks fancy but is super easy to pull off.

Tilapia with Corn Salsa

This tilapia with corn salsa will please even the pickiest of seafood eaters. Plus it's simple and can be baked.

25+ Easy Vacation & Beach Meal Recipes

Ingredients   .

• 15-Minute Spaghetti https://www.averiecooks.com/easy-15-minute-spaghetti/
• 5-Ingredient Caprese Salad https://www.seasonalcravings.com/five-ingredient-caprese-chicken/
• Chicken Feta Pasta https://www.wellplated.com/chicken-feta-pasta/
• Instant Pot Chicken & Broccoli with Penne https://southerneatsandgoodies.com/instant-pot-chicken-broccoli-pasta/
• Broccoli Mac and Cheese https://audrasappetite.com/broccoli-chicken-mac-and-cheese/
• Taco Casserole https://www.theseasonedmom.com/lightened-up-taco-crescent-casserole/
• Chili Dog Pizza https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/chili-dog-pizza/
• Pasta with Tomatoes, Basil, & Garlic https://cupofjo.com/2014/07/pasta-with-tomatoes-basil-and-garlic/
• Sheet Pan Pesto Chicken https://neighborfoodblog.com/sheet-pan-pesto-chicken-and-vegetables/
• Ground Beef Teriyaki Ramen https://dinnerthendessert.com/ground-beef-teriyaki-ramen/
• Chicken Enchilada Bake https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/chicken-enchilada-bake/
• Cheeseburger & Fries Casserole https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/cheeseburger-and-fries-casserole/
• Pizza Chicken Rollups https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/pizza-chicken-roll-ups/
• Best Grilled Cheese https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a19610233/how-to-make-best-grilled-cheese/
• Best Buttered Noodles https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a25636049/buttered-noodles-recipe/
• Easy Crescent Taco Bake https://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/easy-crescent-taco-bake/9c2bd5f7-63f7-4a6c-afa3-56baeedbc35a

Dinners Perfect for the Beach

• Garlicky Shrimp Pasta https://www.cookingforkeeps.com/5-ingredient-garlicky-shrimp-pasta/
• Oven Baked Tilapia https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a19665918/oven-baked-tilapia-recipe/
• Crab Cakes https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a58704/best-crab-cakes-recipe/
• Balsamic Glazed Salmon https://www.cookingclassy.com/balsamic-glazed-salmon/
• Prosciutto Wrapped Scallops https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/249554/prosciutto-wrapped-scallops-with-spinach/
• Express Shrimp & Sausage Jambalaya https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/252103/express-shrimp-sausage-jambalaya/
• No Frills Shrimp Boil https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/no-frills-shrimp-boil
• Fried Whole Fish with Tomatillo Sauce https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/fried-whole-fish-with-tomatillo-sauce
• Grilled Shrimp with Old Bay and Aioli https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/grilled-shrimp-with-old-bay-and-aioli
• Tilapia with Corn Salsa https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/tilapia-with-corn-salsa/

Instructions  

• Select meal from list above.
• Follow link provided for the recipe.
• Prepare and enjoy!

Other posts you’ll enjoy!

• BBQ Menu Ideas
• Family Backyard Picnic Ideas
• Beach Food Ideas
• 25+ Champagne Cocktails
• 50+ Easy Southern Pie Recipes
• 30+ Awesome Pound Cakes

Rachel Norman

Rachel is a southern born and bred mother of 5 and founder of Southern Eats & Goodies. She's an entrepreneur, country girl, and world traveler who speaks 3 languages and loves Southern food.

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22 Easy Meals You Can Make in Your Vacation Rental

If you're spending your summer vacation in a rental house, you might not have access to a fully-stocked kitchen, and that's where these recipes come in handy. Whether it's a recipe that uses store-bought ingredients, a one-pan meal or a five-ingredient recipe, these dishes are perfect for any meal. Recipes like Baked Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Kale and One-Pan Chicken & Asparagus Bake are healthy, delicious and a breeze to make so you can spend more time relaxing.

Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajitas

One sheet pan is all you'll need to whip up these zesty chicken fajitas. They're quick and easy to make and cleanup is even faster! Source: EatingWell.com, April 2017

White Bean-Sage Cauliflower Gnocchi

Turn lower-carb cauliflower gnocchi into a complete and satisfying meal with this riff on classic brown butter and sage gnocchi. We added beans to amp up the fiber and protein for a fast and healthy dinner. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2019

Baked Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Kale

You can make these three-ingredient tomato-simmered eggs with things you probably already have on hand in your freezer and pantry. To make these baked eggs more like eggs in purgatory, look for a spicy tomato sauce and don't forget some whole-wheat bread for dipping. Source: EatingWell.com, April 2018

Toaster-Oven Tostadas

Would you believe us if we said you can have restaurant-style tostadas at home in just 15 minutes? It's no problem! Simply layer black beans and Cheddar onto corn tortillas and toast in the toaster oven. Source: EatingWell.com, October 2017

One-Pan Chicken & Asparagus Bake

In this chicken and asparagus recipe, we use one baking sheet to whip up dinner quickly, veggies included. Pounding the chicken thin helps it cook quickly alongside the carrots and potatoes, with asparagus rounding out the meal. This is one quick dinner recipe you'll be returning to again and again. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2020

Cheese Quesadillas with Peppers & Onions

These 15-minute quesadillas are a notch above basic with the addition of sautéed peppers and onions. Let the kiddos load them up with the toppings at the table. Source: EatingWell.com, February 2018

Sheet-Pan Creole Chicken & Shrimp

This variation of a shrimp boil can be made in the oven on just one baking sheet. A medley of spices gives this healthy dish of chicken, sausage and veggies a rich, complex flavor. Bonus: This easy sheet-pan dinner requires just 20 minutes of active prep time. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine, Fall 2019

Stuffed Potatoes with Salsa & Beans

Taco night meets baked potato night with this simple recipe for loaded baked potatoes with salsa, beans and avocado. This easy, healthy family dinner comes together with just 10 minutes of active time, so you can make it on even the busiest of weeknights. This recipe is just as delicious with sweet potatoes in place of russets. Source: EatingWell Magazine, October 2019

Black Bean Tacos

Mixing mashed canned beans with whole beans and seasonings makes an incredibly simple taco filling from your pantry. Top these speedy 5-ingredient tacos with lettuce, tomato and salsa or any of your favorite taco toppings. Source: EatingWell.com, March 2018

One-Pot Pasta with Tuna

Use the one-pot pasta cooking method to make this tuna pasta recipe that calls for just 5 ingredients and is ready in just over half an hour. For extra crunch and a tuna noodle casserole feel, sprinkle this speedy pasta dish with toasted whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2018

Stuffed Baked Potatoes with Pesto & Eggs

Top baked potatoes with fried eggs, pesto, spinach and bacon for a loaded baked potato that's perfect for an easy dinner or hearty brunch. Omit the bacon for a vegetarian version that's just as delicious. Source: EatingWell Magazine, October 2019

Brown Butter Seared Scallops

Get perfectly cooked scallops every time with this easy method. Sea scallops (the large ones) are sautéed in butter that turns deliciously nutty as it cooks, to make a super-fast, special dinner. A splash of lemon juice and fresh herbs finish the dish. Round out the menu with sautéed spinach and brown rice or orzo. Source: EatingWell.com, October 2018

Lemon Chicken Pasta

We love the combination of lemon zest and toasted breadcrumbs in this quick and easy pasta recipe for one. This healthy dinner is made with rotisserie chicken and quick-cooking spiralized zucchini and baby zucchini, so you get a complete meal in just 10 minutes. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine, Summer 2019

Spinach-Artichoke-Sausage Cauliflower Gnocchi

Hearty and piquant, this quick cauliflower gnocchi dinner incorporates several healthy convenience ingredients, including turkey sausage and tender artichoke hearts, so dinner is on your table fast. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2019

Pesto Ravioli with Spinach & Tomatoes

Looking for a new way to turn a bag of frozen cheese ravioli into a satisfying and healthy dinner? This easy pasta recipe calls for just five ingredients but is loaded with fresh flavors. By using grape tomatoes, prewashed spinach and prepared pesto, we eliminate all prep work, making this 15-minute Caprese-inspired ravioli the ideal weeknight meal. Source: EatingWell.com, June 2019

Chicken Pesto Pasta with Asparagus

This healthy chicken pesto pasta is easy to make thanks to convenience ingredients like rotisserie chicken and store-bought pesto. The addition of fresh asparagus--which is cooked in the same pot as the pasta--brightens up the look and the flavors of this family-friendly and easy one-pot dinner. Fresh basil, if you have it on hand, is a nice finishing touch. Source: EatingWell.com, April 2019

Spring Green Frittata

Frittatas are a versatile dish that can be served at breakfast, lunch or dinner. This easy frittata, featuring green spring vegetables accented by chopped tomatoes and parmesan cheese, can be on your plate in just 25 minutes. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

Quick Toaster-Oven Pizza

Have you ever tried making pizza with a tortilla before? It's super easy and makes a great vegetarian lunch. Just pop it in the toaster oven until the cheese is melted and the edges of the tortilla are browned. Source: EatingWell.com, October 2017

Barbecue Chicken Stuffed Baked Potatoes

For this meal-on-a-spud we jump-start the potatoes in the microwave and then finish them in the oven so they get all crispy on the outside. Use leftover or rotisserie chicken to make this healthy dinner in a jiff. Serve with a salad or some cooked greens. Source: EatingWell Magazine, March 2019

Chipotle-Orange Broccoli & Tofu

Chipotle peppers add kick to this tofu and broccoli stir-fry recipe. If you're shy about spice, cut back on the amount or leave them out completely. Serve over brown basmati rice. Source: EatingWell Magazine, September/October 2012

Spinach & Egg Scramble with Raspberries

This quick egg scramble with hearty bread is one of the best breakfasts for weight loss. It combines weight-loss power foods, eggs and raspberries, with filling whole-grain toast and nutrient-packed spinach. The protein and fiber help fill you up and the whole meal clocks in at just under 300 calories. Source: EatingWell.com, December 2018

Skillet Chicken Parmesan

If you can't find cutlets for this easy chicken Parmesan recipe at your supermarket, place a boneless, skinless breast flat on a cutting board, hold it steady with your palm and, using a sharp knife, slice the breast horizontally into two thin pieces. Source: EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2019

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You’re on Vacation, Thank Goodness. Here’s What to Cook

By Emma Laperruque , Christina Chaey , Antara Sinha , and The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors

Is there anything more satisfying than setting up an OOO autoresponder? Thanks for your email but I’m not checking my email. Thanks for your email but I’m on the beach, sipping cold wine , playing Scrabble, insert your chillest pastime here. The only doozy is what to cook for dinner (and, hopefully, make for dessert).

Vacation food hinges on two things: what local produce is ripe and what kitchen equipment your lodging has (or, more likely, doesn’t have). These summery recipes are as effortless as they are fun, like floating around a pool on an inflatable doughnut. So crank up the AC and let’s make something good.

Things You Should Just Bring

Just to be safe. No, we’re not going to tell you to bring a stockpot or food processor or your whole spice cabinet. But there are some ingredients and gadgets that we wouldn’t want to be without, especially if we’re driving. Here is our packing wishlist—pick what you have space for.

• Flaky salt and kosher salt because bland food is bad food, and bad food is not invited on vacation.
• Black pepper and chile flakes: See above. Bring freshly ground or whole peppercorns plus a mill .
• Olive oil and vinegar for perking up whatever you overbuy at the farmers market, from tomatoes to corn to lettuce.
• That condiment you put on everything: Zhong sauce ? Yellow sriracha ? Kewpie mayonnaise ? All three?
• Coffee or tea . In case you’re one of those people who becomes Not Nice when you don’t get your caffeine fix as soon as you wake up.
• Storage containers for leftovers (dinner tonight is the easiest lunch tomorrow) and adventures (so you can win Best Meal at the Top of the Mountain ).
• Knives —yes, even if the Airbnb kitchen photos look promising. Chef’s at a minimum; gold star each for a serrated and a paring .
• Microplane for citrus, ginger, Parmesan, garlic, etc. As Christina Chaey puts it , “Once you start traveling with your Microplane, you may never go on another trip without it.”
• Sheet pan : You can’t pack every pan, so you might as well pack the most versatile one.
• Wine opener because vacation. Go lo-fi with this under-$10 option or spend a little more for an electric wonder .

Recipes That Taste Like Summer

And they’ll taste even better when you blast your go-to karaoke songs while you cook.

One-Pan Braised Chicken with Soy Sauce and Tomatoes

On lazy summer nights when you can’t fathom doing more than the bare minimum number of dishes, make this deeply comforting one-skillet chicken and tomato dish from contributing recipe developer Christian Reynoso. The chicken thighs marinate, cook, and get served in a single skillet; as the chicken cooks, the marinade cooks down into a luxuriously buttery, salty sauce that’s perfect for spooning over rice or thick slices of toast. — Christina Chaey, senior food editor

Grilled Corn and Steak Fattoush

If you can gather everything for tonight’s dinner with a single sweep of the sleepy village supermarket, then it’s a vacation winner in my books. Bonus points if it doesn’t require a blender or stand mixer or any such machine that your cute rental is unlikely to have. This grilled corn and steak fattoush fits the bill, demanding nothing more of you than a few bowls and a hot grill by the pool, grass in your toes. —Shilpa Uskokovic, food editor

Creamy Lemon Zucchini Pasta

When most people go on vacation they pack extra bathing suits and flip-flops; I pack my Microplane and Thermapen. After staying in one too many vacation homes without a box grater on premises, my newest must-pack vacation item is a collapsible box grater that packs up flat and is no bigger than a small notebook. I use it to shred zucchini and Parmesan for this decadent summer pasta, turn a pile of carrots into a big grated salad , or make a quick grated raw-tomato sauce . —C.C.

Crispy Chickpea and Cucumber Salad

When a friend invited me to lunch and a lazy day on the beach, I thought about taking a bottle of wine. But sun and rosé midday can’t possibly lead to good, so instead, I made good use of some garden-gown cucumbers to make this salad. A quick search of my pantry confirmed I had everything else I needed to make this bright and crispy salad, one full of protein thanks to the addition of sautéed chickpeas and feta. While I can't say the others didn't wish I'd opted for rosé, I can say they all asked for the recipe. —Dawn Davis, editor in chief

Blueberry Muffin Cake

This cake is for those of us who believe baking is relaxing. You won't need more than a mixing bowl and whisk to achieve a tender crumb. Whether your vacation kitchen is fully stocked or barely functioning, this cake is designed to impress under any conditions. The shortcut: store-bought granola in place of a homemade streusel topping. Because even though you're baking, you're still on vacation. —Mehreen Karim, recipe production assistant

Salted Watermelon Juice

I made this juice on vacation precisely as the headnote dictated: We needed to use up the rest of a whole watermelon we bought. I froze the cubes before blending for a thicker slushie texture. It is definitely thirst-quenching after baking in the summer sun on the water all afternoon. And it can easily be boozed up with most whatever you have on hand. —Ryan Harrington, research director

Picnic Tomatoes

The hardest part about this recipe is finding ripe, heavy, juicy tomatoes. Which—at the Jersey shore, where my family gathers for a prosecco-fueled reunion every summer—isn’t hard at all. It reminds me of the tomato-mayo sandwiches I grew up on, with just enough herbs to look like you put in a lot of work (you didn’t). —Emma Laperruque, senior cooking editor

Broccoli Melts

This sandwich is endlessly adaptable––make it with any bread (even pappy sliced white); switch the cheddar for pre-sliced provolone, gouda, or some other melty cheese; and use lemon juice instead of vinegar.The result is good for a lazy brunch or laid-back dinner. —S.U.

Minty Limeade

This is such a simple recipe that I can make anywhere, as long as I have lemons, limes, and mint leaves. If you like checking out the local farmers market wherever you are, it's a breeze to grab these fresh ingredients. The recipe is minimal on tools (a pitcher and something to mash with), in case your Airbnb kitchen doesn't have much. —Karen Yuan, lifestyle editor

No-Brainer Corn Salad

This recipe never fails as my summer vacation standby. Sure it’s hands-down delicious (salty! sweet! crunchy!) and takes full advantage of peak-season corn, but the best part is its total flexibility. Use whatever nut, herb, and cheese you can find at the store, whatever vinegar and oil is stashed in the cupboard, and et voila. It’s a salad. It’s a condiment. It’s your new summer fling. —Sasha Levine, digital director

I was raised by a mother who waited all year for sweet summer corn, an obsession that was passed down genetically. When I'm feeling fancier than corn on the cob, I make this choose-your-own-adventure salad. Don't have serrano chiles? Use black pepper or red pepper flakes. Don't have a grill? Boil or microwave your corn. —Kate Kassin, editorial operations associate

Salad Ramen

A big bowl of hiyashi chuka is one of my favorite things to eat on a scorching summer day. It's an easy recipe to make for a crowd, and you can top it with whatever fresh vegetables you manage to find. —Wilder Davies, Epicurious staff writer

Summer Squash and Basil Pasta

This pasta is extremely easy, extremely summery, and extremely delicious—the definition of low-effort, high-reward vacation cooking. —Sonia Chopra, executive editor

Melon and Avocado Crudo

I love this quick crudo—it gives me big beach vibes. It is bright, light, and so simple to put together. Honeydew melon gets a bad rap so it's refreshing to see it put to good use here. —I.A.

Sheet-Pan Gnocchi

Crispy gnocchi, juicy burst tomatoes, a tangle of fresh greens dressed in roasted garlic: It’s a crowd-pleasing sheet-pan dinner and it’ll be ready in just about half an hour. —S.C.

Tomato Caesar

This Tomato Caesar by Chris Morocco is light, refreshing, and showcases summer tomatoes in all their glory. The only prep you really need to do is make a shortcut Caesar dressing—store-bought mayo makes it come together quickly and fuss-free. —Antara Sinha, associate cooking editor

This is excellent at any temperature, just the thing for late risers and early birds alike. I've used onions or shallots instead of the leeks, and broccoli or asparagus in place of zucchini. It's a great way to disguise bits and bobs of leftovers and clear out the fridge on the last day of your trip. —S.U.

Seared Squash and Halloumi Burgers

I know I’m not the only vegetarian who has showed up at a cookout with a veggie burger that came out of a cardboard box. I feel like I leveled up once I started sandwiching melty slabs of halloumi and punchy summer squash between buns instead. —S.C.

Explore MyRecipes

Profile menu, 15+ super easy recipes to make in your vacation rental.

Going on vacation is expensive—and eating out for every meal while you're out of town can add up quickly. But you don't have to sacrifice taste for the sake of your budget! Throw out those boring ham sandwiches and whip up one of our easiest recipes to make on vacation. The best part? Since so many of our simple meals call for single sheet pans and pots, clean up will be a breeze. 

Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro-Lime Slaw 

Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro-Lime Slaw  Recipe

These easy shrimp tacos are apt to become one of your favorite weeknight dinner go-to's. They're ridiculously fast, they're easily adapted to suit picky palates, and wow, TACO bout flavor. A few pantry spices and about five minutes under the broiler are all it takes to transform raw shrimp into a dynamite taco filling.

One-Pot Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes

One-Pot Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes Recipe

This pasta dinner is a game changer: You use just enough liquid to cook the pasta--no colander needed. Recipe adapted from our sister publication Southern Living. Cost for 4: $8.43

One-Pot Cheesy Pasta Bake

One-Pot Cheesy Pasta Bake Recipe

This easy skillet pasta bake is a surefire family hit. Pasta and meat sauce topped with mozzarella cheese will make everyone at the table happy, and the all-in-one-pot technique will have the cook smiling pretty. Cooking the pasta in the meat sauce not only lessens the amount of dishes you have to do and the time it takes to get dinner done, but the starches in the pasta thicken the sauce—without you having to do a single extra thing. 

One-Pot Pasta with Tomato-Basil Sauce

One-Pot Pasta with Tomato-Basil Sauce Recipe

This dish is a revelation. Throw all of your ingredients into one pot over medium-high heat, and about 25 minutes later you'll have noodles perfectly coated in a luscious tomato-basil sauce. This is any busy mom's weeknight dinner perfection. If entertaining, serve with one of our easy green salad recipes for the complete dinner experience. 

Sheet-Pan Chicken Tikka Masala

Sheet-Pan Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

With a little sheet pan savvy, flavor-packed chicken tikka masala has never been more accessible. While we suggest marinating the chicken for at least four hours, if you didn't plan ahead, you can simply marinate the inherently tender chicken thighs for as long as you have time for. 

Sheet Pan Seafood Bake with Buttery Wine Sauce

Sheet Pan Seafood Bake with Buttery Wine Sauce Recipe

Finally, a seafood "bake" that lives up to its name. This lively platter of mussels, clams, sausage, and potatoes is a super fun alternative to your typical sheet pan suppers. It's easy to make and doused in a ridiculously tasty, buttery white wine sauce —kicked up a bit with a little hot sauce and seafood seasoning—which is heavenly sopped up with the potatoes, as well as some crusty bread if you have it on hand. As far as seafood seasoning blends go, we prefer Slap Ya Mama brand, as we've found they use high quality ingredients, but feel free to use whatever you have kicking around your spice cabinet. When cleaning the shellfish prior to cooking, tap any partially opened mussels on the counter; if they close their shell, they're fine to cook. However if they don't close up—toss them, that means they're dead, and no good to eat. Also discard any mussels or clams with broken shells. The clams will take a bit longer to cook, which is why you'll want to start these on the pan first. Doing so also allows the pan to preheat, so when you add the wine, instant steam is created to help open the mollusks. We consider this dish the ultimate in laid-back evening eats, so crack a cold beer open and enjoy. And if you wanted to dress this dish up a bit, you could eliminate the potatoes and serve the shellfish, sausage, and sauce over a bed of linguine. 

Spaghetti and Easy Meatballs

Spaghetti and Easy Meatballs Recipe

Serve a classic Italian-inspired dish for dinner. The easy meatball method will make you skip buying store-bought meatballs for good. Whether you're serving adults or a family-friendly crew, this dish is a pitch-perfect crowd pleaser.

Sheet Pan Cuban Sandwiches

Sheet Pan Cuban Sandwiches Recipe

Make perfectly pressed and toasty Cuban sandwiches for a crowd in one go with this genius sheet pan technique. Beyond being an obvious choice for your next party or tailgate, this recipe is an incredible way to recycle leftover pork roast or pork tenderloin into a delicious way to feed a group. Brushing the bread with pickle juice is a smart trick for keeping the bread from drying out too much and delivers an additional punch of flavor. 

Sheet Pan Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Sheet Pan Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Recipe

This simple sheet pan technique allows you to make five grilled cheese sandwiches with at the same time (meaning everyone around the table gets an equally gooey and warm sandwich at the same time), and with not much more effort than it takes to prep one. We went with 4 type of cheese—goat, white cheddar, provolone, and Swiss—for these buttery, rich sheet pan grilled cheese sandwiches.

Easy Taco Salad

Easy Taco Salad Recipe

Perfect for hectic weeknights, this easy taco salad recipe is something both kids and adults will love. The beauty of taco salad is that it's entirely customizable to your favorite taco components, so feel free to stray from the recipe to accommodate whatever you're craving and/or the ingredients you already have on hand.

Pizza Roll Casserole

Pizza Roll Casserole Recipe

Mmm, tastes like college. The pizza rolls and cheese sticks achieve a perfect crispiness here, excluding the small bit that's "dipped" into the pizza sauce. The cool, creamy ranch makes for the perfect bite. 

Sheet Pan Thai Red Curry Mussels

Sheet Pan Thai Red Curry Mussels Recipe

Easy weeknight dinners don't get any more impressive than these sheet pan mussels. Bold aromatics come together with curry paste and rich coconut milk for an incredible broth that goes right on the sheet pan to steam the mussels and infuse them with flavor.

Everything Bagel Salad

Everything Bagel Salad Recipe

Your favorite brunch special just took on a new, heartier format. Everything here comes through: The bagels, capers, lox, raw onions, and cream cheese are all balanced out by spinach's natural mild sweetness.

Sheet Pan Fried Eggs

Sheet Pan Fried Eggs Recipe

Say hello to the easiest way to make fried eggs for a crowd. In fact, this sheet pan technique for frying eggs might just be the best thing to happen to breakfast since oven baked bacon . 

Grilled Ham and Cheese Waffle Sandwiches

Grilled Ham and Cheese Waffle Sandwiches Recipe

Breakfast or lunch? This delicious waffle sandwich doesn't make you choose. The perfect brunch recipe is always a crowdpleaser.

Grilled Margherita Sandwiches

Grilled Margherita Sandwiches Recipe

This quick five-ingredient entrée transforms a favorite pizza combo into a melty grilled sandwich. To thinly slice fresh mozzarella with ease, freeze the cheese for about 30 minutes before cutting.

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7 Essential Cooking Tips for Travelers

Choosing to cook at home when traveling, not only saves you money, but is much better for your overall health.

And it doesn’t have to be daunting.

Of course cooking at home where you have infinite spices and cooking tools makes life easier, but that doesn’t make it impossible.

It’s sort of like camping, or pretending you’re on Little House on the Prairie; make due with what you have.

Best Cooking Tips for Travelers

Stay somewhere with a kitchen.

This one is like, duh. But I’m just saying! Without a kitchen, it’s wayyy more difficult to eat at home. Although not impossible, scroll down for tips when you don’t have a kitchen.

Get Back to Basics

Cooking simple dishes with simple ingredients saves you a lot of time and hassle. I like to think, what would college Rachel make? Shopping in a foreign grocery store, not being able to read labels, and not having everything you might get at Whole Foods can be a challenge.

But by keeping it simple, you’ll save yourself unnecessary stress. Every market or grocery store I’ve ever been to abroad has at least had eggs, veggies, fruits, rice or pasta, bread, and meat (the meat is for Jack).

Not to mention you are at the complete mercy of whatever utensils and appliances were provided. Before heading to the store, take stock of what you have at your disposal.

Most US accommodations will have a stocked kitchen, most kitchen I’ve encountered abroad have been pretty sparse.

Here are some of my go-to meals :

• Breakfast Hash
• Eggs and Fruit
• Overnight Oats

Lunch and Dinner

• Raw Veggies

Simplify the Staples

Don’t forget the first time you’re shopping in a new area, you’ll need to restock your pantry necessities. Every time. I’ve managed to simplify what we consider staples over the last two years (and I think Jack lowered his standards for my cooking). To add a little more flavor, I also try to buy whatever spicy peppers I find.

Pantry Staples

• Salt and Pepper
• Seasoning Packets
• Vinegar (if I’m staying somewhere long-term)

Buy Local and In-Season

You know what they say, when in Rome . Peanut butter will cost you an arm and a leg, but you know what there’s plenty of? Plantains. Nothing is better than chili’s in Mexico, quinoa in Peru, or plantains in Ecuador.

My strategy at a strange grocery store is to get random fruits or veggies, and figure out what to do with it later. You might discover your new favorite! And buying in season is a lot easier abroad. If it’s not in season, you probably can’t find it at the store.

An even better approach is to buy produce from smaller vendors and farmers market-style markets. The food tastes way better, and you can directly see where your money is going, instead of giving it to a big corporate grocery store.

Remember: embrace the plantains.

Make Local or Regional Recipes

This one goes hand-in-hand with buying local. You might be discouraged at the grocery store that you cant make your mom’s famous casserole. But guess what the grocery store is full of? All the ingredients to make any regional dish . And plantains.

Plus you’re learning something new you can take with you forever!

For example, when we were in Ecuador, we tried our hand at this easy Bolón recipe (Ecuadorian Green Plantain Fritters). They weren’t the prettiest, but tasted pretty good!

Learn to Guesstimate

You’d be hard pressed to stay somewhere abroad that has measuring cups. I’m usually winging it anyway, so it hasn’t been too much of a hardship. If I had a nickel every time I measured out rice with a coffee mug. When following an actual recipe, eye balling and guessing proportions is sometimes as good as its gonna get.

Don’t Buy Too Much

One of my biggest pet peeves is food waste. I’d rather not get enough and have to eat out one night, than throw away a bunch of food because we have to leave. Planning ahead a bit can help .

If you think, ok I need food for like 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 1 dinner this week , you’ll have a better idea of how much to buy.

I’ve also noticed produce doesn’t last as long in countries outside the US, so don’t buy too much thinking you have a while to eat it. It’s best to make smaller, more frequent trips.

For more money saving advice, read: 16 Hacks to Save Money as a Digital Nomad

Bonus Tip: Cooking Without a Kitchen

We’ve definitely been there before. Lets just say we stayed in a Vegas Strip hotel for 3 weeks once…

If your hotel or accommodation has at least a mini-fridge or a microwave , we’re cooking! (lol)

Here are some no-cook meals when you find yourself in this predicament:

• Store-Bought Hardboiled Eggs
• Any Microwave Meal
• Protein Shake
• Orange Juice

When you’re in a situation without the resources or tools to cook, be scrappy . Steal single-use salt and pepper packets from food courts, keep to-go silverware and wash it, bring home leftovers when you do eat out. Unfortunately, plantains do not thrive in this environment as they are best served boiled, fried or baked. Sorry.

There you have it. My best advice for cooking for travelers. The biggest tip of all is to give yourself grace and acknowledge you’re doing the best you can , whether you eat boring pasta 5x a week, or find yourself eating out more than you’d like.

What other advice have you found useful for cooking while traveling? I’m always looking for ideas!

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How to Cook While Traveling? (Tips, Tricks, and Recipes)

Are you going on a trip soon, perhaps for the first time, and wondering how to cook while traveling? If you are traveling in a motorhome, is it easy to cook in a motorhome? What dishes to prepare? Can we use stainless steel pressure canners ? Can we simmer everything? 

Discover our advice and tips for cooking while traveling in a motorhome, van, and campervan.

How to Cook While Traveling?

Welcome to the kitchen of the motorhome while traveling. You will have noticed it is a functional space but reduced compared to the kitchen of the house.

To make a good meal, you need the right products; our first advice is to make a shopping list before going to the (super) market. Bonus tip, take advantage of being on the move to eat locally, seasonal vegetables coming directly from the producer. 

Our second tip is not to go for a gourmet menu for 15 people. Indeed, the worktop and the fridge of the motorhome are less bulky than at home. In addition to the reduced space, you will be less comfortable for large meals. 

Eating well is essential. The trip is about simplicity. Eating well doesn’t mean complicated cooking, getting straight to the point, and not worrying too much.

What to cook while traveling?

• The smartest of us (if you read this article, you will be one of them) will bring home-canned goods (or not) on their trip. It’s simple, we open it, we reheat, and we know what we are eating.
• Another alternative that will depend on the season, you can go with cold meals: salads, roasts, sandwiches, etc. … after all, it is the holidays. 
• The barbecue is your ally: cook your meats, fish, and other tasty delicacies on the BBQ; it’s pleasant, comfortable, and useful.

In bulk, we give you our ideas for meals in a motorhome: eggs and bacon, cod steak with rice, zucchini steak minced, tuna salad, tomato-cucumber salad, salmon avocado toast, a can of ravioli, etc.

Three simple recipes to cook while traveling

Our cooking is often limited to a fire, a pot, a frying pan (for the best equipped). On the other hand, gas and water resources are counted. Here are three recipe ideas. This can be adapted according to the road’s ingredients because they are available in infinity (or almost). 

• One-pot pasta

This pasta dish, literally translated as “cook everything in one pot,” is ideal when cooking in a van. All you need is a pan and a little imagination.

Ingredients for 3-4 people:

• 1 clove of garlic
• 2 large tomatoes
• 1 Courgette
• (1 bell pepper)
• 200 gr. pasta

In a large saucepan, brown the chopped onion and the pressed garlic in the oil.

Add the diced vegetables (the smaller it is, the faster it cooks), then the pasta. Mix everything and leave to return for a few minutes.

Add water to the height and cook until the pasta is al-dente (or tender, depending on taste).

All you have to do is chisel the basil on top.

For those with a sweet tooth, you can grate cheese or add a little cream.

It is possible to imagine many variations for this dish. Depending on the season, the countries you cross, you can change the vegetables, spices, add meat…

Another advantage : The light crockery chore because you only use a pan for cooking everything.

• Naan style buns

Naan is an Indian bread that is easy to make and cooks quickly. No need to leave the dough or knead for hours. Also, the naan goes wonderfully with grilled vegetables, hummus, and cheese. It can be pan-cooked but is even better on the barbecue grill. As this outdoor cooking method is perfect when traveling in a van, you need to find wood.

Ingredients for 6 naans

• 200 gr. wheat flour
• Plain yogurt
• 2 pinches of sugar
• 2 pinches of yeast (or baker’s yeast)
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 5cl of hot water

Put the flour in a container, pour a tablespoon of oil and mix well. Add the yeast, sugar, salt, yogurt, and mix. Depending on the texture of the dough, add the water. It should not be too sticky; otherwise, it will be necessary to add flour.

Make a ball. Soften the dough by tapping it and then leave to rest (if you have time for at least 2 hours otherwise, it’s okay).

Form small pancakes with the dough (you can insert fresh cheese) and place them on the barbecue grill until cooked through.

A simple and effective recipe that will give you ideas during the evenings around the fire.

• Apple cake in the pan

Baking cakes is a lot less easy when you live in a van. The ingredients are not always easy to find, depending on the country where you travel. And the utensils available do not allow you to embark on the development of a mounted piece. Yet it is a real pleasure to bake and mostly eat a good cake.

This pan-fried apple cake is easy to make, quick to bake, and requires few ingredients. 

Ingredients :

• 2 nice apples (or pears)
• 1 glass (mustard) of flour
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• ½ glass of powdered sugar
• ½ glass of milk

Peel the apples and cut them into thin strips to brown them with a little butter and sugar in a pan until they are golden.

Meanwhile, mix the flour, yeast, sugar then add the eggs and milk.

Pour this paste over the apples and cook over very low heat for about ten minutes, covered. When the top of the cake is no longer liquid, slide it onto a plate. Place a knob of butter in the pan again, turn the cake over to cook the other side for 5 minutes.

This ideal “ on the road ” dessert ultimately looks like a thick but melting pancake-like Clafoutis. You can also vary it according to the seasonal fruits and add walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds…

These three recipes are part of our basic cooking when traveling on the roads. They can be endlessly reinvented and adapt to life in a van. Hopefully, these will solve the problem of how to cook while traveling. Wishing you a good tasting on the roads…

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Easy Meals to Cook in a Vacation Rental or Hotel Room

Judy Antell

Going out to eat can be the highlight of your vacation. But it also can be ruinous to a diet. But you don’t want to spend your whole vacation in the kitchen. That’s when you can turn to one of these easy meals to cook, even in hotel room.

Why should you cook on vacation? It gives you some measure of control over what you eat. Plus, it can save you when your hangry kids are having a meltdown while you wait for a table at a restaurant. And it can be a way to unwind in your PJs after a day of touring.

It is easy to cook if you’re staying in a fully-stocked vacation rental or a suite hotel with a kitchen. But even in a standard hotel room, you can make these easy meals.

Below, we share some of our favorite easy meals to cook on vacation, even if you only have access to a fridge, coffee pot and microwave. They’re even easier to cook in a luxurious vacation rental with a fully-stocked gourmet kitchen.

Read on for our favorite recipes, prep tips and shopping lists.

Chef Art Smith’s Brown Rice Salad

For this, you’ll want to shop the local market to pick up fresh cucumbers, celery, peppers and tomatoes. And bring along your favorite sharp knife so you can chop through those veggies as easily as Chef Art does.

Could you chop those veggies in a food processor? Sure. But Chef Art says “nothing delicious is hurried.” Chopping by hand “makes sure your family really feels the love.”

SheBuysTravel Tip: If you’re driving to your destination consider bringing your blender, slow cooker or instant pot . You can make a lot of easy recipes using them. Find more easy meals to cook on Pinterest !

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

This flavorful but easy meal to cook in a vacation rental can feed the whole family. Skip takeout and enjoy this refreshing salad recipe at home.

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 box penne pasta
• Head of romaine lettuce
• Cherry tomatoes
• Caesar dressing
• Grated parmesan cheese
• Cook chicken on the grill or sautéed on the stove. Let cool and cut into cubes.
• While your chicken is cooling, cook the penne according to the directions on the box, drain and rinse with cold water.
• Slice cherry tomatoes in half.
• Toss all of the ingredients together with the dressing (use your own judgment on the amount of the dressing) and top with the croutons. If you are making ahead, don’t mix the lettuce in until right before time to serve, otherwise it will wilt.

You will need a medium-sized stockpot to boil the water for pasta, a frying pan to cook the chicken (unless you have access to a grill), a colander and a large bowl to toss the salad together.

Before you say “my kids won’t eat that,” know that SheBuysTravel writer Allison Taylor thought that too. Then one night, she just decided to give it a shot and was shocked that her kids ate the salad…and liked it! This Italian-inspired dish is now one of her family’s favorites.

Read More: Recipes that Travel Well

More Easy Meals to Cook on a Road Trip

SheBuysTravel writer Nasreen Stump is queen of the road trip. Traveling to see her family in the northeast from her home in Texas with kids in tow, means nights – and dinners – on the road. Nasreen’s tips, particularly her spice trick, are epic. Read on for lessons learned, a shopping list to cover six vacation nights and recipes.

Prep in Advance

If you are driving to your destination, pack a cooler with pre-made food that is easy to pop in and out of your vacation rental and grab for lunch or even a snack.

Some of the foods we like to prepare ahead of time: chicken salad, tuna salad, frozen baked spaghetti or lasagna. These are perfect for easy weeknight dinners while on vacation!

What to Bring from Home

Nasreen travels with spices. It’s a huge money saver on the road. Cooking in hotels is easy. Buying spices to give everything flavor is expensive.

Nasreen’s epic spice tip: Use a pill container and keep a few teaspoons of each spice on hand. Use the packets of salt and pepper from the breakfast area of your hotel.

Spices needed for the recipes below:

• Oregano (3 tsp)
• Red pepper flakes (4 tsp)
• Ground rosemary (1 tsp)
• Nutmeg (1/2 tsp)
• Paprika (1 tsp)
• Turmeric (1/2 tsp)
• Cardamom (1/2 tsp)
• Cumin (1/2 tsp)
• Cinnamon (1/4 tsp)

Plus 4 tsp each of salt and pepper if you aren’t able to grab some packets from the hotel.

Shopping List

1 box Success Boil in Bag Rice Small container sour cream Bag of shredded Mexican cheese Can of corn Can of black beans Can of chickpeas Can of tomato sauce (16 oz) 2 1/2 lb small potatoes 1 small onion 1/3 lb tofu 1/2 cup white wine. If you are staying at a suite-style hotel, chances are there will be a complimentary meal on weeknights that includes wine. Snag a glass to use in your cooking. Otherwise, buy a bottle (it doesn’t need to be fancy) and drink the leftover! Bunch of basil 1/2 dozen eggs 1/2 cup bread crumbs Olive oil, small bottle Pasta sauce, 1 jar Mozzarella balls, small container 1 box pasta, your choice of shape (16 oz) 1 stick butter 8 oz heavy cream 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese Garlic, 1 clove 1 large bag microwave steamable broccoli 1 can diced beets 1 package of bacon 1 lb frozen small shrimp 1 box Organic Imagine Corn & Lemongrass soup (trust me this is the winner in the flavor category- but aim for something Thai-ish if you can’t find it) 2 limes 1 box mushrooms 2 carrots 1 bunch parsley

Pseudo-Parmesan (Tofu Parmigiana)

The night before: Drain tofu (1/3 lb) and thinly slice into slabs. Place back into empty container or into a bowl. Add a drizzle of olive oil, 1/2 c white wine, a pinch of red pepper flakes, a pinch of salt, a 1/2 tsp of pepper, 10 basil leaves and 1 tsp ground rosemary . Make sure tofu is submerged. Place in hotel fridge overnight to marinate.

That day: Wash 1 lb potatoes and start them boiling. In a large skillet, place 2 tbs or so of olive oil and heat over low. Beat one egg in a bowl and set aside. Place 1/2 c breadcrumbs on a plate. Take the tofu from the fridge, piece by piece place tofu in egg then coat in breadcrumbs. Place in oil pan and fry slowly until golden brown. Remove tofu to plate and rinse skillet.

After rinsing, pour 16 oz jar of pasta sauce  into the skillet and start heating on low heat. Place all basil leaves from the marinade into the pasta sauce. Heat slowly.

Add tofu back in, placing 3 pieces of sliced mozzarella balls onto each piece. Quarter remaining mozzarella.

Drain potatoes & cut large ones in half. Toss in pan with mozzarella, 2 TBS olive oil , and additional shredded basil from bunch. Dish into bowls & serve topped with tofu and sauce.

Flannel Hash

A New England classic, red flannel hash is popular anytime of day. This hearty dish makes a great dinner!

Dice 1 lb potatoes and put into large pot to boil for ten minutes. Take out the bacon and chop dice. In a saucepan, fry bacon and drain off excess fat. To bacon add: 1 can diced beets, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, 1/4 cup chopped parsley  and  1 tsp red pepper flakes.

Drain potatoes and add to saucepan with beets. Cook on medium-heat, stirring regularly to avoid sticking.

In another saucepan, add 1 TBS olive oil and fry your remaining 5 eggs . Serve hash in bowls topped with a fried egg (grown ups in our family get two).

Pseudo-Persian (Khoresh-e Qeymeh)

I love to celebrate my culture, but the time-consuming cooking led me to this quick knock-off for weeknights. The kids love it and it satisfies — and cooks in under a half hour.

Wash and chop a 1/2 lb of potatoes into matchsticks. Fry in 2 TBS olive oil and set aside on a plate once they are golden brown.

In a pan, boil one of the large Success Rice Boil in Bags (or 2 small ones). Chop your onion and sauté until golden brown in 1 TBS of olive oil . Add the 16 oz can of tomato sauce , the can of chickpeas, 1/2 tsp cardamom, 1/4 tsp cumin, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper , and 1/2 tsp turmeric . Squeeze the juice from 1/2 a lime into the sauce. Cook until heated through.

Serve rice with chickpea sauce and topped with French fried potatoes.

Wannabe Tom Kha Gai Soup

This is one of my family’s favorite dishes. It couldn’t be easier and it mimics a dish we all love to order in Thai restaurants. If your kids don’t like shrimp, it can be made with chicken or tofu. Use the shrimp with tails on to save time, then just put out a bowl for everyone to throw their tails into as they eat their way through the soup.

Chop 2 carrots into rounds. Slice mushrooms . In a saucepan, melt 2 tbs butter and add the bag of frozen shrimp . Squeeze the juice of one lime over the shrimp. Let them cook on medium until tender when squeezed. Add in the mushrooms and carrots. Add 1 tsp red pepper flakes and a tsp of salt .

Once the carrots are tender, add the Imagine Corn & Lemongrass soup (comes in a 16 oz box). The soup has the coconut flavors of a traditional Tom Kha Gai.

Heat through and serve. Cut up the remaining 1/2 lime into wedges for each bowl. Easy and delicious!

The Best Pasta Alfredo Ever

Serve this rich and creamy dish to your family on the road.

In a saucepan, melt 6 TBS butter . Sauté 1 clove minced garlic in the butter until golden. Stir in 8 oz of heavy cream, 3/4 c grated parmesan cheese, 1/4 tsp pepper, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp oregano, 1/4 tsp nutmeg , and 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes . Stir consistently while cooking over medium heat.

In a large pan, boil the box of pasta . In the microwave, cook bag of microwave broccoli according to package instructions.

Drain pasta. Add broccoli and alfredo sauce into pasta. Mix and serve immediately.

Rice and Beans

When you’ve reached the last night of your vacation and you want a little comfort food as you pack and prepare to return to the real world, this is the recipe to choose!

In a large pan boil 1 Large Success Rice Boil in Bag (or 2 small ones). Drain a can of black beans and rinse several times. Put black beans into saucepan along with the can of corn , 1 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp pepper . Heat. Once rice is done cooking add it to the beans & corn.

Serve topped with shredded Mexican cheese and sour cream .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What kitchen equipment should I bring with me on vacation to cook these meals?

A: It depends on what meals you plan to make, but we recommend packing a small pot, an electric frying pan, a cutting board, a knife, a can opener, and a spatula. If you’re staying in a vacation rental, check the kitchen inventory list provided by the owner before you pack.

Q: What are some easy meals that don’t require cooking?

A: You can make simple sandwiches, salads, and wraps with pre-cooked ingredients like deli meat, cheese, canned tuna, and pre-washed lettuce. You can also assemble a charcuterie board with crackers, cheese, fruit, and nuts.

Q: How can I save money on groceries while on vacation?

A: Shop at local grocery stores instead of touristy convenience stores. Look for deals on bulk items and buy only what you need. Use coupons and loyalty programs if available. Cook meals that use similar ingredients to avoid waste.

Q: Can I cook with local ingredients if I’m traveling abroad?

A: Absolutely! In fact, cooking with local ingredients is a great way to experience the culture and flavors of a new place. Visit local markets and grocery stores to find fresh produce, meat, and spices. Ask locals for recipe recommendations and cooking tips.

Q: What if I don’t have time to cook on vacation?

A: That’s okay! You can still save money on food by packing snacks and drinks to carry with you on day trips. Look for deals on pre-made meals and snacks at local markets and grocery stores. Don’t forget to try some local street food for a quick and tasty meal on the go!

Happy Cooking! What are your favorite meals to make on the road? We’d love to hear in the comments below the easy dinner ideas that work well for your family when you decide to cook on vacation! Do you cook specialty meals that are carb or gluten-free, vegan or keto-friendly? 

12 responses

Thanks for the ideas

I like how flexible these recipes are especially when it comes to the vegetables that will be needed. When choosing a vacation rental for my family. I always want one that has a good kitchen to work on. Getting to cook a lot more is one of the joys that I’ve come to appreciate when on vacation.

Very interesting and informative! ??

Woww..i’m in love with these delicious, scrumptious and yumm food recipes. I’m bookmarking these three. Actually we’re planning a trip soon these meals will be best suited. Thanks for sharing. Love the ingredients because these these not only tasty but healthy too.

I really loved your example of a foil pack dinner and your suggestion of searching local farmers markets for it when making vacation food. Vacation may give me a chance to take some time away from my home, but it’s not going to keep me away from the kitchen, my favorite place in the world. With your examples, I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for what more I can try when planning food for my next vacation booking.

Looks yummy. Gonna try with beef.

Thanks Allison

I love your post you have shared here on your site. I would like to share it with my friends on all my social media accounts. Thanks for writing such an informative content.

Wow! Looking delicious! I think these meals are not only delicious but also healthy. As a mom, this post is very valuable for me. I will make these food for my kids by following you. So, thanks for sharing this post!

Recipes from a traveling chef with kids — now that seems reliable.

I hope that they make your family happy this week! Have a great time!

Great ideas! I hate going out to eat with tired and sandy children, lol. Do you think the hobo dinner could be prepped and frozen ahead of time for packing?

We are at the beach for a week and are heading to the grocery store. Thanks for the great recipes! I can’t wait to try them out.

30 Healthy Meals to Make in a Hotel Room While You Travel

If you are traveling but still want to stick with a healthy diet, and don’t want to go out to eat for every meal, you are in luck. Here is a list of healthy meals to make in a hotel room using nothing but a refrigerator and microwave! And maybe not even both!

*This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission on recommendations at no cost to you.

Get 150+ Recipes for EVERY occasion!

Meal prep like a pro.

Even if you are spending a lot of time on the road, it can be a really smart idea to get ahead in the meal prep department!

You can check out some of the options below to hopefully get an idea of what your shopping list should look like once you get to your hotel room.

If you struggle with meal prep, give the $5 Meal Plan a try — you can start with a 2 week meal plan totally FREE!

Omelets are actually quite easy to make using a mug and a microwave . If your hotel is equipped with a mini-fridge, you can easily store a carton of eggs, some diced meat and/or veggies to make your omelet with every morning!

Here are some quick omelet ideas you can do in a microwave with an egg-safe cooker.

2 Minute Egg Omelet from Joyful Healthy Eats

• Egg in a Mug from Frugal Haus Frau
• Weight Watchers Omelet from Viral Today
• Veggie Omelet in a Mug from Life Family Fun
• Loaded Potato Omelet from $5 Dinners

Rice bowls are one of my favorite quick go-tos with instant rice packs like Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice . These little pouches are easy to store and easy to cook in the microwave.

Combine these easy to cook rice pouches with some microwavable veggies and you are on your way having healthy meals to make in a hotel while you travel.

Take a peek a t some of these recipes below to get inspiration. Keep in mind how easy it would be to grab a rotisserie chicken, can of beans and a little salsa .

Sticky Chicken Rice Bowl from A Wicked Whisk

• Quick Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls
• Cuban Black Beans and Rice from Cilantro and Citronella
• Tuna Rice Bowl from Try Anything Once Culinary
• Cajun Shrimp and Rice from The Flavours of Kitchen

Now, maybe lunch meat isn’t one of the healthiest meals to make in a hotel room, but it’s a lot better than the fast-food joint down the street, am I right?

All of these wraps have easily stored ingredients in a mini-fridge and quickly assembled without the microwave.

Turkey Ranch Club Wrap from Life in the Loft House

• BLT Wraps with Secret Sauce from Fox Valley Foodie
• Granola Crunch Apple Peanut Butter Sandwich Wraps from Recipe Nova
• Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Wraps from Diabetes Strong
• Hawaiin BBQ Chicken Wraps from Tastes Better from Scratch

There is no healthier way to be healthy on the road than by making sure you get your daily dose of greens!

Some of these salads you could prep ahead of time and bring in a salad keeper , or simply dump all of the ingredients together for a quick-fix salad. Just remember to bring a bowl big enough so you aren’t eating out of the ice bucket like some people. (Cough ME cough).

Chinese Chicken Salad from Confetti and Bliss

• Chicken Shawarma Salad from Our Salty Kitchen
• Bacon Avocado Chicken Salad from Yellow Bliss Road
• Asian Slaw with Ginger Peanut Dressing from House of Nash Eats
• Berry Orange Spinach Salad from Yay for Food

Ramen Noodle Dishes

Remember those super cheap ramen noodles from college? Well, you can actually put a healthy spin on them in your adult life. What better healthy meal to make in a hotel room than a noodle–ee comfort food from your youth?

Here are some recipes that take those noodles you know and love and make them a little more grown up.

Thai Peanut Ramen Noodles from The Salty Marshmallow

• Chicken and Veggies Ramen Noodles from The Flavours of Kitchen
• Beef and Broccoli Ramen Noodles from Chef Savvy
• Vegan Spicy Thai Peanut Ramen from Rabbit and Wolves
• 15 Minute Lo Mein from Pinch of Yum

Oatmeal is another one of those awesome comfort foods that are great to have while you travel. Plus, with instant oats , it’s super easy to whip up with nothing but a hotel microwave.

If you are ready to beef-up your oatmeal and make it even healthier, get some inspiration from some of these recipes.

Simple Creamy Banana Oatmeal from Running on Real Food

• Apple Pie Oatmeal from Brewing Happiness
• Blueberry Banana Oatmeal from Fit Mitten Kitchen
• Gingerbread Oatmeal from Veggiekins
• PB&J Overnight Oats from From My Bowl

You can travel and be healthy too!

At the end of the day it’s important to remember to care for your body, no matter where you might be. It’s possible to travel, stay in hotels and be healthy too.

Hopefully, these recipes inspired you a little. Did I miss something? Feel free to leave a comment with your favorite healthy meals to make in a hotel room while you travel!

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25 Easy Make-Ahead Road Trip Meal Ideas they’ll love!

Planning a road trip? Looking for easy, make-ahead meal ideas, whether for a weekend break or a longer trip? Or maybe you want some easy recipes for meals on the road? Here are 25 great ideas for you!

*We work hard to make this the best motorhome travel blog and road trip website possible, full of helpful content for you. The website is supported by our readers, so if you buy through links on this site we may earn a commission- at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain our own .

If you find this post useful, you can also treat us to a coffee – we promise to enjoy it while creating more useful content like this- we might even indulge in a biscuit (or two!)

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Easy Make-Ahead Road Trip Meals

I’ll be honest- planning meals for a road trip is one of the things I dislike most.

Don’t get me wrong- I like cooking and I DEFINITELY like eating … but I am not good at creating a meal plan.

I also have a daughter who has gone from eating whatever we give her to being more and more particular about what she likes- and she’d rather not eat at all than eat something she doesn’t love. At home, it’s pretty easy to cook separate meals, but in the van, it becomes a whole different issue- and it makes the process of meal planning a lot harder.

Why plan meals on a road trip at all??

Oh, I hear you. In an ideal world, we’d just head off into the unknown and see what we find. One of the things we enjoy most about travelling is sampling local foods and dishes and enjoying discovering new things.

Both Mr WB and myself are fairly easy to please and can make do with all sorts, but anyone with kids knows that it’s just not that easy. I also don’t want to spend my time on the road worrying about whether she’ll eat anything- so it makes MY life easier if I plan it out a little in advance.

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Road Trip Meal Planning

So, where do you even start with planning meals for a road trip??

For me, I break it down into 2/3 day intervals. Generally, we like to pop into a shop and buy fresh bread, fruit and other bits every 2/3 days. We don’t do MASSIVE week long shops when we travel- our fridge is nowhere near big enough to deal with that and there’s the worry about what happens if you lose power or gas? All that food will go to waste.

Of course, if you’re only going to a weekend, you can easily make-ahead several dishes and just heat them up- much easier.

TOP TIP for picky eaters- Make them choose some meals

One way I tackle our favourite picky eater is to get her to pick 5-7 dinners she will eat. (Annoyingly, this seems to change every week or so!) I also make her come shopping with me- I find if she chooses it, there’s a higher chance she’ll eat it.

While we’re on the subject of kids, here are some posts you might find useful:

• 21 EPIC Children’s car games & road trip activities
• 14 quiet time activities for kids, tweens and teenagers

Our Normal Road Trip Food shopping method

On a ‘normal’ two-week road trip to mainland Europe, this is my tried and trusted routine:

• Buy stuff in UK which we struggle to get overseas (see below)
• Make-ahead meals for first night or two
• Buy things as you travel (at local markets, supermarkets or Lidl)
• Do this every couple of days so we can buy fresh bread, fruit and croissants! Yum!!
• Try to ignore jeans not doing up….!! 
• Remember that people eat EVERYWHERE and try not to overbuy before you leave the UK.

This system has worked fairly well for us. It’s allowed us to discover new things, let Jade choose what she fancies and my stress levels don’t get too high trying to plan out a whole weeks worth of meals.

What about perishable foods?

We have a fridge which works both whilst we’re driving (battery) and when we’re parked up (gas). So we bring a small amount of perishable food with us- milk, cheese, ham, meat, yogurt, fruit, bacon.

We don’t buy too much in case there is a problem and the fridge breaks- it’s always been a little tempermental and is the part of the motorhome I trust the least!!

Easy Road Trip Recipes

When I’m on a road trip, especially if it’s a holiday, I don’t want to spend hours of my time in the galley, prepping, washing, chopping, cooking and washing up!

Here are a few easy recipes we use and love. Most only use one pot and many can be made in advance if you prefer.

5 easy road trip Breakfast ideas

• Greek Yogurt and fresh fruit
• Muesli/ cereal
• Scrambled eggs in a wrap or on toast (toast is HARD to cook on a gas hob though!)
• Bacon/ sausage sandwich (bring your own bacon from the UK. Alternatively, look in European supermarkets- but it won’t look the same. It’s usually much thinner and cooks MUCH faster.)
• One Pan English Breakfast 

Note how those went from fairly healthy to full-on delicious! I’m making myself hungry!

10 easy Lunch ideas for a road trip

We tend to do lunch as we travel- or if we’re exploring we’ll treat ourselves to a cheeky lunch out. Just don’t do that at Neuschwanstein Castle ! ( Jeez- you thought Norway was expensive!!!! )

• Fresh crusty bread and… anything. Cheese, ham, tuna, butter, garlic cheese, crisps, chicken, leftover beef, fish fingers…
• Salad. We try and add some fruit or salad in where possible- we’ll pretend to be healthy every once in a while! If we’re parked up I love to fry up some chicken and pop it onto a quick salad with avocado, tomatoes and peppers. Or try these delicious healthy salad recipes . TOP TIP- WASH your salad. Even the ones in bags. They don’t always wash it in Europe. It also doesn’t seem to last as long (that might be the heat) so don’t over buy.
• Grilled Cheese (see below for recipe)
• Couscous (see below)

I have still not found a decent way to make toast in the van. It’s an ongoing process that I will continue to work at! Still, Grilled Cheese sandwiches are a perfect snack:

Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe

• Sliced Bread
• Cheese (Cheddar and Mozzarella work well)

Butter bread thinly and put butter side down into hot frying pan (not too hot and use butter, not oil.) Add slices of cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Add other slice of bread on top, butter side up. After a couple of minutes (when bottom slice is brown but not burnt), flip sandwich over. Grill for a couple of minutes. For an extra touch, transfer sandwich to oven tray and bake in oven at 170’c for 5-7 minutes until cheese is totally melted.

Burritos are basically large wraps, with beans and/ or rice added into the wrap. One of the easiest ones is the bean and cheese burrito, but you can easily add in meat, sauces and any leftovers you might have.

Ingredients: 

• 1 whole-grain tortilla wrap
• 1 medium-sized can of black beans (cook in advance if needed)
• Cheese- sliced or grated

Simply spread ingredients over wrap, fold in all ends tightly and enjoy!

5 Easy Road Trip Sandwich ideas

Sometimes, simple is best. Here are some easy road trip sandwich ideas:

• Sausage or Bacon Sandwich – great for breakfast or lunch!
• Ham/Chicken/ Salami Sandwich – with or without cheese
• Jam or Peanut Butter Sandwich
• Egg Mayo Sandwich
• Tuna sandwich

Couscous is magical. Lighter than rice and so versatile. I make a big helping of this and it lasts for lunch and dinner quite happily.

The trick is to double the amount of liquid to cous cous. One cup couscous= 2 cups stock. I love to use chicken or vegetable stock. Nothing fancy; those little cubes in some boiling water are just fine. Stir until the cube disolves, then pour it over the couscous. Leave to stand for 10 minutes. The beauty of this is you can add whatever you like to it. We like lemon, mint, feta, avocado, red peppers, spring onions, celery… the list is endless. I generally make a bowl of plain couscous and we each add different fillings to it.

10 easy or make-ahead road trip meals for dinner

Ahhhh… now this is the fun part. Everyone’s been driving in the exact same motorhome for several hours… and as soon as you arrive somewhere and the van is parked up for the night, they all turn to you and ask ‘what’s for dinner?’…!

All of these recipes take no more than 30 minutes or you can make many of them ahead for the first few days of the trip.

TOP TIP- Be kind to yourself. Many people dislike ‘pre-made’ sauces, feeling that they’re ‘cheating’ if they don’t cook everything from scratch. But it’s your trip too, so don’t be judgemental about sauces from a jar. Yes, there might be a bit more sugar or salt- but it’s a heck of a lot better than a pizza or McDonalds. So be kind to yourself and make things easy.

Some easy or make-ahead meal ideas for dinners on the road:

• 3-way mince (Bolognaise, Chilli, Savoury)- can be made in the slow cooker

Spanish Omelette

• Easy make-ahead taco Bowl

Chicken Quinoa

• Pea/ Pesto Pasta

Cheats Pizza

3-way mince: bolognese, chilli or savoury.

Here’s the recipe for 3 way mince bulk cooking. You can get savoury mince, bolognese and chilli from 1 pack of mince. It’s the perfect ‘make-ahead’ recipe and is very easy to heat up on the road.

1 pack of 500g mince makes 5 meals: 2 x savoury mince 2 x chilli 1 x bolognese

Start with chopped onion, pepper, garlic and grated carrot all in one large pan with a little oil (or butter) until softened.

Split the mix between 3 pans & add the mince. Cut it long ways in the packet before adding so it’s easier to break up in the pan.

You can add any vegetables at this point. Previously I’ve used courgette, mushrooms and aubergine, all finely chopped. You can get 6/7/8 kinds of vegetables in there!

Brown the mince on a low to medium heat so it doesn’t clump together, break it up with a spoon as it cooks.  Add the seasoning to the chilli pan (cumin, turmeric, chilli powder, garlic powder and paprika) and garlic powder to the savoury mince & bolognese pans. 

Once browned, strain peas & sweetcorn (one small can of corn & 1 small can of peas and add to savoury mince pan.

Add one can of chopped tomatoes to the chilli pan & 1 to the bolognese, stir through. Drain and rinse the kidney beans and add to the chilli. I used half a can of beans, I’ll save the rest for a salad.

Rinse the tomato cans out with a little water & add to the savoury mince pan. Stir in Bisto granules (or beef stock & maybe cornflour or thickener as needed). Add a little Worcestershire sauce & pepper to taste.

Taste & adjust seasonings if necessary.

Divide & eat, or store in the fridge until ready.

Many thanks to Phillippa from PhilyaBelly for the recipe – follow her on Instagram

Serve with:

• Spaghetti, rice or potatoes.
• Garlic or crusty bread
• Grated cheese
• Side salad if your family will eat it.

I LOVE this Spanish Omelette. It’s so easy to make and only uses one pan.

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, chopped

Heat the oil in large frying pan. Peel potatoes and slice thinly. Put the slices in the pan with the onion & garlic. Cover the pan and cook until the potatoes are tender, turning them occasionally. Beat the eggs.

When the potato and onion mixture is cooked, add it to the eggs and mix together. Heat another spoon of oil in the pan, and turn the heat down as low as it will go. Pour the egg, onion & potato mixture into the pan.

The essence of this dish is slow cooking and it should take about 20 minutes. When there is no liquid left turn omelette over for 2 minutes. It’s now ready to serve and eat! Delicious- perfect with salad or french loaf.

Lamb Kebabs

Take 500g (4 people) of lean lamb mince and add spices (salt, pepper, cumin, coriander, paprika… whatever you like!) Mould into balls or around a skewer and cook on BBQ or in oven until browned.

If using BBQ and wooden skewers, soak the skewers in water for about 30 minutes first.

Serve with Tzatziki- Greek yogurt, mint, lemon and cucumber

Easy make-ahead Taco bowl

• 1 can of beef
• ½ of a small jar of salsa
• Bag of tortilla chips
• 1 can of beans
• 1 avocado/ guacamole

Warm beef and cook beans as directed on label. Mix and add on top of chips (can be warmed in oven) Add Salsa, avocado/ guacamole, sour cream and grated cheese as desired (we pop the whole thing in the oven to melt the cheese.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1/4 tsp. herb de Provence (or any herbs)
• 1 cup. quinoa
• 1/4 cup. white wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup. olive oil
• 2 green onions
• 2 tbsp. Dijon mustard
• 4 cup. rocket/ lettuce/ salad
• 2/3 cup. olives, quartered
• 12 oz. tomatoes, halved
• Season chicken breasts with herbs, salt and pepper. Grill 3 minutes per side on medium-high or until cooked through.
• Cook quinoa as label directs.
• Mix vinegar, olive oil, green onions, Dijon mustard and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Toss half of the vinaigrette with cooked quinoa, salad/ rocket, tomatoes and olives. Serve chicken over quinoa with remaining vinaigrette.

Pea / Pesto Pasta

• Pasta  
• fresh or frozen peas
• Chopped chives, for serving
• Cook pasta. Drain and return pasta to pot. 
• While pasta is cooking, roughly chop 1 cup peas. Add ricotta and lemon zest and mix well. Season with salt and pepper. 
• Add ricotta mixture, remaining 1/2 cup peas, and pasta water; toss to combine. Sprinkle with chopped chives, if desired.

Alternatively, cook pasta, add several large spoons of pesto and some grated cheese and mix well.

Salmon with rice and vegetables

We eat salmon a lot- it’s very good for you.

Grill (or use a low-wattage air fryer ) and serve with rice, couscous (see above) and vegetables.

Sure, you can make your own dough and add toppings- and if that works for you, then go for it. However, we cheat.

• Grab 2 pitta breads per person and pop them under the grill
• You want them warm, but not ‘crispy’
• Turn over, and spread with pesto (green or red)
• Add mozzarella cheese, ham, salami, mushrooms… whatever you like!
• Grill until bubbling

If you’d like more inspiration, here are a couple of our favourite camping cookbooks:

Healthy Road Trip Snacks

We’ve done an entire post on 15 quick & healthy road trip snacks (many of them Keto friendly) but here are a couple more ideas for you:

• 1 large can of tuna
• ½ cup of cranberries
• A packet of whole-grain crackers

First, take the tuna out from the can and empty it into a bowl. Next, mash a whole avocado and add it with the cranberries into the tuna. Use whole-grain crackers to dip into your tuna.

Apple Cookies

• 2 green apples
• Peanut butter
• Dark chocolate chips
• Almond slices

Cut an apple into slices that resemble a cookie, then layer the rest of the ingredients in between two slices to make the snack look like an apple sandwich. The snack will stay fresh in an ice cooler for two days.

Barabrith – great snack for afternoon tea!

Other things:

Whilst we’re on the subject, don’t forget to bring:

• Washing up liquid
• Big scrubbing pad for BBQ if using
• cleaning supplies
• Kitchen roll
• Bottle/ can opener
• Mugs and glasses
• Tea/ coffee/ sugar

How else can I help you today??

• See the BEST Road Trip Journal to record your adventures!
• Show me essential Road Trip Accessories
• Get 100+ essential road trip songs (+ playlist)
• Help me plan my road trip
• See gift ideas for road trippers

Kat never planned to buy a motorhome. She also never planned to quit her job as an air traffic controller, go touring around Europe in said motorhome, start one of the UK’s largest motorhome travel websites… or get a cocker spaniel.

Find out how she went from stuck in the rat race to being a digital nomad and inspiring thousands of people to have their own epic adventures here.

If you’d like to connect with Kat, send her an email or follow her adventures on social media.

Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Hi Kat I’ve not tried these yet but they get a good review on Amazon. As I’ve bought the barbecue you recommended in your blogs I thought I would try to keep my new BBQ clean as I absolutely hate scrubbing it after use. Just bought a pack to try on our trip to France in September BBQ Grill Mat, Set of 5 Beeway® Non Stick Barbecue Baking Mats for Charcoal, Gas or Electric Grill – Heat Resistant, Reusable and Easy to Clean, FDA Aproved – Bonus 12″ Just thought you may also find these useful

They look amazing- let me know how you find them 🙂

The https://wandering-bird.com website is one of the best we have found, and the 15 Easy Road Trip Meal Ideas article is very well written and useful! Thanks and kisses! 🙂

I recommend a ridge monkey for camper van cooking. You can cook chicken breasts, steaks, poach eggs, bake a cake, make an omelette, and it also makes great toast!

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A guide for cooking while traveling

A pin made so you can save it and read later!

The biggest tip to save money while traveling is to cook. Eating out is usually expensive and unhealthy. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as cooking at home. On this post, I’m sharing with you a few tips for making it easier.

* this post may contain affiliate links – and if you buy something through them, we get a small percentage but it won’t cost you anything at all. 

Before traveling, I was CRAZY about cooking from scratch. I made almost everything, and we bought almost no industrialized product. Not even cheese, tomato sauce, pickles. But I also had all the tools and ingredients I could ever need. If I didn’t have one, I knew where to find it.

I thought it would be easy, you know, I could just wipe up a soup, a pasta, a Chinese fried rice, some roasts and everything would be easy, practical and fast. Of course, it wouldn’t happen that way. We rented houses with filthy kitchens and houses with 4 glasses (or forks, or plates). A lot of the houses had one or 2 super small pots only. Imagine if they’d have a blender or a slow cooker?

We needed to change our mentality to survive.

First of all, we accepted that supermarket food was OK from time to time. I know it’s not super healthy, but it helps a lot. Pies, bread, and some other simple things are great. We’ve been having one ‘ready made’ meal a week. I also needed to trust people. In NZ ’s rentals, people usually left simple stuff that they didn’t finish, like salt, pepper, flour, rice, pasta. I never touched them because I couldn’t know if the person before us washed their hands before touching it, or for how long that’s been opened, or whatever, really. Nowadays, I still have my ‘yuk’ thoughts but some of the things I’ve accepted. They save us money, time and it’s been quite fun to try new flavors and ingredients. Plus, it helps us to carry less stuff. Other than that, we just needed to accept that we wouldn’t find all we want or have all the tools and ingredients we need.

Oh, we also do use whatever the house has to offer. For instance, if the house has an oven, we use it almost every day. Or a blender. Or a slow cooker. We use as much as we can because we don’t ever know when we’ll have one again. We can’t even make a weekly menu because we don’t know what’s going to be available at the next house nor what we’ll be able to find at the local supermarket.

But here are the promised tips:

• Before doing your groceries, check everything that’s available at the house, where’s what and decide, roughly, what’s going to be cooked.
• Cooking simple stuff, like pasta with olive oil and a leafy salad with nuts, a fried rice, etc.
• Cooking for more than one meal (if a big enough pan is available) because it’s simpler to warm up something than to make a whole new meal.
• Make rice (or pasta) at home and buying a roasted chicken, for example, is a lot cheaper than eating out and it’s a lot faster and easier than cooking a whole new meal.
• Buy enough groceries for the whole duration of the trip only. We started buying the small rice packs, the small vinegar bottle, etc because otherwise, we’d have to leave it or bring it.
• Try to use the minimum possible of pots and pans. One pot meals are awesome.
• Buy whatever cooks faster. We try to choose the pasta that cooks in 2 minutes, instead of the ones that take 10 minutes to cook. That way, the first pot won’t get cold before the next one comes up.
• Have some ingredients that match everything, like potatoes, onion, garlic, pasta, leaf salads, fruits.
• Take some time to get to know the kitchen. Find out where things are, change a few places as you wish but don’t forget to put everything back in place before you leave!

And the biggest tip of all…

Have only one cooked meal per day.

It means we have a nice breakfast, with bread, yogurt, fruits, tea and whatever else we have ready, a late lunch and fruits and other small things afterward. We eat fruits, veggie sticks (celery, carrots, capsicum and cucumber – loads of it), sandwiches, but even cookies and cakes (from the supermarket) when we don’t have anything else. It means we have around 3 meals per day, but only one of them needs to be cooked. That lowered a lot my stress level. I still have heavy moments when I think we should be eating better but I now accept that what’s possible is enough. I’ve even considered introducing a green juice a day, but we don’t have a blender in most houses anyway, so we do whatever we can.

Coral chopping our broccoli – she hates it, but loves cooking

And, even though our eating habits haven’t been the same after we left home, we’re exercising more, getting more sun and having more fun. We didn’t ave any health issues, for now at least.

If you wish to receive a file with our favorite recipes, just click here, subscribe (don’t forget to confirm the subscription) to get access!

Great advice! Hope to be putting it to use soon. Do you take cutlery or any small kitchen things from home when you travel?

Hi Katy, thanks for your comment! We don’t take anything, just roll with whatever is available! Not always easy, but it’s always doable! Let us know how it goes!

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[…] been getting better at cooking fast and easy stuff in different kitchens  and getting used to the supermarket ready made food. Food is probably my weak point, as I love […]

[…] of the places we stayed only had dull knives. Seriously. But if you don’t/won’t cook (although I suggest you do), you won’t need it, of […]

[…] When you travel, do you usually eat out or cook? Have you seen our cooking guide? […]

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Travel Kitchen Set: The Essentials for Cooking While Traveling

We’ve all been there before. The times before you packed a travel kitchen set.

After going to the supermarket and picking out some local ingredients, you return to your accommodations all excited to cook up a feast.

You set everything out on the table. Then you open the cupboards to find a bent fork, a warped pan, and a butter knife so dull it wouldn’t even cut butter.

Anger and frustration set in.

How will you boil that pasta?

How are you gonna chop those veggies?

There aren’t even any plates or bowls!

You sigh in defeat and polish off that loaf of bread you bought with some wine. You vow never to cook on the road again.

Cooking while traveling doesn’t need to be this way! We have found that by traveling with a few essential items (that we tweak depending on the trip), we can prepare great meals wherever we may be.  

If, like us, you’re a long-term traveler, digital nomad, house sitter, or all of the above, unless you have unlimited funds, eating out every meal is incredibly unrealistic. Self-catering is essential for  slow traveling .

We’ve prepared food in countless kitchens in  houses we are house sitting, at campgrounds while we are road tripping , while couchsurfing, and even in budget motels. The key to successful cooking while traveling is a kick-ass travel kitchen set that’s actually mobile. We’re not talking about the surprisingly toted-as-convenient travel cooking equipment that requires a car trunk, or several baggage claims (you’d be amazed at what people insist they must travel with).

We’re talking about a portable travel kitchen that will fit into your backpack.

One would think that every kitchen comes equipped with the same essentials. But if there’s anything we’ve learned cooking in myriad kitchens, it’s that not one single home is ever alike. Whether you travel via house sitting , Airbnb, hosteling, or Couchsurfing, these items can help you budget, feel better, and enjoy quality food (like yummy produce) wherever you are.

Here’s what we usually pack in our travel kitchen kit. What you pack in yours will depend on length of trip and your food preferences/habits. Let this list guide you as you make your own travel kitchen set!

Travel Utensils

Titanium spoon/fork/knife.

Call us dweebs, but we are obsessed with this utensil. Not only is it incredibly lightweight, but it’s a spoon, a fork, AND a knife all in one, without being useless like most sporks. It even will get past airport security (so say the Amazon reviews, we have not had to test this yet). We literally cannot say enough good things about this handy little tool. It’s great not only when cooking and eating wherever you’re staying, but for places that’ll hand you a plastic fork or spoon with your meal. Use this guy and save some plastic!

Read thousands of reviews and pick one up here.

Not only do they double as weapons, chopsticks are lightweight and super reusable. We have ones that come in two parts, so they’re easier to pack than long chopsticks. They’re a great conversation piece and everyone loves them when we pull them out. We got ours at zero waste store Package Free in Brooklyn, New York, but these titanium two-part chopsticks are pretty much the same thing. We love all types of Asian food, so carrying chopsticks makes sense for us. If just carrying the above spork makes more sense for you, do it! Remember, this is your travel kitchen set to adapt for your needs. 

If you prefer bamboo, non-folding chopsticks, click here to check out these bamboo chopsticks. 

Read more: Eco-Friendly Packing List

Vegetable Peeler

This veggie peeler is super small, entirely stainless steel, and hardly takes up any space. This set comes with a julienne peeler, as it allows you to get those great matchstick strips without the precision knife work. I’ve had it for years and still works great.

Find the best prices here .

Garlic Press

The most important thing I did when moving out on my own? Abscond with the greatest garlic press – aka this one: 

Garlic presses are more uncommon than you’d think. And if you do find one wherever you’re staying, it’s some flimsy shit that auto disassembles during use. I use it for more than garlic – any fresh roots like ginger or turmeric, also with herbs, when you can’t be bothered to finely mince. I’ll press lemon peels in place of a zester. Get a lightweight aluminum one. I suggest the one piece, 3 movable parts, design by Zyliss, as mine still works great over 10 years later. 

Click here to grab your garlic press. 

Vegetable Grater

What for you say? So many veggies are grate-able. Some veggies, once grated, are undetectable (to the veggie-phobic) when mixed into other things like rice and couscous. A great way to sneak in some extra fiber, something that can easily go forgotten when traveling and eating out a lot.

Not only is it practically a few millimeters thick, it weighs hardly anything and has last us many years. Aluminum and flat, it’s super travel-friendly.

Click here to check out various flat graters. 

Flexible Spatula

Again, not as common as you’d think, and this one is definitely optional depending on the kind of cooking you do. But if you like preparing creams and sauces, then you want to scrape every last drop. Get one where the end and the stick can separate so that you can pack it better. Rubber and wood are super light to keep your travel cooking equipment manageable and not like a rock in your suitcase.

Click here to browse spatulas.

Swiss Army Knife

Sometimes classic is best. If you want to save even more space and weight, you could go for a Swiss army knife designed for cooking while traveling.   Getting a Swiss army knife can be quite handy as they come with a can opener, corkscrew, and other utensils. Be careful not to bring it in your carry-on though, or you’ll get it taken away as happened to us. =( 

Shop classic Swiss Army knives. 

Containers for Your Travel Kitchen Set

Collapsible salad spinner.

Whether it’s leafy greens or veggies that need washing, we (mostly Veren) find this indispensable. Not being able to wash and properly dry your greens is one reason (other than the required effort) why so many people aren’t in the habit of making a salad. Don’t make excuses – make the salad.

Bonus: doubles as a mixing bowl and the basket as a strainer. You can also use it when you’re not traveling – we’ve seen quite a few homes with these collapsible salad spinners instead of the normal giant ones that take up tons of space. 

Click here for more details on the collapsible salad spinner. 

Stasher Bags

What do you do with those leftovers? Stash ‘em! These silicone storage bags are endlessly reusable and can be used to store anything from cooked pasta to sandwiches. Bring them on the go to enjoy a snack in a newly discovered park. Shoutout to RTWGirl for telling us about these!

Read more about Stasher bags and check out different sizes/colors. 

Reusable Wrap

Another way to store leftover food is with a reusable wrap. These are best for sandwiches, cookies, and bread.

Learn more about using reusable wraps. 

Reusable Mesh Produce Bags

Produce bags are a great alternative to all the plastic bags you’d normally use grocery shopping. You can use them for much more than storing produce, such as for bulk shopping. Although my favorite use is for them is – you guessed it – storing lettuce. These bags will keep your leafy greens from rotting by allowing them to breathe.

The worst that happens is that they wilt over time – but don’t toss them greens away yet. All that means is that they have lost water content and are still perfectly edible.  Just put them in cold water (iced even better) for a bit and they’ll crisp back up. If you can’t be bothered with that and grimace at the thought of chewing wilted greens – toss them in a smoothie.

Click here for more types of reusable produce bags .

Travel Kitchen Coffee Corner

Calling all coffee drinkers! Depending on where you’re traveling, having a daily coffee out might really eat (or drink  heh) into your budget. Or maybe you just love savoring a coffee inside before greeting each day. We (Sam mostly) like coffee every morning. The ritual makes us feel at home. Whatever the case, there are a few ways you can make your own coffee while traveling.

Steel Mesh Coffee/Tea Brewing Basket

There may be portable French presses out there, but this steel basket coffee filter is perfectly tiny and fits easily into any mug. Not only is it super durable, but this size can easily accommodate two servings of coffee grounds. It’s actually a tea basket, so if you’re a tea drinker, this one is for you too!

Click here to find the best prices .

Aeropress Coffee and Espresso Maker

We first came across the magic of the Aeropress while traveling with friends in Portland, Oregon. It makes a mean espresso, it is super-fast, it’s lightweight and easy to pack. All you have to do is boil water, pack the coffee grounds in, and press down.

If you’re an avid coffee drinker, an Aeropress is well-worth the minimal space it takes up (it packs into a little bag) as well as the price – besides, they are quite cheap, generally around the price of 10 cups of coffee out!  Bonus: morning arm workout.

Check out Aeropress models and prices here.

Reusable and Collapsible Coffee Cup

On the subject of coffee, if you’re an avid coffee drinker that travels a lot, chances are you’ll be getting your coffee to go on many occasions, whether its in an airport, train station, or coffee shop that only has takeaway cups. Takeaway cups are extremely wasteful and unnecessary when you can bring your own cup! We use a 12 oz collapsible silicone coffee cup that packs into nothing when we’re not using it.

There are also non-collapsible ones like the stylish glass KeepCup . The collapsible one does retain the taste of coffee a bit if you forget to wash it out immediately, so keep that in mind. A quick vinegar soak will take out the taste.

Bonus: sometimes you’ll get a discount of 10-20 cents off for bringing your own cup. While it doesn’t seem like that much, it adds up and eventually pays off the cost of the cup.

Click here for more info on the collapsible coffee cup and to see latest prices. 

Optional: Appliances in Your Travel Kitchen Kit

Most people won’t want to travel with appliances. But if you’re traveling long-term and are checking a bag, you might want to consider some of these depending on your food habits and preferences.

Bella Blender / Immersion Blender

We try to incorporate as much raw food into our diet as possible. Every morning we have a smoothie.

Hands down the easiest way to keep this habit is to always have a blender. In the States, the Bella Rocket Pro was our favorite. Spain has the best immersion blenders, so that’s what we use when we are there. While the personal blender is more powerful, it’s hard to beat the portability of a hand stick blender. They’re not as affordable in the U.S. (we got an 800-watt immersion blender in Spain for 30 euros, while one with the same power will cost you about three times as much in the U.S.).

**Keep in mind that blenders are checked baggage only!**

Click here to read more reviews and learn more about the Bella Rocket Extract Pro blender .

And that’s it – everything in our travel kitchen kit. Budget slow sustainable travel in a nutshell.

We make travel affordable because otherwise, we couldn’t do it. Eating out every meal just isn’t an option for us, as much as we do enjoy trying all the vegan food wherever we end up.

Read more: 11 Budget Vegan Travel Tips for a Tasty Trip!

Also, we enjoy establishing a routine. For us, home is very much rooted in routine. Being able to make that smoothie and a morning cup of a coffee gives more than satiation, but a feeling of being grounded (pun intended).

Veren Ferrera

Veren is a creative pursuit enthusiast, a self-professed reluctant traveler, and the other half of the team behind alternativetravelers.com. Reared in central California and cultivated in New York City, this blustering blogger loves to talk about eating while sharing his general disdain for consumerist travel. He used to teach, tutor, and mentor to support himself and this blog, but now the blog supports him and his partner Sam as full-time travelers via house sitting.

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7 Cheap and Easy Meals for Travellers

A lifestyle of travel has provided us with many random skills – so let’s share this one with you today.

We’re often asked what kind of food we prepare on the road, some cheap and easy meals for travellers.

Hi, we’re Rach & Marty!

We’ve visited every country in the world and want to help you get the most out of your travels!

Whether you need an expertly planned itinerary , some experienced hints and tips , or just craving a delicious food adventure , we’ve got you covered!

We may earn affiliate commissions from websites we link to, at no cost to you. Click here for details.

From our experience visiting hundreds of supermarkets, small stores, and simple markets all over the world, the meals we can prepare really depend on what ingredients are available.

From South America to the Caribbean, Africa and beyond – there are a bunch of reliable and inexpensive ingredients that you will find available on most continents.

We’ve based these quick, cheap and easy meals on this.

Staple ingredients to create cheap and easy meals for travellers:

The following ingredients are often available all over the world:

• Tinned tomatoes
• tinned tuna
• bread (either baguettes, sliced or flatbread)
• pulses – dried or canned (chickpeas, lentils)
• pasta (spaghetti or penne)
• fresh garlic, onion & root vegetables such as potatoes and carrots
• rice or couscous
• coconut milk
• instant noodles
• oil, butter or margarine

Believe it or not, we’ve been living this travel lifestyle for so long now that we’ve created a few habits to ensure we always eat well.

Cheap and easy meals for travellers are something that I love to create.

Spice up your travelling life!

One thing we do is travel with a small arsenal of spices in our carry-on backpacks .

The main spices are garam masala, curry powder, ground cumin, paprika, dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.

They’re light to carry, and if you enjoy food with flavour, it’s worth throwing them in your bag when you hit the road.

These are easy meals that you may need to cook anywhere.

Perhaps you can cook this meal from the back of a campervan using one small gas cooker and one saucepan (like this one below), in a busy shared kitchen at a hostel, or from the kitchen included in your rented apartment.

Disclaimer: Before we share our cheap and easy meals for travellers, these simple recipes are intended to be meals that everybody can cook, generally with limited cooking ingredients and facilities.

Travellers love to have access to a kitchen

As travellers, we don’t usually get to choose the state of the cookware we use. More often than not, we’ve got to make do with a scratched saucepan, a pot without a handle or lid, and blunt knives.

We’re often just happy to have access to a kitchen to cook food we know and enjoy.

These recipes don’t require expert knife skills and are meant to be versatile, so feel free to add your spin to them. All of the cheap and easy meals for travellers we’ve suggested here only require one stove burner to create. How easy is that?

We’ve also created them with the hope of keeping costs down and trying to keep them relatively filling and nutritious. Here goes!  

Table of Contents

7 Cheap and Easy Meals for Travellers:

1) shakshuka (baked eggs).

This dish requires only one saucepan. It’s quick and easy to cook, and most ingredients are cheap and readily available in many countries. I love this one, and that’s why it is first on my list of cheap and easy meals for travellers.

Finely dice one brown onion and mince three cloves of garlic. Place some oil in a saucepan and cook the onion and garlic on low heat until translucent (about 3-4 mins).

Add 1 tsp of cumin, 2 tsp of smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp of chilli powder (if you want a little heat), to the above mix and cook for another minute.

Pour 1 can of crushed or diced tomatoes and 1 cup of water into the pan. Once the mixture is bubbling and hot, turn down the heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes.

Once it has thickened, add four eggs and some salt and pepper to the pan. Cover the eggs with a little of the hot tomato sauce mix.

Turn to low and cover until the eggs are cooked to your liking. If you like your eggs a little runny, reduce the cooking time.

Once you’re happy with it, remove it from the heat, and you can see that the egg whites have cooked through. Enjoy with some fresh, crusty bread and a spoonful of Greek yogurt (if you have it).

(The recipe above serves two people)

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2) Stir fry with noodles or rice

Use any vegetables on hand to cook this easy stir fry. You can also add a can of chickpeas, lentils or kidney beans to bulk it out.

Vegetables such as onion, carrots, sweet potato, zucchini, broccoli, or any greens, peppers, cabbage, squash, and garlic will be perfect.

Chop all the vegetables into similar-sized pieces. Cook the root vegetables first, as they’ll take the longest. We usually cook the vegetables in batches so you can keep the pan reasonably hot (or else you may end up with soggy vegetables—no thanks).

Once everything is cooked, add it back to the pan and any canned pulses you want to add to this recipe. Add some soy sauce and stir; I like to add chilli flakes to spice it up a little.

Once it’s heated through, remove it from the heat and serve over some steamed rice.

Alternatively, you can cook a couple of cheap packets of instant noodles (without the flavouring) and stir through your vegetables for something different. You can honestly create this cheap and easy meal for travellers with anything. Don’t be afraid to get creative!

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3) Pasta with vegetable & tomato sauce 

Finely dice one onion (red or brown) and mince three garlic cloves.

Add oil to a saucepan and cook the onion and garlic on medium heat until translucent. Add some simple chopped or grated vegetables, such as carrots, zucchini, or sweet potato, to the saucepan.

If you have any dried Italian herbs (or better yet, some fresh herbs), then add half a tsp to the pan.

Cook for a few minutes.

Add one tin of diced tomatoes and 1/2 cup of water and simmer for 10 mins.

Once the sauce has thickened, take another pot of boiling water and cook some fresh penne or spaghetti.

Drain pasta, add to tomato-based sauce, and mix through. You can mix through a small tin of tuna if you wish. Easy.

**Add ingredients such as sliced olives, sundried tomatoes or fresh spinach to this if you have it on hand**

4) Omelette or scrambled eggs 

Omelettes or scromelettes (a failed omelette that eventually turns into the scrambled egg) are super easy to cook, and it’s a cheap and filling option.

You can throw almost anything into a saucepan (diced red onion, tomato, peppers, corn, spinach, mushrooms, ham or salami) and cook until browned.

Turn the heat down and add some pre-prepared whisked eggs.

Keep an eye on the pan. When it’s almost done, you can add some grated cheese or feta to the mixture before it’s done. I like to add some butter, salt, and pepper at the end.

Enjoy on its own with some fresh bread or put it inside a wrap with some salad, tomatoes, beans, and sour cream.

5) Chickpea & lentil curry with rice

Dice 1 brown onion, three cloves of garlic and 1 inch of fresh ginger (if you can’t find ginger, no problem – this is still a tasty recipe).

Heat some oil and cook the above ingredients until translucent.

Add two tablespoons of garam masala, 1 tsp curry powder, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper and cook until fragrant (1 min or so). Add a good pinch of chilli powder or flakes if you like it with a little more heat.

Add two cans of diced/crushed tomatoes plus 1 cup of water to the pan. Bring to a boil, and then turn the heat down. Simmer and cover with a lid.

After 10 minutes, add 1 can of rinsed chickpeas and 1 can of rinsed lentils to the saucepan. Cook uncovered for a further 5 minutes—if you need to add a little more water, do so.

If possible, I like to add some fresh or frozen spinach to the mix.

Turn off the heat and squeeze in the juice of half a lemon. Add some sour cream or Greek yoghurt if you’d prefer a creamier texture to the curry.

Alternatively, you can add coconut milk to this curry if you wish.

In a separate pot, cook some rice or prepare couscous to accompany the meal. This is a personal favourite of mine. I love to cook it because it is easy, quick, and delicious. It deserves a spot on my list of cheap and easy meals for travellers.

(Recipe above serves four people)

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6) Pasta with oil, garlic, lemon and tuna

This wouldn’t be a list of cheap and easy meals for travellers without featuring a pasta dish, would it? It’s one of the easiest dishes to prepare, yet you can make some really tasty pasta meals with just a few ingredients.

Here is an easy pasta dish below: Dice one red onion and a few cloves of garlic.

Heat a saucepan and cook in a little oil on low heat. You can add anything else you have on hand for more flavour (bacon, salami, freshly diced tomato, sun-dried toms, tinned corn, lemon zest or olives).

Once this has cooked, add a cup of tinned tuna, salt & pepper, fresh lemon juice and a little more oil to the pan.

Cook some pasta on the side – around 150g per person. Keep some of the water from the cooked pasta.

Add pasta to the mix in the saucepan, plus a little of the cooking water. Stir and serve.

**If you have any cream available, you could easily turn this meal into a creamy pasta dish. Just add cream to the pan once you’ve cooked off ingredients and then simmer for a few minutes before adding to pasta**

7) Toasted sandwiches or baguettes 

These are always quick, cheap, and easy meals for travellers. Toasties are such a versatile and tasty meal to prepare—you can put almost anything inside them, obviously, depending on what you have in the fridge.

You can use almost any type of bread, baguette, or wrap for this. Spread butter, margarine, or oil on both sides and fill with ingredients.

Place some oil in a saucepan on medium heat and cook the toastie on both sides until golden brown.

Some easy-filling combinations are mentioned below:

• Salami, cheese
• Ham, cheese, tomato
• Cheese & tomato
• Ham and egg
• Egg and sauce
• Leftover tom/veg sauce and egg
• Leftover veg curry
• Tinned tuna and cheese

The list is endless. If you’ve got access to fancier fillings – go for it!

There you have it! A small list of our go-to, cheap and easy meals for travellers.

Naturally, if you wanted to cook any of these meals at home, you’ll probably have more ingredients such as fresh herbs, delicious cheese and a range of proteins to ‘pimp up’ these simple recipes.  

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Let us know if you try any of the meals we’ve suggested above. We firmly believe that food brings people together, and we’d love to know what cheap and easy meal for travellers you’d add to this list.

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Hi, I would like to share this because Very delishes and yummy recipes.Thanks

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19 Game-Changing Cooking "Secrets" People Have Learned While Traveling Abroad

"The flavor was so amazing; I haven't made it any other way since."

BuzzFeed Staff

One of the best parts of traveling is eating your way around a new destination and learning about lots of new flavors, recipes, and culinary traditions. So redditor u/Wild-Eagle8105 asked, "What is one 'secret' recipe you learned from your travels?" Here's what people said (including one of my own favorite cooking tips I picked up from abroad).

1. "i learned a trick for making scorched onions that makes the biggest difference for things like lo mein and fried rice. it's hard to get that high-heat wok hei flavor without the right equipment, but scorch your scallions on high heat in a cast iron pan with some oil until they get some brown marks. then, put them to the side. get all the rest of your ingredients together, and then stir the scorched scallions through. it does something magical to the flavor of the dish.".

— u/ClementineCoda

2. "Quality anchovies are crucial to Italian tomato-based sauced. I put either whole anchovies (if I have them) or anchovy paste from the tube in every tomato sauce I make now, and it adds an excellent umami flavor."

— u/Guvmint_Cheese

3. "I had the best chimichurri in Spain at an Argentine steakhouse. When I asked for the recipe, I was told the secret is to not use very much acid or lemon juice at all. Rather, load up on lots of oregano and, other herbs like thyme and rosemary, and a tiny dash of sesame oil. The flavor was so earthy and amazing, and I’ve never made chimichurri any other way."

— u/Wild-Eagle8105

4. "In Cuba I was exposed to ceviche that had green olives in it. I never had ceviche like that before, but it really opened my eyes. The briny olives work so well with the lime and fish."

— u/TheLadyEve

5. "Fire roast your peppers, tomatoes, and onions for salsa. It makes a huge difference."

6. "Japanese cooking is founded on five basic seasonings, which are represented by the letters sa, shi, su, se, so (kind of like a, e, i, o, u, in English). They are sato (sugar), shio (salt), su (vinegar), seuyu (soy sauce), and miso (miso paste). This also represents the correct order of adding ingredients in the cooking process since vinegar, shoyu, and miso can lose their flavor if added too early."

— u/FiliKlepto

7. "I noticed that lots of Thai recipes call for a little palm sugar to balance out the savoriness of the dishes."

— u/throwdemawaaay

8. "Mexican oregano is crucial for cooking Mexican cuisine. It’s different from what you use in your Italian cooking. It’s more herbaceous and earthier, and it has the slightest hint of spice. Despite the fact that it's such a small part of many recipes, it can make a huge impact on the overall flavor. Pretty much all Mexican sauces use it as the 'special ingredient.'"

— u/hai_lei

9. "When making tahdig (Persian crispy rice), layer the bottom of the rice pot with thin slices of potato or flatbread."

— u/deleted

10. "When making guacamole, just a tiny bit of finely diced pineapple and a bit of pineapple juice is a game changer. You don't even taste the fruit, but it gives guacamole a sweetness that is amazing."

— u/skodes21

11. "When I was in South America, I learned a trick for cooking meat or chicken empanadas: make the filling a little saucy and add some gelatin to the hot, juicy mixture before cooling it to fill the pastry. The gelatin will set, making the pastries easier to fill. When they are cooked and hot, the filling will be extra juicy with a great rich mouthfeel."

— u/yerbaniz

12. "In Indian cuisine, cooking with hing (asafoetida) adds that element to your food that you simply can’t put a finger on. In addition, layering your ingredients is key. Whole spices get toasted first, then fresh spices (onions, chili, garlic), then vegetables, and finally, ground spices."

— u/Mollyoon

13. "The secret to amazing Mexican food: lard. They cook everything in lard."

— u/MercyfulBait

14. "To make home-cooked Chinese food that tastes like take-out, velvet your meats (aka marinate them in a little soy sauce, rice vinegar, and cornstarch) before frying."

— u/Illustrious-Chip-245

15. "When I was learning to make pho, I was told to add star anise to the broth. It made such a huge difference that I add it to all of my soup broths now. It totally elevates them."

— u/dancinginspace

16. "There's a Spanish soup called salmorejo I had for the first time and loved while in Barcelona. It's a tomato soup served chilled like gazpacho, only it's much creamier. I learned that the key ingredient is bread! White bread is blended with all the other ingredients (tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, etc.) to create this velvety and deliciously-textured soup."

— Hannah Loewentheil

17. "Learning to cook Thai cuisine taught me how to be really good at balancing different strong flavors. For example, Thai-style salads (called ‘yum’) are infinitely flexible, but the flavor profile is always salty, spicy, sour, sweet, and umami (all at once). Mastering this dish is all about knowing how to balance the flavors instead of shying away from them or reducing them."

— u/shelleyclear

18. "I discovered soaking onions in lime juice for a while before mixing them into salsa or putting them on tacos. It gets rid of the raw funk. Plus, these foods get a squeeze of fresh lime juice anyway."

— u/Antigravity1231

19. "In Vietnamese cuisine, there's a great dish called Banh Xeo (a crispy, savory 'pancake'). It’s my favorite meal and relatively easy to make, calling for just a few ingredients. The trick is adding sparkling water or beer to make the batter extra crispy."

What's a cooking trick, technique, or recipe "secret" you learned while traveling? Tell us in the comments or drop it into this Google form.

Share this article.

Easy Vegetarian Meals to Cook While Traveling (2023)

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Eating out can sometimes be the most expensive part of any trip, so this week I’m sharing some easy vegetarian meals that you can cook while traveling. Taking a few breaks from eating out on your next trip can save you money while ensuring your dietary needs are met throughout you trip. After all, no one wants to feel sluggish and tired while they’re traveling if they can avoid it! The best cooking advice I’ve ever gotten was from a friend’s mom. She was a notoriously great cook, and she told me that the secret to cooking is to take a recipe and add more of all of the good stuff. For example, if you’re making chocolate chip cookies, follow the recipe but add a few extra chocolate chips. If you’re making a caprese salad, add in some extra basil and mozzarella. It doesn’t take much to make a big difference!

How can I eat healthy and cheap while traveling?

The key to eating healthy and cheap while traveling is to plan ahead as much as possible. Be sure that you’re staying somewhere with a well equipped kitchen, make some time while you’re traveling to stop at a grocery store, and familiarize yourself with basic cooking techniques . 

What is “healthy” and “cheap” will vary from destination to destination, but in general you’ll want to be sure you’re eating enough vegetables, proteins, and nuts/seeds. I’ve included meal ideas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as some of my favorite snacks to help you in your preparation. 

Why you should cook your own meals while traveling

There are two main reasons that I suggest you cook some of your own meals while traveling. First, it’ll allow you to stick to your travel budget , as eating out can quickly add up in most destinations. Second, it’ll allow you to balance out your diet, if needed. 

I’ve been to Italy twice, and both times my entire group was fiending for vegetables by the third or fourth day because we ate almost exclusively carbs for every meal. We used meals at home to sneak in some extra veggies and give ourselves a break from the pizzas, pastas, and pastries we had throughout the day. Whether you’ll need to balance out your diet is entirely personal and dependent on where you’re traveling. If, after a few days, you’re still feeling great from the food you’ve been eating, you probably don’t need to cook at home to make a dietary adjustment. 

Likewise, there are some places you’ll visit where it’s cheaper and easier to eat out than to cook in your hostel. This probably won’t be the case in Europe, but it might apply to your next trip to Thailand. Always be adjusting to your body, your surroundings, and your budgetary needs while traveling. 

What are the best foods to eat while traveling?

The best foods to eat while traveling are ones that will fuel your travels and allow you to have the best possible experience. I always try to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and nuts when I travel because I’ve found that they help me to have enough energy to enjoy my adventures. Try to balance this with sampling the local cuisine, as you’ll want to be sure to eat pasta in Italy and croissants in Paris . My rule of thumb is that you’ll want to enjoy the local food anytime you feel excited about it or interested in trying it. If you’re feeling a bit fatigued with pizzas after a few days in Naples , you might want to spend a night or two eating in so that you can make a big fresh salad or veggie-packed pasta dish. Some destinations will have more plentiful healthy options than others; that’s ok, just do your best wherever you go. Your goal as a World Traveler is to experience the destination and the journey as much as possible, so don’t worry too much about whether you’re doing it right . 

Where you can cook when you’re traveling  

Sometimes when you’re traveling, the hardest part is knowing where you can cook. If you’re staying somewhere like a hostel or an Airbnb, the answer is typically going to be “in the kitchen.” If you’re ever in a pinch, just use the desk or whatever flat surface you can find. Use a cutting board, paper plates, or even cardboard to prepare your food, taking care not cut yourself (if using a sharp knife) or damage the surface underneath. 

Can I cook in my hostel?

Generally speaking, it’s perfectly acceptable for you to cook in your hostel. Most hostels will have a communal kitchen where you can make meals, and they’ll often have cooking basics such as knives, pots and pans, and basic oils and spices from previous guests who have left them behind. If you’re planning to cook in your hostel, it’s always a good idea to double check the state of the kitchen before you buy ingredients. The overall cleanliness of the kitchen may or may not be acceptable to you, and it’s better to know before you buy ingredients for your dinner. If you know that you want to cook in your hostel in order to save money on your trip, be sure to check the reviews for any information about the kitchen or, failing that, email the hostel before you book to be sure that they have a communal kitchen.

Remember that hostels are typically locally fun businesses, so the amenities and standards will vary pretty widely from one hostel to the next. For this reason, you’ll always want to read the reviews carefully so you know what you can expect when you arrive!

Can I cook in my Airbnb?

Similar to hostels, you’ll find that Airbnbs can vary really wildly in terms of amenities and setups. If you know you want to cook while you’re traveling, r ead the listing closely and choose a stay that has a decently equipped kitchen. Unlike hostels, you cannot necessarily assume that your Airbnb will have a kitchen! If you do use the kitchen in your Airbnb, be sure to clean up after yourself and leave the kitchen as close to how you found it as possible. Airbnb hosts are notoriously demanding in their checkout instructions, and some may charge you a cleaning fee if you’re not careful. 

How to prepare a meal in your hotel room

Unless you’re staying in a rather unique hotel, you probably won’t have a kitchen in your hotel and you’ll need to stick to the no-cook recipes for vegetarians. That’s ok! There are plenty of quick and easy meals that you can make from your hotel that are vegetarian-friendly. If you’re planning to travel in hotels, you may want to pack a small cutting board, knife, bowl, dish soap, and utensils to be able to prepare any food. You can easily buy these items from a discount store once you arrive, so there’s no need to worry if you don’t want to bring your kitchen supplies from home. 

How to cook while camping

Cooking at a campsite is a skill in and of itself, but there are a few basic things you should know. First, you’ll want to focus on no-cook or one pot meals, since it’s already more challenging to clean up when you’re out in the woods. Second, you’ll want to be conscious of the perishability of any foods you bring. If you want to bring fresh foods like cheese, cut vegetables, or hummus, you definitely can; just be sure that you’ll be able to keep it cool enough to prevent spoiling. You can always buy backpacking meals if you want an easy but filling meal that weighs very little. My favorite backpacking meal is this pad thai (I just add hot sauce). 

Tips for easy meals while traveling

Whenever you can, opt for simple meals while you’re traveling to save yourself time and headaches. The fewer dishes involved, the better! Only a handful of ingredients? Sounds like a winner. If the recipe is intimidating to you, you’ll probably want to wait to try it until you get home. 

Shop in local markets

Whenever they’re available, try to shop at local markets for your produce or other local specialties.

This helps local farmers and vendors, and it’s often the best place to buy delicious produce that’s better than the stuff that’s available in grocery chains. Be aware that you may need to haggle with the vendor in order to get a fair price; you can ask your host for advice or Google local customs if you’re nervous.

Aside from local markets, your next best bet is probably going to be the grocery store. Your host or really any other local is likely to be the best source for information about grocery stores. Ask around if you can, since there can be variations in quality and selection even within chains. 

Bring your own seasonings

If there are special ingredients you know you’ll want for your trip, you’re better off bringing them yourself. Depending on what you’ll be able to find while you’re shopping your destination, you may want to bring: hot sauce, chili flakes, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and thyme. You may also want to bring your own salt and pepper, even if it’s just some of the small packets that you get from a fast food restaurant.

How do you pack food when traveling?

Once you’ve decided what you’d like to bring on your trip, you’ll want to pack everything in your bag. I recommend taking foods out of their bulky boxes and instead keeping them in ziplock bags. Be sure to double bag any foods that might leak, melt, or get sticky, like syrup or hot sauce. If you’re bringing a cooler, be sure to keep the most perishable foods near the ice to extend their shelf life. If you’re in doubt about whether a food has spoiled, it’s best to compost it instead of risking a bout of stomach issues on your trip. Keep any foods that might break or squish (think: bread, crackers, bananas) towards the top of your bags or you can grab a small separate bag to carry them. 

Tasty Vegetarian Breakfasts

Breakfast should typically be a cheap meal when you’re traveling. If your hostel or hotel doesn’t provide a free breakfast, you can usually grab a pastry and a coffee in town while you’re out and about. However, if you’re someone who needs a filling breakfast before you head out for the day, you’ll want to make your own. Here are some ideas for vegetarian breakfast meals that you can eat while traveling. 

The Very Best Granola and yogurt 

Yogurt and granola or milk and granola are classic, filling, and healthy breakfast options for any traveler. If you’re not sure what the options will be when you arrive, I’d suggest that you bring granola with you on the road. You can either make your own using the recipe above, or you can buy some from your local grocery store. If the place you’re visiting has fresh fruit and vegetable markets, you can grab some local bananas, berries, or apples to add to your granola bowl. Be sure to wash any unpeeled fruit before adding to your breakfast, and stick to peelable fruit (bananas are a great option!) if you have any concerns about hygiene or potable water. 

Egg and Cheese Sandwiches 

An egg and cheese bagel sandwich is a classic vegetarian breakfast. It’s perfect for a morning on the go because it only takes a few minutes to prepare. You’ll want to grab some bagels, cheese (I like pepperjack), and eggs. 

If you’d like to add veggies, these would be great additions: red onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, tomato, and/or sprouts. Simply toast your bagel, fry or scramble your eggs, and assemble with a slice of your chosen cheese. Top with hot sauce, tomato relish, and/or veggies if desired. You can bring parchment paper or aluminum foil if you need to take your bagel sandwich to go. 

Fruit Plates

If you’re traveling somewhere with large markets full of delicious, fresh produce, a fruit plate is probably the perfect option for your breakfast. Making a fruit plate is super simple, just cut the fruit into bite sizes pieces and arrange on a plate. If you’d like, you can drizzle with honey and lemon juice for a little added complexity. 

If you have any concerns about the potability of the water in your accommodation, best practice is to choose fruits that you can peel in order to prevent food safety issues. 

Delicious and peelable fruits include: bananas, oranges, and tangerines. If you have a clean knife and cutting board, you can add on any fruits where you’ll need to cut away the skin, like watermelon, mango, papaya, and pineapple. Avoid fruits where you’d normally eat the skin, like apples and pears. 

Quick Vegetarian Lunches

In my experience, the best and quickest vegetarian lunches are usually salads and sandwiches. If you’re in the mood for something more substantial, any of the dinner recipes below could certainly be eaten for lunch! If you’re trying to save money and you’re debating whether to eat out for lunch or dinner, always go for dinner. It’ll be cheaper, and your options will probably be very similar to the dinner menu. Similarly, if you want to try a more upscale restaurant but can’t afford to splurge on dinner, go for a happy hour cocktail or for dessert and drinks.

Favorite Broccoli Salad

This broccoli salad from Cookie and Kate is a wonderful travel meal. It’s tasty, healthy, and requires minimal dishes, especially if you buy pre-washed broccoli and toasted sunflower seeds. In the recipe, she tells you how to make a honey mustard dress–you can skip this and buy bottled honey mustard dressing to use instead to cut down on the number of ingredients. 

This can also easily be made vegan by swapping the dressing for a vegan vinaigrette and skipping the cheese. 

Peanut Butter and Jelly 

It feels like you never see peanut butter and jelly on “what to make” lists, but I’m here to change that. A PB&J is probably the original travel meal, and for good reason: it has protein, it has sugar, it’s portable, and it’s affordable. If you’re camping, you can always use a tortilla instead of bread to make your sandwich; it won’t taste as good, but it also won’t get smushed. I like to do a slight upgrade on my PB&Js by using sourdough bread, natural peanut butter, and a nice jam. I’m also a big fan of potato chips on sandwiches, so I’ll usually add a few just before I eat for a nice crunch. If you’re worried about the jam seeping through the bread, put a peanut butter layer on both slices of bread to create a barrier. 

Grilled Cheese with Tomato

There’s something supremely comforting about a grilled cheese sandwich, and sometimes it’s just what I’m craving when I travel. A simple grilled cheese sandwich is only three ingredients: butter, bread, and cheese, and that will make a great meal alone if needed. Tomatoes are widely available and add a bit of fiber and flavor to a grilled cheese sandwich; just add sliced raw tomatoes with the cheese. 

Should you decide to dress it up, here are some additional ingredients you can add: onion, tomato relish, dijon mustard, and carmelized onions. 

Caprese salad

At its most basic, a caprese salad is just tomato, mozzarella, and basil, usually topped with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. This five ingredient meal is easy to prepare, delicious, and filling on its own. I would only recommend making this salad if you have access to fresh and delicious tomatoes and basil, as the salad is meant to highlight the produce. 

If you have some tomatoes but they’re not going to taste very good raw, you can always make a caprese sandwich by adding the ingredients to bread and toasting in a skillet. Alternatively, you can use the tomatoes and basil in the “viral TikTok pasta” recipe that I included below. 

Greek salad

Similar to the caprese salad, a Greek salad is intended to highlight the freshness of the ingredients. In this case, you’ll typically see cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, olives, and feta as the central ingredients. If your tomatoes aren’t at the peak of freshness, they will probably taste better in a cooked dish. Here’s a great recipe for a simple Greek salad , which would tast great with some fresh bread on the side. If you’re traveling, just pick up a bottle of Greek salad dressing instead of making your own as she instructs in the recipe. 

Easy Vegetarian Dinners

One of the easiest ways to save money when you travel is to make your own meals, and dinner is where you’ll see the greatest impact of this strategy. Most restaurants increase their lunchtime prices for dinner, offering the same food with a slight upsell for the later seating. If you can make your own dinner even a couple of nights on your trip, you’re likely to save some money (and have a chance to freshen up after a day of adventuring). 

Bean and cheese quesadillas 

Quesadillas are super simple to make and are perfect for travel meals. All you’ll really need are some tortillas, cheese, and black beans or whole pinto beans for a simple and tasty meal. You can upgrade your quesadillas with salsa, hot sauce, sour cream, avocado, and/or sauteed veggies. 

If you decide to add veggies to your quesadillas, the best combinations are peppers and onions or sauteed collard greens. Sautee the collard greens in garlic and olive oil, then top with a bit of acid (lemon juice or apple cider vinegar both work here) and some chili flakes. 

Veggie burgers

I love veggie burgers; they’re one of my favorite foods to make while traveling. All you really need to make veggie burgers is a pan, some oil, some veggie patties, and buns. The more condiments you add, however, the better they get! You can absolutely take veggie burgers car camping , but know that you must keep them in the cooler and eat them on the same day. You can cook them on a small campstove, and they’re pretty easy to clean up. My favorite brands of veggie burgers are Beyond Burgers, Field Roast, and Pruegers. 

Viral TikTok Pasta

You might remember when, sometime in early 2021, a recipe for tomato and feta pasta went viral on TikTok. Stores around the world were running out of feta because everyone was so excited to try to make this dish! Eventually, I, too, had to hop on the trend, and honestly I don’t regret it. 

The premise of the dish is simple: you roast cherry tomatoes with feta, garlic, and herbs until the tomatoes burst. Then, you mash up the tomatoes and feta to make a creamy sauce, then pour that over freshly cooked pasta. It’s simple, tasty, and has a decent amount of veggies because of all of the tomatoes. Here’s the original recipe , but this is a pretty flexible dish. You can use dried herbs and chili flakes instead of fresh, and I’d suggest sticking with any short cut pasta for best results. The author suggests broiling the dish for the last few minutes, which I personally wouldn’t try away from home–just keep the temperature around 400 until the feta is evenly browned. 

Pasta with broccoli 

Pasta with red sauce is probably one of the easiest homecooked meals you can make, and it definitely belongs on this list. It would be a great idea on its own, and sometimes it’s all you’ll have the energy and time to make. If you’d like to make it a little healthier and tastier, add some garlic, oregano, black pepper, and salt to the canned red sauce to jazz it up a little. You can also top the pasta with sauteed broccoli with garlic and cheese. My favorite cheese options for pasta and red sauce are: fresh mozzarella (commonly sold in Europe for less than a euro), parmesan (always a good choice), or ricotta. Word to the wise: small curd cottage cheese is a poor man’s ricotta, just put it right on top of your pasta and season with salt and pepper. 

Boxed mac & cheese with greens

I have a confession: I love boxed macaroni and cheese , especially Annie’s white cheddar shells. You won’t find boxed mac & cheese almost anywhere in Europe, so be aware that you may need to bring your own in your luggage if you want to try this meal in the EU. If you are near a Tesco, you may be able to find a more expensive–but still good–premade macaroni and cheese dish in the refrigerated section. Once you have your macaroni and cheese, you’ll want to prepare it according to the instructions on the package. While it’s cooking, sautee some greens in olive oil with garlic in a separate pan. I prefer to make this dish with kale or broccoli, but spinach, collard greens, or even cauliflower would also work. When the macaroni and cheese is done, add add the greens on top and drizzle with hot sauce. 

It’s comfort food, but with a little extra roughage. 

Beans and rice

One of the simplest and cheapest meals you can make is beans and rice (or beans and quinoa). This dish costs only a few dollars to make and can be pretty tasty, especially if you add in some vegetables and seasoning. Great additions to beans and rice include peppers, onions, jalapenos, tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, cheese, tortilla chips, and lime. 

If you’re really in a pinch, though, you can get away with beans, rice, and some hot sauce. 

Prepared food from the grocery store

Sometimes the best and easiest meal is one that you buy mostly ready to eat. Similar to the macaroni and cheese dish above, you’ll want to make the food as described on the package, then add some veggies or protein to make it a little bit healthier. The safest vegetable for adding to foods is broccoli, because it goes with most cuisines. You can buy broccoli already washed and cut into florets, then add to ramen, soups, or pasta dishes for an easy meal upgrade. It’s important to eat vegetables while you’re traveling, since a high carb and low fiber diet can tank your energy levels and leave you feeling sluggish on your adventures. 

Simple Vegetarian Snacks

I’ve never met a vegetarian who didn’t like to snack! If you have go to travel snacks, by all means pack them. If you’ve been looking for a few new snack ideas, I’ve included some of my favorites below. I always want my snacks to be filling, tasty, and easy–I don’t like to spend much time, if any, prepping my snacks. 

Avocado with hot sauce and chips

I have never seen anyone else eat this snack, but I swear by it. If you like guacamole but don’t have the time, patience, or ingredients to make it yourself, I have a shortcut for you. Take an avocado and cut it in half, then dispose of the seed. 

Then, fill the hollow part of the avocado with the hot sauce of your choice, taking care not to spill too much on your hands. You’ll then use the chips to scoop out the mixture, leaving you with a tasty snack with only one dish to wash afterwards (the knife). If you’re not such a fan of the avocado-as-bowl method, you can also scoop the avocado flesh into a bowl and mash it up with a little salt and hot sauce. 

Toasted nuts with chocolate chips

Toasted nuts and/or seeds are always a great travel snack. When I can, I prefer to buy raw nuts and toast/salt them myself, as the “roasted” nuts you buy at the store are often deep fried. However, in a pinch or if I’m already on the road, I’ll definitely still buy roasted nuts from the store. 

Then, I like to add some chocolate chips or M&Ms in the mix so that I can have a salty/sweet snack. Any chocolate chips you like will work for this purpose, but I usually use dark chocolate chips.

A packet of almond butter

If you like nut butters, you might like to keep a small packet of almond or peanut butter in your bag. They take up little to no room, they’re under the liquid restrictions for most airports, and they can save you if you start to feel hangry . You can always squeeze them onto toast or fruit if you want, but I find that I usually just eat them straight out of the pouch. 

Granola bars

I almost never go anywhere without at least one granola bar in my bag, including at least one Cliff Bar . Granola bars are the ultimate portable snack, and you never know when you might really need one. Sometimes things happen when you travel and you find yourself waiting around for hours; at times like that you really need to have a quick snack on hand. If you really can’t stand Cliff Bars, I don’t blame you–but I encourage you to carry another similarly filling bar in your bag, just in case of emergency. 

Best Blogs for Vegetarian Recipes

When I’m not sure what to cook, or if I just need new ideas, I usually turn to food blogs. I’m always impressed by the ingenuity, talent, and creativity of the recipes that I find online. I wanted to share the three blogs I always turn to first, since they have consistently high quality recipes with plenty of comments to alert you to any modifications you may need to make. 

Cookie and Kate

Cookie and Kate is a vegetarian food blog that focuses on using whole foods making healthy swaps for classic dishes. Her recipes are reliable and relatively easy to follow, a great option for newer cooks. 

In a way, Cookie and Kate taught me to cook! I bought this blogger’s cookbook in 2017 and cooked every recipe in it. Along the way, I learned a number of new techniques that I use all of the time to prepare delicious and vegetarian meals. 

Love and Lemons

Love and Lemons is a vegetarian food blog by Jeanine Donofrio, and it’s a bit more advanced than Cookie and Kate. I love this blog because the recipes are almost always delicious, with interesting flavor combinations I’ve never tried before. As a bonus, her site is organized by fruits and vegetables, so it’s a great place to go to brainstorm what to do with your latest farmer’s market haul. 

Half-Baked Harvest

Half-Baked Harvest is not a vegetarian blog, but the author includes a number of delicious and comforting vegetarian dishes. She also usually offers ways to modify recipes to make them vegetarian or vegan, which I always appreciate. You’ll find more recipes for comfort food than salads on Half-Baked Harvest, but she usually finds a way to incorporate some vegetables without sacrificing any flavor. 

Final Thoughts: Easy Vegetarian Meals to Cook While Traveling

Knowing what to cook when you’re on the road can be tough for even seasoned travelers; I hope these easy vegetarian meal ideas can help you on your next trip! If you’re planning some meals to take on the road, remember to always think about the more annoying parts of cooking and try to reduce or eliminate them. Will you have a big pile of dishes to contend with? Will you need a cutting board or other surface for your meal prep? Will you have dish soap available if you need it?

Do you like to cook while you’re traveling? Do you have any tips to share? Let me know in the comments!

What to read next

41 No-Cook Meals for Your Next Travel Adventure

We’ve challenged ourselves to come up with the easiest dishes to prepare on a trip. You’ll love these no-cook meals for traveling!

Let’s be real … nobody wants to cook on their vacation. However, it isn’t economical to eat out every meal, and if you are off the grid camping, then you can’t anyway. Luckily, there are lots of great no-cook meals for traveling out there! They might take a bit of preparation beforehand, and you’ll definitely need a cooler or refrigerator of some sort, but it can be done! 

While the options for minimal-cook or prepare-before-hand meals are endless, we are going to challenge ourselves today. For this guide, we will only use only recipes that you need absolutely no heat source for, once you’re on the road.  That’s not to say, you couldn’t modify some of them to make even better meals cooked over a campfire or stove—like s’mores! 

App-Guided Travel Adventures

While you’re traveling, don’t forget to download our app and search for nearby scavenger hunts ! Each adventure is designed to help you get to know new places and learn fun facts. Search through hundreds of tours , pub crawls , art walks, and ghost hunts and find one perfect for you!

No-Cook Breakfast Meals for Traveling

​Breakfast is the most important meal of the day right? It certainly is if you plan on taking a long hike or spending the day in one of the blazing hot national parks of the Western United States. While packaged doughnuts are totally an option, let’s what else we can find!

1. Overnight Oats

Overnight oats are a simple and nutritious way to start the day. All you need is something to keep them cold. There are a million ways to make overnight oats.  Most recipes call for milk of some sort, your favorite nut butter, and then embellishments. For a banana bread flavor, try oats, almond butter, milk, cinnamon, and maple syrup. Mix, and allow to sit in the refrigerator or cooler overnight. You want your mixture to be fluid and runny, as the oats will absorb the milk overnight. Add cut bananas in the morning and enjoy! Many people choose to add flax seeds, yogurt, or chia seeds for extra protein. There’s no wrong way to do it, whatever ingredients you have on hand will do!

2. Peanut Butter Protein Balls

Chilled peanut butter balls are not only an amazing-tasting snack but they’re also packed with protein and all the sugar you need for a long hike. You can make them before you leave the house, and just throw them in the cooler. Five easy ingredients of chocolate chips, ground flaxseed, peanut butter or other nut butter, honey, and oats are all it takes for this perfect camping trip power breakfast.

3. British Bean Bites

Sounds weird to Americans, but the brits eat cold beans and bread for breakfast all the time. Open a can of baked beans and served atop crunchy french or focaccia bread! The British version would be more akin to Showboat Pork and Beans than saucy baked beans. They’re usually in a thin, tomato sauce, not a sweet, thick BBQ sauce. 

4. Yogurt Parfaits

Low-sugar yogurt is packed with healthy protein. Add a little granola and fresh fruit for a complete breakfast. We love this one because the ingredients are available at pretty much any grocery store and can be used for other quick meals as well. A large can of rolled oats and a big tub of original Greek yogurt should be on everyone’s packing list for a road trip or camping trip. 

5. Boiled Eggs

This is the one cheater on the list. You’ll have to cook them before you leave, but boiled eggs are valuable to have around. You can at them on their own, or use them in several of the recipes on our list. Boil a batch of 12 before you leave the house, and they will keep for a few days in the cooler. Eggs will keep you full for a while, have healthy protein, and pack easily. Just peel and eat! Plus, you can use them for several of the other recipes on our list.

6. Bagels and Cream Cheese

Don’t know about you, but there’s nothing much better than an “everything bagel.” Pack a brick of cream cheese or goat cheese in your cooler, and you are good to go. You can top with blueberries for some extra anti-oxidants, or sprinkle with un-salted sunflower seeds for a little extra belly-filling protein. 

7. Banana and Peanut Butter

It’s simple, but it’s effective. Just beware with this one if you are sensitive to sugars. Bananas are a high sugar item, so you might consider pairing them with organic nut butter with no extra sugar added. Add a glass of your favorite milk, and you are good to go!

Better yet …

8. Banana Cereal

Nope, we don’t mean put bananas on your cereal, we mean make banana cereal. This was grandma’s specialty. We loved it, and your kids will love it, assuming they like bananas. Cut up the banana in thin slices, sprinkle with a bit of cinnamon and douse in milk. Eat up!

9. Avocado toast

There’s nothing you can’t do with the superfood avocado. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner, it will show up everywhere on this list. It’s easy to pack, easy to find in most stores, and works to eat by itself, as a garnish, or as a spread or dip. It truly is a superfood. Since you likely won’t have a toaster, and it’s not as good on untoasted bread, consider grabbing some English muffins from the store. Mash your avocado a bit, making it soft. Spread over your muffin. Shred some of your boiled egg over the top and add a few diced tomatoes or spicy salsa … breakfast of champs!

10. Muffins

One of our favorite road trip treats is Otis Spunkmeyer Chocolate Chocolate Chip muffins. There is just something about them that screams wreckless vacation abandon! 

11. Chia Pudding

Like overnight oats, chia pudding can be made beforehand and kept in the refrigerator. A good chia pudding base only needs 3 ingredients: Chia seeds, milk, and something sweet. For a little extra flair, combine chia seeds, your favorite milk, pureed strawberries, or another berry, and a bit of yogurt. Let it sit in the fridge overnight, and the chia seeds will suck up all the liquid, expand, and turn into a kind of gelatinous pudding. Top with almonds and coconut shreds or cacao nibs for the perfect treat! Add a bit of honey if you need some sweetness. 

12. Just be gross, you’re on vacation

When all else fails, Poptarts are tasty. It’s not ideal on the health front, but there is no shame in having some easy, premade stuff on your vacation. While you certainly don’t want to eat 5 Little Debbies a day (well, you might want to, but you probably shouldn’t) it never hurts to have one. There’s nothing better to celebrate conquering that beast of a hike than a Cosmic Brownie. You earned it. If you are absolutely against big-brand packaged foods and all their harmful grossness, there are some stellar organic options out there for granola bars, breakfast bars, and even brownies. 

No-Cook Lunchtime Meals for Traveling

Lunch on a trip needs to be quick, easy, and filling. If you are traveling alone, that’s super easy, but if you need to please a whole picky family, we don’t envy you. That job is much harder. Good luck to you! Hopefully, you’ll find something below that your clan will enjoy. 

13. Charcuterie board

You’ll be the fanciest road-trippers at the RV park with this one. Cold cuts, salami, fresh cucumbers, cubed cheese, an assortment of nuts, grapes, and some tomato slices, and you have a lunch that not only fuels your body but looks super pretty! We love charcuterie boards because they’re easy to feed a lot of people with, and littles can come by and pick up a healthy bite as they play. It can be stuck in the fridge and pulled out later too, so it just works great. 

14. Egg Salad Sandwiches

You still have those boiled eggs right? Turn them into yummy egg salad and slap it on a sandwich. Pair with some potato chips, and get back on the trail!

15. Good Old Peanut Butter and Jelly

Hey, don’t knock it. It’s an American classic, and it is tasty whether you are 3 or 93. 

16. Tuna salad

Tuna salad is another protein-packed option that is easy to carry on the road. Buy some packets or cans, or better yet fresh tuna if you live somewhere you can get it. Add your favorite fixings. This tuna salad recipe with red onion, dijon mustard, and celery is super tasty! Serve with crackers or as a sandwich. It doesn’t get much easier. Tuna is handy to have around, as you can also add it to pre-bought pasta salads for a little extra protein or make tuna-stuffed avocados for dinner (later). 

17. Chicken Caesar Wraps

Chicken Caesar wraps are one of the best backpacking recipes. Whether you choose to grab a rotisserie chicken at the store before you leave or go with canned chicken, either way, it makes for a delicious meal. This chicken Caesar recipe with whole wheat tortillas , parmesan cheese, and cherry tomatoes is simple and yummy! 

18. Crab Salad

The grainy mustard and sharp cheddar in this creamy crab salad recipe make it extra delicious! However, like tuna or chicken salad, you can pretty much throw everything but the kitchen sink in a crab salad or put nothing but mayo, and it will be just fine in a pinch. Plop it in a pita bread pocket, and pair it with some fresh veggies, and you have the perfect lunch.

19. Berry Salad

Add a little extra beauty to your boring salad with some colorful berries.  Romaine lettuce topped with strawberries, blueberries, shaved almonds, and feta cheese or goat cheese is a quick, healthy camper lunch. Throw on your favorite dressing, we love this Brianna’s blueberry balsamic vinaigrette . 

20. Pimento Cheese Sandwiches

Pimento cheese is one of those things that we rarely eat unless we are traveling. Grab a tub at the store and use it on sandwiches, crackers, or as a spread for fresh veggies. It also makes a good addition to veggie tortilla wraps, lettuce wraps, or pinwheels.

21. Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Here’s where those ten cans of shredded chicken you bought are going to come in handy. Chicken salad can be very plain or really fancy. We love this cranberry pecan chicken salad recipe ! For a healthier option, omit the bread and serve as a lettuce wrap!

22. Smoked Salmon Stacks

A few packets of pre-cooked salmon are also nice to have around for fish tacos, to throw on your salad for a little extra filler, or to make this tasty lunch treat. This flatbread salmon stack is an easy option that requires just a bit of meal prep, so you might want to start the night before. If that is too much work, just load up some Ritz crackers with a bit of salmon, a slice of avocado, and a dash of salt and pepper for a quick and easy lunch. 

No-Cook Dinnertime Meals for Traveling

Dinner is probably the hardest category on the list, at least for Americans. We tend to save our largest meal for the end of the day, and we generally want something warm. So, a completely no-cook dinner is out of the normal for many of us (though sandwich or cereal night is certainly not unheard of in our house)! 

23. Greek Salad

A traditional Greek salad is not only healthy and tasty, but goodness it is pretty. While recipes vary all over the Mediterranean and the Balkans, they generally consist of fresh diced tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, and sometimes bell peppers, red onions, and cucumbers. You can make it any way you want, with whatever you have. Toss in a little olive oil or vinaigrette and a pinch of salt. Magnifique!

24. Stuffed Avocados

This is one of our favorite no-cook camping meals. Split an avocado, and remove the pit. Fill the center with a plop of your favorite meat salad. Sprinkle with salt and pepper or paprika. You can use any of the meat you have, salmon, chicken, tuna. Use the leftover tuna salad from yesterday’s lunch. Another option is to make taco-stuffed avocados . All you need is a taco-seasoning packet to add to the meat and veg you already have on hand!

25. Crab Ceviche

Ceviche is a cold seafood dish, popular all over Central America. It is traditionally made with fresh fish, lime juice, peppers, red onion, and whatever else you have on hand at the time! You can use any of the packaged or prebought fish you have to create “ camping ceviche .” For a side dish, whip up some 7-layer dip and tortilla chips for a complete no-cook dinner!

26. Veggie Gyros

These vegetable gyros feature our favorite item-avocadoes, plus chickpeas and yummy tzatziki spread. Chickpeas are packed with protein and all these veggies will get you to your daily allotment of vitamins and fiber. For the meat lovers in the group, you can easily add chicken you have on hand! 

27. Mexican 3-bean salad with guacamole

… Oh, sorry! Just dreaming about this Mexican 3-bean salad ! It might be a favorite meal idea on this list. Hiking and exploring make you hungry, and all the beans in this baby give you the fiber you need for a good night’s sleep! Pair it with fresh guacamole for the ultimate easy camping meal.  

28. Layered Taco Salad

Take some of that chicken you brought and mix in some taco seasoning. In a large bowl, layer it with cheese, beans, lettuce, and crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos. Alternate your layers of each until the bowl is full. Let everyone choose their own toppings of guacamole, sour cream, and salsa. 

Mexican food is the easiest no-cook dinner to make. Layer nachos with shredded canned meat, beans, and all the veggies and toppings you like! If you can warm your meat and beans, that’s great, but it is just as good cold!

Snack Ideas or Side Dishes

You’ll likely be more active on your vacation than you are in normal daily life. It seems most of us need a vacation from our vacation by the time we get home. So, you are going to need more fuel than usual. Plus, if you have kids in tow, then snacks are a primary food group (maybe the only food group)! Make sure you have some good ones on board!

30. Veggies and Hummus

Nothing super inventive here, but it’s easy and effective. Plus, you might get your picky ones to eat a carrot or bell pepper stick if it is slathered in yummy hummus or guacamole. You could make a big batch of homemade hummus before your trip, or make it easy on yourself and buy some tasty flavors at the store.

31. Trail Mix

No surprise here, trail mix is a great idea to have on hand. It fits easily in the backpack for long hikes. You can throw the bag at a kid in the backseat when needed, and it is filled with tummy-filling protein. Make your own trail mix , or snag a giant premade bag from Amazon before your trip!

32. Fresh-Fruit Salad

Nothing screams summer like a bowl of fresh fruit. This fruit salad with citrus dressing is delightful and is the perfect anecdote for that summer heat! You might even convince your kids to eat something healthy today. 

33. Beef Jerky

Beef jerky just belongs in a backpack. They go hand in hand. 

34. Pesto Pinwheels

Pinwheels are a classic party appetizer, but they also make a great one-bite snack. We love these pinwheels , but there are many great ones out there, so use what you have on hand! It does take a little bit of meal prep time as they need to sit in the refrigerator or cooler for several hours to set up. 

35. Deli Rolls

Don’t know about you, but to us, there isn’t anything better than a slice of your favorite cheese, rolled up inside of a piece of deli meat. Admit it, you have done it. You can make it fancy with a hummus spread or olive-decorated toothpick! It’s quick, easy, filling, and budget-friendly. We love it!

No-Cook Snacks for Traveling

36. s’mores.

Okay, so the best s’mores require a little smoking on a campfire, but technically you can make them with uncooked marshmallows. They’re still super tasty!

37. To-Go Banana Pudding

The banana version is the best, but you can try this treat with any premade pudding cup of your liking. Crush a bag of Vanilla wafers. Add it to your pudding cup. Slice up a banana for garnish and plop a dollop of Cool Whip on top. Yummm.

38. No-Bake Lemon Tarts

Lemon pudding snack packs can easily be turned into a tart. Line a small bowl, or just make a pile of finely crushed Graham crackers. Slather on a healthy slab of cold lemon pudding, and top with your favorite whipped topping. Sprinkle on nuts or coconut shavings to taste!

39. Cottage Cheese and Dried Fruit

This one won’t please everyone, but if you love it, you love it! Cottage cheese has healthy fat and is a good source of protein. It will keep you full, and if you top it with some sweet dried pineapple, it’s pretty tasty!

40. Fresh Strawberries and Whipped Topping

Strawberries topped with a little sugar take on a totally different flavor! If you don’t use granulated sugar, honey works just as well. Slice them up, add your honey or sugar, and allow them to sit in a cold environment for at least 4 hours. If you want a lush dessert, stock up on some pre-made angel food cakes or make one at home before your trip. The decadent strawberry mixture on top of some food cake with whipped topping is a fantastic dessert any day of the week!

41. Fruit Pizza

Pizza! Create this delectable treat with granola, nut butter, cinnamon, and chopped almonds. Combine together to make a delicious crust. You can add honey if you use unsweetened nut butter. Press into a pie pan or dish, or just press flat on parchment paper. Let chill in the refrigerator or ice chest for at least an hour. Cover in yogurt or softened cream cheese, then sprinkle with your favorite fresh fruits, cacao nibs, or drizzle with chocolate syrup!

Other Staples To Keep On Hand

If you tried to make everything on this list, your entire camper would be full of food and ingredients. Instead, try to group your choices by recipes that use and reuse a smaller number of ingredients. Remember you can always repurpose your leftovers from day 1 lunch for day 2 dinner. Get creative. With this sample shopping list, you’ll be able to create several dishes.

• Canned or packed meats: tuna, salmon, and chicken
• Canned beans of several varieties
• Boiled eggs
• Lots of fresh fruit and veggies
• A tub of your favorite “crumbled” cheese – Feta or goat.
• A jar of nut butter
• A large bag of mixed nuts and seeds
• Your favorite multi-purpose bread
• Mayonnaise and brown mustard
• Granola or oats
• Olive oil and lemon juice or a vinaigrette dressing
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder

Closing Thoughts

Just because you don’t want to cook doesn’t mean you can’t eat like a king on your vacation. With a little forethought, some smart shopping, and perhaps a small amount of meal planning before you leave, you can ensure that you have everything you need to whip up fast, easy meals on the go. 

What are your go-to camping or travel meals? Let us know in the comments!

Going on a long hike? Here are a few more “ Healthy Travel Snack Ideas To Keep Your Belly Full. ” 

If you want an epic camping adventure this summer, check out our list of the “ 20 Best National Parks In The USA .”

Frequently Asked Questions

No one wants to cook on vacation. Some of the best no-cook traveling meals are not only filling but healthy too. While camping, try stuffed avocados, crab salad, or camping ceviche.

Travel food should be easy, and the ingredients versatile. Some of the best no-cook traveling meals can be made with bread, nuts, seeds, fresh fruit, and vegetables. And don’t knock canned ingredients!

It’s always best to seek travel advice from experts ! For starters, download travel apps to save on fares and an adventure app for fun. Also, plan some no-cook meals to fuel up between adventures.

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Her Packing List

Packing Light

Must haves for a traveling kitchen.

When you’re constantly on the move, dining out can quickly get expensive. Sometimes you just want a taste of home or have a special diet like a gluten intolerance or are a vegan . I always cook while traveling and find that going to the local grocery stores and markets can be an equally authentic way to experience a destination. There are a few items that I typically bring to make cooking a lot easier, particularly in hostel kitchens when a sharp knife can be hard to come by.

Cutlery, Containers and Bags

Tupperware – You can by aluminum foil or cling wrap just about anywhere, but I bought a few reusable containers at the dollar store in Australia so I could save leftover pasta for a second meal.

Reusable bag – Stuffable bags that fold down into keychain size can be used for trips to the market and to store extra snacks.

Spork – Although most places you stay will have cutlery, it’s nice to be prepared. Light My Fire makes cheap varieties in multipacks.

Pocket knife with corkscrew – While you may have to check it in your bag, depending on country rules, a pocket knife can be used to make sandwiches or chop up veggies. A corkscrew is also important for opening that cheap bottle of wine!

Collapsible and standard water bottles – You don’t always have to fill them with water, but can also take leftover wine with you to the next location.

Unless you’re camping, I don’t think you’ll need a camp stove and will prefer using hostel kitchens, even if it means waiting your turn.

Food Staples

There’s not much you need to bring from home unless you follow a strict diet or won’t be able to find your favorite items while traveling. Always think about the weight of what you’re bringing and whether or not the place you’re visiting allows you to bring food in. I know that Hawaii and Australia in particular have strict quarantine rules.

Rice, pasta and ramen noodles are easy to pack and can be used to create hundreds of meals. Microwavable rice is another easy dinner item, as most hotel rooms and hostels have the appliance.

Instant or Powdered Items

As with microwavable rice or pasta, instant or powdered items make for a good traveling kitchen. For soup bases, try bouillon cubes. Instant oatmeal (or grits for me) makes an easy breakfast and powdered drinks like Crystal Light or Starbucks Via give you a buzz on the go. Don’t forget the spices to add flavor!

Nuts and dried fruit – High protein snacks like dry roasted almonds and freeze dried strawberries don’t really go bad and can be brought with you as you go sightseeing.

Granola bars – When you get really desperate for a snack, throw a granola bar in your bag. I personally love Lara Bars , which come in tasty flavors like carrot cake.

Easy Recipes

It’s difficult to find recipes that are both healthy and easy , but I have a few standbys that aren’t too gluttonous.

Peanut butter noodles – I found this recipe from Martha Stewart’s website, so you know it’s good. You take one packet of ramen noodles, drain most of the liquid, add peanut butter, soy sauce and hot sauce for a tasty meal.

Spaghetti bolognese – This was my go-to while traveling in Australia. I typically substituted beef for whatever meat was cheapest that day, either pork or lamb. I saved it for multiple meals.

Pizza bagels or sandwiches – Throw some tomato sauce and cheese onto a bagel or piece of bread and you’ve got yourself a pizza for lunch.

• Our Traveling Kitchen , Beers and Beans

Written by Caroline

Caroline Eubanks is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, but has also called Charleston, South Carolina and Sydney, Australia home. After college graduation and a series of useless part-time jobs, she went to Australia for a working holiday. In that time, she worked as a bartender, bungee jumped, scuba dived, pet kangaroos, held koalas and drank hundreds of cups of tea. You can find Caroline at Caroline in the City .

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Reader Interactions

July 23, 2013 at 12:59 pm

For the pizza idea, you could also try it with a tortilla. My sister-in-law showed me this: in a frying pan, in-between two tortillas (or one, folded), spooning on tomato sauce, cheese, and whatever other “toppings” you want and cooking until both tortillas are crispy and the insides gooey. It can be a little messy, depending on how much sauce is in it, or cheese, but I’ve also packed it up in foil for us to take to lunch somewhere else and it does really well when it’s chilled out, too. 😀

I was just wondering if most hostel kitchens come stocked with olive oil, salt, and whatnot, or is it another thing to buy while there if you want to cook?

July 23, 2013 at 4:08 pm

Some do come with communal seasonings and oil… or other people leave them behind for others to use. Varies by hostel. If you’re lucky you can find someone else who has some and give them some change for a bit.

July 23, 2013 at 2:19 pm

Excellent write up! I can personally attest to a lot of the items you mentioned here. 🙂 Thanks for the shout out too!

July 24, 2013 at 6:12 am

Couscous is a good one to cook. I found it was quick and easy, all you need is boiling water. It can be a bit bland though, so semi-dried tomatoes and other little things you can add will make it a bit more exciting. It is also very filling and cheap!

July 30, 2013 at 7:10 pm

I tend to make a big batch of something like veggie stew or bean chili – providing you have access to a big pan and divide it up into containers. It can last me a week and means I only have to source a microwave the majority of the time but can enjoy some home cooking too.

August 11, 2013 at 2:51 pm

I always have garlic powder and chili flakes for meals that are served bit bland. I always swear by the cooler bag.

August 13, 2013 at 10:03 am

A tube of vegemite is always handy, use it as a spread or in stews, gravy, even in hot water for soup.

August 22, 2013 at 6:22 pm

Fellow southerner here and… Grits! yes! I had my mom send me a box of instant grits when I lived in Korea and I rationed those suckers out like they were made of gold haha. I never thought about alot of these things because I usually eat out when traveling in hostels but I may have to reconsider now. I am going to be basically living in a hostel for at least a couple weeks probably when I head to NZ next month for my working holiday so these are great tips!

[…] Are you staying in luxury hotels or saving on hostels? This will determine whether you need to bring your own towels, hairdryers and sheets. Do you prefer to keep it thrifty, enjoying as many free activities as possible or do you splurge for unique experiences? If you’ll be going scuba diving, you’ll need to pack your certification book and dive log. If you’re trying to save money, you might want to bring items to help you cook meals. […]

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