Cooking in your van
Cooking and Meal Planning
As with every other aspect of van life, you'll want to consider how you want to prepare food while on the road. You have so many options, regardless of your cooking abilities! You do have to be conscious of costs when it comes to food. It is one of those things that can make or break your budget.
Do you have the funds to eat out often? Do you enjoy cooking and want to prepare all your meals? Everyone will have different thoughts, resources, and dietary restrictions, so plan with your situation in mind.
Consider the room you have available for cold storage.
If you are just starting out, you can always get by with a cooler, just remember you will have to continually drain the water and restock with ice. Another option is to get yourself a 12v refrigerator like the Alpicool C20, that I use. There are a variety of sizes, and some have separate refrigerator and freezer space.
Since most of us have limited cold food storage, it just means more frequent trips to the grocery store. Farmers Markets are a great way to find some fresh fruit and veggies and can last a long time without refrigeration.
Cooking Equipment
Options might be limited based on available Space and Power
When living van life, you can’t have all the kitchen gadgets you might want, or if you do, you are going to have to sacrifice space elsewhere. You will also need to determine your power needs for any of the kitchen appliances you have. To determine your power needs, be sure to check out the What About… section and find the block with Power and Solar.
Options for Cooking Equipment:
Boil Bottle
Rice Cooker
Small Air Fryer
Camp Stove
Skillet with a Hot Plate
Cook over fire
Create a non-perishable pantry:
This can include items that can be used in a variety of ways and stored in nooks and crannies, if needed. Include things like:
Canned Beans: Such as black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans or baked beans.
Canned Fruits: Look for those canned in juice rather than syrup.
Canned Soups, Stews, or Lentils
Canned Tuna, Chicken, Salmon, or Sardines: For salads and sandwiches.
Canned Vegetables: Corn, peas, carrots, etc.
Couscous: Just add hot water and it's ready in minutes.
Quinoa: High in protein and cooks quickly.
Rice: White, brown, or instant for quick meals.
Tomato Sauce and Paste
Easy Meal Ideas:
Bagged Salad: You can add any kind of protein.
Chili: Use canned beans, diced tomatoes, and pre-cooked meat. Heat everything in a pot with chili spices. This can also be made vegetarian by omitting the meat.
Couscous Salads: Couscous cooks with just boiling water. Mix in canned chickpeas, chopped cucumber, tomatoes, and a simple dressing.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich: A classic that’s easy to cook on a skillet. Add tomatoes or ham for an extra touch.
Instant Rice Meals: Cook instant rice and add pre-cooked chicken and a jar of curry sauce or stir in some canned vegetables and soy sauce.
Omelets or Scrambled Eggs: Eggs are versatile and cook quickly. Add cheese, diced veggies, and maybe some pre-cooked bacon.
One-Pot Pasta: Cook pasta in a single pot with a sauce of your choice. Add in vegetables and pre-cooked meat like sausage or chicken.
Pancakes: A breakfast option that only requires a mix and water. Add bananas, berries, or chocolate chips for variety.
Quesadillas: Easy to make in a single skillet. Fill tortillas with cheese and your choice of vegetables, beans, or pre-cooked meats.
Rotisserie Chicken: Many grocery stores have these and they are an inexpensive item that can be used for a variety of meals.
Soup and Sandwich: Keep it simple with canned soup heated up and a sandwich made with deli meats and cheese.
Stir-Fry: Use a single burner or portable stove to cook up a quick stir-fry. Mix fresh or frozen veggies with tofu, shrimp, or pre-cooked chicken. Serve with instant rice or noodles.
Stovetop Stuffing: Add canned chicken breast, and add a drizzle of olive oil.
Tuna Salad: Mix canned tuna with mayonnaise and relish or chopped celery. Serve on bread, lettuce, or mixed into a pasta salad.
Wraps: Use tortillas to wrap up any combination of sandwich ingredients, from hummus and vegetables to turkey and cheese. You can even use nut butter and trail mix/granola.
Meals That Just Need Boiling Water:
Couscous: This cooks super-fast with just boiling water. Mix in spice blends and dehydrated vegetables or fruits for a fuller meal.
Dehydrated Soups and Stews: Available in packets; just add hot water. Look for varieties with lower sodium and healthier ingredients for a better meal.
Instant Mashed Potatoes: Lightweight and easy to pack. Enhance with cheese powder, bacon bits, or dried chives for flavor.
Instant Noodles or Ramen: A staple for easy cooking. You can enhance these with pre-chopped veggies, dried mushrooms, or precooked and dehydrated meat.
Instant Oatmeal: Add in fresh or dried fruit, nuts, or a dab of peanut butter.
Powdered Eggs: For a protein-packed breakfast.
Pre-cooked, Dehydrated Beans: These rehydrate quickly and can be mixed with spices or instant rice for a hearty meal.
Ready-to-Eat Meals: Like freeze-dried backpacking meals.
Rice Noodles or Vermicelli: These can be rehydrated in hot water and mixed with pre-packed sauce packets and vegetables for an easy stir-fry style dish.
Easy Snack Ideas:
Cheese Sticks or Babybel Cheese
Dried Fruits: Raisins, apricots, mangoes, figs, dates - for a snack or to add to oatmeal.
Dry Cereal
Fruit Cups/Applesauce: Individual cups or jars.
Fruit: Apples, oranges, and bananas are easy to pack and don't require refrigeration.
Granola Bars:
Hard-Boiled Eggs
Jerky: Beef, turkey, or vegan jerky for a protein-rich snack.
Nut Butters: Individual packets or a small jar of peanut butter, almond butter, etc.
Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, etc.
Popcorn
Pretzels, Chips, or Crackers: Great for snacking or as a bread substitute.
Protein Bars or Powders
Trail Mix
Veggies and Hummus: Carrot, celery sticks, and bell peppers are excellent with single-serve hummus packs.
