These easy vacation rental meal ideas are quick, delicious and simple to put together, even in the most basically stocked kitchens. Though these recipes are quite family-friendly as written, they’re also very versatile so that you can substitute or omit ingredients that don’t suit the tastes of your kids or picky eaters in your family. The best part, though, is that these easy meals allow for quick preparation, cooking and clean up so that you can spend more of your precious vacation time relaxing.
Whenever possible, my family prefers to stay in a condo, cottage or rental home when we vacation. One reason for this preference is because we appreciate being able to keep dining costs down by cooking our own meals instead of eating in restaurants. Cooking in also allows us to eat healthier foods. Of course, because we’re on vacation, we don’t want to spend all of our time cooking and cleaning. That’s why I’m always on the lookout for easy vacation rental meal ideas. When we’re staying in an unfamiliar place, we’re careful to plan meals that are simple to make, easy to clean up and don’t require obscure tools or appliances. Over the years, we’ve stayed in more than a dozen rental units (like the one we loved in Banff, Canada) in locations all over the world. One thing we’ve learned is that no two rentals are alike. This is especially true when it comes to how well (or poorly) the vacation rental kitchen is stocked. Here are some great tips for choosing the right vacation rental for your family.
Easy Vacation Rental Breakfast Ideas
Once you’ve identified the perfect property, the fun part starts: meal planning! One of the best parts of being on vacation is treating yourself to some foods you might not normally include in your diet at home. For us, that means allowing some packaged foods that we don’t usually buy. This is especially true of breakfast foods. Here are some suggestions that you might want to consider for what to eat for breakfast in a vacation rental.
- Pastries from the grocery store bakery
- Boxed cereal and granola
- Single serve fresh fruits like apples and bananas
- Pre-cut melons from the grocery store
- Yogurt cups
- Muffins and quick bread mixes
- Poptop cinnamon rolls
- Granola bars
Meal Planning Tips for Vacation Rentals
There are a lot of moms who don’t like to cook, especially on vacation. But when you implement the following tips, making dinner in your vacation rental can be a breeze.
- Skip recipes that require trendy kitchen appliances like an Instant Pot or air fryer
- Search the internet for “One-Pot” or “Skillet” meals
- Read reviews of the property to see what previous guests report about kitchen supplies and tools
- When planning for a week of meals, choose recipes that require similar ingredients, like nachos and quesadillas
- When possible, substitute ready-made ingredients like rotisserie chicken or bagged salad mixes
- Opt for recipes with short ingredient lists
With these tips in mind, I’ve compiled a list of easy vacation rental meal ideas that are sure to please the whole family on your next trip.
Easy Vacation Rental Meal Ideas
Best Chicken Salad Recipe - House of Nash Eats
This versatile recipe enlists the help of store-bought rotisserie chicken and can easily be adapted to accommodate the tastes of your family.
Easy Weeknight Cheesy Taco Pasta
This family favorite calls for just a handful of ingredients and takes only twenty minutes to throw together.
Broccoli cheddar quesadillas
Here's another option for a yummy recipe that uses only a handful of ingredients and comes together using basic kitchen supplies.
KALE QUINOA WATERMELON SALAD
Inspired by a food truck meal we enjoyed in Kauai, this fresh and flavorful salad is surprisingly hearty, especially if you throw in some leftover rotisserie chicken.
Spicy BBQ Chicken Pita Pizza - Easy pita bread pizza!
If you've never tried pita pizza, you're going to want to give this recipe a try for a new twist on a classic.
Vegetarian Burrito Bowls
These burrito bowls are a meatless way to indulge in some south of the border flavors.
Avocado Chicken Wraps
From the counter to the table in ten minutes or less, this healthy wrap recipe is as quick and easy to make as it is delicious to eat.
Tortellini Salad Recipe
This super versatile salad recipe relies on readily-available ingredients that you'll find in the deli section of most any grocery store.
Easy Greek Orzo Salad • Happy Kitchen
Full of delicious flavors, this salad recipe takes a Mediterranean spin on pasta salad.
Watermelon Feta Salad with Blueberries
If you happen to be vacationing during a patriotic holiday, this recipe is a winner, especially when served alongside an All-American burger.
The Ultimate Taco Salad Recipe
Easy to customize to your own tastes, this recipe includes a super simple three ingredient dressing that you'll love.
Thank you! I was just looking for good ideas for our rental next week.