Mastering the Art of Cooking in Your RV Kitchen
Tips and Tricks for Making Delicious Meals on the Road

Mastering the Art of Cooking in Your RV Kitchen will allow you to enjoy delicious meals while on the road

Traveling in an RV is a great way to explore new places and make lifelong memories. One of the best aspects of RV travel is the ability to cook and eat on the road. However, cooking in an RV kitchen can be challenging, especially for those who are new to the lifestyle. Eating at restaurants and fast-food chains every night may seem like the answer but, not only is that unhealthy, it can also get really EXPENSIVE! By mastering the art of cooking in your RV kitchen, you will set yourself up for success and discover how enjoyable cooking wholesome meals in your RV kitchen can be.

Plan your meals in advance

One of the keys to success when cooking in an RV is to plan your meals in advance. Before your trip, plan your meals for each day, and make a list of all the ingredients you'll need. This will help you avoid overspending at the grocery store and ensure that you have everything you need to prepare delicious meals while on the road.

Get Organized

Organization is essential when cooking in an RV kitchen. Make sure you store all of your cooking utensils, pots, pans, and ingredients in a designated area of the RV. Consider purchasing collapsible measuring cups and storage containers. These take up less space and can be easily collapsed for storage in a drawer. Stackable mixing bowls can be stacked together to save space in the cabinet. A small investment in the right tools will help you stay organized and avoid clutter, making cooking easier in your RV kitchen.

Have an arsenal of spices at your disposal

Purchase a spice rack that has jars with tight-fitting lids and rubber stoppers on the bottom to organize your spices. Just because you are cooking in a small space doesn’t mean you want to skimp on flavor. The simple step of having an organized spice rack will help you create inventive dishes with different flavor profiles, keeping you from getting bored while cooking on the road.

Use Multi-functional tools

When space is limited, it's important to make the most of the tools you have. Look for multi-functional cooking tools, such as the Ninja Foodi, which combines 11 functions. You can Pressure cook, air fry/air crisp, steam, slow cook, yogurt, sear/saute, bake/roast, broil, dehydrate & keep warm. You can make entire meals with just one appliance! Tools like this are game changers when it comes to cooking in a small space.

Invest in a large pan with a tight-fitting lid

It may seem counterintuitive to have a large pan in a small kitchen, but large pans with tight-fitting lids are useful for cooking one-pot meals and can be used for several different dishes. If the pan is large enough, you can boil pasta in the same pan you use to saute the other ingredients for your meal. This keeps you from dirtying up multiple dishes, saving you time and energy. When you are cooking in your RV, the fewer dishes you have to wash, the better! Well, I guess that is the case for cooking in any kitchen.

Be creative with your ingredients

When cooking on the road, it's important to be adaptable and creative with your ingredients. Look for fresh, local ingredients at farmer's markets and grocery stores along your route. Experiment with new flavors and spices to add some variety to your meals. Various recipes in your back pocket are crucial so you won't get bored with your meal choices.

Sometimes simple is better

When cooking in an RV, you may want to keep it simple. For instance, if you are returning from a long day of hiking, you may not feel like cooking a complicated meal. Have some recipes that require minimal prep time and use a small number of ingredients. Easy meals like stir-fried or grilled meats and veggies, can be delicious and easy to prepare in an RV kitchen.

Consider batch-prepping ingredients on days that you have more time so that there is less to do on days that you don't have the energy or inclination. Prepare a batch of chicken salad in advance. That can be turned into wraps or sandwiches on busy days. Throw in some fruit or a side salad and you can have a healthy meal in under 20 minutes.

Get creative with leftovers

Leftovers can be transformed into new dishes with a bit of creativity. Use leftover meat to make tacos, or turn leftover veggies into a yummy frittata. You could easily make a double batch of Bolognese sauce in your crockpot. Serve half of the sauce over pasta one night and freeze the rest in a large resealable bag. Now when you need a new dinner idea, you can transform that sauce into a fantastic lasagne.

Clean as you go

When cooking in an RV kitchen, space is limited and things can become cluttered quickly. Cleaning as you go can keep the kitchen tidy and organized, making it easier for you to move around and find what you need. This makes for a much more enjoyable cooking experience.

Don’t forget about outdoor cooking

Finally, don't forget about cooking in the great outdoors. You ARE camping, after all! If you own or have access to an outdoor grill, take advantage of that. It can be a great way to expand your cooking options and enjoy the scenery while preparing your meals. Plus, cooking outside on the grill means less cleanup inside your RV!

Remember that just because you are on the road doesn't mean you need to spend a ton of money at restaurants or eating at unhealthy fast-food chains. Cooking in an RV may not be the same as cooking in a spacious home kitchen, but with the right tools, planning, and a little creativity, you can enjoy delicious and wholesome meals on the road.

Happy cooking, everyone!

About The Author

I’m Holly! I am a wife, a mother, and a real lover of food. I believe that creating new recipes and sharing them with the people I love is one of the most enjoyable things in life.

I also enjoy traveling the country with my family in our RV. Visiting new places and experiencing all of the beauty this country has to offer lights me up.

Entertaining the RV Life is my online platform where you will find recipe ideas. But I will also share tips for making those recipes in a small space with limited cooking utensils and appliances.

Here I will test products and recipes that make creativity in an RV-sized kitchen possible. I will show you that you can make amazing meals in YOUR tiny kitchen too.

I promise to make plenty of one-pot meals that are easy to throw together without a lot of ingredients. I will also show you that space doesn’t have to hinder your ability to make elegant, more technical dishes as well.

Whether you live in your RV full-time or just travel in it often, it’s time to stop being intimidated by your limited space. Visit my Website Entertaining the RV Life and find joy in cooking again!