Campervan Cooking - Feel at Home on the Road

Exploring in your campervan is one of the best ways to experience the great outdoors. Whether you’re an experienced camper or just starting out, there’s nothing quite like the freedom and adventure of hitting the open road in your own campervan. But just because you’re on the road, doesn’t mean you have to give up all of your home comforts and eat motorway service sandwiches for days on end. With a little bit of preparation and creativity, you can enjoy tasty dishes from your campervan with ease, and have fun doing it. Read on for some easy campervan recipe ideas that will make you feel right at home no matter where in the world you are.

In this guide, we'll explore all the ins and outs of cooking in a campervan, from planning your meals to cooking techniques that will take your dishes to the next level. So get ready to get creative and let's start cooking.

Meal Planning

First things first. It's important to plan ahead for any meals you might want to make during your trip, so you don't end up having to make emergency stops at the supermarket on route. Start by researching recipes that fit into the space constraints of your campervan kitchen (and consider how many people you'll be feeding!). Think about how long each recipe takes, how many ingredients are needed, and what utensils or tools might be helpful. Nothing worse than being in the middle of nowhere and realising you forgot the salt :)

Once you've planned out all of your meals, make sure you have everything you need before setting off on your journey. If you're limited on storage space, opt for ingredients that don't take up too much room but still offer plenty of flavour. You might also want to stock up on non-perishables like beans, nuts and grains as these items will provide enough sustenance even if there isn't much else available around where you're camping.

Utensils & Tools

Having the right utensils and tools is essential when it comes to cooking in a campervan. Invest in sturdy pots and pans that won't warp over time. cast iron skillets are especially good because they distribute heat evenly and hold up well against wear-and-tear. Titanium cookware is also good, as it is extremely light and the camping specific designs often stack or can be used for storage too.  Finally, consider additional cooking appliances such as a BBQ, Stove or Fire Tri-pods as these will allow you to cook outside if the weather permits, and cooking outdoors allows you to be with the rest of the campers and not tucked away inside your van all by yourself. 

Consider getting a folding chopping board as well – this makes prep work much easier and won't take up too much space in the van. Some other useful items include knives, spatulas, tongs, wooden spoons and graters. Stock up on tin foil too, as it can come in handy when trying to save leftovers or keep food warm while traveling.

A few key things to make sure you have in your campervan cooking arsenal:

• Pots & Pans: Invest in quality pots and pans that are light and compact.
• Chopping Board: A folding cutting board takes up less space and will protect your campervan worktop.
• Knives, Spatulas, Tongs, Wooden Spoons & Graters: These items always come in handy when creating meals and the one you don't have is nearly always the one you need!
• Tin Foil & Clingfilm: The two F's - foil and film. Great for leftovers and keeping things fresh in the kitchen. It is also the first line of defence for prevent spillages in your nice clean van.
• Storage Containers: Reusable containers are ideal as they are nice and easy to store and can often be stacked to save space. We try and keep the containers from takeaway meals so they can be cleaned and reused for this purpose.

Meal Ideas

• Campfire Cooking: Nothing beats a savory meal cooked over an open flame! Consider prepping certain components like marinades or salsas beforehand so they’re ready once it’s time to cook over the fire—try baking potatoes wrapped in foil for an easy side dish or go traditional with hot dogs and hamburgers (just use caution when grilling). For dessert, try roasting marshmallows or making fruit crisps with applesauce/pie filling mix—the possibilities are endless!
• Baked Goods: Baking is another great way to whip up something tasty while camping – just remember that oven space may be limited depending on the size of your campervan kitchen! Easy recipes like cornbread muffins or chocolate chip cookies are always crowd pleasers; just make sure all ingredients are measured out properly before placing them into the oven so everything cooks evenly (and don’t forget those pan liners!).
• Slow Cooker Meals: Slow cooker meals are great because they require minimal effort throughout the day – just set it up once and walk away until dinner is ready! Soups, stews and roasts all work great here; try adding vegetables towards the end so they don’t get overcooked. Other options include chili macaroni casseroles or cheesy bacon ranch potatoes for something more decadent (and comforting!).
• Camper Pizza: If there’s one thing every camper should know how to make it’s pizza – and luckily it’s easy to do even in a small space! Start by prepping your dough (you can buy pre-made dough if you don't want to make it yourself) and toppings beforehand so they're ready to go when mealtime rolls around. Then, when it's time to assemble, lightly grease a pan with oil or butter (or use non-stick spray). Stretch out your dough over the pan and add any desired toppings. Bake for about 10 minutes at 350°F or until golden brown and crispy. Enjoy!
• Taco Night: Tacos are always a crowd pleaser – and they’re perfect for making while camping! All you need is some ground beef (or turkey), taco seasoning, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream and/or salsa, plus tortillas or taco shells. To get started, cook up your meat with some taco seasoning according to packet instructions. Then warm up your tortillas/shells either in a skillet or directly over an open flame if possible (just be sure to keep them away from direct heat). Finally assemble tacos by adding desired ingredients and enjoy!
• One Pot Wonders: One pot wonders are perfect for campers who don't want lots of mess after cooking - plus they're usually very simple recipes that require minimal ingredients! Some of our favourites include chili con carne, chicken chow mein and hearty vegetable stew. The trick is getting everything into one pot (unless using separate pots for prep) - then all that's left is simmering until cooked through and enjoying!

With these easy recipes up your sleeve, there's no need to worry about what's for dinner while camping! From pizzas to tacos to one pot wonders - not only are these recipes quick and easy but they'll also definitely hit the spot after a long day exploring in nature. So next time you hit the road in your campervan, don't forget these recipes - they'll come in handy more than once during your travels! Bon appetit!