The idea of eating on the road can seem romantic to many, who would be able to resist pulling over for lunch with a view and cooking dinner under the stars? But anyone who’s tried to whip up a decent meal during a road trip knows it’s often tricky. Storage is limited, ingredients run out faster than expected, and the weather doesn’t always cooperate when it’s time to fire up the stove. Add to that the constant need to pack and unpack gear, and it’s no wonder many road trippers default to packet noodles and petrol station snacks.
Campervans change that dynamic in a big way. With even a basic kitchen setup, you suddenly have the tools to cook real meals wherever you park. Whether you’re camping beside a lake or in the middle of the woods, the right approach can turn your van into a genuinely functional kitchen. Don’t pressure yourself to put together fancy meals—it’s enough to eat well with less stress, fewer supplies, and way better views.
Are you thinking of booking a campervan hire NZ residents trust sometime in the near future? Here’s a handful of practical, road-tested tips to help make your cooking experience easier, more efficient, and a lot more fun:
1) Plan Meals You Can Adjust on the Fly
The last thing you want on the road is to be stuck with a recipe that needs five spices you didn’t pack and a fridge you don’t have. A better move? Stick to meals that you can easily adjust based on what’s available. A wrap can become a salad, leftover veg can go into a fried rice, and that tin of beans you forgot about might just save dinner. Choose a few core ingredients that work across multiple meals; that’ll cut down the grocery list and make it easier to adapt as you go.
2) Do as Much Prep Work as You Can at Home
When you’re parked up somewhere beautiful, the last thing you’ll want to do is spend an hour chopping onions. Prepping some ingredients before your trip—like marinating meat, slicing vegetables, or even boiling a batch of rice—will give you a major head start. It also saves on water and cleaning while you’re on the road. Even prepping just one or two meals ahead of time can make the first few days feel a lot smoother.
3) Maximise Cooler or Fridge Space
Cold storage runs out fast, especially if you’re trying to eat fresh. That’s where it pays to pack smart. Ditch bulky packaging and repack items into stackable containers or resealable bags. Group ingredients by meal or day to make things easier to grab on the go. If you’ve only got a chilly bin, consider freezing some items before the trip—they’ll help keep other things cool and stretch your supplies further.
4) Freeze Whatever You Can
Frozen meals aren’t just convenient; they’re also practical when you’ve got limited fridge space. A pre-frozen curry or soup can act as a cold pack in the early days of your trip and gradually defrost into an easy dinner later on.
The same goes for pre-marinated meats or smoothie packs. With a few frozen items in your food rotation, you can extend the life of your fresh ingredients and reduce how often you need to restock.
5) One-Pot or One-Pan Meals Are Your Friends
Washing up is never fun, especially when your sink is the size of a salad bowl. That’s why meals that only need one pot or pan are a campervan essential. Think fried rice, pasta with veg, or breakfast hash—simple dishes that come together quickly and don’t leave a trail of dirty dishes behind. Fewer pans also means less cleanup, less water, and more time to enjoy where you’ve parked up.
6) Don’t Rely on the Weather
Cooking outside with a scenic backdrop sounds like a dream until the wind picks up or the rain rolls in. The weather can turn fast, even in summer, so it’s always worth having a backup plan.
If your van has an indoor setup, make sure it’s safe, well-ventilated, and always ready to go. If not, a compact gas stove and a bit of shelter can go a long way. Stay flexible, and you can save your whole experience when the weather doesn’t play nice.
7) Clean as You Go
Mess builds up quickly in a small space. If you leave dishes to pile up after meals, not only will it make cooking harder later, but it will also invite pests and unpleasant smells.
Tidy up as you go to keep the space functional and stress-free. Even just rinsing and stacking while something simmers can help even the tightest kitchen feel more orderly. Your mornings will also feel smoother when you’re not greeted by last night’s washing up.
Few things beat a hot meal with a view and no check-out time, and cooking in a campervan can be a major part of the overall travel experience if you let it. Once you find your rhythm, it’s sure to stop feeling like a chore and start feeling as fun and free as the rest of the drive.
This article is proudly brought to you by the New Zealand Knowledge Collective. We bring together expert insights and practical wisdom for informed living in today’s world. Through our network of Kiwi specialists and evidence-based resources, we’re dedicated to enhancing your knowledge journey across Aotearoa and beyond. Explore our latest posts and stay informed with the best in Books, Travel, Online Education, Personal Finance & Investment, Technology, and Home & Interior Design!
