MASTERING THE ART OF RV COOKING: EASY RECIPES AND TIPS FOR COOKING ON THE ROAD

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Think camping meals mean canned beans and instant noodles? Not anymore. With an RV kitchen and some easy campfire recipes, you can serve up meals as good as home—and with a view that rivals any five-star restaurant.
The secret to RV cooking made easy? A sprinkle of planning, a dash of confidence, and the right gear to cook up a storm in your compact kitchen.


UNDERSTANDING YOUR MOBILE KITCHEN

The first step to creating meals worthy of your adventure is to familiarise yourself with your RV’s kitchen setup.
RV cooking spaces vary, but most include essentials like a stovetop for quick meals, a fridge, and a sink. Larger
models may even feature an oven or microwave, instantly expanding your RV cooking ideas and options for
healthy road trip meals.
● Assess the Space: Consider your countertop, storage areas, and appliances. There’s usually limited
space available, which you’ll need to get used to
● Learn Your RV Cooking Appliances’ Quirks: RV fridges might work differently, and stovetops may be
smaller, impacting things like cooking times and pot sizes
● Maximise Space Creatively: Many RVs have clever integrations, like cutting boards that fit over sinks or
stovetops when not in use. What space can you maximise?
● Understand Your Power Sources: Depending on your setup, you might rely on electricity, propane, or
both. Know how it works to avoid running out mid-meal prep!
● Consider Outdoor Cooking Techniques: We love cooking in our RV, especially when it’s cold or rainy,
but we also bring an outdoor kitchen setup like a propane grill, gas stove or equipment for cooking over
an open fire. That way, we can cook even closer to nature when we want to

RV KITCHEN ESSENTIALS: PORTABLE COOKING EQUIPMENT

Packing the right cooking equipment in your RV kitchen makes all the difference. You don’t need every gadget—just a few essentials to make cooking on the road easy.
● Multi-Tasking Cookware: Space is tight, so choose multi-purpose equipment when you can. For
example, a sturdy cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven is perfect for stovetop cooking, baking, and even
campfire cooking. Stainless steel pans, like our Zebra range, are also open-fire-friendly
● Smart Storage Hacks: Collapsible and nesting items are your best mates. Think collapsible storage containers for fridge leftovers and nesting pots and pans to maximise RV pantry organisation
● Compact Appliances: Most RVs have basics, but a small slow cooker or mini electric kettle can definitely
give you some more speed and flexibility when it comes to RV easy cooking. Shop RV cooking equipment now

THE IMPORTANCE OF RV MEAL PLANNING

Smart RV meal planning keeps cooking simple, reduces waste, and means you always have tasty and healthy
meals on hand.
● Make a Meal Plan: Map out meals before you leave. Consider trip length, grocery stops, and what kind
of days you’ll have. Mix no-cook camping meals with a few special dishes for those leisurely nights under
the stars
● Build a Flexible Pantry: Stock pantry staples like rice, pasta, canned tomatoes, and spices that can work
in multiple RV-friendly recipes. Long-lasting fresh ingredients like onions, potatoes, and carrots are also
great options
● Mix Fresh and Shelf-Stable Foods: Fresh is great—but storage is limited. Balance with non-perishables
like canned veggies, dried fruits, and nuts
● Think About Cooking Options: Stick with stove top recipes if your RV lacks an oven. One-pot meals for
RV and make-ahead dishes are perfect choices, keeping cooking simple and cleanup easy


GROCERY SHOPPING ON THE ROAD

Shopping for an RV trip is all about smart, space-savvy choices, especially in remote areas like the Aussie outback, where the next store could be hundreds of kilometres away.
● Finding Grocery Stores: Use apps to locate grocery stores along your route. A great start is simply
searching ‘grocery store’ on Google Maps along your route
● Shopping Strategically: Stock up on non-perishables and harder-to-find items, but keep an eye on
storage space. Aim for a balance of essentials so you’re always ready to whip up budget-friendly recipes
● Buy local and seasonal ingredients: One of the joys of RV travel is trying local foods. Buy local produce
whenever you can to support the areas you’re travelling through. Lots of places have farmers’ markets
as well – ask around and add them as a stop along your route
● Managing Perishables: Plan to use the most perishable items first and save longer-lasting produce for
later. Buying smaller quantities more frequently will reduce waste and keep food fresh

RV COOKING HACKS FOR SMALL SPACES

Cooking in an RV takes a bit of finesse, but once you’ve done a few dishes, it’ll feel as natural as cooking at home.
● One-Pot Wonders: Stews, casseroles, and stir-fries are perfect for RV kitchens. They cut down on the dishes and you can easily adapt the recipe to whatever ingredients you have on hand
● Prep Work is King: Do your chopping and measuring before cooking to streamline the cooking process
and maximise counter space
● Remember, You Can Cook Outdoors Too: When weather allows, why not cook outside on a portable grill or set up for campground cooking? It means more space and it adds to the adventure
● Batch Cooking: Prepare larger meals and save leftovers for busy travel days. Just remember to keep
your fridge space in mind

RV FOOD STORAGE SOLUTIONS

Efficient food storage is the secret to saving space, reducing waste, and keeping meals fresh on an RV road trip.
● Maximise Fridge Space: Use stackable containers and eliminate bulky packaging. Drawer dividers or small baskets can also help keep things organised and accessible
● Dry Goods Storage: Store dry items in airtight containers to protect them from moisture and pests.
Vacuum-sealed bags save space for less-used items
● Preserve Fresh Produce: Store fruits and veggies according to their needs. Some, like bananas, are best
outside the fridge (depending on where in Australia you are and the local weather and humidity), while leafy greens stay fresher wrapped in paper towels in the fridge
● RV Meal Prep and Freezing: Have a freezer? You’re definitely a lucky RV-er! Prep and freeze meals
using freezer-safe containers. Remember to add labels with dates and contents so you know what
you’re unfreezing after a busy day road tripping

OUR FINAL COOKING TIPS

We think quick RV dinners and cooking go beyond what’s on your plate. It’s about cleaning up and prep, too.
Here are a few final tips to make your RV kitchen cleaner, safer, and more sustainable.
● Daily Clean-Up: Wipe down surfaces and wash dishes as soon as you can to keep things clean and tidy
(and save space), and sweep regularly
● Deep Clean & Maintain: Schedule deep cleans for appliances and check fridge seals, propane, and other
systems
● Water & Energy Savvy: Conserve water and use efficient cooking methods when you can
● Safety First: Keep a fire extinguisher and fire blanket handy, and remember to ventilate when using any
gas appliances
● Make eco-Friendly Choices: Reduce waste with reusables, minimal packaging, and meal planning to minimise leftovers

SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE RV COOKING RECIPES

The best RV camping recipes blend simple ingredients with easy cooking techniques. We asked our team for
their favourite recipes:
“I hate washing up, so one-pot meals are always my go-to. This one-pot Thai green fish curry is perfect when camping by the coast for fresh fish,” Brooke Nolan, writer.

“I am always up for a grilled dish, this loaded grilled corn is my favourite to prepare for friends and family” Corinne, HR

“Whats wrong with snags in bread? From my point of view there is nothing else needed!” – Max, Warehouse

“It’s straight to dessert for me, and apple crumble hits the spot every time” – Tamar, Marketing

We hope this RV cooking made easy guide has made your life easier and inspired you to cook up a storm.

Shop now for RV cooking essentials.

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