For many people, one of the best parts of hiring a campervan is the chance to cook in a new way. Cooking with limited space and resources can challenge your creativity, but it’s also a novel part of getting out into the great unknown. Whether you’re going all-out on a 4-berth campervan rental or sticking with a classic 2-berth rental for the road, there are a few things you should know before you embark.
The team at Kia Ora Campers have been handling campervan rentals in Auckland for years, so we’ve picked up a few things along the way. This is our love letter to you! Read on for our ride-or-die tips to nail campervan cooking. We’ve also packed one of our favourite campervan cooking recipes to build up your road trip menu.
Our Tips for Stress-Free Campervan Cooking
Ensuring everyone gets fed while on the road can occasionally be stressful. But if you follow a few of these simple tips, giving the whole family a meal they’ll love (including you) will be as easy as pie.
Plan Your Meals Ahead of Time
Meal planning saves lives when campervan cooking! The stress of figuring out what you’ll eat every day is murder on a vacation, especially if you have more than just yourself to care for. Try setting off with a meal plan and a set list of ingredients. That way, you can plan your destinations and nutrient intake.
Pro tip: Order your groceries online! Space is a valuable commodity when travelling in a campervan, and online orders help you preserve it by removing temptation! Plus, if you buy online, you won’t have to worry about spending all morning in the supermarket when you should be enjoying the open road.
Get Outdoors Occasionally
What’s the point of hitting the open road if you can’t have a barbecue sometimes? Barbecuing is one of the great delights of someone who loves campervan cooking. Most Department of Conservation campsites have built-in barbecues, so get outdoors with the whole family and take advantage of them!
This will help you vary your diet and plan for larger meals on occasion.
Pro tip: Try to time your barbecue session for a quiet moment. If you’re headed out in a busy season, you might have to contend with another camper or two to get some space. No worries, just stake things out and wait for your moment. Sometimes, going earlier can help!
Keep it Simple
We all get struck by the cooking bug occasionally. But simplicity is your friend when working with minimal space and limited resources. When planning your meals, stick to quick and easy classics you know like the back of your hand. An occasional splash-out is great if you have the time and energy. Just make sure you plan for any leftovers and clean up.
Pro tip: Try buying ingredients that overlap across multiple dishes. That way, you can save on storage and be sure you’re keeping things simple. For example, canned tomatoes, beans, or noodles are super versatile!
Campervan Cooking Recipe for the Road
When you’re on the road, planning for food that can feed plenty of people without turning your limited living space into a mess is essential. You’ll also work with fewer available ingredients or tools, so it’s the perfect time to get creative!
Our entire range – from our 2-berth to our 4-berth campervan rentals – feature everything you need to whip up a quick and easy meal. The tools you’ll have at your disposal are:
• A gas stove or cooker
• A microwave
• Cooking utensils
• A portable BBQ
So, even if it’s a rainy indoor day, you’ll have plenty of equipment to see you through mealtimes. Let’s run through one of our favourite campervan cooking recipes, which you can tailor or customise to suit you!
Classic Family-Friendly Nachos
Our first recipe uses just one burner and one pan, so you won’t have to deal with a mountain of dishes once you’re done! You will need:
• 1 brown onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 red capsicum, chopped
• A packet of beef mince (or black beans, if you prefer a vegetarian meal)
• A bag of your favourite corn chips
• A packet of nacho seasoning (taco or burrito seasoning also works)
• A teaspoon of tomato paste
• Salt and pepper
• Cheese (as much as you like!)
The method is super simple:
1. Grab a big pan and heat a teaspoon of oil over medium-high heat.
2. Sweat your onions, carrots, and capsicum together until they have some colour.
3. Mix in your tomato paste, making sure to cover the vegetables evenly.
4. Drop your black beans or ground beef in there, then sprinkle your spice mix on top.
5. Add a third of a cup of water, mix everything together, and cover until the ingredients are cooked into a thick sauce.
6. Serve atop your corn chips with a healthy sprinkling of cheese!
This is a crowd-pleasing, family-friendly meal with plenty of nutrients. It won’t stress your storage space, and you can enjoy the leftovers for a few days if you keep them in the fridge.
With all that said and done, the most important thing to remember about campervan cooking is to have fun! You’ll probably miss this great experience when you get back home. So, make the most of it, enjoy the great outdoors, and tap your campground neighbours for recipe ideas. Share the Aroha!
Looking for your next campervan rental in Auckland?
At Kia Ora Campers, we’re in love with the open road. We’re dedicated to great service, campervans, and holiday recommendations. Whether you’re headed out for a quick tour with the family or planning a nationwide trip with your partner, we’ve got you covered! Check in with us about our campervan rentals in Auckland today.