It’s no secret, it’s always a little challenge to plan our meals when we go by minivan. It sounds simple, but we must not forget the space, the storage of food in the cooler and most importantly, the time of preparing meals if you don’t want to spend your time cooking! Be aware that meat doesn’t stay fresh very long in a cooler, so try to prioritize dry or cane ingredients. Remember that if you rent a minivan with us, you can order your groceries in bulk before you leave, thanks to our partner BocoBoco. So make a list of all your dry ingredients, place your order, and be ready for your trip faster!
A little extra for our Backpackers: We offer you meal ideas with similar ingredients so you don’t have to play Tetris in your cooler!
All the recipes with the little leaf🌿 are vegan!
Breakfast
The easiest breakfast is obviously peanut butter toast and if you feel a little crazy, you can even add jam! But hey, not everyone wants to eat toast during their trip, so here are some breakfast ideas for your road trip.
🌿 Chia and overnight oatmeal
Do you plan to get up early to watch the sunrise by the water’s edge or at the top of a mountain? This vegan recipe is quickly prepared the day before in a small container and ships well, no matter your destination. Find the recipe right here
Frederike’s Pancakes (Folks and Forks)
Ideal for a quiet Sunday morning, pancakes are always welcome and this is another opportunity to taste maple syrup! You can even keep the rest of the mixture in a small container so you have a quick lunch to make the next day. Find the recipe right here
Canadian Breakfast Pan:
You are greedy or you travel with other people? The Canadian pan will certainly make people happy! A little longer to prepare, but so satisfying on a colder day. A few eggs, some cheese and some vegetables and you will have a king’s (or queen’s!) breakfast for you and your gang! Find the recipe right here
The lunch
The good thing about sandwiches is that it’s easy to vary them by changing the type of bread, sauce, or even meat. But despite all the options, there are times when you want to eat something other than bread, so here are some ideas that will make a difference.
🌿Mushrooms and herbs Quinoa
This vegan recipe doesn’t require a lot of ingredients and is perfect for a quick, healthy meal. Not a big mushroom fan or you’d like more vegetables? Spoil yourself! The beauty of a simple recipe like this is that you can customize it however you want. Find the recipe right here
Italian tortellini salad
Rediscover the usual pasta salad, but the improved version by Frederike of Folks and Forks! It’s simple and you will be well filled to continue your day. You can even use the rest of your cold meats to make sandwiches or even a charcuterie and cheese platter. Find the recipe right here
🌿 Chickpea and Cauliflower Curry
This meal can be partly prepared in advance to make your life easier! If you can’t start making it at home, that’s fine. Simply plan two airtight bags (reusable ideally!) And prepare your food at the same time as your dinner the day before to make sure the flavors blend well. After that, you’re done! In less than 20 minutes, your dinner will be ready and you will be able to enjoy it. Find the recipe right here
The main course
Oh, dinners… Obviously, we can’t always prepare the same meals as the one we do at home! We suggest you some recipes so that you can enjoy your vacations elsewhere than in front of your stove! 😉
🌿 Asian stir-fry
Whether you’re vegan or not, this recipe is definitely something for everyone. It’s a classic that you can adapt to suit your tastes and you can even add a little chicken to it if you don’t want a vegetarian meal. Quick to make and full of flavor, you’ll love savoring your stir-fry in your van while taking in the views. Find the recipe right here
Pizza in a pan
Who would have thought to cook a pizza on a pan in a van? Well, even if we cheat a little with an already prepared dough, it changes from the classic pizza in the oven! The nicest thing of this recipe is that you can customize it to your liking. Everyone will love your pizzas! Find the recipe right here
Orzo casserole with shrimp, garlic and lemon
This tasty recipe is the longest to prepare in our short list, but will satisfy your cravings for an original meal. Its list of fresh ingredients is a bit longer, so this is probably the recipe you should make on the first night of your trip. We can tell you, when your dinner starts to cook and you smell all the aromas that come out of it, you will be salivating at the thought of eating your supper. Find the recipe right here
If you have a BBQ, don’t hesitate to use it as an oven. You could cook absolutely everything there: grills, vegetables, but also muffins and lasagna if you are motivated. You’ll just have to watch your cooking a little more often, but everything is possible on the go!
The restaurants
Yes, when traveling, you can spoil yourself from time to time and eat in local restaurants to discover the specialties of the region! Put aside the fast-food restaurants or chains that you find near you and don’t hesitate to ask the locals. They will be a great help in choosing THE restaurant to try.
Tip: If you want meal ideas, Frederike of Folks and Forks regularly shares easy-to-make recipe ideas. Much of it can be done in a van, so if you’re running out of inspiration for your other meals for the week, head over to her site now!
PS: Her cookbook just came out, you don’t want to miss this!
