Super Easy Vacation Meals For Family Trips

In this guide, we'll look at some super easy vacation meals for family trips. Plus, other tips and tricks for preparing and storing food.

April 12, 2024

Lauren Stuttaford

Travel

Traveling is a great opportunity to experience new sights, sounds, and foods.

But if you’re traveling with your family, eating out can add up quickly. Luckily, we’re here to help.

In this guide, we’ll look at some super easy vacation meals for family trips, as well as other tips and tricks for preparing and storing food.

Let’s dig in!

Why These Easy Meals Are A Great Idea

Before we dive into the delicious options for your family getaway, let’s take a moment to understand why easy vacation meals are so crucial.

Maximized Vacay Time: Vacations are all about relaxation and spending quality time with your loved ones, not slaving away in the kitchen. Quick and simple meal options allow you to make the most of every moment of your vacation.

Better For The Budget: By opting for easy-to-prepare meals, you can save money and allocate those funds to other memorable experiences during your trip.

Flexibility & Convenience: Whether you’re camping, staying in a rental home, or embarking on a road trip, these easy vacation meals for family trips require minimal equipment and can be prepared virtually anywhere.

Healthier Choices: When you’re abroad, it’s easy to indulge in unhealthy fast food or overly processed snacks. With simple meal options, you have more control over the ingredients, making it easier to incorporate nutritious choices into your family’s diet.

Let’s take a look at some breakfast, lunch, and dinner meal ideas, as well as some snacks if you’re only feeling peckish.

Breakfast

The most important meal of the day should be super simple to sort out.
Here are some great options.

Snack Ideas

If you’re not looking for a hearty breakfast, you could try these instead:

Yogurt Parfait
Hard-Boiled Eggs
Mini Breakfast Muffins

Overnight Oats

Prepare individual jars of overnight oats by combining rolled oats, milk (or yogurt), and your favorite toppings such as berries, nuts, honey, or cinnamon.

Seal the jars and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, simply grab a jar, give it a quick stir, and enjoy a nutritious and filling breakfast without any hassle.

Why It’s A Good Idea: Overnight oats are not only delicious but also incredibly convenient. By preparing them the night before, you save time in the morning and ensure a nutritious breakfast is ready to enjoy without any fuss.

overnight-oats-family vacation meal ideas

Breakfast Burritos

Prepare a batch of breakfast burritos by scrambling eggs with diced vegetables, cheese, and cooked breakfast meat such as bacon or sausage.

Spoon the mixture onto flour tortillas, roll them up, wrap each burrito in foil, and store them in the refrigerator or cooler.

When ready to eat, heat the burritos until warmed through.

Why It’s A Great Idea: Breakfast burritos are a portable powerhouse of protein and carbs, making them an ideal choice for busy mornings or when you’re on the go. Plus, they’re customizable, making them a great option for easy vacation meals for family trips.

Smoothie Packs

Before your trip, pre-portion smoothie ingredients such as frozen fruit, spinach, yogurt, and protein powder into resealable bags. In the morning, just dump the contents of a smoothie pack into a blender, add liquid (water, juice, or milk), and blend until smooth.

Pour into cups or travel mugs for a refreshing and nutritious breakfast on the go!

Why It’s A Great Idea: Smoothie packs offer a quick and refreshing way to kickstart your day with a boost of vitamins and minerals. By pre-portioning the ingredients, you eliminate the need for measuring and chopping in the morning, streamlining your breakfast routine.

Lunch

After a morning of adventures, it’s time to refuel with easy and tasty lunch ideas.

Snack Ideas

Not looking for a big lunch? Here are some snack alternatives

Veggie Sticks with Hummus
Trail Mix
Cheese and Crackers

DIY Sandwich Bar

Set up a DIY sandwich bar with an assortment of bread, deli meats, cheeses, lettuce, tomatoes, condiments, and spreads. Let each family member customize their own sandwiches with their favorite ingredients.

Pair with chips, carrot sticks, or a side salad for a simple and satisfying lunch option.

Why It’s A Great Idea: A DIY sandwich bar allows everyone to create their perfect lunch, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy. It’s also a budget-friendly option that minimizes prep time and maximizes variety.

Pita Pockets

Fill whole wheat pita pockets with hummus, sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and grilled chicken or falafel. Wrap the filled pitas in foil or parchment paper for easy transport.

These handheld pockets are convenient to eat on the go and can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature.

Why It’s A Great Idea: Pita pockets are a convenient handheld option that’s perfect for eating on the go. Filled with a combination of protein, veggies, and flavorful spreads, they provide a satisfying and nutritious lunch option that’s easy to transport.

Quinoa Salad

Toss cooked quinoa with diced vegetables (such as bell peppers, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes), black beans, corn, feta cheese, and a zesty vinaigrette dressing. Pack the salad in individual containers or a large sealable bowl.

Serve chilled as a refreshing and protein-packed lunch option.

Why It’s A Great Idea: Quinoa salad is a versatile and hearty dish that can be made ahead of time and enjoyed cold or at room temperature. Packed with protein, fiber, and fresh veggies, it’s a nutritious option that will keep you energized for the afternoon ahead.

easy meals for family vacation quinoa-salad

Dinner

To end off the day, we’ve got some delicious and easy vacation meals for family trips that’ll save on time and money without sacrificing on deliciousness.

Snack Ideas

Want something light for dinner? Try these.

Popcorn
Crudité Platter
Fruit Kabobs

One-Pan Sausage & Veggie Bake

On a large sheet pan, toss sliced sausage (such as chicken or turkey sausage) with a variety of chopped vegetables (such as bell peppers, zucchini, onions, and cherry tomatoes) and drizzle with olive oil and seasonings. Roast or grill until the sausage is cooked through and the veggies are tender.

Serve as is or over cooked rice or quinoa for a hearty and flavorful dinner.

Why It’s A Great Idea: One-pan meals are super low-maintenance, minimizing cleanup while maximizing flavor. This sausage and veggie bake is not only easy to prepare but can also be customized based on your family’s preferences.

meal ideas for family vacation one pan dish

Campfire Foil Packets

Prepare individual foil packets filled with seasoned chicken or fish fillets, sliced potatoes, carrots, and onions. Seal the packets tightly and cook them over a campfire or on a grill until the protein is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.

The foil packets not only simplify cleanup but also lock in moisture and flavor for a delicious dinner experience.

Why It’s A Great Idea: Foil packets are a fun and interactive way to cook dinner, whether you’re camping or simply enjoying a backyard barbecue. With endless combinations of proteins and veggies, they offer a fuss-free option that’s sure to please everyone.

meal ideas for family vacation foil packet

DIY Taco Night

Set up a DIY taco bar with a variety of fillings and toppings such as seasoned ground beef or turkey, grilled chicken, black beans, shredded cheese, lettuce, diced tomatoes, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream. Let each family member assemble their own tacos according to their preferences.

Serve with warmed tortillas or taco shells for a fun and customizable dinner option.

Why It’s A Great Idea: Taco night is always a hit with families, allowing everyone to get creative with their toppings and fillings. Plus, it’s a budget-friendly option that’s easy to customize based on dietary restrictions or preferences.

Tips For Making And Storing These Easy Vacation Meals For Family Trips

It’s all well and good that you have some great meal ideas.
But it’s also important to keep the following points in mind.

Storing Meals

Storing meals doesn’t have to be a hassle. Just follow the tips below!

Use Insulated Coolers: Invest in a high-quality cooler or insulated bag to keep perishable foods cold during travel. Use ice packs or frozen water bottles to maintain a safe temperature inside the cooler.

Pack Smart: Organize your cooler by placing raw meats and dairy products in sealed containers or Ziploc bags to prevent leaks and cross-contamination. Keep fruits and vegetables separate to avoid premature ripening or spoilage.

Keep It Closed: Limit the number of times you open the cooler to preserve cold temperatures. Consider using separate coolers for drinks and perishable foods to reduce the frequency of opening the main cooler.

Store Dry Goods Properly: Keep non-perishable pantry staples like pasta, rice, and snacks in airtight containers or resealable bags to protect them from moisture and pests.

Make The Most Of Freezer Space: If your accommodation has a freezer, take advantage of it to store extra ice packs or pre-prepared meals that can be reheated later.

Cooking In Foreign Places

Here are some tips to help you cook the easy vacation meal ideas we listed above.

Bring Cooking Essentials: Pack a portable stove, grill, or camping cookware if you’ll be cooking outdoors. Alternatively, consider investing in a compact travel kitchen set with utensils, pots, and pans.

Think Outside The Box: Get creative with your cooking methods and adapt recipes based on the available equipment. For example, you can use foil packets for grilling, a Dutch oven for campfire cooking, or a slow cooker for hands-off meals.

Do Your Research: If you’ll be staying in accommodations with kitchen facilities, research what equipment is available beforehand. This will help you plan meals and pack any additional tools or utensils you may need.

Stay Safe: Practice proper food safety and hygiene practices, regardless of where you’re cooking. Wash hands before handling food, use separate cutting boards for raw meats, and ensure meats are cooked to the appropriate internal temperature.