If you’ve ever had the opportunity to explore and camp out in natural wonderlands, then you understand just how critical good meals are to the whole experience. From planning your destination to bringing the right equipment, RV meal planning is just another aspect of your outdoor adventure that requires a bit of preparation.

In this guide, we’ll take you through all the steps you need to take to ensure a successful camping trip without the stress that comes with meal preparation. You’ll learn about the best options for RV meals, simple tips for cooking in an RV, and how to make the most out of your RV meal planning experience. 

What Food Is Best for RV Meal Planning?

When selecting food for your RV camping trip, you’ll want to mix up your RV menu by including several options to satisfy your cravings and make the RV meal planning process pleasant! Here are some of the best meal options you can rely on, along with some foods you should avoid bringing. 

Food Ideas To Bring RV Camping

• Oatmeal 
• Eggs
• Fresh fruit
• Trail mix
• Peanut butter 
• Granola bars
• Dried fruit
• Canned soup
• Canned chicken or tuna
• Beef jerky

Foods To Avoid for RV Camping

• Fresh meat
• Fresh cheese
• Perishable foods (if you don’t have a cooler or refrigerator)
• Raw chicken 
• Unhealthy snacks (i.e., potato chips, snack cakes)

Ultimately, you’ll want to ensure that your meals are simple, easy to cook, nutritious, and delicious! 

Tips for Cooking in an RV

Whether you’re planning on an overnight camping trip or a multi-day backpacking adventure, it’s vital to adhere to some basic RV cooking guidelines that will simplify your RV menu and save you some time in the long run.

Plan Ahead

Just like any other obligation in your life, you don’t want to wait until the last minute to finalize a meal plan for cooking in an RV. Ask yourself a few questions such as, how many people are camping with you? How many days will you camp? What kind of snacks will you bring? Does anyone in your group have any dietary restrictions?  Regardless, it’s important not to overwhelm yourself in the planning process. Focus on creating a basic cooking plan that will leave you and others on your trip satisfied. This way, you can embark on your adventure with a fresh mindset and lots of energy!

Pack the Necessary Tools

Unless you know the ins and outs of your RV kitchen, it’s best to spend some time thinking about what tools you’ll need for RV meal planning. While there are several RV kitchen tools available, keep in mind which ones are simple, dual-purposed, and take up a small amount of space. A cast-iron skillet can save you time and be used to cook basic breakfast meals, including eggs and french toast. If you’re planning to bring perishable food items, make sure to bring a cooler. You should also add some camping utensils to your list and keep them clean. Speaking of cleanliness, make sure you bring a water purifier system to ensure your water supply remains free of contaminants.

Keep it Simple

Above anything else, RV meals should be simple and easy to cook with little to no hassle. Focus on minimal cooking meals as opposed to elegant dishes. For a simple breakfast meal, consider mini egg quiches, which can be made with a combination of cheeses, meats, and vegetables.  To prepare some mini quiches, preheat your oven to 375 degrees while cooking bacon in olive oil. Ensure that you thoroughly whisk together eggs and milk. Next, combine your quiches by filling them with an equal amount of bacon, cheese, and egg mixture. Put them back in the oven for around 25 minutes before pulling them out and transferring them to a cooling rack. Make sure to store them in an airtight container in the fridge once you’re done. A ham and cheese sandwich is another good option. Spread mayonnaise on two slices of bread while stirring mustard and honey in a small bowl. After spreading the mustard mixture on opposite sides of the bread, top your sandwich with some slices of cheese and ham and finish it off by heating it over a large skillet. 

Make Meals Using Similar Ingredients

You don’t need to rely on meals with completely different ingredients when cooking in an RV. In most cases, the fewer ingredients you have to deal with, the easier it will be to prepare nutritious meals. On top of that, you won’t have to deal with packing that much, which can save you a lot of time. Consider using those leftover eggs from breakfast for a delectable egg salad sandwich. Better yet, you can treat yourself to some delicious bacon from breakfast sprinkled atop your greens salad for lunch. The idea is to simplify your RV menu as much as possible.

Have an Unforgettable Experience

What better way to have an unforgettable camping adventure than with an RV vehicle designed to maximize your comfort level and enhance your journey?  With an RV rental from Cruise America, you can rest assured that regardless of the destination, your adventure will be memorable for the time spent exploring wonderful destinations in an RV designed with convenience in mind.  Contact Cruise America to get yourself set up with a customized RV.