What to cook when you’re on vacation. You don’t (or at least I don’t) want to be in the kitchen for hours when on vacation, but it still has to be a nutritious meal. For that reason I’ve collected easy vacation meals. The ones that you can serve to your partner, family and/or friends that goes well with the ice cream and other local treats everyone eats all day long.
Easy Vacation Meals Vegetarian
Not every meal needs to contain a ton of meat or fish. A vegetarian or vegan meal in between with lots of veggies is a good idea. Or maybe some of the family members or friends coming along are vegetarian or vegan.
Spinach Pie from Cosette is Cookin’: A delicious and easy pie to bake. When you have an oven in your rental, bake this pie stuffed with spinach and whole eggs.
Peach Jalapeno Salsa from A Paige of Positivity: This Peach Jalapeno Salsa is extremely flavorful with not only ripe peaches and spicy jalapeños, but also some crunchy apples, bell peppers, and red onion, along with creamy avocado and zesty lime to finish it out.
Easy Vegan Maine Lobster Rolls from Strength and Sunshine: Nothing screams New England summer than a lobster roll! These Easy Vegan Maine Lobster Rolls are gluten-free, allergy-free, meatless, and fit for everyone to enjoy! A simple, healthy, and delicious recipe that redefines this classic fast-food sandwich!
Cold Italian Pasta Salad from Strength and Sunshine: A Classic Italian Pasta Salad that’s gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-free! The cold pasta salad you love, with tri-colored pasta, fresh veggies, and a healthy homemade Italian dressing! A super easy and quick meat-free vegetarian and dairy-free recipe that’s a perfect side dish to feed any crowd!
Easy Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe from Tasty Galaxy: Mediterranean Pasta Salad is super colorful and so delicious! All of your favorite flavors of the Mediterranean are in this salad.
Best Italian Antipasto Salad Recipe from Tasty Galaxy: Best Italian Antipasti Salad is super simple to put together! You will love this easy and delicious salad that goes with everything.
More Vegetarian and Vegan Recipes
The Best Vegan Tempeh Tacos from Happy Kitchen: Chipotle corn salsa, fresh and zesty tomato Pico de Gallo, crunchy tacos complete with mouth-watering tempeh taco meat come together and create the BEST vegan tempeh tacos you’ll ever have. These tacos boom with the smoky flavor of chipotle peppers, sweet roasted corn, tangy tomato salsa and savory vegan taco meat that will leave you craving more!
Four Bean Salad from The Aussie Home Cook: This quick and easy four bean salad is simple and delicious. With a tangy vinaigrette it’s perfect for a bbq, pot luck or a picnic. Tuck in!
Greek Salad Recipe from Clan Kitchen: Greek salad is a simple dish made from healthy ingredients. Ideal as a side, this dish is versatile and will be popular anywhere.
Tasty Summer Broccoli Salad Recipe from The Inspiration Edit: Broccoli Salad is a super tasty and nutritious meal.
Pasta e Fagioli aka Pasta and Beans from Christina’s Cucina: Our family loves to have pasta and beans when we’re cooking away from home because it’s so easy, quick to make and delicious!
Gnocchi Al Pomodoro from Little Sunny Kitchen: You will love this Italian gnocchi with sauce; rich tomato and herb al Pomodoro sauce coating pillowy potato pasta goodness, topped with melted and crispy cheese, and extra fresh herbs. A family-friendly dinner that you can make in just 30 minutes!
Easy Vacation Meals for Family
What to prep on vacation for your family. You’ll want something that everyone loves, but meals also need to be easy on vacation. Here are some ideas to feed a family with easy travel meals.
Mac and Cheese from Cosette is Cookin’: This mac and cheese is prepared on the stove top, done within 15 minutes and will be loved by the whole family.
Bacon and Kale Pasta from Cosette is Cookin’: A healthy pasta recipe with kale and whole wheat pasta. Delicious and perfect to feed the whole family a nutritious meal.
The Best Chicken Soup Recipe from The Forked Spoon: This is the best Chicken Soup Recipe to make when you’re craving simple comfort food on vacation. Made with bone-in chicken thighs simmered into a flavorful broth and filled with tender onions, carrots, celery, and juicy shredded chicken.
Keto Caprese Chicken from Summer Yule: Keto Caprese chicken is a super dish to serve to low carb friends and family. Add some garlic bread for the carb lovers in the bunch!
Pan Seared Salmon Recipe from Wholesome Yum: Learn how to pan sear salmon perfectly every time! This 15-minute pan seared salmon recipe is flaky and buttery inside, with a crust on the outside, crispy skin, and herb lemon butter sauce.
Grilled Lobster Tail Recipe from Wholesome Yum: Everything you need to know to learn how to grill lobster tails perfectly, including tips & step-by-step photos! This grilled lobster tail recipe is soft and tender, with the best lemon garlic butter.
Easy Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce from Little Sunny Kitchen: Chicken Gyros are an easy Greek dinner you can make quickly on your vacation! Tender marinated chicken thighs are grilled to perfection then thinly sliced and stuffed into a pita sandwich. Top it all off with some creamy tzatziki sauce and you have a meal that the whole family will love!
Pan-Fried Yellowtail Tagliatelle from Emily Leary: If you’d like to serve up an incredible showstopper of a fish dinner in just 20 minutes, try this mild, delicious pan-fried Yellowtail on a bed of herby, garlicky tagliatelle.
Creamy Chicken Florentine from Budget Delicious: Creamy chicken florentine is an impressive yet easy to make one-pot dish. Lightly breaded and perfectly seasoned chicken is cooked up tender and juicy and topped with a delectable creamy white wine sauce loaded with cheese and spinach. This chicken florentine recipe is your answer to vacation dinner dilemmas.
More Family Meals for Your Vacation
Spicy Kani Salad from Recipes from a Pantry: Spicy Crab Salad is a favorite of sushi lovers and those who frequent Japanese steakhouses. This simple Kani salad recipe is loaded with crab meat, mango, and veggies. Perfect for serving as a side dish or a light meal.
Steamed Lobster Tail from Amanda’s Cookin’: Keeping it simple yet powerful in the seasoning department thanks to Old Bay, this lobster tail not only makes a beautiful crowned presentation but also a flavorful, impressive dish made in less than 30 minutes.
Southern Broccoli Casserole from Fantabulosity: This recipe is full of simple ingredients but is so delicious! This casserole should definitely be on the menu during your vacation.
Jambalaya Recipe from The Forked Spoon: Jambalaya is a classic one-pot recipe filled with chicken, sausage, shrimp, and rice. Completely irresistible, this easy recipe includes all the classic flavors of true Cajun/Creole cooking like Cajun seasoning and starts with finely diced onion, bell pepper, and celery – the holy trinity of Cajun cuisine. Learn all about this representative New Orleans dish, including how it’s made!
Tex Mex Chicken and Zucchini from iFoodReal: One pan Mexican Chicken and Zucchini Recipe with black beans, corn, tomatoes and melted cheese on top. Low carb and crowd pleasing 30 minute favorite healthy dinner idea.
Chicken Zucchini Casserole from iFoodReal: Comfort meets healthy in Chicken Zucchini Casserole with layers of shredded chicken, zucchini noodle sheets and easy homemade sauce. Loaded with fiber, vegetables, and protein, this will be a vacation dinner favorite.
Hawaiian Mac Salad with Tuna from Balance With Jess: This easy and authentic Hawaiian Mac Salad is a crowd pleaser, and includes canned tuna for a hit of protein and flavor. The dressing is ultra creamy and addictive. It’s the perfect pasta salad side dish for a luau, BBQ, cookout, or holiday!
Chicken Fruit Salad from Worldy Treat: Juicy chicken breast, fruits, nuts, salty blue cheese, and fresh greens topped with homemade vinaigrette dressing bring this crunchy summer salad with fruit to a whole new level. Ready in less than 30 minutes.
Mediterranean Baked Halibut from The Dizzy Cook: Only a few ingredients needed for this delicious and easy Mediterranean Baked Halibut. Pick up fish at the local market for a quick and flavorful recipe.
Easy Vacation Meals for a Group
Wonton Taco Cups from Cocktails and Appetizers: Make these in a muffin tin and have a savory appetizer ready in under 30 minutes! Try these for Taco Tuesday or anytime you want a fast and easy meal!
Ground Lamb Kebabs Recipe from Tasty Galaxy: These Mediterranean Kebabs are out of this world! These super easy and mouthwatering kebabs are easy to make, using just 4 ingredients.
Baked Salmon from Amanda’s Cookin’: The best way to make delightfully flaky and ultra juicy salmon fillets is to bake them in the oven and top with a creamy and light lemon sauce!
15-Minute Pan-Seared Cajun Salmon from LowCarbSpark: It’s one of our family’s favorite low carb salmon recipe that’s super quick to make in under 15 minutes from start to finish.
Quick Weeknight Cajun Shrimp Farfalle with Lemon Cream Sauce from Spice and Sugar Mama: Quick Cajun Shrimp Farfalle with Lemon Cream Sauce is cheesy, spicy, smoky perfection. This is a rich pasta with amazing brightness from the lemon juice and lemon zest. Unbelievably, this dinner comes together in only 20 minutes!
Keto Taco Salad Recipe from Low Carb Yum: An easy keto taco salad with ground beef features fresh greens topped with everything you love about a taco. It’s a super tasty and satisfying low carb salad the whole family will love!
Keto Jambalaya from Low Carb Yum: Spice up your night with some easy keto jambalaya! It has juicy shrimp, sausage, chopped veggies, and cauliflower rice – all covered in a spicy sauce!
Honey Balsamic Pan Seared Salmon from More With Less Today: This Honey Balsamic Pan Seared Salmon is delicious and is gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and corn-free. You’ll love how easy it is to make and your body will love how healthy it is!
Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Salad Recipe from Healthy Life Trainer: This Mediterranean grilled chicken salad is the best vacation recipe ever; it is so easy to make and customizable, and it is a full meal.
Easy Beach Vacation Meals
Going to the beach while on vacation is a favorite for many people. Here are some easy vacation meals to cook on those beach days.
The Best Easy Taco Salad Recipe from Fluxing Well: This easy taco salad comes together quickly when the ground beef is cooked ahead of time. It’s great for a camping or a beach vacation.
Carolina-Style Instant Pot Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwiches from Two Healthy Kitchens: These insanely delicious, ridiculously EASY Carolina-Style Instant Pot Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwiches are inspired by epic family beach vacations along the Eastern Carolina shore. This recipe takes just minutes to prep and is a total snap in your pressure cooker (so you can spend more time at the beach)!
3-Ingredient Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos from Two Healthy Kitchens: On our big family beach vacations, we love to designate one night as a “taco bar” – and this super-easy recipe is always a win. We can throw it together in just moments in the morning, and enjoy the rest of the day stress-free!
On the Bbq or Grill
When you have a barbecue or outside grill at your rental or camping spot, there’s plenty of easy meals to prepare.
Grilled Chicken Street Tacos from WhatSmoking: These grilled chicken street tacos are light on ingredients and easy to do on the grill. Perfect for that laid back easy vacation dinner.
Cajun Corn Salad Recipe from Ottawa Mommy Club: This Cajun Corn Salad makes a tasty side dish with more zest and spice than your traditional veggies. It’s the best way to add flavour to your BBQ or outdoor picnic with this fire-roasted corn.
Grilled Portobello Mushroom Steaks from Vegan Huggs: These Grilled Portobello Mushroom Steaks are perfect for indoor or outdoor grilling. It’s an easy recipe that takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish. Just marinate, grill, and enjoy!
Breakfast and/or Lunch
Making breakfast or lunch for a whole bunch of people can be a challenge. Here are some yummy, but easy recipes.
Croque Madame from Cosette is Cookin’: A simple breakfast or lunch recipe even the kids can make. A grilled cheese sandwich with an egg on top.
The Best Spam Musubi with Egg from Balance With Jess: This Spam Musubi with Egg will take you straight to Hawaii! It’s easy and flavorful with a homemade sauce. They’re great as an on-the-go snack or breakfast or as part of a bento lunch.
Instant Pot Breakfast Potatoes from Recipe This: This instant pot breakfast potato recipe is ideal for an easy quick family breakfast. Loaded with potatoes, onion, chorizo, and cheese, this will become a family favourite.
Tuna Cucumber Salad from Worldly Treat: A tuna, egg, and cucumber salad sandwich is not just delicious, comforting, and hearty but is also rich in vitamins and minerals. It comes together fairly quickly and it’s a great lunch idea for the whole family, and it’s perfect for on the go.
Instant Pot, Air Fryer & Immersion Blender
When you have the space to bring some equipment with you, making simple, nutritious meals will be a lot easier.
Instant Pot Chicken Pasta from Simple Living Recipes: This Instant Pot chicken pasta is a dump and go recipe that is perfect for those who don’t want to spend much time in the kitchen.
Air Fryer Salmon from LowCarbSpark: This air fryer salmon recipe is quick to make, tender, moist, and super flavorful. Ready in just 15 minutes, this is seriously the best way to cook salmon in the air fryer. Vacation dinners can’t get any easier!
Instant Pot Chickpea Coconut Curry from Profusion Curry: Instant Pot Chickpea Coconut Curry makes an easy delicious dinner packed with everyday pantry ingredients. You will love this soul satisfying one pot Wholesome meal .
Healthy Instant Pot Minestrone Soup from Profusion Curry: Healthy Instant Pot Minestrone Soup is a perfect square meal in a bowl. Loaded with seasonal vegetables, kidney beans and pasta, it is a hearty and comforting one pot dinner soup.
Vegan Mexican Chopped Salad with Avocado Dressing from Happy Kitchen: Delicious vegan Mexican chopped salad with avocado dressing makes the perfect lunch salad or an easy side dish to any Mexican feast. This gluten free salad is packed with fresh veggies, dietary fiber and plant based protein.
Instant Pot Stuffed Chicken Breast from Budget Delicious: Instant Pot Stuffed Chicken Breast is a delicious, mouth-watering recipe that is easy to make in the Instant Pot. When you make stuffed chicken breast instant pot style, you can serve up a satisfying meal and save both money and time!
Easy Air Fryer Salmon from Recipes from a Pantry: This recipe makes it easy to enjoy delicious and nutritious flaky fish.
That’s Our Roundup of Easy Vacation Meals
Over 50 recipes that are perfect to make while on vacation.