21 Food Items to Buy for Your Vacation Rental

If you're staying in a vacation rental, this article will give you ideas for easy, breezy meals that are perfect for when you are away from home. Whether you're heading to Florida, California, or South Carolina, you'll find state-of-the-art kitchens in each of our luxury homes.

Easy, No Prep Items

Instead of slaving over a hot stove, bring in food items that won’t require a lot of prep. Here are some examples.

Fresh Fruit

Fresh fruit is refreshing and healthy and it can be eaten as a snack or integrated into a meal. It makes a great side and a fantastic salad ingredient. At the store, look for pre-sliced food trays, whole fruits, and berries to make vacation life as easy as possible.

Rotisserie Chicken

Rotisserie chickens can be found at most grocery stores. They are pre-prepared for heat and eat convenience. Pull off a leg or shred or slice the meat to make sandwiches, salads, and other meals.

Veggie Trays

Veggies are another healthy food that will round out your meals. Forgo the prep by getting a tray of sliced veggies with a delicious dip. They can be eaten as snacks, and they make great meal sides.

Breakfast Foods

When at a vacation rental, it can be hard to get the whole group out the door for an early breakfast. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy breakfast items you can buy including cereals, granola bars, and yogurt cups. These also make great snacks.

Beverages

You won’t want to leave the grocery store without stocking up on beverages. Here are some that should be included on your shopping list.  

Water

Always a good plan, especially if making trips to the beach or other outdoor adventures. It seems you can never get enough water when you’re on vacation so stock up on a few bottles.

Milk

Not everyone is a fan of milk but it’s a useful cooking item and it will be essential for topping off the cereal.

Alcoholic Beverages

A vacation is a great time to unwind. But when it comes to stocking your vacation rental, it’s best to limit purchased alcohol to single-serve options like beer, hard seltzer, and coolers. When you start buying bottles, you need mixers, mixing tools, garnishes, and more. It may be overwhelming for a low-maintenance vacation.

Use the Grill

It’s likely that your vacation rental comes with a grill. Don’t pass up on the chance to enjoy at least one barbecued meal, especially if you don’t have a grill at home.

Consider buying the following items for your cookout:

Meats

When it comes to meat, there really is no end to the options you can choose from. These include steaks, salmon filets, chicken legs, thighs and wings, ribs, ground beef, hot dogs, and more. Find out what everyone likes and limit it to a few the whole crew can agree on.

Veggie Friendly Substitutes

It’s likely that there are a few vegetarians in your group. Tofu steaks, veggie burgers, and veggie kabobs make good alternatives to meat.

Buns

If you plan to serve hot dogs and hamburgers, don’t forget the buns.

Condiments

It’s just not a barbecue without the right condiments. Be picky about what you choose. It’s unlikely your condiments will run out before your vacation ends leaving you with the choice of adding them to your luggage or discarding them. Get a few condiments you know everyone will agree on and opt for mini bottles if possible.

Sides

Barbecue sides typically include potato and/or macaroni salad, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, raw veggies, and fresh fruit to name a few.

Cheese

If you are going the hot dog and hamburger route, a few of your diners will want cheese on that. It’s a good item to have in your vacation rental regardless.

Snacks

If you are vacationing in a group, not everyone will be on the same dining schedule. Snacks will help tide them over until their next meal. 

While many of the items listed above can double as snacks, here are some others to stock up on. 

Nuts

Nuts are a good snack option because they are healthy and filling.

Beef Jerky

Beef jerky is a popular snack most people can get behind, and it’s available in many varieties.

Dried Fruits

Dried fruit will be a favorite among your healthy eaters.  

Potato or Veggie Chips 

Chips are another tried and true favorite. Available in varieties that range from potato to kale, every snacker will find something they are happy with.

Desserts

You’re on vacation. Why not indulge by having a few sweet treats in your kitchen? Here are some to add to the pantry.

Cookies

Prepackaged and ready to go, cookies are an easy option when you’re in the mood for something sweet.

Ice Cream

It’s not an official vacation if you can’t spend at least one-night eating ice cream. For easy serving, consider getting a box of ice cream pops or sandwiches.

Cupcakes

Cupcakes are single-serve making for grab and go, disposable convenience.

Brownies

Brownies are a decadent treat. You can make them yourself with just a few simple ingredients or buy them pre-prepared. Some are even available individually wrapped in boxes making for easy eating.

Make Your Own

Making your own desserts doesn't necessarily require a lot of ingredients and long hours in the kitchen. Pies are a relatively simple recipe choice, especially if you start with a store-bought crust.

Have a Great Trip!

Each Wander home comes with a fully-stocked fridge with snacks, refreshments, sugar, spices, snacks, and plenty more to make cooking so much easier. Our concierge desk can also suggest nearby shops for your grocery runs!