Easy Meals for Family in a Hotel
Traveling is fun but it can be expensive! Especially when feeding a family on the road. One of the ways we bring travel costs down is by eating some of our meals in our hotel room. When it comes to hotel room cooking, breakfast is one of the easiest meals to make. But there are many meals for hotels with a fridge and microwave that you can make. Below we share everything you need to know about making meals in your hotel room, including what you need to bring with you!
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First Step: Find the Right Hotel!
Not all hotel rooms are created equal. When searching for a hotel, if you know you'll want to make a meal or two in the room, you need one with the right amenities. The minimal you'll need for hotel room cooking is a microwave and refrigerator. But some hotels will come with a kitchenette, complete with cooktop burners. We find the hotel we need by searching Expedia.
Items You Will Need for Hotel Room Cooking
Dishes and Cutlery
To make meals in your hotel room, you'll need to be prepared with necessities. When we plan to make breakfast or dinner in our hotel, we bring paper plates and bowls, plastic cutlery, etc. Most hotels will provide glasses or cups. Other items you may consider bringing are a paring knife for cutting vegetables or fruit, and seasonings, like salt and pepper.
Food
If you are driving to your destination, it's easy to bring food with you, or stop at a grocery store on your way to the hotel. If you are flying and not renting a car, grocery delivery is always a good option. We usually have groceries delivered to our resort as a way to save money at Disney World.
Condiments
Another tip is to collect ketchup, salt and pepper, and other condiment packs, like mayonnaise and mustard packets, regularly. Any time we eat at a fast food restaurant or do take-out, I save whatever packets we do not use. We pack them in plastic containers or bags any time we travel, for this very purpose!
If you don't have packets stored up, you can purchase travel salt and pepper shakers from almost any store.
Trash Bags
Lastly, bring some extra bags to collect trash. Trash cans in hotel rooms are notoriously small. If you are grocery shopping upon your arrival, save the bags from your shop. Otherwise, pack a few in your bag.
Hotel Room Cooking Necessities Checklist:
- Paper Plates and Bowls
- Plastic Cutlery
- Paper Towels/Napkins
- Paring Knife – One with a sheath is great for traveling with!
- Bags for Trash
- Food for Cooking
- Salt & Pepper (packets or travel containers)
- Ketchup Packets
- Mayonnaise Packets
- Mustard Packets
Breakfast in a Hotel Room Ideas
Breakfast is one of the most popular meals to make in your hotel room. Unless your hotel offers a breakfast buffet (like the Homewood Suites in Anaheim, CA), you don't want to waste your time and money going out to breakfast each day.
A hotel room breakfast doesn't just have to be muffin with coffee. If you have a microwave and fridge in your hotel room, you have a ton of breakfast options!
Breakfast Meals For a Hotel Room With a Fridge and Microwave
- Scrambled Eggs in A Cup
- Just Crack An Egg or Jimmy Dean Simple Scrambles Breakfast Cup
- Pre-Cooked Hard Boiled Eggs
- Pre-Cooked Bacon/Sausage
- Oatmeal
- Bagel and Cream Cheese
- Yogurt
- Cereal Bars/Granola Bars/ Muffins
- Cereal and Milk
Other Meals You Can Make in a Hotel With a Fridge and Microwave
Often when traveling, eating dinner out can grow tiresome and expensive. Some nights it's nice to have dinner back at the hotel, so you can relax, swim at the pool, or rest up for another busy day.
Believe it or not, it's pretty easy to cook dinner in your hotel room using just a fridge and microwave. Remember, it won't be a gourmet meal. But it will save you money and time! The below list is not comprehensive, but it gives you a good starting point.
Ideas for Cooking Dinner in a Hotel Room
Main Course:
- Rotisserie Chicken
- Chicken Nuggets/Strips
- Single Serve Lasagna
- Soup
- Salad Kit With Pre-Cooked Chicken Strips
- Pre-Made Pulled Pork or Chicken on Hamburger Buns
Sides:
- Ready Rice
- Baked Potato
- Pre-Made Mashed Potatoes
- Kraft Mac & Cheese Cup
- Frozen Vegetables
- Salad Kit
Cooking in a Hotel Room: Things to Keep in Mind
Even though your hotel room has a microwave and fridge, there are some things you shouldn't do when cooking in a hotel room.
- To start, don't use unsanctioned appliances. Most likely, the hotel that you are staying in doesn't want to you use your toaster from home. Plus, certain devices can be fire hazards, like hot plates.
- Speaking of fire hazards, if you choose to ignore the above, please do not leave your room with an appliance plugged in! I've read so many hotel visitors' stories of putting food in a slow cooker and then leaving for the day. This is not only a fire hazard but also inconsiderate to other hotel guests. Can you imagine walking down the hallway smelling someone's chili cooking all day?
- Lastly, keep in mind the size and capabilities of the in-room fridge. Most of them are not very large, and some don't work very well to keep foods cool. You don't want to bring a week's worth of groceries into your room, only to find that you do not have space in the fridge. If you need more space, purchase a Styrofoam cooler and fill it with ice. Refill as needed throughout your stay!
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Source: https://wildkidswander.com/hotel-room-cooking/
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