Top Tips for Cooking in a Campervan on your next New Zealand Road Trip

Campervanning in New Zealand is a great way to explore the country’s stunning natural scenery and diverse landscapes. However, if you’re new to cooking in a campervan or motorhome, it can be daunting to think about what to cook on your trip. In this blog post, we’ll share some top tips for cooking on a road trip in New Zealand, including the best places to buy food, how to use seasonal produce, and essential cooking appliances for your campervan.

Shop at Supermarkets Near Airports or on the Outskirts of Towns

Supermarkets near airports or on the outskirts of New Zealand towns are usually more likely to have parking spaces big enough to accommodate larger vehicles like campervans and motorhomes. Before you begin your road trip, create a meal planner along with a shopping list and stick to your budget. Be conservative when buying food, as your motorhome will have limited storage and minimal fridge space. Consider ordering your main supermarket shop online prior to collecting your motorhome, then pick up your food supplies on-the-go.

Pack Some Staples

Basic food items like salt, sugar, and tea bags usually come in larger packs, and it’s unlikely you’ll use them up, especially if you’ve planned a short campervan trip. Think about bringing a few staples with you in small containers or sealable bags, so you’ll save time, money, and space.

Search for Seasonal Produce

One of the joys of traveling around New Zealand is discovering seasonal produce at farmers’ markets and roadside stalls. Buying food fresh and local is good for the environment, and it’s also a great way to learn about regional delicacies while meeting some regular Kiwis. Depending on the time of year, you might be able to pick up stone fruit in Otago, apples in Nelson, kiwifruit in Te Puke, and berries in Matakana.

Visit Local Farmers’ Markets

Most towns have at least one market showcasing the farming wares of local producers. You’ll be able to pick up loads of fresh produce along with tasty treats such as Mānuka honey and locally brewed beer. With weekend markets and gourmet food sellers in mind, consider leaving some meals unplanned. You could pick up a variety of fresh foods, including seafood, and see where the culinary road takes you.

Essential Cooking Appliances

Cooking in your campervan or motorhome is similar to cooking at home, but with a few key differences, such as having a lot less space to store, prepare, and cook meals, minimal storage for your room temperature food, and varying fridge capacity in both size and efficiency.

The main cooking appliances you’ll use in a motorhome will be your gas hobs. Campervan stove top’s are smaller than what you have at home. Meals that can be cooked in one or two pots or pans are real winners when you’re in a motorhome due to the limited space. Think stir fry, risotto, and pasta dishes.

Some higher-end motorhomes come with an oven. If yours does, you could include pizza in your meal roster. But note that many oven-based meals (like pies and lasagne) take a lot of time to cook. If you’re off-grid, they’ll use up plenty of gas and may even heat up your motorhome, which can be unpleasant in summer. As with any gas stove top or oven in a motorhome, it’s important to keep a window slightly open while you’re cooking to ensure proper ventilation.