When you spend many days on the road, like on a road trip, it is handy to be able to cook food in the car! My family does this often, so here is what we do.
My husband was a full time truck driver for many years and he cooked breakfast and lunch in the truck every day.
Cooking in your car is possible with one or two 12 volt cooking appliances. You can eat almost any of the food you eat at home while on the road.
How do you cook on a road trip?
Cooking Appliances
Hot Logic Mini
My family uses a Hot Logic Mini (affiliate link) to do all our cookin on the road. It is a really convenient way to heat food.
Here is a video of me demonstrating the Hot Logic, it is basically a soft sided lunch box with a heating plate at the bottom.
We have used it to heat leftovers and frozen sandwiches, but we have also used it to cook steaks.
I talk about this product a lot because I think it solves a lot of problems.
It is like having an oven and a slow cooker in your car.
If you have a larger group, they do offer a casserole sized food warmer, but it is not available with the car outlet plug. You would need an inverter.
We chose this one, and it worked daily for 2 years, then died.
Travel Slow Cooker
There are other options for slow cookers on the road.
When you are searching, make sure to choose a 12 volt model.
Many slow cookers say they are designed for travel, but they are designed to be transported without spilling, they are not designed to be functioning while you drive down the road.
Road Pro is a company that makes appliances for truckers, they have slow cookers available.
Hot Pot
Having the ability to heat water gives you coffee, instant oatmeal, instant potatoes, hot tea.
This is a great model that is available on Amazon (affiliate).
We do not have one yet, but I do hope to get one soon. It is difficult to warm up water in the Hot Logic.
The Setup
If you want to be able to eat in the car I recommend you get some gear. I think I have made it clear that I think you NEED a Hot Logic Mini, but you should also pack a ‘Dining-In Kit.’
Keep a small clear container under the passenger seat with:
Plastic Silverware
A Real Knife
A Real Big Spoon
Ceramic or Stainless Mug
Straws
Bowls
Cups
Napkins
Wet Wipes
Trashbags
I call this my Dine In Kit because we use it when we eat in the car.
The real knife is probably the most important, followed by bowls.
When you cook in the car, it is different from cooking in your house because the space is small and you do not have as many tools.
Keeping a small kit with essentials in the car is a great way to be more comfortable when eating in the car.
Cleaning Up After Eating in the Car
I try to keep the mess to a MINIMUM. There are a few things that are super helpful that I use frequently.
The NUMBER ONE thing that I use to clean up quickly is a car vacuum.
I have two that I use:
This car vacuum, that plug into the car outlets was the first one I purchased. It is cheaper, but the suction is weaker and it is corded, so you are somewhat limited.
The cord is long enough to reach every part of my 12 passenger van, so I am sure it would reach all over most cars.
I appreciated all the attachments and the extra filter that was included.
This car vacuum is the one I would recommend for cleaning small messes in the car frequently. I bought a used one and it is so beautiful.
It is the size and shape of a very cool water bottle. It charges with a phone charger.
The only drawback is the very very small capacity. It can only hold about 2 tablespoons worth of debris. So if you are vacuuming up a bunch of crumbs, it works, but not for the massive cracker spill it will take a lot of emptying.
Keep a large trash can behind the driver’s seat, and add a second one between the kids in each row. This is a great way to keep the mess to a minimum.
Meals to Eat in the Car
While I am not a food blogger or recipe follower, I do have plenty of ideas.
When making your road trip meal plan, be sure to include comforting food from home.
Browse the ideas here and jot down anything interesting to you!
If you want more tips to reduce vacation stress I got em in this post.
Comforting Meals for the Car
Meatballs and Instant Mashed Potatoes
Meatballs are a great food to prepare ahead, or they can be purchased at the grocery store, pack them in a glass pyrex and they will warm easily in a Hot Logic Mini or a Crock Pot.
The instant mashed potatoes available in pouches can be mixed with cold water then heated in the same container.
This is a great, filling meal for a road trip. Sure to warm bellies.
Tacos
Cook your taco meat ahead of time and warm it in the car.
You can keep it simple and pack pre shredded lettuce, cheese and a few hot sauce packets.
This is a good one for families because they are so easily customised for each person’s tastes.
Chili
This crock pot classic can work in the car, but I recommend that you pull over to eat!
Mix up your favorite crock pot chili recipe and heat it in your favorite 12 volt warmer and top with cheese!
Mess Free Meals for the Car
If you need meals that require almost no clean up, here they are:
Hot Dogs
Grab a pack of hot dogs and warm them in the Hot Logic, add buns, a few ketchup and mustard packets. BAM! Hot lunch.
You could make this fancy with pretzel buns, relish, bacon bits, cheese and sauerkraut.
I like this one because hot dogs are so easy to pack and they don’t get gross in the cooler.
Sandwich Melt
This is the recipes that sprang to my mind. The author uses crescent rolls, but it would work just as well with a pack of Hawaiian rolls.
Grab a pack of sandwich rolls, slice the whole thing in half and stuff it with melty cheese and meat.
This is a big hit in my house.
Frozen Meals
The ultimate convenience is to buy some pre made frozen meals like Devour or Healthy Choice and wam them in a Hot Logic Mini. This would be simple with no clean up.
If you have a larger group you are feeding, you can buy a family meal like a frozen mac and cheese or lasagna. Slice it up and serve.
Cheap Meals for the Car
I know many families I talk to are looking to keep costs low on their road trip.
Start with your normal grocery budget and see if you can work within that for your road trip food. Then you are not really spending vacation money, you would eat even if you stayed home!
You know your family, so make sure to choose meals everyone likes, here are a few we like.
Rice and Beans
The classic budget meal can work well in the car. Grab some black beans and salsa, a packet of hot sauce and pre cooked rice like these packets available on Amazon (affiliate).
This is great in a tortilla too!
Mac and Cheese
When we go to the playground or on a day trip, I cook up the boxes of Mac and Cheese, pack it in a Pyrex and warm it in the Hot Logic.
My kids love this meal and it saves us $12, we would be spending on happy meals.
Leftovers
By packing leftovers into rectangular containers, you always have a meal ready to go on a trip.
Don’t Forget
When you are preparing your first meal in the car you will figure out some things that you wish you had brought with you, make a note and grab them next time you are home.
Here are some extras that some people might want to add to their packing list:
Salt and Pepper
Dish Soap and Sponge
Washcloths
Water Bottles
Napkins
Instant Coffee
Benadryl
Oil
Spatula
Paper Towels
Sugar Packets
Hot Sauce Packets
Tea Bags
Canned Food
Spices
Mixing Bowl
Dish Bin
Disinfectant Spray
Hand Sanitizer
Flossers
Chef’s Knife
Cutting Board
If you are on a long trip, and plan to do a lot of cooking in the car you may want to add all of these things, but this list is for the over packers.
