Once we visited Huge Bend Nationwide Park, we stocked up simply sufficient for our week there. Sadly, I didn’t notice how distant the park was. We left the park anticipating to discover a grocery retailer someplace alongside our route, however even after hours of driving, we discovered nothing. This meant we needed to get actually inventive when meal time rolled round. It additionally led me to vow by no means to expire of meals once more, particularly when tenting in distant areas, that means lengthy lasting elements had been going to be wanted.
The issue with that? It may be troublesome to seek out meals that 1) retailer effectively in an RV, 2) keep good for lengthy durations of time, and three) present balanced vitamin. Troublesome, however not not possible. On this article I’ll speak in regards to the long-lasting elements I wish to hold available, so we at all times have one thing to eat even when we occur to be in an space with no grocery shops.
Why Lengthy-Lasting Meals Matter for RV Dwelling
The story above ought to be sufficient to persuade you that stocking your RV with loads of meals is vital. That mentioned, in case you’re nonetheless not satisfied, I can present just a few extra the reason why your pantry ought to at all times be stocked with long-lasting staples.
Stocking long-lasting elements ensures that:
- You gained’t run out of meals between purchasing journeys like we did.
- You get monetary savings by avoiding overpriced comfort shops in vacationer areas.
- You waste much less meals as a result of your provides don’t spoil shortly.
- You cut back stress by understanding your pantry is at all times effectively ready, even in distant places.
What to Search for in RV Journey-Pleasant Meals
Preserving a stockpile is vital, however what’s within the stockpile is equally vital. Clearly you don’t need meals that don’t do the job proper. Right here’s what you’re in search of as you got down to construct a strong pantry of meals:
- As talked about above, you need long-lasting elements that go a very long time with out spoiling.
- Meals that retailer effectively in restricted RV house.
- Choices that present balanced vitamin for power and well being.
- A wide range of choices so that you don’t get uninterested in what you have got available.
- Meals that may be ready with restricted home equipment.
The Core Pantry Staples
Want some concepts that meet the factors above? Under are a few of my favourite meals to maintain in our RV pantry always.
Rice
White rice is wonderful as a result of it could actually last as long as two years if saved in an hermetic container. Brown rice has oils that spoil sooner, nevertheless it nonetheless retains 6–12 months. Each kinds of rice can be utilized as a aspect dish or stir-fry base. It can be utilized in soups, burrito bowls, and so on.
Pasta
I am keen on pasta, and dried pasta has a shelf lifetime of 1–2 years. It’s nice for issues like pasta salads, hearty important dishes, soups, and fast one-pot meals, and you should buy pasta with added protein in case you really feel such as you aren’t getting sufficient protein in your food regimen.
Dried Beans & Lentils
Dried seashore and lentils will last as long as two years if saved in hermetic containers. They’re a super supply of protein and can be utilized in dishes resembling chili, soups, stews, and burritos. Take into account, lentils prepare dinner sooner than beans and don’t want soaking, making them good for fast meals.
Canned Items
Canned items are great as a result of they may hold for years. They’re heavy although, so it’s important to watch out about what number of canned items you carry in your RV, however I nonetheless wish to fill up earlier than lengthy journeys. A few of my favourite issues to maintain available embrace the next:
- Tomatoes: Sauces, soups, casseroles.
- Beans: Fast protein for tacos, salads, and chilis.
- Greens: Peas, corn, carrots, mushrooms.
- Meats: Hen, tuna, salmon, SPAM, corned beef.
- Fruits: Pineapple, peaches, mandarin oranges.
Oats
Oats are filling, wholesome, and excellent for stretching your meals provide. I like to make use of them for oatmeal, granola, baking, and smoothies—and since they final for as much as 18 months, I can hold them round for lengthy durations of time.
Flour & Baking Provides
The flexibility to bake opens up every kind of doorways. Preserve issues like flour, sugar, baking powder, yeast, and salt available so you can also make pancakes, bread, tortillas, biscuits, and extra. These elements ought to final for not less than 6 months.
Cooking Oils & Fat
You possibly can’t prepare dinner a lot with out some kind of oil. I choose olive oil, but additionally hold coconut oil and vegetable oil round. Oils final for six–24 months and can be utilized for frying, baking, sautéing, roasting, and so on.
Protein Sources that Preserve
Many individuals imagine that the one solution to get sufficient protein is by consuming contemporary meat. Fortunately, that merely isn’t true. Seize a few of these shelf-stable choices for if you run out of contemporary meat and might’t get to a retailer:
- Canned or pouched meat
- Jerky and different dehydrated meats
- Nut butters
- Shelf-stable tofu or tempeh
- Powdered or freeze-dried protein
Lengthy-Lasting Recent Produce
Clearly, fruits and veggies are essential. Whereas some contemporary produce gained’t hold for lengthy, there are alternatives that’ll keep good for longer than you would possibly anticipate. Attempt these vegatables and fruits to your subsequent lengthy journey:
- Root Greens — Good for two–4 weeks if stored cool and dry
- Cabbage — Good for two–4 weeks within the fridge
- Apples & Citrus Fruits — Good for two–3 weeks
- Winter Squash — Good for 1–2 months
- Dried or Dehydrated Fruits & Veggies — Good for six–12 months
Herbs, Spices & Taste Boosters
Staples are vital, however they’ll get outdated quick in case you don’t have any solution to spice them up. That is why herbs and spices are an excellent vital a part of your RV kitchen. Top off on dried herbs in addition to spices like chili powder, cumin, curry powder, and cinnamon. Condiments like soy sauce, scorching sauce, ketchup, and mustard are additionally useful, as are bouillon cubes and dry soup bases.
Snacks & Fast-Seize Meals
At any time when we’re exploring a brand new place, we’d keep out for hours at a time. Add in some lengthy driving days and you may wager we’re going to be doing loads of snacking. I wish to hold quite a lot of long-lasting, shelf-stable snacks available for these events.
A few of my high picks embrace:
- Path combine (nuts, seeds, dried fruit, chocolate)
- Granola bars or power bars
- Crackers and rice desserts
- Shelf-stable cheese (wax-wrapped or processed)
- Popcorn kernels
- Darkish chocolate
Storage & Group Ideas for RV Pantries
It’s no secret that RV pantry house is extraordinarily restricted. This may make stocking up on meals—and discovering what you want if you want it—troublesome to say the least. Happily, these are some tips you should use to make it work.
- Stack neatly. Use bins or baskets for grouping (canned items in a single, snacks in one other).
- Label every thing so you recognize what’s what and what’s expiring quickly.
- Retailer heavy objects low to stop falling hazards whereas driving.
- Rotate inventory. Use older objects first, add new ones to the again.
- Look past the pantry. We retailer meals in cupboards, underneath dinette seats, and even behind the sofa.
Pattern Meal Concepts with Lengthy-Lasting Components
Undecided tips on how to use the staple elements listed? There are tons of nice choices. Listed below are just a few of the simplest concepts. Use these after which develop upon them with your individual twist.
Breakfasts
- Oatmeal with dried fruit and nuts.
- Pancakes with peanut butter topping.
- Scrambled powdered eggs with canned mushrooms and salsa.
Lunches
- Tuna salad with crackers.
- Lentil soup with carrots and potatoes.
- Wraps with canned rooster, cabbage slaw, and scorching sauce.
Dinners
- Pasta with canned tomato sauce, garlic, and dried herbs.
- Chili with canned beans, tomatoes, and dehydrated veggies.
- Stir-fry with rice, canned greens, and shelf-stable tofu.
Snacks
- Jerky and path combine.
- Apples with peanut butter.
- Popcorn with chili powder seasoning.
As you’ll be able to see, there are many meals which you could hold available for these longer and extra distant RV journeys to be able to make sure you at all times have one thing good to eat. I am keen on our RV stockpile and I can relaxation straightforward understanding we’ll by no means run out of meal choices once more! Able to create a well provisioned pantry of your individual?
