Easy Recipes to Make in an Airbnb Kitchen (International or USA) | WanderBIG.com (2024)

Perhaps one of the hardest parts of long-term travel is the care and feeding of my own body. What’s familiar and second-nature back home, takes energy- and often creativity- when traveling. When I settle into a work-friendly AirBnB for a few days to catch up on business (Usually about 5 to 7 days) I find that I’m not very productive if I’m only eating junk food, take out, or processed food.

I’m more productive and find myself recharged for more travel adventures when I do a grocery run and then cook simple, homestyle recipes.

Although learning how to shop in a grocery store in another country can be an adventure all in itself, it’s been helpful for me to plan basic go-to meals that are healthy, satisfying, comforting, and easy to make with basic ingredients. After some troubleshooting, I’ve included my favorite Airbnb-kitchen-friendly recipes below.

Easy Recipes to Make in an Airbnb Kitchen (International or USA) | WanderBIG.com (1)

These recipes are perfect for making in Airbnb kitchens or hostel kitchens because they use basic ingredients and don’t require a long ingredient list. Whether you are a short term guest trying to stay on budget or a long-term Airbnb guest hungry for a home-cooked meal, each of these recipes uses basic ingredients that can be found, or substituted for, in just about any grocery store in the world.

1. Spaghetti + Meatballs

This simple meal requires three ingredients at best, or a few more if frozen meatballs aren’t available.

Shopping List:

  • Spaghetti
  • Pasta Sauce (or tomato paste + garlic + Italian herbs)
  • Meatballs or Ground Beef
  • French bread (grab cheese to make leftovers into french bread pizza)

SUBSTITUTIONS:

No frozen meatballs? Simple meatballs can be made from scratch by mixing ground meat (beef, pork, or less commonly lamb or chicken) and crushed stale bread in a 4:1 ratio, then adding an egg or two until the mixture sticks together)

No Pasta sauce? If you can’t find a packaged pasta sauce in the grocery store where you’re at, first check the “international foods” section of a larger supermarket and/or look for a pasta sauce seasoning packet. If you still come up empty, try basic tomato paste combined with an Italian seasoning packet – OR – fresh tomatoes cooked down with garlic and onion.

2. Chicken Dinner

Precooked chicken is available in most big-city markets around the world. A staple “shortcut” back home, the rotisserie-style chicken is an easy shortcut for cooking wholesome meals in a limited kitchen.

Easy Recipes to Make in an Airbnb Kitchen (International or USA) | WanderBIG.com (2)

Rotisserie chicken can easily be prepped in an Airbnb kitchen to be a simple chicken dinner. Pair it with baked potatoes or reconstituted mashed potatoes and then add a vegetable.

The following day, make leftovers into chicken salad sandwiches perfect for packing in a day back for travel adventures. To make the Chicken salad, you’ll need mayonnaise and 1-3 other ingredients like chopped apples, nuts, grapes, or celery.

Shopping List:

  • Precooked Chicken
  • Potato or Pasta product
  • A fresh vegetable
  • Chicken Salad Sandwich addon: mayonnaise, apple, celery, nuts, sandwich bread.

3. 🥞 Breakfast for Dinner

At home, breakfast for dinner is the perfect lazy dinner, and the same is true in an Airbnb. If you’re in the US, you can pick up pancake mix, eggs, syrup, and pre-cooked bacon for a hearty breakfast-for-dinner.

If you’re cooking in an international Airbnb kitchen, try pairing pancetta or ham with scrambled eggs and toast.

Shopping List:

  • (US/Canada) pancake mix
  • eggs
  • syrup
  • (US) pre-cooked bacon
  • Pancetta or cured ham
  • bread for toast

💡Hint: Look for pancake mix with “complete” in the name. These mixes require only water- no eggs or milk.

4. Potato Hash

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Potato hash is the perfect Airbnb kitchen dinner when you need to eat extra cheap and extra simple. All you need is a chopped potato, onions, fat (such as butter or cooking oil), and protein. I typically use ham or pancetta and add whatever vegetables are available.

Shopping List:

  • potato
  • onion
  • ham
  • salt + pepper
  • olive oil or butter

5. Chicken Soup

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When I’m at home, chicken soup feels like a sick-day meal, but when I’m traveling, chicken soup feels like home.

Homemade chicken soup sounds complicated, but it’s actually incredibly easy. All you need is chicken, a starch, a vegetable, and broth or chicken-flavored seasoning.

For broth, If you don’t have a rotisserie chicken, a packet of chicken soup broth mix works in a pinch. If you’ve purchased a rotisserie chicken, just dump the bones in a pot of water and simmer for about an hour to make your own.

Strain the bones out of your broth, add back chicken meat, potatoes OR rice, and vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, or peas.

Shopping List:

  • potatoes (or rice)
  • roasted chicken
  • carrots
  • soup/broth packet

6. Beef with Broccoli

Making a simple stir fry is an easy go-to for any Airbnb kitchen. Paired with steam-in-a-bag rice, it’s a super-easy one-pot dinner that’s friendly for travel and an easy grocery trip. Use whatever vegetables are available and pair them with thinly sliced chicken or beef. Although soy sauce is semi-essential for this recipe, many Airbnb kitchens around the world have some version of soy sauce in the pantry.

If Soy sauce is not available, you can substitute Worcestershire or even pineapple juice for flavoring. For authentic Chinese-American Cusine flavor, check out this amazing beef broccoli recipe I use as a go-to.

Shopping List:

  • Steak
  • Broccoli + Carrots
  • Soy Sauce
  • Ginger
  • Sugar (1 or 2 packets should be enough)
  • Rice

7. Fried rice

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Fried rice is a cheap and easy way to make a filling meal in an Airbnb kitchen. It’s also great for using up any leftovers at the end of a stay in which you’ve cooked a few meals.

Note: the best fried rice requires the rice to be cooked and then cooled completely. So for best results, if you think you might make fried rice one day during your stay, make a recipe using rice a few days before.

Shopping List:

  • rice
  • soy sauce
  • veggies
  • egg
  • protein

8. Chicken and Rice Casserole

Although it requires an oven, a basic chicken and rice casserole (of which there are a thousand variations!) can be an easy Airbnb recipe that you can make in a small kitchen, or even an RV kitchen!

Although most recommend using an oven, it’s very possible to make a chicken and rice casserole on the stovetop in a large skillet using low heat and a long cooking time.

Shopping List:

  • Chicken
  • Rice
  • Cream / Butter
  • A vegetable (broccoli, carrots, green beans, etc)

9. Easy Pad Thai

A staple of Thai restaurants around the world, this easy Pad Thai can scratch the itch for Thai food when you aren’t in the mood to venture out of your Airbnb.

Easy Recipes to Make in an Airbnb Kitchen (International or USA) | WanderBIG.com (6)

Shopping List:

  • Chicken
  • Rice Noodles (regular spaghetti can work in a pinch)
  • Peanut Butter (get crunchy PB to skip the extra nut purchase)
  • Something with Umami for sauce (soy sauce, fish sauce, tamarind, or oyster sauce)
  • sugar
  • Veggies
  • Don’t skip: cilantro, limes
  • optional: bean sprouts
  1. Make an easy Pad Thai sauce by mixing 1 tablespoon peanut butter, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1 tablespoon fish sauce (or another umami flavoring). Combine and add water until the sauce thins.
  2. Cook noodles and stir fry whatever veggies or meat you have handy.
  3. Toss noodles and stir fry in sauce and top with chopped cilantro and lime juice.

10. Chili

Chili is a hearty meal that’s filling, simple, and only uses one pot. Even better: one pot can last for several meals. Chili can be made with beef, lentils, or beans only. This recipe is a good jumping off for good lentil-based chili.

Shopping List:

  • Canned or dry pinto and/or kidney beans
  • chili powder, salt, pepper.
  • tomato paste
  • ground beef
  • onion
  • canned tomatoes

Ready to cook? Plan your Airbnb kitchen meals using my vacation meal planner, perfect for traveling families, friend groups, and solo travelers.

Easy Recipes to Make in an Airbnb Kitchen (International or USA) | WanderBIG.com (7)

Lynli Roman’s unique approach to travel is informed by decades of experience on the road with a traveling family and, later, years spent as a solo international traveler. When she’s not writing about Seattle from her Pike Place Market apartment, Lynli writes on-location while conducting hands-on research in each destination she covers. Lynli’s writing has been featured by MSN, ABC Money, Buzzfeed, and Huffington Post. She is passionate about sharing information that makes travel more accessible for all bodies.

Easy Recipes to Make in an Airbnb Kitchen (International or USA) | WanderBIG.com (2024)

FAQs

What should an Airbnb have in the kitchen? ›

Airbnb kitchen essentials: Preparing a cooking space that guests will love to use
  • Stovetop and oven.
  • Fridge and freezer.
  • Cups and dishes.
  • Knives and forks.
  • Coffee and tea.
  • Pots and pans.
  • Spatulas and ladles.
  • Oven dishes and mitts.
Jan 21, 2024

What kind of food to bring for Airbnb? ›

Dinner Suggestions
  • Spaghetti with meat sauce, salad, and bread.
  • Hamburgers or hot dogs with chips and raw veggies.
  • Chicken breasts and rice with vegetable.
  • Grilled cheese.
  • Egg salad sandwiches (great for leftover eggs!)
  • Chicken nuggets or fish sticks (easy, can be a good lunch option in case you are home for lunch).
Mar 15, 2024

What to cook in a vacation rental? ›

Easy Meals for Vacation Rental
  • 1 / 15. Cheesy Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole. ...
  • 2 / 15. Sheet Pan Sweet Potatoes and Black Bean Hash. ...
  • 3 / 15. Blueberry Pancake Casserole. ...
  • 4 / 15. Frittata. ...
  • 5 / 15. 30-Minute Sheet Pan Potatoes and Chicken Sausage. ...
  • 6 / 15. Greek-Style Tuna Salad. ...
  • 7 / 15. Smoked Turkey Sandwich for a Crowd. ...
  • 8 / 15.

What do Airbnb guests want most? ›

The basics: Airbnb must-haves
  • Iron and ironing board.
  • Fully-furnished kitchen so guests can cook their own meals.
  • Washer/dryer and detergent.
  • Hot water.
  • Air conditioning and/or heating if/when necessary.
  • TV (with cable or Netflix etc.)
  • Wireless internet (Wi-Fi)
  • Private entrance to the home.
Jan 26, 2024

How to prepare kitchen for Airbnb? ›

Your kitchen should have forks, knives, and spoons. Consider adding a serrated set of knives to your butter knives. The silverware drawer is perhaps the biggest culprit when it comes to crumb accumulation. And Airbnb silverware is, after all, the only item in your kitchen that goes directly in each guest's mouth.

What is a fully stocked kitchen on Airbnb? ›

When you see that other hosts have a “fully stocked kitchen” on their listings, they mean that they are providing guests with a complete cooking experience. This can include all essential supplies, appliances, and amenities. Often, they even offer extra stock and additional snacks.

Should you do dishes in Airbnb? ›

When you book an Airbnb, are you expected to clean the place when you leave? No, you are not expected to clean the place when you leave an Airbnb. However, it is always appreciated if guests take a few minutes to tidy up before they check out. This includes washing dishes and taking out the trash.

Do you need a full kitchen for Airbnb? ›

At a minimum, guests expect a clean, comfortable sleeping area and access to a restroom. Not all places listed on Airbnb have access to a kitchen, but if your guests have access to one, indicate whether it's a full kitchen or a kitchenette.

What is an easy breakfast for Airbnb? ›

If you're not a great cook, it might be best to stick with simple items like cereal, fruit, and toast. On the other hand, if you're confident in your cooking skills, you could prepare more elaborate meals like eggs, bacon, and pancakes. Just be sure to consider any dietary restrictions your guests might have.

Do I need to wash my dishes in Airbnb? ›

Details of the ground rules

Cleanliness: Guests should not leave the listing in a state that requires excessive or deep cleaning (moldy dishes, soiled carpets, stains from pets, etc.). Cleaning fees set by Hosts are only meant to cover the cost of standard cleaning between reservations (laundry, vacuuming, etc.).

What spices should I have in my Airbnb? ›

Basic Spices and Oils

Meaghan Thomas is a spice expert and believes every Airbnb should stock some basics to make a tasty homemade meal. In addition to salt, pepper, cinnamon, garlic, and a few dried herbs, she also thinks spices are a way for Airbnb hosts to introduce local flavors to their guests.

What is easy to make travel food? ›

Easy road trip food ideas
  • 1. Fruits. Fruits are one of the ideal snacks to take on a road trip. ...
  • Granola bars. You can make some healthy granola bars at home or buy a variety from the store. ...
  • Muffins. ...
  • Crackers, pretzels, and crispbreads. ...
  • Fruit and nut mixes. ...
  • Yogurt. ...
  • Hard-boiled eggs. ...
  • Canned tuna.
Feb 24, 2022

What to cook for 12 adults? ›

19 Ideas For Easy Meals For Large Groups
  • Taco Bar. A taco bar is one of the best inexpensive meals for large groups. ...
  • Meatballs. ...
  • Butter Chicken. ...
  • Lasagna. ...
  • Chili. ...
  • Homemade Pizza. ...
  • Baked Pasta. ...
  • Skewers.
Apr 4, 2023

What food to make for a lot of people? ›

  • Hearty Baked Penne Pasta. This recipe feeds an army. ...
  • Tasty Taco Bar. Everything you need to make your own Taco Bar at home. ...
  • Baked Potato Bar. ...
  • Crockpot Ham. ...
  • Killer Carnitas. ...
  • Chicken Spaghetti. ...
  • Ham and Cheese Sliders. ...
  • Shredded Beef Tacos.
Apr 2, 2024

Should I do the dishes at my Airbnb? ›

Cleanliness: Guests should not leave the listing in a state that requires excessive or deep cleaning (moldy dishes, soiled carpets, stains from pets, etc.). Cleaning fees set by Hosts are only meant to cover the cost of standard cleaning between reservations (laundry, vacuuming, etc.).

Can you host a dinner at an Airbnb? ›

While an Airbnb might have a kitchen, often it won't be suitable for cooking for (and cleaning up after) a dinner party of any size. Generally, you have to tell the Airbnb owner exactly how many people will be in the rental. You also have to provide their names and contact information if they're over 18 years old.

What can I make on Airbnb? ›

Average Annual Host Revenue By Arrangement Type: 2021/2020
ARRANGEMENT TYPEAVERAGE ANNUAL HOST EARNINGS 2021AVERAGE ANNUAL HOST EARNINGS 2020
Entire Home$14,498$8,749
Hotel Room$8,452$4,885
Private Room$5,260$2,994
Shared Room$2,158$1,536

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