We love to stay in an Airbnb on our travels overseas and also here in Australia and we are always looking at ways to save money. Making the most of an Airbnb kitchen while traveling can enhance your experience and help you stick to a budget. Here are some of our tips for maximizing your Airbnb kitchen:
1. Plan Meals Around Local, Affordable Ingredients
- We love to shop at the markets. So go and check out the local markets and grocery stores for fresh, in-season produce and affordable staples. Local ingredients are often cheaper and give you the chance to try new foods and experience new flavours. Cooking with local flavors enhances the travel experience and supports the local economy and its also a great way to immerse yourself into the culture too.
2. Plan Simple, One-Pot Meals
- Stick to recipes that require minimal equipment and are easy to make in small or basic kitchens. Think stir-fries, pasta, soups, or grain bowls. These meals are filling, easy to prepare, and require minimal ingredients. Our go to very often is a one pot meal.
- Always remember to use the fresh local ingredients from markets or grocery stores to create dishes that are easy and delicious.
3. Buy in Small Quantities
- Since you’re traveling, you may not need large quantities of food. Remember you might need to take it with you to your next destination.
4. Reuse Ingredients Across Meals
- Mike isn’t really into meal planning but I would still consider planning a few meals to avoid buying unnecessary ingredients.
- Plan meals that allow you to use the same ingredients in multiple ways. This will save you money and avoid waste. For example, if you are able roast off a chicken and use the leftovers in salads, wraps, or pasta dishes. Even pack up lunch the next day with chicken sandwiches. Another one – if you buy a bag of rice, you can use it for multiple meals. We even use left over rice for stir fried rice for breakfast the following morning. So yummy.
5. Limit Eating Out
- This is a massive one for us. Save money by cooking most of your meals in the Airbnb and only treating yourself to occasional meals out. This is what we often do as breakfast and dinner are often the easiest to prepare at home, leaving you free to explore during the day. A few months back when we were in Malta we had this most amazing Airbnb with a massive balcony overlooking the main square. Why would we want to eat our dinner anywhere else?
6. Opt for Easy Breakfasts
- Stock up on items like eggs, yogurt, and fruit for easy breakfasts. This way, you can have a healthy start without spending too much time in the kitchen.
7. Assess the Kitchen Setup Early
- Upon arrival, check what’s available in the kitchen: pots, pans, utensils, spices, and pantry staples. Many Airbnbs come stocked with basic cooking supplies like oil, spices, and condiments but before you do your first shop always check to see what’s already there when you arrive and incorporate what’s available into your meal plan. We’ve made the mistake so often that we haven’t looked and end up buying staples that are there already! We’ve also assumed there would be enough saucepans in each place we’ve stayed in but one time (in Lima, Chile) we opened the cupboard to find just one small frying pan. That was then fun trying to plan our meals with just this!!
- Also If you’re unsure of the equipment available before your trip, maybe ask the host for details in advance. Maybe that’s what we should’ve done that time!
8. Batch Cook for Leftovers
- Make larger portions of meals and store leftovers for quick, budget-friendly meals later during your stay. This saves both time and money, especially on busier days when you may not want to cook.
Cooking in your Airbnb kitchen is a great way to stretch your travel budget and still enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals. I hope that these tips can help you enjoy the comfort of home-cooked meals while embracing the excitement of travel.
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