How to Pack Your Kitchen Mentality: Travel Tips for People Who Just Want to Be Fed
By Maren — Home cook energy. Not chef energy. Let's make something good with what you've got. ·
Is there anything more stressful than the transition from the comfort of your own stove to a hotel kitchenette that consists of a sad, singular outlet and a microwave that probably smells like someone else’s popcorn?
I’m Maren—middle school teacher by day, amateur kitchen experimenter by night. If you’ve been following my TikTok, you know I’m the person who packs a jar of sourdough starter (sorry, Gary, you’re coming with me) and a reliable cast iron skillet whenever I hit the road. People tell me I’m extra. I tell them they’re just hungry.
Traveling is supposed to be about rejuvenation, but for those of us who find peace in the act of feeding ourselves, it can feel like a culinary exile. Whether you’re heading to a cabin in the North Woods or a rental in the city, here is how I manage to keep my “home cook energy” alive while I’m on the go.
The “Emergency Pantry” Kit
I don’t care where you’re going, you need a kit. I keep a reusable silicone bag stocked with the things that make a meal feel like mine rather than a sad attempt at survival. My travel kit includes: a small jar of flaky sea salt (don’t look at me like that, hotel salt is a crime), a decent olive oil in a spill-proof bottle, and a couple of my favorite spice blends.
When you’re in an unfamiliar kitchen, you don’t need to cook a five-course meal. You need to make a piece of toast or a bowl of eggs taste like home. That little bit of salt and high-quality oil is the difference between "traveling and eating snacks" and "traveling and actually eating."
Scout the Local Markets, Not the Tourist Traps
When I land, the first thing I do isn’t check into the hotel. I find the nearest grocery store or, better yet, a farmers market. Look, I love a good restaurant as much as the next person, but after three days of eating out, my body starts crying for a vegetable that hasn’t been fried or smothered in cream sauce.
I look for local produce that’s in season. If I’m in the Pacific Northwest, I’m grabbing berries. If I’m in the South, it’s whatever is hitting the peak of the season. Use these ingredients for simple assemblies—not recipes. Think: local bread, a hunk of cheese from the dairy aisle, and some fruit. You don't need a recipe to make a perfect plate.
The Art of the "One-Pot" Mindset
Listen, you aren’t on vacation to scrub dishes. If your Airbnb kitchen looks like it hasn’t been updated since 1994, don’t try to make a complicated sourdough loaf. Lean into the one-pot mentality.
If you’ve got a single pot, you can make a killer pasta, a quick sauté of whatever veggies you grabbed at the market, or a simple grain bowl. I always bring a reliable, lightweight chef’s knife. Most rental kitchens have knives that are basically serrated butter spreaders. Bringing your own (wrapped safely, please!) is a total game-changer. It makes the act of chopping feel like therapy rather than a chore.
Don’t Forget the “Joy” Factor
My grandmother always said, “Maren, if the meal doesn’t make you happy, why are you cooking it?” When we travel, we get so caught up in the itinerary that we forget to prioritize the little things that bring us joy.
Maybe for you, it’s a specific brand of coffee you can’t live without. Pack it. Maybe it’s a favorite mug. Wrap it in a sweater and put it in your suitcase. When I’m staying somewhere new, having my own coffee and my own mug makes the first hour of the morning feel grounded. It’s like a hug from home while you’re out exploring the world.
Be Kind to Your “Travel Self”
Finally, lower your expectations. If you end up eating cereal out of a plastic cup because you’re exhausted from sightseeing? That’s totally fine. The goal isn't to be a professional chef on vacation; the goal is to be a person who nourishes themselves.
If you have a “what’s in your fridge” moment while you’re traveling—like finding half a bag of spinach, an onion, and some leftover pasta—don’t overthink it. Just toss it together, sprinkle some of that good sea salt on top, and call it a win.
Traveling can be chaotic, but your kitchen energy doesn't have to be. Stay fueled, stay curious, and hey—if you find a local ingredient that you have no idea how to cook, shoot me a message. Let’s figure it out together.
What’s the one thing you refuse to leave home without when you travel? Are you a “pack the entire spice rack” person or a “find a local cafe and never look back” person? Let’s chat in the comments—I’m dying to know how you keep your home-cook energy going when you’re on the road.