Easy Hotel or Extended Stay Meals to Make While Traveling

This is a post I wrote about a year ago. Recently our family made a local move out of an apartment and into a house with a yard, Hooray! I wanted to dedicate the whole month of September to provided Moving Tips and Resources that have benefited our family over the years. Enjoy…

Our family recently moved to Louisiana. During this process we ended up staying in an extended stay for a week while we explored our new city and found a place to live. Beforehand I had planned about two weeks’ worth of easy meals to make in the room’s kitchenette. Eating out lunch and dinner every day would have been very pricey for our family of 7. We did take advantage of the complimentary breakfasts each morning and the kids enjoyed many chocolate chip waffles! I understand that most who travel regularly may be doing so solo and not bringing their family along so they can afford to eat out most meals. However, I want to share my list of easy hotel or extended stay meals to make while traveling for families that are fortunate enough to travel together and are looking for ways to stay within a budget.

Close up of a shrimp taco in a flour tortilla topped with corn, tomatoes, purple onions, cilantros, and a green sauce.

Easy Hotel or Extended Stay Meals to Make in an InstaPot or Slow Cooker

Tacos OR Taco Bowls with toppings and paired with Chips and Queso.
Canned Soup paired with Crackers or Sourdough Bread.
Marinated Chicken paired with 90 Second Rice or Instant Mashed Potatoes and a Vegetable.
Hard Boil Eggs and make into Egg Salad Sandwiches. Pair with Chips. Yes, I know this could make the room stinky so be sure to light that candle you packed 🙂
Baked Chicken paired with Mashed Potatoes, Mac and Cheese and a Veggie.
Pre-make some Freezer to Crock Pot Meals to pack and store in the Hotel Room Fridge to eat on during your stay. Here is a YouTube video by Lydia Seen on Cheap Freezer to Crock Pot Meals for additional ideas.

Easy Hotel or Extended Stay Meals or Sides to Make in the Microwave

Instant Mashed Potatoes
90 Second Rice
Mac and Cheese
Frozen Vegetables
Egg Bites
Bacon
Oatmeal
HotDogs
Chicken Nuggets
Meat and Cheese Sliders
BBQ Sandwiches or Nachos
Stouffers Meals from the Freezer Section

Meals or Snacks to Keep in the Fridge

Lunchables
Lunchmeats and Cheese
PB&J OR Crustables
Smoothies
Yogurt and Granola

PreMade Meals from the Store

Muffins OR Pastries
Salads
Chicken Salad
Deli Sandwiches
Deli Meals
Sushi

Thinking Outside the Box Meal Ideas

Use Gift Cards you have on hand to pay for a meal out.
Pick a night or two to eat out. Pay using the food allowance your work provides you, if applicable.
Gather any coins before you trip, turn them into CoinStar, and get a gift card to a restaurant in the area you are traveling.

Let’s Hear Your Ideas for Easy Hotel or Extended Stay Meals to Make While Traveling…

Do you have some ideas you could share? Please do! I am always looking for more ideas to add to my list for the next time our family is able to travel together.

Or if you are looking for ways to make your hotel or extended stay easier with little kids? Check out my post Tips for Staying at a Hotel with Little Kids.