Sharing some easy and healthy Airbnb recipes that you can make for longer vacations or when you want to save a little money on your trip.
Hi friends! I hope you had a lovely weekend and that you’re doing ok. After taking some time off at the end of last week, I’m easing back into the swing of things here on the blog. Writing here has always been a bright spot for me and I hope it’s a bright spot for you, too. <3
I’s impossible to ignore the heaviness of recent events: the loss of Charlie Kirk, the tragedy of the school shooting, the woman who was killed on public transportation, and remembering 9/11. It’s been a lot. If you’re feeling sadness or heaviness, please know that I see you, I feel it too, and I’m sending you a big hug through the screen.
In the spirit of focusing on some of the simple joys, I wanted to share something a little lighter today: easy and healthy Airbnb recipes. I’ve been wanting to publish this since we got back from Spain and now we’re in September. No time like the present 😉
Easy and Healthy Airbnb Recipes for Travel
Why We Cook at Airbnbs While Traveling
When we travel, we’ve learned that eating out for every single meal just doesn’t work for us. It gets expensive quickly, restaurant meals can be heavy, and the kids don’t exactly love sitting at a table three times a day.
What works better for us: eating out for one large meal per day (usually lunch or dinner), and enjoying quick bites out, or making the rest of our meals simple and fresh at the Airbnb. Not only is it more budget-friendly, but it also feels fun to shop local markets, enjoy regional specialties, and gather for a casual family dinner. Also, the restaurants and cafes that we dine at are AWESOME; it’s better to splurge on one larger, amazing meal than a bunch of mediocre places throughout the day.
During our trip to Spain, some of my favorite memories were cooking alongside my friend Sam. She’d make a dish or two, I’d make something at the Airbnb and we’d walk it over, and the kids would run around while we shared good food, good wine, and good company. That’s what vacation meals should feel like! We looked forward to our family dinners, and since they live there, they didn’t need to feel like they had to feed all of us or go out to restaurants multiple times each week. We shared the cooking and cleaning load, and it was awesome.
Airbnb Grocery Shopping List
When we check into an Airbnb, I almost always grab these staples:
Granola or cereal
Yogurts
Almond milk (or other milk of choice)
Coffee (the instant decaf in Spain was 2 euros and tasted heavenly)
Water and sparkling waters
Fresh berries and seasonal fruit
Eggs
Bread
Nutella or jam (because kids)
Protein (rotisserie chicken, canned tuna or sardines, Spanish tortilla, etc.)
Snacking veggies (bell peppers, cucumber, carrots)
Guacamole + hummus
Snack bars
Supplements: I always bring my Daily Nutritional Support powder + vitamins with me
Easy Airbnb Breakfast Ideas
Yogurt parfaits with granola + berries
Eggs and toast with fruit
Protein pudding with berries
Spanish tortilla (homemade or pre-made from a local market)
Egg casserole (great if you’re staying in one place for a week or more)
Quick Airbnb Lunch & Dinner Recipes
These meals come together with minimal prep and local ingredients:
Big salad bowls with greens, veggies, beans or tuna, olive oil, and lemon
Charcuterie-style dinner with local cheeses, meats, olives, bread, and veggies
Simple pasta night: pasta, olive oil, garlic (or garlic powder), seasonal veggies, and protein like shrimp or chicken
Grilled protein + veggies (if the Airbnb has an outdoor grill)
Chopped Greek salad (cucumbers, bell pepper, onions, olives, artichokes, sundried tomatoes, feta, herbs like mint and rosemary, chicken, and a lemon vinaigrette)
Healthy Snack & Happy Hour Ideas
We love a mid-afternoon snack break or a happy hour:
Fresh fruit + cheese plate
Guacamole and hummus with sliced veggies + crackers
Olives + nuts
Chips with salsa
Wine or sparkling water mocktails
Traveling doesn’t have to mean blowing your budget or feeling sluggish after too many heavy meals. With a quick grocery trip and a few simple recipes, you can enjoy healthy, delicious meals right in your Airbnb.
I think there’s something so special about gathering around the table with family or friends, and sharing food you’ve prepared together. It makes the trip that much more memorable.
Tell me, friends: Do you cook when you stay at Airbnbs, or do you prefer eating out most of the time? Share your go-to vacation meal in the comments so we can all get inspired for our next trip!
xoxo
Gina
