How a Slow Cooker Can Save You Hundreds on Vacation Food
If you don’t consider a slow cooker a lifesaver… STAY. RIGHT. HERE.
Ahem. Three things a slow cooker will do for you:
1) Make affordable meals with very little hands-on time,
2) Have your food ready when you walk back in the door, and
3) Skip expensive “dining out” options.
This guide will show you how to plan, and what meals work best for the slow cooker when you are traveling.
Why This Earns a Spot in the Car
The biggest advantage of a slow cooker while traveling is that it works in the background.
Unlike meals that require you to stop your day, prep ingredients, or make everyone wait until dinner is ready, a slow cooker allows you to start a meal before your plans begin and return when it’s finished.
This makes it especially useful for:
- Full days of sightseeing
- Beach days
- Hiking trips
- Theme parks
- Family vacations
A little preparation in the morning can eliminate one of the most stressful decisions of the day: figuring out what everyone is going to eat.
What This Saves You
For a family of four, it can easily cost:
- Restaurant or takeout dinner: $60–$120+
A slow cooker meal built from grocery store ingredients often costs:
- Slow cooker meal: $12–$25
Estimated savings: $40–$90 each time you replace a restaurant dinner with a homemade slow cooker meal.
The savings don’t stop there.
Many slow cooker recipes make enough for leftovers, giving you lunch the next day or another easy dinner later in the trip. That means one meal can replace two restaurant purchases while requiring very little extra effort.
Travel Food Game Plan With Your Slow Cooker
Ask yourself these questions to build the base of your stategy:
- Which meals do you want to replace based on your activities for the day?
Most recipes need 6–8 hours. The shorter ones, 3-4 hours. Whether you’re sightseeing all day, or headed to a museum for a few hours, it’s perfect.
- What can I make that will be good for tomorrow’s lunch?
- Can I shop after I arrive?
Many slow cooker meals use inexpensive ingredients you can buy once you’ve reached your destination.
- Can I prep this before I leave?
Many recipes can be frozen ahead of time and dropped directly into the slow cooker later.
Helpful Guide: Freeze Ahead: Foods that Make the First 48 Hours Easier
Slow Cooker Meals Worth Making
Meals that feed everyone after a long day:
Creates multiple meals:
Stretches the grocery budget:
These slow cooker recipes are inexpensive, make generous portions, and are perfect for vacation rentals or longer trips.
Want to make them even easier? Prepare the spice blends before you leave. Having your seasonings already mixed means you can simply add them to the slow cooker instead of measuring individual spices each time you cook.
Helpful guide: The Spices & Condiments That are Worth Packing
Will Travel Tip
Line the slow cooker with disposable liners. Cleanup will take minutes.
Slow Cookers That Travel Best
If your vacation rental doesn’t include a slow cooker, and you have room to bring one, look for ones with the following features:
- Locking lid to help prevent spills.
- Lightweight design so it’s easy to carry.
- Programmable timer so your meal is ready when you return.
- Keep Warm setting to hold dinner safely if your plans run long.
- Right-sized capacity for the number of people you’re feeding.
Why Smart Travelers Do This
Smart travelers pack slow cookers (or make sure they are going to have one) because they want one less thing to worry about, and it saves some serious cash.
Dinner cooks while they’re making memories and when they get back there’s no debate over restaurants, no waiting for delivery, and no expensive food bill.
Before You Hit The Road
If staying in a vacation rental, check to see if they have a slow cooker. Many do. If you need to take one, weigh it’s value against space in the car, and the cost of eating out. Plan at least two of these for your next trip… it will save you up to four costly meals.