RV Pantry Staples that Always Make the Cut

A few years ago, we met up with some friends at a rented vacation house. And, naturally, as full-time RVers, we came in our rig. During our stay there, it so happened that one of our friends was preparing dinner. And while she was, she was searching through the huge rental kitchen, saying “Darn it, I wish I’d brought the zester!” So, wanting to help (and knowing our little RV pantry stocked the staples), I answered, “We’ve got one. I’ll be right back.”

Then the relay continued. “Soy Sauce?” Yep! “Baking Soda?” Hold on a sec! “Chili Crisp?” Oh, 100 percent! (Yeah, she was testing us now.) When she finally realized that she couldn’t stump us, she asked, “How could you possibly have all this stuff in that little camper?” We told her the truth: It’s never about size; it’s always about imagination — and how you use it. And that’s especially true when it comes to stocking your RV pantry with the staples!

Personally, our kitchen and storage area may be small, but it’s mighty. We love to cook up gourmet feasts wherever we’re camping! So, if you’re looking at an empty RV kitchen and wondering where to begin, you’ve come to the right place for advice.

Now, let’s talk about what it takes to stock you RV pantry with staples you will always need.

A Little Tip for Meal Planning and Pantry Stocking

When planning what you’ll eat and how you’ll prepare it on an RV trip, focus on how long you’ll be away from home. A few days or weeks? Months or years? Listing the house on the market?  Your answer will lead you down some different paths.  

If you’re just going on a short trip, consider planning out a menu for each meal. Bring just what you need, including preprepared spices. (Nothing extra, no leftovers, and nothing left in the RV that might encourage pests when you return home.) Any trip longer than a week, and you’ll likely need to resupply. So, consider having a few planned meals (especially something quick and easy for longer travel days) and some basic pantry items that will help you feel at home (and able to whip up some regular favorite recipes while on the road). 

Pro-Tip!  When grocery shopping in a small town, be sure to scout out the parking situation on the satellite view of your favorite mapping app. It will help you determine if there’s enough room for your rig and reduce parking stress by tenfold.

Nonperishable Food Items

No matter the length of your travel itinerary, having what you need is always a good feeling. In addition to some quality cookware properly stored in the RV (clean and ready), here are just a few things that always make the cut for us. 

Main Ingredients and Snacks

• Canned and jarred goods. A variety of beans, sauces, vegetables, and your favorite proteins (fish or poultry). 
• Pasta, rice, quinoa. From spaghetti to salads to burritos, these staples are versatile, inexpensive, and popular.  
• Snacks. Cover the gamut from healthy to indulgent to easy for taking along on those hikes — nuts, pretzels, crackers, chips and salsa are all easy go-to appetizers after an active day outdoors.  
• Breakfast items. Cereal, granola, bagels, etc. 
• Extra carbs.  Bread, tortillas, pita, etc.
• Shelf-stable fruits and vegetables. Apples, oranges, lemons, limes, carrots, bell peppers, and cabbage can last for days if the fridge space is tight. 
• Other staples. Peanut butter, jelly, honey, agave.
• Coffee and tea. You know what you need in the morning, or even in the afternoon! 

Spices and Supplies

• Baking supplies. Flour(s), sugar, salt, baking soda/powder, oats, and other essentials. We always have the dry ingredients for our homemade pancake recipe for an easy, indulgent morning.  
• Condiments and salad dressing. You know your favorites (hot sauce, I’m looking at you!), but it’s also good to branch out and try something new to spice up your meals! 
• Spices and seasonings. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian spice mix, cayenne, your favorite herbs.  We have a small kit of spices and seasonings that literally goes with us everywhere, even when we’re away from the camper.  
• Cooking oil and spray. A good quality olive oil is super versatile, along with a spray for baking or cooking eggs.

Pantry Organization and Storage

• Food storage containers. Bring a variety of airtight containers to keep food fresh and organized. 
• Ziploc bags. Useful for storing leftovers, snacks, and other items, washing these out along with the dishes saves plastic from the landfill. 
• Pantry organizers. Consider organizers to maximize space and keep things tidy, always try to make use of the inside of doors to hang things or create a vertical rack. Pack cupboards in four dimensions. (Time, i.e., how often you use, is that fourth dimension.)

Pro Tip!  When setting up your kitchen, think about the pots and pans that do many things in one. Our stainless steel pasta pot steamer insert, pulls extra duty as a colander and grill basket for veggies or (baked potatoes) over the campfire. It even works as a salad spinner (outside only of course)!

Cookware Essentials

• Pots and pans. Solid, quality cookware that does more than one thing, including a Dutch oven if you want to try baking or cooking over a campfire. Don’t forget a lighter or two!
• Cooking utensils. Spatula, tongs, rubber scrapers, spoons, immersion blender, grater, and other essential utensils.
• Mixing bowls. Bring small and large bowls that can double large salad bowls.
• Measuring cups and spoons. Essential for accurate cooking.
• Cutting boards. One large, one small cutting board is all you need.
• Knives. A good chef’s knife, paring knife, and bread knife.
• Can opener. The one in your kitchen drawer that actually works!
• Colander. For draining pasta or rinsing vegetables.
• Dish bins. Most RV sinks are too small for useful washing. We use 3 stackable bins as portable sinks — one hot soapy water and one warm rinse.  If using lake/river water while boondocking, we have another with cold water and a dash of bleach for sanitizing.
• Cleaning supplies. Biodegradable dish soap, bleach spray, cleaning wipes and sprays, and any other cleaning supplies for the bathroom and kitchen.

Perfecting Your RV Pantry Staples

If you’ve been out on the road for several weeks or several trips during the summer, go through your pantry. And be real. What haven’t you used? What have you replenished? Figure out how you use your RV kitchen and lean into that. Get rid of things that you don’t use and pair down the clutter to the real RV pantry staples. Bon appetite!