I believe there are just certain kitchen necessities that every traveller should bring with them to each new destination. Even though we’re not travelling much now, eventually you’ll be headed off on a backpacking or long-haul trip and odds are you are going to want to make yourself a meal at some point. Whether you miss the comfort of meals from back home or you just want to save a few bucks, cooking while on-the-go is easier than you may think.
There’s nothing worse than completing a long travel journey, exhausted and hungry, only to realize that you have no basic kitchen supplies. Sure, take-out is always an option but if you are going to be cooking for yourself at some point, it’s much easier to bring sparing amounts of a few items than having to purchase entirely new full-size ones. You really don’t want to be buying brand new cooking staples and supplies everywhere you go so purchasing your go-to basics in compact travel sizes will save you both time and money.
Here is my list of kitchen essentials to have while travelling!
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Spices, Spices, Spices!
This one is an important one. Bringing along small amounts of commonly used spices like salt, pepper, garlic powder, chilli flakes and oregano will save your food from being a disappointing and bland meal. It also makes more sense than purchasing large quantities of many spices you will use only a few times. Gotta love being an efficient nomad.
Mini spice jar-set of 10
Corkscrew
Trust me when I say, you do not want to get settled into your new space, ready to relax or celebrate with a bottle of wine just to realize you do not have a corkscrew. Try as you might, those internet hacks for opening a bottle without one is no simple feat. Get a compact corkscrew that doubles as a bottle opener, or better yet splurge on a multi-faceted Swiss Army Knife, and you will be extra grateful. Cheers to preemptive planning!
TSA Compliant corkscrew/bottle opener
Can Opener
Another easily forgettable travel item is the trusty can opener. Oftentimes, cooking can be too daunting a task after a day of sightseeing and exploring and all you are able to muster up is a can of soup or a quick tuna sandwich for dinner. While hacking at the can with a knife certainly might do the trick, it is definitely not the safest or quickest way to get to the contents inside. You’ll be thankful you brought one as most lodgings do not provide them.
Can Opener
Cooking Oil
I think it’s safe to assume that a lot of our homemade meals start with frying something in oil, typically garlic and onion. You are not going to want to buy an expensive jar of olive, avocado or whatever your favourite oil may be, only to use a few tablespoons. I recommend buying a travel-sized glass bottle (plastic can cause chemicals to seep into your oil) to store just the right amount of oil in, filling it with the jar you already have at home. Just make sure to seal it tight!
Glass travel container
Sriracha (Or other condiments of your choice)
If you’re like me, sriracha is a key ingredient in the large majority of your meals. Or maybe you have another favourite hot sauce or condiment that you just can’t live without. Whatever your vice may be, you should definitely invest in a mini travel-sized bottle so you will never have to go without your favourite flavour enhancers.
Portable Sriracha Keychain-set of 3
