When I first started traveling, I always assumed that eating out would be one of the best parts of my trips. And while it absolutely is, I quickly realized that cooking while traveling can actually be a fun and rewarding experience, especially when you’re trying to stick to a budget or keep up with a healthy eating routine. Over time, I’ve picked up a few DIY cooking hacks that make preparing meals on the go much easier—and they’ve totally changed the way I approach food while traveling.

The first hack I learned was to keep my cooking equipment minimal but versatile. When I’m on the road, I often stay in places with basic kitchen setups, whether it’s a hostel, a rental apartment, or an Airbnb. I quickly realized that I didn’t need a lot of fancy gear to whip up a satisfying meal. A small pot, a frying pan, a cutting board, and a decent knife are usually enough to get by. But there’s one thing I never leave home without: a travel-friendly portable stove or electric kettle. These are total game changers, especially if I’m staying somewhere without a kitchen or only have access to a microwave.

I’ve found that an electric kettle is surprisingly useful. Besides boiling water for tea or coffee, I use it to quickly cook grains like quinoa or rice. I also use it for instant noodles, steaming veggies, or even making a quick soup by adding some pre-chopped vegetables, broth cubes, and spices. It’s one of those items that’s easy to pack, doesn’t take up much space, and opens up a world of cooking possibilities, even when I’m limited to a tiny space.

The second hack I swear by is stockpiling a small collection of essential pantry items. Before every trip, I make sure to pack a small travel container of olive oil, salt, pepper, and a few of my favorite spices. Even if I don’t have access to a full pantry, I can usually grab some fresh ingredients from a local market and throw together something simple but delicious. I also keep things like canned beans, lentils, or tomatoes on hand. These pantry staples can easily form the base of a meal, and all you need is a few fresh veggies or a protein source to add variety.

One of my favorite meals while traveling is a “one-pot wonder” where I throw together whatever I have on hand. I’ve made everything from simple stir-fries to veggie-packed stews. A mix of grains, some canned beans or lentils, and fresh veggies makes a filling and healthy meal that requires minimal effort. I can make a large batch and store leftovers for later, which comes in handy when I’m too tired after a day of sightseeing to cook again.

Another essential hack I’ve adopted is taking advantage of local markets. Whenever I arrive in a new city or town, I always make a trip to the local market. It’s not just a great way to experience the local culture, but it’s also a wonderful opportunity to pick up fresh, local ingredients that I wouldn’t find at a regular supermarket. I’ve bought everything from ripe tomatoes in Spain to freshly picked herbs in Thailand, and it’s always a rewarding experience to cook something with ingredients sourced from the place you’re visiting.

Lastly, I can’t recommend enough the joy of keeping cooking simple. I’ve learned that sometimes, the less complicated a meal is, the better. A few fresh ingredients, a dash of seasoning, and a quick stir-fry or salad can be just as satisfying as an elaborate dish. I’ve made countless meals with just one or two key ingredients that are local to the area, and they’ve turned out to be some of the best meals I’ve had during my travels.

Cooking while traveling isn’t just about saving money or eating healthier—it’s about connecting with the places I visit in a deeper, more personal way. It allows me to experience local flavors, feel more at home, and create memories tied to the food I prepare. With a few simple tools, some basic pantry items, and a little creativity, cooking while traveling has become one of my favorite parts of the journey.