When planning your houseboat getaway, you may be wondering what to eat. While houseboat kitchens may be a little smaller than you are used to, there are plenty of simple, tasty vacation meals you can put together, without spending your whole trip in the kitchen!

On our houseboats, there are two ways to cook your meals – on a two-burner cooktop, or a barbecue. We also have a variety of pots, pans, and cooking utensils (many guests are often surprised at how well equipped our kitchens are!) 

Before your trip, we always recommend making a vacation meal plan to ensure you have a variety of meals that you can enjoy on the boats.

Here are a few simple meal ideas (plus, scroll down for our 5 simple vacation meals (recipes included!) to get a better idea of what to eat on a houseboat):

 

Breakfast Ideas

Breakfast is often one of the simplest meals to put together, but here are a few options we love:

• Greek yogurt bowls with fresh fruit (berries, mango, banana) + a sprinkle of nuts & seeds
• Scrambled eggs with pre-made oatmeal muffins
• Breakfast burritos (tortillas, eggs, cheese, salsa, black beans)
• Pancakes (pancake mix, water/milk, butter, syrup)
• Oatmeal (berries, nuts, nut butter, yogurt)

Lunch and Dinner Ideas

Some of these ideas can be prepped ahead of time and thrown together on the boat!

• Chicken and veggie skewers (marinate in advance) with a side salad
• Tacos (ground meat, taco seasoning, lettuce, salsa, cheese, sour cream)
• Bean salad or pasta salad (prep in advance)
• Quesadillas
• Stir fry (mixed veggies, chicken/tofu, soy sauce, rice/noodles)
• Burgers & grilled corn on the cob
• Sandwiches (deli meat, cheese, or any variation and condiments you love!)

5 Simple Vacation Meals

If you’re interested in vacationing on a houseboat but wondering what to eat, here are 5 simple vacation meals that will take any stress out of planning your holiday!

Nothing says summer like barbecue, so we’ve included some of our favourite BBQ meals that are easy to make and clean up.

1. BBQ Chicken & Vegetable Foil Packets

Ingredients – Serves 2

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups diced vegetables (such as bell peppers, zucchini, and onions)
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Aluminum foil

Instructions

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then place each one on a large piece of aluminum foil.
3. Divide the diced vegetables evenly among the foil packets, placing them around the chicken.
4. Pour barbecue sauce over the chicken and vegetables, ensuring everything is coated evenly.
5. Fold the foil packets tightly to seal, then place them on the grill.
6. Cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
7. Carefully open the foil packets and serve the BBQ chicken and vegetables hot off the grill.

2. BBQ Pulled Pork Nachos

Ingredients – Serves 3-4

• 1 lb pulled pork (prepared in advance of your trip)
• 1 bag tortilla chips
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/4 cup diced red onion
• 1/4 cup diced jalapenos
• 1/4 cup diced tomatoes
• Sour cream and chopped cilantro for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat the grill to medium heat.
2. Spread the tortilla chips in an even layer on a large cast-iron skillet or disposable aluminum pan.
3. Top the chips with pulled pork, shredded cheddar cheese, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
4. Drizzle barbecue sauce over the top, then sprinkle diced red onion, jalapenos, and tomatoes evenly over the nachos.
5. Cover the skillet or pan with aluminum foil and place it on the grill.
6. Cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Remove from the grill and garnish with sour cream and chopped cilantro. Serve immediately and enjoy your BBQ pulled pork nachos!

3. Simple Ground Beef Tacos

Ingredients – Serves 3-4

• 1 pound lean ground beef (can sub for ground chicken or turkey)
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1/2 cup water
• 8 small taco shells (or flour tortillas)
• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• Optional toppings: salsa, guacamole, jalapeños, sliced olives, chopped cilantro

Instructions

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until meat is almost completely browned.
2. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the beef mixture. Pour in the water and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
3. To assemble the tacos, spoon the seasoned beef mixture into each taco shell. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and a dollop of sour cream. Add any optional toppings you like.

4. One-Pot Pasta Primavera

Ingredients – Serves 2-3

• 8 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or your choice)
• 2 cups diced vegetables (bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine pasta, diced vegetables, minced garlic, vegetable broth, heavy cream or coconut milk, salt, and pepper.
2. Place the pot on the stove bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
3. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and let the pasta simmer, covered, for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is cooked and vegetables are tender.
4. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
5. Remove from heat, garnish with fresh basil or parsley, and serve hot for a delicious and satisfying pasta primavera dinner at the campsite.

5. BBQ Chicken Thighs & Potatoes

Ingredients – Serves 3

• 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 3 tbsp. olive oil, divided
• 1 tbsp. smoked paprika
• 2 tsp. garlic powder, divided
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. dried rosemary or thyme
• 1.5 pounds baby potatoes (or Yukon Gold, cut into chunks)
• 1 tsp. salt, divided
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper, divided
• Optional: 1 tsp. smoked paprika for extra flavor

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix 1.5 tbsp. of olive oil with the smoked paprika, 1 tsp. garlic powder, onion powder, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. black pepper. Add the chicken thighs and toss to coat evenly with the spice mixture.
2. Toss the baby potatoes in a separate large bowl with the remaining 1.5 Tbsp. of olive oil, 1 tsp. garlic powder, rosemary or thyme, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. black pepper. Optional: add 1 tsp. of smoked paprika.
3. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 375°F to 400°F). 
4. Place the seasoned chicken thighs on the grill. Arrange the potatoes on the grill in a grill basket.
5. Grill the chicken thighs for about 6-8 minutes per side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. While the chicken is cooking, shake the grill basket halfway through the cooking time, about 20-25 minutes total, until they are tender and slightly crispy.
6. In the last few minutes of cooking, brush the chicken thighs with BBQ sauce and continue grilling until the sauce is slightly caramelized.
7. Remove the chicken and potatoes from the grill. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
8. Serve the BBQ chicken thighs alongside the grilled potatoes. Add extra BBQ sauce if desired.

More Recipe Inspiration 

If you’re looking for more recipe inspiration, here are a few more recipes we love! 

• Grilled Vegetable Kabobs with Fajita Butter
• Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Garlic Cilantro Lime Slaw
• Grilled Baby Potatoes
• Grilled Chili Lime Butter Corn on the Cob
• Shrimp Boil Foil Packs

With some of these recipes, and our vacation meal planning tips, you will be all set to enjoy your houseboat vacation!

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