Renting a vacation home has a lot of benefits. One of those benefits is having a well-appointed kitchen. Few things will break a budget faster than eating out three meals a day (more if you have teenagers), but with a kitchen you can meal prep, eat healthy and save some money. Best of all, you get to take advantage of all the fresh local seafood and prepare it any way you like. Here are six of the best ways to take advantage of your vacation rental kitchen.

1. Take inventory

Before you can make the most of your kitchen you first need to know what you can make. Upon arrival, take a moment to go through the shelves, cabinets and even check the stove as sometimes people keep cookie sheets and other items in there. Now that you know what you have, you can begin thinking about a menu for the week.

2. Cook something new

Take advantage of all the fresh local seafood during your next Ocean Isle Beach vacation. Coastal North Carolina is known for its fresh shrimp which is easy to prepare and healthy. If you need help finding all the best shrimp, check out our previous post: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Fresh Ocean Isle Beach Shrimp.

3. Leftovers are mom’s best friend

If you are traveling with teenagers (and let’s face it, teenage boys in particular) you know they can really affect the grocery budget. One of the easiest ways to stay on track with your budget and get the most out of your Ocean Isle Beach vacation rentalkitchen is to make extra when you prepare meals. Having a lot of leftovers is a great way to make sure the kids head to the fridge and not to an expensive restaurant. Even fast food gets expensive quickly. So go ahead and make a little extra!

4. Bring your favorite items

While all of our kitchens are well-appointed, it is a good idea to pack some of your favorite things. If you are driving it is super easy to pack a few of your favorite pans, pots or other utensils. For example, a lot of folks love using an Instantpot which is easy to pack and travel with. If you need help picking a home our friendly reservationist can help you find the home with the perfect kitchen for your family’s needs.

5. Fridge full of favorites

We are all probably equally horrified how quickly we can spend a fortune on snacks and drinks. Kids seem to be bottomless pits when it comes to soda, snacks and general grazing. Take advantage of the fridge by loading it up with your family’s favorite snacks and beverages. The best part is you can also control what your family is eating, helping them stay healthy and happy.

6. Family time

One of the hardest things to find these days is family time. We all remember a slower time, a time when we all met around the dinner table and talked about our day. Of course, there are always so many things going on, like school, work, sports, and family obligations. One of the best things about having a kitchen is the ability to gather the family and enjoy some rare, but well deserved quality time together.

Whether you are looking to enjoy a spring or summer beach trip, now is the best time to book your Ocean Isle Beach vacation. We have a great selection of vacation homes featuring all the best amenities. If you need help finding your next vacation home, give us a call today at 800-727-922 or click the button below to begin planning your next beach vacation.