Published 14th January 2025
As a digital nomad, the world is truly your oyster as you eat your way around the globe — but what happens when you’re hungry and tired at the end of a busy day and the only cooking tools at your disposal are a kettle and a microwave?
We feel you and have all been there at some point!
We’ve put together a quick and easy “no cook” meal preparation guide for when a kitchen isn’t available and you really don’t want to fall back on fast foods or unhealthy snacks.
We’ve covered recipes from the most basic to the slightly more advanced so no matter where you are when it comes to cooking skills we hope there’s something here for you!
Useful no-cook tools for Digital Nomads on the move
While you may not always have access to a full kitchen, you can often count on these common appliances or make do with lightweight tools to whip up quick, easy and nutritious no-cook meals in minutes:
Electric Kettle – Most hotel rooms or hostels will have a kettle available. Kettles are handy for boiling the water needed for grains, noodles, and steaming veggies.
Microwave – A lifesaver for reheating, steaming, or even cooking meals from scratch. While microwaving isn’t always the best option it is sometimes the only option and can help you prepare something nutritious in little to no time.
Portable Blender – Compact and ideal for smoothies, soups, and even pancake batter. Buying a portable blender is perhaps a bit of a commitment if you are travelling, however, if you regularly drink smoothies or protein shakes, it’s a worthwhile investment
Knife and Cutting Board – A foldable cutting board and a small, sharp knife are compact and versatile. Do keep in mind that a knife will not go into hand luggage if you’re flying, but, if you are in a country and travelling around without flights it’s handy to have a small cutting board and knife to prepare easy meals on the road and in places without a kitchen. When you’re at the end of your travels pass it onto another digital nomad at the beginning of their travels!
When shopping for ingredients, prioritise items that are versatile, portable, and have a longer shelf life, such as oats, canned beans, rice noodles, nut butters, and dried fruit.
Quick and easy no-cook recipes for digital nomads
For days when you’re short on time, tools, or energy, these no-cook recipes will come to the rescue:
Rainbow Wraps
Ingredients
Whole-grain tortillas or rice paper wraps
Pre-washed salad greens and/or purple cabbage
Shredded carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers
Avocado
Hummus
Instructions – Spread hummus on the wrap, pile on the veggies, roll tightly, cut in half and enjoy! For added protein, toss in canned chickpeas or shredded chicken.
Overnight Oats
Ingredients
Rolled oats
Plant-based or regular milk
Chia seeds
Fresh or dried fruit, nuts, and a drizzle of honey
Instructions – Combine all ingredients in a jar, stir, and refrigerate overnight. By morning, you’ll have a creamy, nutrient-packed breakfast to enjoy and to kick your day off with!
Mediterranean Bean Salad
Ingredients
Canned chickpeas or white beans (drained and rinsed)
Cherry tomatoes, diced cucumbers, and red onions
Olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper
Instructions – Simply toss all the ingredients in a bowl for a hearty and tasty, protein-rich salad that’s ready to eat in minutes. For a bit of a kick throw in a few chillies, a splash of chilli sauce or chilli flakes
Smart no-cook hacks for minimal kitchens
Kettle Cooking
As the famous saying goes, necessity is the mother of all invention. Believe it or not, kettle cooking is a thing and unsurprisingly inmates behind bars often only have a kettle at their disposal and find innovative ways to cook themselves meals using nothing but a kettle.
Hopefully, you’re not behind bars, but still, a kettle can be a versatile tool for preparing tasty and nutritious no-cook meals quickly and easily and is almost always available, even in a hotel room.
We’ve provided a few no-cook kettle-cooking recipes below to provide some minimalist cooking inspiration.
Chickpea Kettle Soup – a tasty chickpea soup you can prepare when you have nothing more than a kettle on hand (watch the video above to see how it’s done)
Steamed Veggies – Add chopped vegetables to a heat-safe bowl, pour boiling water over them, cover with a lid or plate, and let sit for 5-10 minutes.
Instant Couscous or Quinoa – Combine grains and boiling water in a bowl, optionally season with some spices like chilli powder, paprika, cumin powder, salt and lemon juice, cover, and let steam until fluffy (around 10 or 15 mins). Add a can of drained chickpeas or other pre-cooked beans and eat with some yoghurt on the side. For extra flavour add some feta cheese to the couscous or quinoa.
Eggs in a Kettle – If you eat eggs, place them directly in the kettle with water and boil for hard-boiled perfection (be sure to clean the kettle thoroughly afterwards).
Rice & Veg (or meat)– cook one part rice with two parts water in a kettle, throw in some diced vegetables, tofu or chicken, boil once and then transfer to a thermos flask. Let the rice and other ingredients cook inside the thermos and in around an hour you have a warm and filling meal. Add your preferred seasoning for some extra flavour.
Microwave Mastery
Microwave egg fried rice – watch the short video above, quick and easy!
Microwave Scrambled Eggs – Whisk eggs in a microwave-safe bowl, add a splash of milk, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between, until cooked.
Sweet Potato Heaven – Poke holes in a sweet potato, microwave for 5-7 minutes, and top with nut butter, cinnamon, and a sprinkle of nuts or seeds.
Steamed Veggies – Place chopped veggies in a microwave-safe container with a splash of water, cover loosely, and heat for 2-4 minutes.
Tips for Vegans, Vegetarians, and Those With Food Intolerances
If you are vegan, vegetarian or perhaps intolerant to gluten, things can sometimes get extra tricky when on the road.
We’ve put together a few simple tips to help make mealtime easier
Vegan
Stock up on versatile protein sources like canned beans, tofu (often available in vacuum-sealed packs), nut butters, and seeds.
Nutritional yeast is a lightweight, travel-friendly way to add a cheesy flavour and boost B12.
Vegetarian
Hard cheeses like Parmesan travel well and can elevate simple dishes.
Eggs are affordable, available in most places and packed with protein.
Gluten-Free Travelers
Rice noodles and corn tortillas are globally available gluten-free options.
Look for naturally gluten-free grains like quinoa and millet in local markets.
Dairy-Free
Shelf-stable plant-based milks (almond, soy, or oat) are excellent for cooking and drinking.
Coconut milk adds richness to soups and curries.
Minimising food waste
Digital nomads often struggle with wasting perishable ingredients. Here’s how to reduce waste while staying nourished:
Buy Smaller Quantities – Purchase only what you need for a few meals, especially fresh produce. While this may sound obvious it’s really worth being extra conscious when grocery shopping during your nomad travels.
Share or Swap – If staying in hostels or shared accommodations, check for communal fridges where travellers leave behind ingredients. Use them before buying ingredients and leave your unused ingredients behind when you leave thus paying it forward.
Plan Versatile Meals – Use the same ingredients in multiple dishes. For example, a bag of spinach can go into wraps, salads, and even smoothies. A carton of Couscous or a bag of rice can make several different meals.
Sharing is caring – one of the beauties of life as a digital nomad is the community aspect. Why not cook and eat together as a group if you are staying in a co-living for instance. It’s great for connecting with your fellow co-livers and if all goes well there’s no food left over to go to waste!
For the aspiring digital nomad gourmet
If you have access to a kitchen or even a basic kitchenette and want to up your cooking game, try these easy yet impressive dishes:
One-Pot Lentil Curry
Watch the video above showing you how to make a nutritious one-pot curry using curry paste and a selection of vegetables or try the recipe below using coconut milk.
Ingredients
Lentils (canned or dried)
Coconut milk
Curry powder or paste
Vegetables of your choice
Instructions – Simmer all ingredients in one pot until the lentils are tender. Serve with rice or flatbread.
Shakshuka-Inspired Dish
Ingredients
Olive oil
Canned tomatoes or passata
Onions and garlic
Spices (paprika, cumin, chilli powder)
Eggs (or tofu for a vegan twist)
Instructions – Fry onions and garlic in the olive oil making sure not to burn the garlic. Throw in the tomatoes with spices, crack eggs (or crumble tofu) into the sauce and let it simmer, and cook until set. Pair with crusty bread or pita.
Microwave version
If you don’t have a kitchen to fry the onions and garlic you can make the same in a microwave by putting a little olive oil in a microwavable bowl, mixing the spices, minced garlic and tinned tomatoes or passata and pouring it into the bowl. Make a space and crack open an egg into the space and prick the yolk with a sharp knife, cover with cling film and microwave on full power for one minute and then 20-second bursts until the white of the egg is set.
Plate up, garnish with fresh coriander or parsley and drizzle some extra virgin olive oil over the top.
This meal also goes really well with hummus and yoghurt on the side.
Indian essential – Add some spice no matter where you are with Lasan ni Chutney!
If you are a fan of spicy food and garlic you can make a simple garlic chilli chutney that you’ll find at the table of practically every Indian family called Lasan ni chutney (garlic chutney). You can add the “no cook” instant lasan ni chutney to any meal, have it on the side or even on a slice of buttered toast.
Ingredients
Fresh garlic or buy a jar of ready-minced garlic in the supermarket
Sea salt
Olive oil
Chilli powder
Lemon
Coriander or basil leaves (optional)
How to prepare instant Lasan ni chutney
If you have fresh garlic and a garlic press you can quickly mince the garlic or otherwise buy some ready minced garlic from the supermarket. Note that if you buy ready minced garlic it can already have salt added so you most likely won’t need to add more salt.
Add sea salt if using fresh garlic, chilli powder and a splash of olive oil to the garlic and mix into a thick paste. Mix the ingredients together to the ratio that suits your taste buds.
Store in a small jar. The lasan ni chutney will keep for a while without being refrigerated and can travel with you. Ensure there’s enough oil in there to preserve it but not too much oil.
A Final Note: Embrace the minimalist cooking experience as you eat your way around the world
Cooking while travelling may feel like a challenge at times, but it’s also an opportunity to connect with local cultures, discover local ingredients and is part of the fun of travelling as a digital nomad.
Whether you’re whipping up overnight oats in a hostel or mastering a quick shakshuka in a kitchenette, these meals prove that eating well on the road doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive.
With a little creativity, effort and these tips in your cooking arsenal, you’ll always be ready to nourish your body and soul — no matter where in the world your journey takes you.
Do you have any favourite no-cook or low-cook recipes you would like to share? If you so leave them in the comments or get in touch with us with your suggestions
