Stocking up on staples like nut butter and crackers can help keep vacation hunger at bay.  

If you’re heading to a rental house for a weekend, a week, or all month long, you don’t want to show up empty-handed, expecting to prepare dinners for the family. Because chances are that all you’re going to find is a few dull knives and a bottle of expired canola oil. Instead, come prepared with these must-have ingredients and gadgets to stock any rental kitchen so you can enjoy delicious meals from morning to night. 

If you’re packing light or traveling by air, it might be easier to have these vacation kitchen essentials delivered so everything is there when you show up. Hungryroot and Instacart are great services to stock up on basics, as well as fresh produce and complete meals. Fortunately, because most of these pantry essentials are shelf-stable, you can find them online.

If you plan to do any cooking, or even just to toss together a simple side salad, you don’t want to be without a tasty olive oil. Graza makes premium oils for cooking (Sizzle) and dressing (Drizzle) that come in portable and easy-to-squirt squeeze bottles. 

Though most vacation homes have an old bag of beans in the bottom of the freezer, it’s a safer bet to pack your own. And unless you’re a true coffee snob, it’s easier to go with ground beans over whole, unless you want to bring your own grinder as well. Lavazza Qualita Oro ground coffee is a tasty medium roast that comes in a packable and spill-resistant can. 

Beat blandness by packing jars of your favorite spices. You can choose tasty spice blends, such as any of the Spicewalla Grill Seasonings, to add extra flavor without a load of jars. Or, opt for a few classic spices that are versatile enough for a variety of dishes. Cumin, paprika, and dried herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme are all useful options. 

If you’re showing up to the rental house after a post-work drive, you’re going to want to have a few bites on hand to hold yourself and others over until dinner. Olives are a great go-to app that require zero prep work. Stash several pouches of Freestyle Snacks Olive Snack Packs to keep hanger at bay. 

If you won’t have time to hit up a grocery store, or you’re making an escape to a remote area, pack some protein with you. Wild Planet wild salmon, sardines, and anchovies are all tasty and simple additions to pastas, sandwiches, salads, and even breakfast scrambles. 

Another easy-to-pack flavor enhancer for your kitchen pantry: Jarred tomato sauce. Quality matters big time with store-bought sauce, so choose a tasty marinara or arrabbiata from Rao’s, and you’ll know it will be delish. For some new flavors, try any of Haven’s Kitchen’s fresh marinades, sauces, and dressings, which come in squeezable pouches. 

Drizzle Momofuku Chili Crunch over nearly any dish to infuse it with spicy, garlicky, crunchy flavor. You can expect this jar to disappear quickly!

There’s nothing worse than getting ready to tuck into your first vacation glass of wine, only to discover that there’s no corkscrew in sight. Bring this simple, packable bottle opener that includes a foil cutter to get through any bartending emergency.

From snacks to breakfasts to sauces, it seems that there’s little that nut butter can’t do. Plus, it’s easily stashed in a backpack. You won’t regret having a jar of Justin’s classic almond butter on hand. 

What good vacation doesn’t include a movie night? Fuel yours with Opopop microwave popcorn. The kernels come in slim containers, so there’s no giant pre-popped cellophane bag to wrestle into your suitcase. Plus, they have fun and classic flavors like Salty Caramel and Like Buddah. Or, if you prefer to let everyone flavor their own snack, pick up a few flavors of La Tourangelle popcorn spray. 

When you have a solid supply of noodles and pasta on hand, you’re always just a few minutes away from a satisfying meal. Pack a variety so you don’t get tired of the same signature spaghetti. Lotus Foods Rice Ramen noodles can be cooked on their own or made with the included seasoning packet for a quick, elevated instant-noodle night at home. For an Italian night, pack a few boxes of your favorite short-cut pasta, which is great with a variety of sauces. 

From dressing salads to finishing sauces with a hit of acid, you’ll want to keep a bottle of vinegar on hand. Kosterina Balsamic Vinegar is thick and flavorful enough to elevate a simple salad. For cooking, consider Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar.

If you’re traveling with a cooler, bring your own cheeses. That way, you’re not at the mercy of the local shop. LaClare Creamery goat cheeses are the perfect texture to spread on crackers pre-dinner. But they also melt wonderfully into sauces and baked goods. Plus, you can stock up on flavors like Chipotle Honey and Everything Bagel Spice. For dairy-free friends, pick up a Spero spread, made from sunflower seeds. 

If you’re taking a trip with a group, no one wants to be responsible for feeding a crowd three meals a day. Pack several pouches of heat-and-eat proteins and sides like A Dozen Cousins Seasoned Beans and rice. 

Of course, you don’t want to show up with a cooler full of cheese and nothing crisp to smear it on. Grab a box (or several) of Maine Crisp Wild Blueberry Crisps for a sweet-savory appetizer. 

It’s vacation, after all, and you deserve a sweet ending to your days. Tote along a few of your favorite chocolate bars or cookies to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Lizzy Briskin is a freelance food writer and product reviewer. She runs the content creation business Earthen Food Co (https://earthenfood.co/), where she develops and photographs recipes, shares food stories and her (usually strong) opinions about all things related to cooking and eating. She's also a trained chef and marathon runner who lives in Boston. Contact her at lizzy@earthenfood.co and follow on Instagram @lizzybriskin.