Best Home-Cooked Meals for Your Beach Rental

Patio & Grill at Beach You To It

When we think of the beach along 30A, lots of our favorite things come to mind: white sand, crystal clear water, the sound of seagulls, and the ocean breeze wafting through the air.

Even in paradise, your family is still going to need to eat, which can be a daunting task to prepare beach-friendly meals that a large group will enjoy. Good news! Your Grayt 30A Vacations rental makes it easy with fully equipped eat-in kitchens and large outdoor eating spaces around the swimming pool or on covered porches.

Here are some of our favorite crowd-pleasing options that are quick and easy to prepare so you can spend more time with your toes in the sand and less hours in the kitchen (although, our kitchens are pretty Grayt).

Grill-Friendly Meals

Nearly all of our Grayt 30A beach rentals have grills, so take your meal prep outside!

Patio & Grill at Sunday Morning

Burger and Hot Dog Bar

Tried and true, grilled burgers and hot dogs are a must on a hot summer day! Make sure you’ve got the condiment staples covered—ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, pickles, sliced cheese, lettuce, and tomato, and you’re in business.

One tasty idea is to add the option of bleu cheese or pimento cheese to your burgers.

Grilled Kabobs

The theme here is quick and easy, so we recommend purchasing pre-skewered marinated chicken, beef, or veggies. Kabobs are easy to eat with minimal mess!

Grilled Corn on the Cob

A perfect side for just about anything on the grill! Spread corn with butter, chili powder, lime juice, and crumbled feta cheese. Wrap it in foil and place it on the grill for a tasty and economical option to go with those delicious burgers, hot dogs, or kabobs.

Kitchen at Off The Bucket List

Taco Night

Ground beef or shredded, cooked chicken can easily be turned into delicious tacos. Have both crunchy shells and soft taco tortillas on hand so everyone can choose what they prefer, but remember, this is vacation, so it’s OK to choose both!

Kid-friendly tip: Pick up small bags of your favorite nacho cheese or ranch-flavored tortilla chips and make nachos-in-a-bag. Easy to make and take outside for eating around the pool and even easier to clean up! Just throw away the bag!

The right toppings are essential! Pick up shredded cheese, lettuce, salsa, sour cream, and guacamole.

Quick sides: Tortilla chips and salsa or queso, Mexican rice, and black beans

Kitchen at Aerial View

Pasta Night 

Always a fan favorite for all ages, you can’t go wrong with a hearty pasta meal.

Big pans of baked ziti, fettuccini, or spaghetti and meatballs go a long way and are very economical to make for a large group.

Serve with garlic bread and a mini salad bar! Don’t forget the croutons and your family’s favorite salad dressings!

Kitchen at High Tide

Dessert

Are you really on vacation if you don’t have awesome dessert after dinner? If banana pudding sounds boring to you, it’s because you’ve never experienced it like this! Here is Paula Dean’s “Not Yo’ Mama’s Banana Pudding” recipe, and we can tell you from experience that it will become a fan favorite, specially requested year after year! This recipe is adjusted for a large crowd, and you’ll be glad because everyone will want seconds.

Paula Dean’s Banana Pudding for a Crowd (20–25 servings)

Ingredients:

·         2 (14 oz) cans sweetened condensed milk

·         2 (5 oz) boxes instant French vanilla pudding mix

·         3 cups cold milk

·         2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened

·         2 (12 oz) containers frozen whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed

·         12–14 bananas, sliced

·         4 bags Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies (or Nilla Wafers)

Instructions:

1.      Prepare the Dish(es):

Use 2 large 9x13-inch pans or one large catering tray. Line the bottom of each pan with 1½–2 bags of cookies. Add a generous layer of sliced bananas over the cookies.

2.      Make the Pudding Mixture:

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together:

·         2 cans sweetened condensed milk

·         2 boxes instant pudding mix

·         3 cups cold milk

In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.

Fold in the thawed Cool Whip to the cream cheese mixture.

3.      Combine Mixtures:

Gently fold the pudding mixture into the cream cheese/whipped topping mixture until fully blended and fluffy.

4.      Assemble:

Spread the pudding mixture over the banana layer evenly. Top with remaining cookies (1½–2 bags).

5.      Chill:

Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

Pro Tips:

·         Keep chilled in a cooler if serving outdoors (like at the beach).

·         Bring disposable bowls/spoons for easy cleanup.

·         Top each portion with extra whipped topping or a mint leaf for presentation.

No matter what’s on the menu, sharing meals together is one of the best parts of a beach vacation. Contact the Grayt 30A team to book your next family getaway!