Cooking Big Flavor on a Small Scale
Welcome to Leslie Cooks in a Van — where van life meets comfort food and creative road cooking.
Hi there! I’m Leslie — a passionate home chef who’s traded a stationary kitchen for life on the open road. Alongside my husband and our adventurous pup, I travel in our camper van as often as life allows, cooking flavorful meals from our tiny mobile kitchen.
What I love most about van life? The freedom to cook delicious, creative recipes anytime, anywhere. Whether we’re parked beside the beach, tucked into the woods, or making a quick roadside stop, I’ve learned you don’t need a full-size kitchen to make incredible food. With a little creativity (and a cast iron pan), camper van cooking can be just as satisfying as cooking at home.
Here on the blog, I share my favorite van life recipes, camper van meals, cooking gear, and road trip food tips — perfect for full-time nomads, weekend van travelers, and anyone curious about cooking in a small space. From cozy comfort food to fresh, campsite-inspired dishes, every recipe is designed to be practical, flavorful, and fun.
And don’t worry — while these meals are tested in a van kitchen, they can all be easily recreated in a traditional kitchen too.
Let’s cook, explore, and enjoy the journey together — one van-made meal at a time.
