Grilling on your campervan trip – tips, recipes and smart advice

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: October 2026 | We think grilling is part of a motorhome trip! There's something special about cooking outside, perhaps after a day full of experiences, and then settling down outside the motorhome for a delicious dinner. With us, it's usually Peter who takes on the role of grill master, and over the years there have been many barbecue dinners on trips in both Sweden and Europe.

But grilling on a motorhome trip also means a little different to think about than at home. Which grill is the easiest to bring? Can you grill at the campsite? What should you think about when it's dry and the risk of fire is high? Here we collect our experiences, Peter's best grilling tips and some really simple favorites to put on the grill.

Grilling is part of the campervan trip

One of the things we like about RV life is that the line between inside and outside is almost blurred. When the weather permits, you spend a lot of time outside the RV, and then it feels natural to move the cooking outside as well.

We have barbecued at campsites and motorhomes, by the sea and in the countryside, at home in Sweden and during long trips through Europe. Sometimes it's a nice piece of meat or a whole fish, other times something much simpler.

And simple is often best when traveling. A few skewers, a corn on the cob or a fish on the grill can be just what you're craving after a long day on the road.

Which grill is suitable for a motorhome trip?

There are of course different types of grills to choose from, and what suits you best depends on how you travel, how much space you have, and what you like to grill.

Gas grill

We like gas grills when we travel with a camper. They are quick to start and, above all, easy to control the heat. You also don't have to deal with charcoal and ash afterwards.

However, this does not mean that a gas grill can always be used everywhere. In cases of high fire risk or fire bans, special rules may apply, and campsites may also have their own regulations.

Charcoal grill

For many, charcoal and embers are the very essence of grilling. The downside of traveling is that you have to handle both charcoal and hot ashes. Embers can last much longer than you think, so the charcoal must be completely extinguished before it is thrown away.

At some campsites and in some areas, charcoal grills are not allowed, at least during parts of the year.

Electric grill

An electric grill can be a convenient option at a campsite where there is access to electricity. Here too, of course, you need to check what applies at the location in question.

Which grill is best? It depends. For us, LPG has often been practical on motorhome trips, but the most important thing is to choose a grill that works for the way you travel.

Can you barbecue at a campsite?

You are often allowed to grill at campsites, but never assume that it is automatically allowed. Campsites may have their own rules and in cases of high fire risk or fire bans, additional restrictions may apply.

When traveling abroad, it is especially important to find out what applies locally. The rules can differ between different countries and regions – and even between two campsites on the same trip. Some basic safety rules are good to always have with you:

• Never grill inside your camper, awning or tent.
• Place the grill firmly on a flat, non-flammable surface.
• Keep a safe distance from campers, caravans, tents and other flammable objects. The Swedish Fire Protection Association recommends at least one meter.
• Never leave a lit grill unattended.
• Check hoses and connections if you use gas and keep the gas bottle upright.
• Make sure coals and embers are completely extinguished before throwing them away.
• It is a good idea to have a fire extinguisher and fire blanket readily available in the motorhome.

And above all: always check the current regulations on site. What worked at yesterday's campsite may not be allowed at today's.

Peter's best grilling tips

Peter usually does the grilling for us. Over the years, he has tried out different grills and different ways of cooking. Here are some of his most important lessons.

1. Control the heat

Grilling isn't about getting the grill as hot as possible and then throwing everything on it. Different ingredients need different amounts of heat and different cooking times.

On a gas grill, it's easy to adjust the temperature, which is one of the reasons we like it when traveling.

2. Use direct and indirect heat

A good way to grill a larger piece of meat is to first give it a nice grilling surface over high direct heat and then let it finish over lower, indirect heat.

The same principle can be used for many other things that need longer time on the grill without getting burned on the outside.

3. Use a thermometer

This is perhaps Peter's most important grilling tip. With a thermometer, you don't have to guess whether the food is ready.

The appropriate internal temperature varies depending on what you are grilling, the cut of meat and the desired result, so check the recommendation for the specific ingredient you are cooking rather than relying on a single temperature chart.

4. Keep food cold until it's time

In the past, people often got the advice to let the meat sit out and come to room temperature before grilling. That's not something we need to do. Meat and fish are best kept refrigerated until they're ready to cook. When traveling in a motorhome, it's of course extra important to think about the cold chain when it's hot outside.

5. Adapt the grilling to the ingredient

A thin fish fillet, a whole seabream and a thick piece of meat should not be treated the same. For example, fish can be grilled whole, wrapped in foil or grilled on lemon slices if it otherwise risks sticking or falling apart. Vegetables and smaller pieces work well on skewers.

6. Give the grilling some attention

Peter usually claims that the grill master has a mission – and then you don't walk away from it. There's something to that. Grilling is rarely made better by stress. Prepare the accessories, keep an eye on the food and let it take its time. On a motorhome holiday, you're hopefully not in such a hurry anyway.

What do we usually grill on the trip?

We like to vary our meals, but we like to keep them fairly simple. A campervan holiday is not the time when we want to use seven pots and fifteen different ingredients.

Whole fish

Whole fish is a favorite on the grill. We especially like seabream, or golden bream/dorada, which has firm flesh and is great for grilling whole with lemon, olive oil and herbs. It's also the kind of dish that, for us, tastes like a holiday in southern Europe.

READ MORE: Grilled golden shrimp with herbaceous citrus sauce

Meat

A great piece of meat doesn't need much more than the right grilling and a few simple accessories. This is where a thermometer comes in handy, especially when it comes to thicker pieces.

Skewer

Skewers are great for a group of people. Set out different ingredients and let everyone create their own skewers.

It can be meat, chicken, fish, halloumi and various vegetables. It's also an easy way to solve dinner when the group has different food preferences.

Vegetables and corn on the cob

Peppers, zucchini, onions, mushrooms and other vegetables are easy to put on the grill. Corn on the cob is another favorite that requires hardly any work at all.

Halloumi

Halloumi has become a recurring grill favorite with us. It can be grilled as is or mixed with vegetables on skewers.

Potatoes in foil

Sliced potatoes and onions along with butter and herbs in a foil packet is a simple side dish that can take care of itself on the grill while the rest of the food is being prepared.

Three simple sauces for barbecue

On a motorhome trip, the side dishes should be ones that can just be stirred together in a bowl. Here are three cold sauces that we've made many times over the years.

Feta cheese stir-fry

Mash the feta cheese and mix with crème fraiche. Season with basil and thyme, as well as a little salt and pepper. This mixture goes well with chicken and grilled vegetables, among other things.

Honey and garlic sauce

Mix cooking yogurt or crème fraiche with a dollop of mayonnaise, a little honey and pressed garlic. Season with salt and pepper. A simple sauce that goes well with grilled meat.

Herb and citrus sauce

Mix cooking yogurt with a little olive oil, squeezed lemon or lime, herbs, a little honey and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Season with salt and pepper. We like this especially with fish.

Don't forget dessert on the grill

When we asked readers for their best grilling tips many years ago, we got tons of ideas. One of the tips was so simple and summery that it still deserves a place.

Grilled strawberries and nectarines

Thread pieces of strawberries and nectarines onto skewers and grill them when dinner is ready and the heat has cooled down a bit. Serve the warm fruit with cold vanilla ice cream. It's hard to find a simpler grill dessert.

Banana with chocolate

Another classic is to cut a slice into a banana, stuff it with pieces of chocolate and heat the banana on the grill until the chocolate has melted. Not exactly fine dining – but very tasty on a warm evening outside the camper.

What do you like to grill on the road?

For us, grilling, food, and life outside the campervan go hand in hand. Some grills are a little more ambitious, while others consist of whatever we happened to find in a shop along the way. Both variations can be just as enjoyable.

What do you usually put on the grill when you're on a camping or RV vacation? Do you have a simple favorite that always comes with you on the trip?