Girls' Trip Grocery List

Stock the fridge with this tried-and-true girls' trip grocery list perfect for a sojourn with friends

There is nothing I enjoy more than spending time with my girlfriends, many who live well beyond my home base on Chicago’s Northside. My husband has a lot of hobbies: motorcycle building, racing, and sailboat racing on Lake Michigan. Me? Traveling to see my girlfriends is my hobby. He goes to the workshop or the harbor; I go to O'Hare—and then beyond.

Photo by Ellen O'Donnell

I'm lucky to have friends who say yes not only to last-minute trips, but also to increasing the number of trips we take every year. An annual get-together just isn't cutting it anymore. Though we have jobs and families, pets and responsibilities, but we almost always carve out time for a quick weekend when needed.

We love to rent houses when we travel. We like the freedom to relax and be ourselves, but mostly we like having a kitchen. With that comes the issue of getting groceries into the house. Ideally, you want them right when you arrive, before sunset, so you can enjoy a glass of something while catching up.

In some places you can arrange delivery for a few key items to get you through the evening and breakfast. In others, you have to plan where to pop out for what you need. Once groceries are sorted, the rest of the location is yours—to lounge beside the pool, to enjoy the view, or to explore the neighborhood. There's no better feeling than getting groceries sorted so you can relax and enjoy the rest of your stay.

Here's my go-to grocery list for a group of 5-8 friends staying in a rental house for a long weekend or a week, followed by a few easy recipes for those nights you (and your credit card) need a break from restaurants.

• 

APPETIZERS & SNACKS

Crudités Platter

Slice up red peppers, cucumber, celery, and broccoli with hummus and ranch dressing on the side.

Cheese Plate

Slices of apples and strawberries with cheddar, manchego, and turkey slices

Poolside Snack

A bowl of corn chips with salsa

BREAKFAST IDEAS

Fruit Salad

Sliced strawberries, blueberries, mango, and banana, served with a side of granola and yogurt

Bagels & Cream Cheese

Pre-slice bagels and arrange on a platter with cream cheese and strawberry jam on the side (don't toast in advance—they'll dry out before everyone gets up)

Breakfast Burritos

The breakfast burrito recipe that's fueled years of trips—easy to make, endlessly customizable, and perfect to make the night before. Get the recipe here.

LAZY DAY LUNCH

Lazy Day Pasta Salad

Invented by my bestie Rachel one weekend at a beachside rental in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. For years, we called it "Puerto Rican Pasta Salad," because that's where our recipe originated. You can find the recipe here.

LAST NIGHT FRIDGE CLEAN-OUT

We have a tradition of staying in on the last night and eating as much of the fridge contents as possible. Here's a rundown of what we do or get the recipe for the full spread here.

Roasted Veggie Antipasto

Toss leftover veggies on a sheet pan with olive oil, salt, and pepper and roast

Hummus Tapenade Toast

Spread leftover hummus on toasted bread and top with sliced cheese and tomatoes.

Simple Dinner Combo

Stick the frozen pizza in the oven and serve with a simple salad of lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and onion.

Pasta Primavera

If you still have pasta, toss it with leftover vegetables, olive oil, Italian seasoning, and tomato.

You’ll be surprised how quickly you can fill up on being creative and have a nice and restful night in before your travels home. And hopefully, less food goes to waste.ß