Cottage time is about rest and relaxation, not hunting for missing ingredients at the closest convenience store – which, depending on where your cottage is, may not be all that convenient. The key to a hassle-free cottage weekend? Meal planning. To maximize your dock time, plan a simple weekend menu in advance and do one big shop before you go.

We’ve designed an affordable, low-fuss meal plan for a family of four to get you through the weekend — from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch with a few snacks in between. And we drew up a handy shopping list, too, which you can check against your cupboards before you head to the store. Now all you need to do is cross your fingers for sunshine!

Transportation Tips

Traffic makes timing unpredictable, so be sure to pack your perishable items carefully.

Use ice packs in coolers for frozen and refrigerated goods, and avoid opening them too often to keep the cool air in.
Wrap raw meats, poultry and seafood in individual re-sealable plastic bags to prevent leakage.
Keep raw meats compartmentalized as a group, in their own bag or box, to avoid the risk of contaminating other foods.
When you’re in the grocery store, pick up refrigerated and frozen goods last, to minimize their time at room temperature.
Always keep perishable foods cooler than 4°C (40°F).
Should any frozen foods defrost on the trip, don’t refreeze them — use them that same day.

Our Cottage Weekend Meal Plan

Friday

Dinner:

Rotisserie chicken
Potato salad from the deli
Kale Quinoa Feta Salad from the deli
Halved baguette topped with brie and sliced tomatoes
Vanilla ice cream topped with sliced strawberries

Saturday

Breakfast:

Warm all-butter croissants with fresh honey
Store-bought fresh fruit platter
Tea, coffee and/or fruit juice

Lunch:

Grilled salmon burgers on buns, with sliced tomatoes and onions, romaine lettuce and Citrus Honey Poppy Seed Dressing
Strawberry and Arugula Salad, made using apple cider vinegar instead of balsamic

Dinner:

Pork and Pineapple Skewers
Basmati rice
Raw veggies with hummus
Maple-Planked Stuffed S’mores

Sunday

Breakfast:

Bacon and eggs
Sautéed mushrooms
Toasted and buttered artisan bread
Tea, coffee and/or fruit juice

Lunch:

Cubano-Style Grilled Pork Wraps
Plain yogourt topped with fresh blueberries and a drizzle of honey

Snacks and Drinks

Granola bars (either store-bought or homemade — try our recipe for Chocolate Cherry Granola Bars)
Kettle chips
Mixed nuts
Sparkling water
Soda

Grocery Checklist

Print out this handy list, and then cross off each item once you’ve added it to your cart.

View and print your grocery checklist.