Grocery essentials for your vacation
Here’s a well-rounded list of grocery essentials for a Jersey Shore vacation rental, assuming you’re staying for a week and want a mix of easy meals, snacks, and beach-ready items. You can always scale it depending on group size and whether you plan to eat out often.
🥯 Breakfast Essentials
Eggs
Bread or bagels
Butter/margarine
Cereal or granola
Milk or plant-based milk
Coffee and filters (or pods)
Tea
Juice Fresh fruit (bananas, berries, oranges)
Yogurt
🥪 Lunch & Beach Snacks
Deli meats (turkey, ham, etc.)
Cheese slices
Lettuce, tomato, onion
Sandwich rolls or wraps
Peanut butter & jelly
Chips or pretzels
Crackers Hummus
Trail mix or granola bars
Fruit (apples, grapes—easy to grab and go)
🍝 Dinner Basics
Pasta and sauce
Rice or couscous
Grilled meat or veggie options (burgers, hot dogs, chicken, tofu)
Hot dog and burger buns
Frozen pizza or ready meals
Salad mix and dressing
Fresh veggies for roasting or grilling
Tacos or fajita fixings (tortillas, meat, beans, toppings)
🧂 Pantry & Condiments
Salt & pepper
Olive oil or cooking spray
Ketchup, mustard, mayo
Sugar or sweetener
Spices you like (e.g., garlic powder, Italian seasoning)
🥤 Drinks
Bottled water or refillable jug
Seltzer or soda
Beer, wine, or cocktails (if desired) Drink mixers (tonic, club soda, juice)
🍪 Treats & Extras
Ice cream or frozen treats
Cookies or snack cakes
S’mores supplies (graham crackers, chocolate, marshmallows)
🧻 Non-Food Essentials
Paper towels
Napkins
Dish soap & sponges
Trash bags
Ziplock bags or food storage containers
Aluminum foil &plastic wrap
Toilet paper (just in case!)
