Having dinner on a boat is an exciting way to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Whether you’re looking for a romantic evening or just want to have some fun with your friends, there’s nothing quite like eating dinner on the water. But if you don’t have a lot of experience cooking on a boat, it can be intimidating and overwhelming.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide with 11 easy dinners on a boat that are perfect for having dinner with friends and family while out to sea. These delicious meals will make sure everyone enjoys their time spent at sea while giving them plenty of energy throughout the night!

With simple ingredients that won’t break your budget and easy-to-follow instructions, these recipes will help make your mealtime as enjoyable as possible.

So grab your fishing rods and set sail – it’s time to explore all the possibilities of dining aboard!

Grilled Fish

Grilled fish is a great option for dinner on a boat, because it’s easy to prepare, requires minimal ingredients, and tastes delicious. Before you start grilling, make sure to clean and season your fish with salt, pepper, and lemon juice. This will help to keep the moisture in the fish and give it an extra flavor boost.

Once you’re ready to cook, wrap the fish in aluminum foil and place it over hot coals. Grill for about 10 minutes on each side, or until the fish is cooked through. Serve with a side of grilled vegetables or a simple salad.

Pasta Salad

Pasta salad is a versatile and easy-to-prepare meal that can be made ahead of time and stored in the cooler. Simply cook the pasta, add your favorite vegetables, and toss with a flavorful dressing.

For a delicious twist, try adding some cooked salmon or tuna to the dish. This will add color and protein to your meal and make it even more satisfying.

Sandwiches

Sandwiches are an ideal option for dinner on a boat, as they can be quickly and easily prepared with minimal ingredients. They provide a convenient way to enjoy a filling meal without having to spend hours slaving away in the kitchen. Plus, they’re great for picnics, beach days, and more!

Sandwiches can be as simple or as elaborate as you’d like. For a classic combination, try topping some toasted bread with lettuce, tomato, and cheese. Alternatively, spice things up by preparing an open-faced sandwich topped with your favorite ingredients.

Quesadillas

Quesadillas are a perfect dinner option for those who are out on the boat. Since they require minimal ingredients and equipment, it’s easy to make them with whatever you have on board.

To begin making quesadillas, gather your ingredients and heat up a griddle or pan. If you’re using a griddle, set the temperature to medium-high heat. If you’re using a pan, heat it over medium heat.

Next, layer your ingredients onto one half of the tortilla and fold it in half. Place the quesadilla on the griddle or pan and cook for about three minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy. Serve with salsa and sour cream.

Fish Tacos

Fish tacos are a quick and easy way to make dinner on a boat. Not only are they delicious, but they can be assembled quickly with minimal ingredients, making them perfect for a meal on the go.

To make fish tacos, start by preparing the fish of your choice. This can be grilled, fried, or baked – whatever suits your taste. Once the fish is cooked through, it’s time to assemble the tacos.

Start by heating up some tortillas in a frying pan over medium-high heat until they’re lightly browned and crispy around the edges. Then top each tortilla with your favorite toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, avocado, and cheese – whatever you prefer!

Finally, layer your cooked fish onto each taco shell and serve with a side of salsa or sour cream for extra flavor.

One of the great things about fish tacos is that you can easily customize them to your liking depending on what ingredients you have onboard your boat. There are endless possibilities when it comes to topping combinations and sauces so you never get bored with this dish!

Plus, since it only requires basic cooking skills (like grilling or baking) anyone can make these tasty tacos without any hassle.

Pizza

Pizza is the perfect boat food for a party, as it requires minimal ingredients and preparation time. It’s also a crowd-pleaser that can be customized to suit various tastes and dietary needs. To make pizza on board, start by gathering your ingredients such as pizza dough, sauce, cheese, and any toppings you’d like to use.

When it comes to making the perfect boat party pizza, fresh basil is essential. Its unique flavor adds depth and complexity to the dish that you just can’t get with dried or jarred herbs – making it an absolute must-have for any boat meal.

Adding some freshly chopped basil leaves when assembling your pizza will give the dish a delicious boost of freshness and aroma that everyone will love.

Once you have all your ingredients ready, it’s time to assemble the pizza! Start by rolling out the dough onto parchment paper or a floured surface before transferring it onto a baking sheet or pan.

Top with sauce, cheese, olive oil, and your favorite toppings such as tomato sauce before finally adding some chopped basil for extra flavor. Place in a preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and crispy around the edges.

It’s best served piping hot with a side of salad or roasted vegetables to balance out the flavors. For extra fun, why not set up an assembly line with different toppings so everyone can customize their own? This way everyone gets what they want, pizza is by far one of the easy boat food recipes for boat parties.

Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers are a delicious and easy way to enjoy dinner while aboard a boat. To make them, start by gathering the necessary ingredients including bell peppers, ground beef or turkey, cooked rice, diced tomatoes, cheddar cheese, onion, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

Begin by prepping the bell peppers by removing the tops and seeds. Next, brown the ground beef in a skillet with the diced onions. Add in the cooked rice, tomatoes, and seasonings before filling each bell pepper with the mixture.

Top them off with cheddar cheese and bake for about 25 minutes or until the peppers are tender. Serve alongside your favorite side dish for a complete meal.

Potato Salad

Potato salad is an excellent option for dinner on a boat. It’s a classic side dish that can be easily made with minimal ingredients and without having to spend hours slaving away in the kitchen.

Plus, it goes well with many other dishes like sandwiches, quesadillas, fish tacos, or even pizza!

To begin making potato salad on a boat, start by boiling potatoes until they are fork-tender. Once cooked, drain and rinse them before transferring them to a bowl to cool. While the potatoes cool off, dice some onion and cut up celery (optional) for added flavor and texture.

Next, mix together mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), mustard, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl until combined. Once everything is ready to go, combine the potatoes with the onion and celery and pour the dressing overtop. Gently toss everything together until all of the ingredients are evenly distributed.

For additional flavor, try adding hard-boiled eggs or cooked bacon bits to your potato salad. These ingredients will add color as well as protein to your meal while also making it more satisfying.

If you want to get creative with your dish you can also mix in some diced pickles or shredded cheese too!

Once finished preparing your potato salad, transfer it into an airtight container for storage on the boat. You can enjoy it as-is or serve it alongside seafood dishes like grilled salmon or shrimp tacos for an extra flavorful meal.

Chowder

Chowder is a hearty and comforting dish that makes a great dinner option while on the boat. The best part about making chowder on a boat is that it requires minimal ingredients and can be cooked using only one pot.

To get started, you’ll need some type of creamy base like milk, cream, or butter along with vegetables, potatoes, and seafood or chicken.

Begin by sautéing your favorite vegetables in the butter – onions, celery, garlic, and carrots are all good options. Once the vegetables have softened, add in potato cubes and stir for another few minutes until they begin to soften up.

Pour in your creamy base of choice, stir to combine, and bring the mixture to a boil. When it starts to boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer until the potatoes are tender enough to eat.

For added flavor, try adding some fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for an extra boost of flavor. If you’d like to make this dish more filling, you can also add in some cooked chicken or seafood such as shrimp or cod fillets.

Chowder is a flexible dish so don’t be afraid to get creative! You can try adding different vegetables like spinach or zucchini as well as other spices like cayenne pepper for added heat.

If you’re feeling adventurous, toss in some diced bacon at the beginning of cooking for even more flavor depth.

Chowder pairs nicely with many side dishes including tossed salads topped with cheese crumbles or roasted veggies like cauliflower and Brussels sprouts drizzled with olive oil prior to roasting.

Serve these sides with crusty sourdough bread for an extra-hearty meal that will surely please everyone aboard.

Kebabs

Kebabs are an easy and delicious dish to make while on the boat. This one-pan meal can be quickly put together without having to invest too much time in the kitchen.

To begin making kebabs for your boat dinner, start by preheating your oven or grill to medium-high heat. While it’s heating up, soak wooden skewers in water for at least 10 minutes so they don’t burn while cooking.

Next, prepare the ingredients of your choice and cut them into cubes that are roughly the same size – onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, squash, pineapple, cherry tomatoes, and zucchini are all excellent options.

Place the cubes in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil before adding some spices like garlic powder or paprika as well as freshly chopped herbs like oregano or rosemary for extra flavor.

Toss everything together until evenly coated before threading it onto skewers – make sure not to overcrowd each skewer!

Once all of your kebabs have been prepared, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil and bake or grill for 15-20 minutes until cooked through and lightly charred around the edges.

Once they’re ready to serve, transfer them onto a plate and serve with flavorful sides like couscous tossed with vegetables, quinoa salad topped with feta cheese crumbles, hummus dip made from chickpeas and tahini sauce, or crunchy coleslaw dressed in a light lemon vinaigrette.

Kebabs can also be served as an appetizer by cutting off smaller pieces from each skewer and serving them on toothpicks with a side of dipping sauce such as tzatziki or chimichurri.

For a lighter option try serving lettuce cups filled with grilled kebab pieces along with diced tomatoes and cucumbers for added texture and crunch.

Stir-Fry

Stir-fry is an easy and tasty way to bring a boat party to life! With a few simple ingredients and some cleverly added spices, you can quickly whip up delicious boat snacks that everyone will love.

To begin with your stir-fry, heat some oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Once the oil is hot, add in the vegetables of your choice – diced onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, squash, carrots, celery, bok choy, snap peas or snow peas are all excellent options.

Stir-fry the vegetables until they are lightly cooked but still crisp and then add in spices such as curry powder or chili flakes as well as freshly chopped herbs like cilantro and basil.

Next up comes protein – cubed chicken breasts are great for this dish but you can also use firm tofu if you’re looking for a vegetarian option. Add the protein to the pan and continue stir-frying until everything is cooked through.

For extra flavor and texture, try adding in some nuts like cashews or peanuts as well as dried fruits like raisins or cranberries at this stage.

Once all of your ingredients are combined, pour in a few tablespoons of soy sauce along with some rice wine vinegar or sesame oil for added flavor.

Reduce the heat to low and allow the mixture to simmer until it has reached a desired consistency before serving warm over steamed jasmine rice or noodles.

For even more flavor depth you can also add sauces such as hoisin sauce or oyster sauce into the stir-fry towards the end of cooking – adjust according to taste. To finish off the dish with an extra touch of brightness and color you can sprinkle over some sliced green onions just before serving.

Stir-fries make great boat snacks because they’re easy to make yet full of flavor – perfect for feeding hungry guests while keeping prep time minimal! Plus they’re incredibly versatile so don’t be afraid to mix things up with whatever ingredients you have available on board.

{BONUS} Finger Food Ideas for Boating

We didn’t want to leave you with just 11 easy boat food ideas, nope! We had to include a bonus list of delicious finger food ideas you can host at your next boat party!

Mini Sandwiches

Try stuffing bread with deli meat, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and other favorite ingredients like pesto or olive tapenade for an easy yet delicious boat food idea.

Vegetable Spring Rolls

Wrap up crunchy vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers and bell peppers in thin rice paper wrappers then serve them with a side of sweet chili or teriyaki dipping sauce.

Grilled Skewers

Cut up vegetables like eggplant, mushrooms, zucchini and peppers into cubes then thread them onto skewers and grill them to perfection over a medium heat. Serve with hummus, tzatziki or sour cream dip.

Cheese Platter

Set up an impressive cheese platter with a variety of cheeses such as cheddar, brie, blue cheese and feta accompanied by slices of fruits like apples, pears, and grapes plus some crackers or slices of toasted baguette.

Deviled Eggs

Hard-boil some eggs ahead of time then cut them in half lengthwise before scooping out the yolks into a bowl. Add mayonnaise, mustard, salt, pepper, and other seasonings, such as fresh basil, then mix together until you get a smooth paste – spoon this mixture back into the egg halves and garnish with parsley or paprika.

Fried Ravioli

To make fried ravioli, simply stuff store-bought won ton wrappers with a small amount of cheese then seal the edges. Fry in hot oil until golden brown before sprinkling over some fresh herbs such as basil or thyme for an extra touch of flavor during your next boat trip.

Nachos

Layer tortilla chips, melted cheese, chopped tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, and other favorite toppings on a baking tray then bake for 10 minutes in a preheated oven. Serve warm with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole!

Charcuterie Board

For an impressive yet surprisingly simple boat food idea, set up a charcuterie board with cured meats, seasonal fruits and vegetables, nuts, jams, honeycomb, pickles, and cheeses.

Shrimp Cocktail

This classic double-dip appetizer is sure to please all your guests – simply cook some peeled shrimp in boiling water until they turn pink then serve the cooked shrimp in a bowl alongside two dipping sauces such as cocktail sauce and tangy yogurt.

What are some must-haves for food safety on a boat?

Food safety is an important responsibility when taking a boat out on the water. To make sure everyone onboard stays safe and healthy while enjoying your time on the water, here are some must-haves for food safety on a boat:

• Coolers and Insulated Bags: It’s essential to keep cold items like meats, dairy, and perishable foods chilled in coolers or insulated bags to prevent spoilage.
• Ice: Keep a good supply of ice on board for both keeping food items cold and for making drinks.
• Food Thermometer: Using a food thermometer is an easy way to ensure that cooked meats and other dishes have reached the correct temperature before serving.
• Sanitation Supplies: Keep a supply of paper towels, hand sanitizer, and soap on board to ensure that everyone is washing their hands before preparing or eating food.
• Food Storage Containers: Make sure to bring along plenty of airtight containers for storing leftovers in the fridge or cooler.
• Separate Cutting Boards: To avoid cross contamination, use separate cutting boards for preparing raw meats and other dishes.

No matter what kind of boat food you’re looking for, these 11 easy meals are sure to satisfy your hungry crew. From stir-fries and sandwiches to charcuterie boards and shrimp cocktails, there’s something here for everyone!

Plus with the bonus list of finger foods included in this article, you can be sure that no one will leave your next boating trip feeling unsatisfied or unimpressed. Whether it’s a romantic getaway or an all-day excursion with friends – make mealtime memorable by preparing any one of these delicious dishes on board. Bon appetite!

FAQs

What food should I bring on a boat day?

It’s always a good idea to bring snacks that are easy to make and can be eaten without needing utensils. Some great ideas for boat snacks include sandwiches, veggie spring rolls, grilled skewers, cheese platters, deviled eggs, and fried ravioli.

Is it safe to eat food on a boat?

Yes, it is perfectly safe to eat food on a boat. Just make sure to keep your food stored in an airtight container and follow the same hygiene practices you would at home when preparing or handling food. It’s also a good idea to bring some hand sanitizer for extra protection!

What do you cook on a boat?

The possibilities are endless when it comes to cooking on a boat. Some popular dishes include nachos, charcuterie boards, shrimp cocktail, stir-fries, sandwiches, and wraps, as well as the classic olive tapenade. Have fun experimenting with different recipes and flavors!

What is the best cooler for boat food ideas?

The best cooler will depend on your needs, such as how long you plan to be out and how much food you need to keep cool. Look for a model with good insulation, a strong handle and latch, and an easy-to-clean interior.