By the end of moving day at the latest, your movers will be hungry mouths that need to be fed. Your helpers have (hopefully gladly) sacrificed their free time for you, and it’s only fair that you don’t send them home on an empty stomach. Carrying numerous boxes up and down stairs is sure to make them hungry. The moving meal should be as simple as possible, since you won’t have the time to stand in the kitchen and whip up something fancy. It would also be a bonus if the meal tastes good and fills them up. But don’t worry, you have several options to keep your helpers happy.
The classic: Sandwiches
Okay, you obviously don’t need instructions on how to make sandwiches. But this classic moving meal simply can’t be left out of the list. Sandwiches can be bought in no time, along with cold cuts and cheese. It’s best to set them up as a buffet so that everyone can choose their favorite toppings. Don’t forget about your vegetarian friends and get not only salami and ham, but also cream cheese or other spreads. If you have vegan movers, you’ll need to get vegan sandwiches and spreads as well.
Also, add a few jars of pickles, olives, grapes, or other finger foods that people can easily snack on.
Warm and simple: Sausages
For your meat-loving friends, a big pot of sausages is a great option. Add some potato salad, mustard, and ketchup, and you’re all set! Maybe throw in some hot dog buns, and that takes care of the cutlery issue as well.
No time to cook: Just get delivery
Honestly? None of your movers expect you to serve a big meal in the middle of moving boxes and all that chaos. The easiest option is still delivery.
Pizza & Co: A classic family-sized pizza with plenty of melted cheese tastes absolutely fantastic after a hard day’s work. You don’t need to ask each individual helper what they want. Just order a large pizza of each kind, at least one meat-free option for vegetarians, and you’re good to go. You can do the same with other delivery options too. Chinese food or currywurst with fries will definitely hit the spot for your hungry helpers as well.
Stew: It doesn’t always have to be pizza. With a little notice, you can order a large pot of stew from your butcher or a local catering service. Goulash soup, chili (both sin and con carne), or a good old pea soup with sausages—especially from a butcher—will taste great and be more filling than fries.
Quick, simple, uncomplicated
Don’t spend too much time worrying about what food to serve for the move. Your friends aren’t expecting miracles; they’ll just appreciate something to snack on after working hard. If someone gets a little hungry in between, a pack of cookies that everyone can grab from is often enough. Also, check ahead to see who needs vegetarian or vegan options, and you’ll be on the safe side. A friend wants to help but has back problems and can’t do any heavy lifting? You can ask her to bring a salad or something else. Every bit of help is welcome, after all.
Want to prepare something yourself because delivery services aren’t an option? For all the DIYers, we’ve put together our favorite recipes for quick but tasty moving meals.
Our favorite recipes for moving day meals
Pizza (for 4 people)
Quick dough
One or two ready-made pizza doughs.
OR
Homemade dough:
- 800g white flour
- 2 tbsp oil
- Salt
- Yeast, dissolved in lukewarm water
Mix all the ingredients with the flour and knead into a dough. Let it rise for about 45 minutes.
Toppings:
- 1-2 cans chopped tomatoes
- Oregano
- Salt
- Oil
- Toppings of your choice: vegetables, salami, mushrooms, olives, etc. Let your creativity run wild here!
- 2 mozzarella cheeses
Spread the pizza dough onto a baking tray, top with chopped tomatoes, and sprinkle with salt. Then add the toppings, sprinkle mozzarella on top, and season with oregano. Bake the pizza in the lower half of the oven at 200°C for 20-25 minutes.
A simple green leaf salad goes perfectly with this.
Greek Salad (for 4 people)
- 2 cucumbers, diced
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 1 pack of pitted olives
- 1 onion, sliced thinly
- 300g feta cheese, diced
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- A squeeze of lemon
- A pinch of salt and pepper
- Basil leaves
Mix all the ingredients together and garnish with basil leaves. Olive bread pairs particularly well with this salad.
Vegan Penne Salad (for 4 people)
- 500g vegetables of your choice, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 500g penne, cooked
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Salad seasoning
- 1 tbsp cashew butter or tahini
- A little agave syrup
Mix everything together to create a creamy salad, completely free of animal products.
