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No matter what time of the year, foil packet recipes are always in season. Taking the fuss out of cooking, especially when it comes to dinner recipes, foil packets can be baked, roasted, grilled, or tossed over an open campfire. Who says camping food is only hotdogs and roasted marshmallows? Simply load up the camper kitchen with your favorite flavor combinations, make sure the packs are completely sealed, cook, and enjoy some campfire meals.
Although foil packet meals are an obvious go-to for camping or grilling out, these tasty meals can be enjoyed from your own kitchen if you're looking for a low-effort, delicious weeknight meal. One of the best things about them is that everyone can customize their own packet. If you're having a dinner part or get-together, simply put out a variety of ingredients and let your guests choose what they like. This way, you don't have to worry about allergies, food restrictions or preferences, and everyone is well-fed and happy.
These are also perfect for a kid's birthday party. Let your kid and his or her friends choose what they want in their foil packets, and don't worry about catering to any of their needs. At the end of the evening, simply throw away the discarded foil and you're good to go! Another reason why foil packet meals are so great is their versatility. You can make essentially anything into a foil packet meal, from rice bowls to potatoes to barbecue chicken.
If you're looking to provide a lot of options for a cookout or neighborhood get-together, simply prepare a few bases like rice, sautéed veggies and a protein option, and then let the guests decide what to eat. The best meals are the ones that are both crowd-pleasing and easy on the cook!
When cooking your tin foil packet meal, be sure to use a heavy duty aluminum foil. This will prevent tearing and the wonderful juices from oozing out of your meal. When in doubt, you can always double up on foil, especially when you boil foil packets.
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Why We Love Cooking With Foil Packets
- Smaller foods such as shrimp or chopped veggies are easier to cook on the grill
- Each foil pack can be customized according to the eater
- Easy clean-up and stress-free cooking
How to Fold Aluminum Foil Packets
To start, grab a large sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil that's about 12 inches long and spray with cooking spray. Place the food in the center of the foil and bring both sides of the foil together. Seal the edges with a 1/2 inch fold, then fold again. Move to the other sides of the pack and fold the same way.
And even more, they're one of my favorite things to make for a DIY dinner party. Everyone gets to choose what they want, and prepare the packet dinners themselves. And even better for the hostess, clean-up is a breeze and that makes everyone happy.
But really, the most important ingredient for a successful foil packet dinner is a strong piece of aluminum foil, and that's why I use Reynolds Wrap Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil for this cooking situation.
Simply prepare a stack of sheets in about 12-inch lengths and let everyone go hog wild with a variety ingredients for them to choose from.
How To Test Packets for Doneness
The best way to check for doneness without undoing every packet is to mark the foil with the largest piece of meat with a marker or some sort of identifying feature. Using an instant-read thermometer, check the internal temperature. If the large piece is up to temp, the other packets will be as well. Refer to the USDA guidelines for temperature (165F for chicken, 145F for pork, beef).
20 Foil Packet Recipes
Whether you've had a long day at work, are firing up the grill, or hanging around a campfire, foil packet meals are simple to make and take no time at all to cook. From chicken to veggies, here are 20 foil packet recipes that are perfect for your next camping trip or any time of year.
1. Butter Garlic Herb Steak Foil Packets
Have any steak and potato eaters in the house? They'll love these Butter Garlic Herb Foil Packets. One of the most delicious Pinterest recipes out there, these steaks and potatoes are slathered with a garlicky, herb butter and cooked to perfection inside a durable foil packet.
Perfect for that summertime grill or a winter oven - this is the meal you'll want all year long. Do foil packet dinners get better than this?
Get the recipe here from The Recipe Critic.
2. Grilled Herb Chicken and Potato Foil
These Grilled Herbed Chicken & Potato foil packets were meant for an open flame. Mushrooms, gold potatoes, and chicken breast are seasoned with basil, oregano, and dill along with a few other spices. It's then wrapped in heavy-duty foil that can be tossed on the campfire or backyard grill.
If you're camping, do the prep beforehand. By preparing the recipes beforehand and placing them in a Ziploc bag, all you need to do come dinner is transfer into a foil packet. Now, you can sit back and relax next to your campfire. Talk about a delicious, quick dinner.
Get the recipe here from Le Creme de la Crumb.
3. Grilled Hawaiian Barbecue Chicken in Foil
Sweet pineapple and tangy barbecue sauce are the perfect accompaniment for your chicken and veggies. Grilling recipes seriously never tasted better.
Loaded with flavor, this Grilled Hawaiian Barbecue Chicken amps up your chicken recipe and gives you a little taste of the island. And it can all be on your dinner table in 30 minutes or less! The red bell pepper really brings this recipe together.
Find the recipe here from The Recipe Critic.
4. Lemon Chicken and Asparagus
This is the meal meant for those long days at work. Lemon Chicken and Asparagus is a classic go-to foil recipe that's simple, healthy, and only takes 30 minutes.
Among four foil packets, divide a little bit of butter, some lemon wedges, a bunch of asparagus, minced garlic, and boneless chicken breast. Next grill over medium heat or bake until chicken is tender.
The cooking time on these will vary depending on your method, so just keep a close eye. Then dinner is served! If you want to skip the butter, you can swap in olive oil. You can never go wrong with chicken foil packets.
Find the recipe here from Creme De La Crumb.
5. Creamy Salsa Verde Chicken, Rice, and Veggies
In the mood for Mexican food? Whether you're heating up the grill or turning on the oven, this Creamy Salsa Verde Chicken, Rice, and Veggie recipe is bursting with flavor. Black beans, roasted corn, melted pepper jack, and of course verde salsa dress your seasoned chicken in this all in one pack.
When prepping your pack, there are a few tips to be noted. First, opt for a 7-ounce piece of chicken. It's the ideal size for cooking thoroughly without leaving you with dry chicken. It also helps to coat the foil in non-stick cooking spray to ensure the rice won't stick. Oh, and use a heavy-duty foil to completely seal in all the mouthwatering ingredients.
Get the recipe here from Chelsea's Messy Apron.
6. Foil Packet Sweet Potato Tacos
Who doesn't loves tacos?! While the filling options are endless, the combination of sweet potato, blue corn chips, black beans, avocado, jalapeño, and ground beef in this recipe is a winner.
When you're making these Sweet Potato foil packs, be sure to cook the beef before dividing it up between foil packs. That way, no one will get sick from undercooked meat. If you're vegan or vegetarian you can omit the meat.
Get the recipe here from Mel's Kitchen Cafe.
7. Loaded Nachos
No mess, no fuss Loaded Nachos are the easiest foil packet meal around. Load up your tortilla chips with black beans, juicy tomatoes, shredded Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese, and some green onions for a quick lunch, dinner, or depending upon your ingredients, breakfast. Eat as a side dish or a main dish!
Depending upon how fancy you feel, you could also toss on some jalapeños, add some fresh blackberries, maybe top with avocado, garnish with cilantro, or add some pulled pork or roasted chicken. Whether your carnivore, vegetarian, pescatarian, or vegan, there are an endless array of substitutions to make nachos your way.
Get the recipe here from Passion for Savings.
8. Foil Pack French Dip
As if making a sandwich wasn't easy enough, it just got better with this Foil Pack French Dip recipe. Slicing a baguette, spread on the Worcestershire, gravy buttery mix, and then stuff with provolone cheese and deli roast beef. Dip in au jus and you've got one easy French Dip.
If you are taking this camping, you can prep the entire thing ahead of time. Simply plop the foil-covered sandwich in a Ziploc bag and store the au jus dipping sauce in a container. Come time to cook, this hobo dinner practically makes itself with no prep time to account for!
Find the recipe here from Chelsea's Messy Apron.
9. Sausage, Potato, and Green Bean Foil Packets
Baked, grilled, or tossed over an open flame, this Sausage, Potato, and Green Bean Foil packet makes life easier. The trick to this recipe is using your favorite cajun seasoning and andouille sausage.
Andouille sausage is a staple in Cajun-style cuisine that elevates the flavor profile of this recipe. That mixed with cremini mushrooms, red potatoes, and your favorite kind of fresh green beans makes this meal a winner.
Get the recipe here from Damn Delicious.
10. Indian Spiced Baked Potatoes
Looking for a way to snaz up breakfast? Look no further because Indian Spiced Baked Potatoes is what you need. Gluten-free, paleo, and vegetarian, this easy recipe is perfect for any meal, any time of year.
An Indian spice-filled packet of curry, golden potatoes, turmeric, and eggs gives you the savory comfort food you crave with the ethnic flair you desire.
Get the recipe here from Cotter Crunch.
11. Shrimp Pasta Foil Packs
Pasta in a foil packet? Yes, you can make anything in a foil packet, even this Shrimp Pasta. The trick to cooking this dish is using partially cooked pasta and a homemade sauce in your shrimp foil packet.
Toss that all in some heavy duty aluminum foil with your raw shrimp and your packets are ready for the oven. Don't have shrimp? Other shellfish like scallops and clams will do.
Find the recipe here from The Pioneer Woman.
12. Garlic Butter Mushroom and Gnocchi
We all know baby potatoes cook well in foil, but potato dumplings?! Now we're talking.
Tender gnocchi topped with fragrant garlic butter, umami mushrooms, fresh parsley, and chili flakes is the gourmet Italian foil packet recipe you've been searching for.
Get the recipe here from Eat Well 101.
13. Zucchini Parmesan Foil Packs
With two ingredients like zucchini and parmesan, it's easy to make a meal out of this side. Whether you're grilling in the summer, or heating up the oven in the winter, these Zucchini Parmesan Foil packets are an excellent addition to any meal.
A buttery mixture of herbs and parmesan are poured over zucchini rounds then sealed to lock in all the flavor. After about 15 minutes, you'll have a cheesy, veggie treat that changes how you do parmesan.
Find the recipe here from Damn Delicious.
14. Grilled Veggie Summer Foil Packs
Simple, delicious, and meant for foil, Grilled Veggies Summer Foil Packs are a must. A medley of zucchini, yellow squash, onion, tomato, and feta, this foil pack is bursting with flavor.
The best part, anyone can whip this up or sub in what they like without really needing a recipe. Now that's a meal to add to the rotation.
Find the recipe here from Tbsp.
15. Polenta Stack with Navy Bean Salad
Summer, spring, fall, or winter, Polenta Stack with Navy Bean Salad won't disappoint. The polenta rounds are an added bonus amongst a heaping of veggies, some crumbled fresh feta, and hearty navy beans. Packed with protein and vitamin C, this foil packet recipe will fill you up and keep you going.
Get the recipe here at Epicurious.
16. Shrimp Boil Foil
Having a good ol' fashion crawfish boil takes more time than the average weeknight dinner allows. That's why these Shrimp Boil In Foil packets are perfect dinner recipe. It's the creole flavor you crave with the time you need.
To prepare: add your potatoes, thawed shrimp, corn, and Andouille sausage to the foil, toss on some Old Bay seasoning, sprinkle some olive oil and bake for only 20 minutes in the oven. Once it's done you'll have yourself a taste of the South.
Find the recipe here from Tastefulventure.
17. Shrimp and Couscous Foil Packets with Avocado-Mango Salsa
Fresh, quick, and flavorful, Shrimp and Couscous Foil Packets taste like summer. Taking the fuss out of cooking, the couscous cooks in the vegetable broth along with the seasoned shrimp all in one packet.
Once it's done on the grill, top on the fresh homemade mango-avocado salsa for a food pairing to die for.
Get the recipe here from Cooking Classy.
18. Grilled Foil Packet Tilapia with Pesto Veggies
If you're in need of a quick seafood dinner then Tilapia with Pesto Veggies is where it's at. Choose a seasonal vegetable medley like corn, summer squash, and bell pepper, then toss it in your favorite homemade pesto. Or, to save on time, store bought works as well. Then top with your fillet of tilapia and slice of lemon, wrap, and grill.
The nice part about using a foil wrap for cooking fish is that the delicate fillet won't fall apart on your grill, so it's an easy cleanup. And, by sealing in the packs all those flavors meld for a scrumptious foil packet dinner.
Find the recipe here from The Lean Green Bean.
19. Thai Salmon in Foil
Thai cooking just got a whole lot easier with this Thai Salmon In Foil recipe. After carefully selecting a sustainable salmon fillet, doctor it up Thai style with some sweet chili sauce, lime, soy sauce, ginger, and of course, fish sauce. Your BBQ just got more delicious!
Although it's a tad smelly, fish sauce is the secret ingredient in Thai cooking that makes your easy dinner taste like take-out.
Find the recipe here from Damn Delicious.
20. Garlic Butter Herb Salmon Foil Packets
Want a delectable dinner, but don't feel like putting in all the fuss? Then you need these Garlic Butter Herb Salmon Foil Packets. The combination of fresh summer veggies and flaky salmon is a gourmet crowd pleaser.
Not summer? No worries. You can easily sub in seasonal veggies like Brussels sprouts, acorn squash, potatoes, carrots, and mushrooms. With the simple garlic herb butter, your favorite vegetable of the season will pair nicely with the mouthwatering salmon.
Get the recipe here from The Recipe Critic.
This post was originally published on March 26, 2019.
