Our summer plans usually include plenty of camping, and foil dinner packets are a favorite for such occasions. “Foil dinner packet,” “tin foil dinner,” “foil pack,” or “hobo dinner” are all names for meals wrapped in aluminum foil and cooked over a campfire. However, there's no need to wait for a campfire, as foil dinners are incredibly easy to make at home, and everyone ends up loving them. These DIY foil packet meals are especially fun for kids or when having friends over, since everyone gets to choose what they want and prepare the packet dinners themselves. And even better for the hostess, clean-up is a breeze.
Why Choose Foil Packet Meals?
Foil packet meals are a no-brainer whether you’re going camping or simply looking for a convenient and healthy dinner option at home. All you need is some aluminum foil, a sampling of ingredients, and some heat.
Here are some reasons to love foil packet meals:
- Easy to prepare: Simply wrap your ingredients in foil and cook.
- Versatile: You can customize the ingredients to suit your taste and dietary needs.
- Healthy: Packed with protein and vegetables, foil packet meals can be a nutritious option.
- Easy cleanup: No pots or pans to scrub!
- Fun for everyone: Kids and adults alike enjoy creating their own foil packet combinations.
Essential Components of a Foil Packet Meal
Choosing Your Protein
The base of any good foil packet meal is the protein. Ground meats like beef, turkey, or chicken all work well in foil packs. Fish, shrimp, and shellfish do well too because fish don’t take long to cook. Here are some options:
- Ground beef or turkey
- Cubed chicken or steak
- Sausage (sliced)
- Salmon or shrimp
- Tofu (for a vegetarian option)
Adding Vegetables
Next, add layers of veggies. Just about any veggie will do so long as you think about cooking time. There’s no limit to the ideas you can add to. For every 1 cup of protein, try to add 2 cups (or more) of veggies. You want harder veggies like potatoes or carrots and sweet potatoes cut into smaller pieces so they cook at the same rate as larger cut mushrooms, squashes, and onions.
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- Onions
- Potatoes
- Carrots
- Corn
- Green beans
- Mushrooms
- Bell peppers
- Sweet potatoes
- Zucchini
Seasoning and Flavorings
If you add absolutely nothing else to your protein and veggie base, you MUST add salt and pepper. Flavor is key to a delicious foil packet meal. Here are some options:
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- Paprika
- Your favorite multi-purpose seasoning salt
- Fresh or dried herbs
- Sauces like ketchup, Worcestershire, or steak sauce
The Importance of Fat
First, you must have fat so the raw ingredients don’t stick to the foil as it cooks. Oil in almost any form (plain or flavored), butter, and bacon fat are all likely contenders. Fat not only prevents sticking but also adds flavor and helps to cook the ingredients evenly.
How to Assemble Foil Packet Meals
- Prep ingredients: Chop vegetables and portion out your protein.
- Prep foil: Measure sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil to about 18 inches long. For individual packets, prepare 4 sheets of Reynolds Wrap Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil into 12-inch sheets. Spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Add ingredients to foil: Place the food in the center of the foil, layering fat, protein, and vegetables with the spices, herbs, and flavorings. Divide meat and veggies evenly between each sheet of foil, mounding them into the center. Top with butter or oil and fresh herbs. Season heavily with salt and pepper, about ½ teaspoon of salt for each packet.
- Wrap them up: Fold the two long edges toward one another and fold over once or twice then crimp tightly. Fold and crimp each short end of the foil toward the middle so that the edges are all tightly sealed. Fold the long ends of the foil together, crimping them tightly to create a seal, and then continue to fold the seam over itself until it’s flush with the contents. Fold over and crimp both sides the same way.
- Double wrap, if needed: If you’re cooking over a fire or grill, consider double-wrapping the tin foil dinner to ensure they can hold up during cooking without tearing open.
Cooking Methods
In the Oven
- Preheat oven to 400°F. For cooking in the oven, bake on a baking sheet at 350ºF for about 30 minutes.
- Place foil packets on a baking sheet.
- Cook for 20 minutes or until meat is cooked through and veggies are soft.
- Open up one packet to check to see that meat is cooked through and veggies are tender. If needed, return it to the fire/grill/oven for more cooking time.
- Carefully open up foil packets as the steam inside is very hot.
On the Grill
- Preheat grill to medium high, or to about 400°F.
- Place foil packets on the grill.
- Cook for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until meat is cooked through and veggies are soft. For cooking on a grill, cook on medium-high for about 10-15 minutes each side, turning occasionally.
Over a Campfire
- Wait until the fire has turned to coals and spread logs out slightly to make a flat surface, or place logs in a circle around a flat space in the center.
- Place foil packets on the coals.
- Cook on logs for about 20 minutes, flipping and rotating as needed to promote even cooking, until meat is cooked through and veggies are soft.
Make-Ahead Tips
Tin foil dinners can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the fridge or cooler until you’re ready to cook. I actually prefer to assemble them at home before we leave for camping. Make sure they stay properly chilled and try to use them within a few days of assembly. You can also freeze tin foil dinners up to several weeks ahead of time (it’s a great way to keep them cold in a cooler!). To make ahead: Store prepared foil dinner in a fridge or cooler for a few days, or store in the freezer for several weeks. Let thaw in the fridge overnight or in a cooler for several hours before cooking.
Recipe Ideas
Classic Ground Beef and Veggie Foil Packets
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 potatoes, cubed
- 1 cup corn
- 1 cup green beans
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste
- 1 tablespoon oil or butter per packet
Lemon Herb Chicken and Veggie Foil Packets
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme), chopped
- Salt, pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon oil or butter per packet
Garlic Lemon Salmon Foil Packets
- 4 salmon fillets
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, sliced
- Asparagus spears
- Salt, pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon oil or butter per packet
Mexi-Style Chicken Foil Packets
These Mexi-style chicken packets can be assembled ahead of time and frozen if you like. Just thaw them overnight in the fridge, then grill as directed. I like to serve them with warm tortillas and fresh fruit on the side.
Other Foil Packets Recipes
- Cod, Carrot & Green Bean Foil Packets
- Lemon Chicken & Veggies Foil Packet Dinner
- Garlic Lemon Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce in Foil
- Foil Packet Lemon & Herb Cod
- Baked Fish en Papillote in Foil Packets
- Buffalo Chicken Foil Packets
- Coconut Lime Flounder in Parchment Paper
- Cajun Shrimp & Vegetable Tin Foil Packets
- Grilled Cajun Veggie Hobo Packs
- Low Country Boil Foil Packs
- Sheet Pan Salmon & Vegetables
- Halibut en Papillote
- Mediterranean En Papillote
- Teriyaki Salmon, Snow Peas & Carrot Foil Packets
Nutritional Information (Per Serving Examples)
- Mexi-style chicken packets: 405 calories, 13g fat (6g saturated fat), 91mg cholesterol, 766mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 6g fiber), 37g protein.
- Healthy salmon recipe: 225 calories, 15g fat (3g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 359mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 19g protein.
- Everything-in-one seafood packets: 509 calories, 30g fat (7g saturated fat), 181mg cholesterol, 1302mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 40g protein.
- Herbed chicken packets: 175 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 100mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein.
- Grilled green beans: 137 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 234mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 5g protein.
- Smoky campfire bundles: 344 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 990mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 6g fiber), 21g protein.
- Salmon fillet with 1 tablespoon sauce: 319 calories, 19g fat (4g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 259mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 29g protein.
- Tilapia with ginger and lemon: 270 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 443mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 35g protein.
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