These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (2024)

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (1)

Sure, ideally, you'd always have an hour or more to cook a well-balanced dinner for your family—served on the back porch, in perfect weather, and everyone would clean their plates. But more often than we'd like there are a million things going on, and it's hard to find time even to toss a sheet pan dinner into the oven.

Those nights are when you want to lean on something super easy but hopefully, still well-balanced. That's where foil packet dinners come into play! There’s absolutely no other cooking method out there that’s as fast, fun, mess-free, and downright delicious as foil packets. You can wrap up individually portioned meals ahead of time, keep them marinating in the fridge, and when you're ready, you only need to fire up the oven or grill and let it cook. The meal is that much more enjoyable knowing there are no dirty dishes to clean up. And if everyone in the family needs to eat at different times, no problem! Each packet can be cooked separately.

Since foil packet recipes make dinner so much easier (we're talking sometimes just 15 to 20 minutes of cooking time), we rounded up some of the best appetizers, sides, and entrees that you can make on repeat all summer long. Think everything from barbecue chicken foil packets to savory shrimp foil packets. And for the ultimate childhood camping nostalgia, cook foil packet hamburgers in the backyard with your little ones (it’s a fun summer activity). Stock up on aluminum foil, stat, because you’re going to want to taste test every single one of these easy foil packet dinner recipes for yourself.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

1

Cauliflower Curry Foil Packet

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (3)

This vegetable-loaded meal hardly compromises taste thanks to its light curry and yogurt sauce additions. It's so good, your family will have no idea how healthy it actually is.

Get the recipe at Veggies Save the Day.

SHOP ALUMINUM FOIL

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

2

Chicken Cordon Bleu Foil Packets

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (5)

Busy night ahead? Make getting dinner on the table the least of your concerns with these ham, chicken, and potato-infused packets, which only require 10 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking.

Get the recipe at The Recipe Rebel.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

3

Philly Cheesesteak Foil Pack

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (7)

Take the mess out of eating this classic meal by nixing the sandwich rolls and digging in the classy way—with a fork.

Get the recipe at Chelsea's Messy Apron.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

4

Garlic Shrimp and Veggie Foil Packet

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (9)

Zucchini and a handful of other veggies put a summery spin on this low-carb seafood foil packet recipe. Pair with a summer salad for even more festive fare.

Get the recipe at Gimme Delicious.

SHOP ALUMINUM FOIL

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

5

Teriyaki Beef Foil Packs

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (11)

Good luck sticking to just one of these juicy beef packets, loaded with broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms, and potatoes.

Get the recipe at Life Made Sweeter.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

6

Zucchini Parmesan Foil Packs

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (13)

There's no shortage of light, yummy meals to serve with cheesy grilled zucchinis, meaning you can bust out this easy recipe all summer long.

Get the recipe at Damn Delicious.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

7

Bacon Ranch Chicken Foil Packets

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (15)

Satisfy picky little eaters with this savory foil packet dinner, which you can make in just an hour.

Get the recipe at Dinner at the Zoo.

SHOP ALUMINUM FOIL

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

8

Steak Fajita Foil Packet

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (17)

Ditch the tortillas and chow down on marinated steak, peppers, and onions straight from the oven-friendly packet.

Get the recipe at Diethood.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

9

Cheesy Potatoes Foil Packet

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (19)

A cheese and potato combo alone is a major dinner side dish win-win, but the mess-free foil cooking method makes this recipe even more of a must.

Get the recipe at Crunchy Creamy Sweet.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

10

Italian Sausage and Veggies Foil Packet

Fire up the grill and set your outdoor table, because this nutritious foil packet meal makes for the ideal al fresco family dinner.

Get the recipe at Chelsea's Messy Apron.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

11

Grilled Pineapple Chicken Foil Packet

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (23)

Teriyaki sauce and Asian toasted sesame dressing pack a flavorful punch with this simple and satisfying five-ingredient weeknight dinner.

Get the recipe at Creme de la Crumb.

SHOP ALUMINUM FOIL

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

12

Nachos Foil Packet

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (25)

You don't even need to bust out a bowl or serving platter—just wait for this mouthwatering appetizer to cool down from the oven and dive straight in.

Get the recipe at The Cookie Rookie.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

13

Cajun Shrimp Foil Packets

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (27)

Enjoy grilled corn like you've never tasted it before—with shrimp, red potatoes, and a fiery Cajun kick.

Get the recipe at Favorite Family Recipes.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

14

Tater Tot Meatball Foil Packets

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (29)

Tater tots and meatballs and cheese, oh my! No, it's not the healthiest meal on the market, but it does the trick for those easygoing Friday nights when your kids deserve to munch on something fun.

Get the recipe at Gimme Some Grilling.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

15

Southwestern Chicken Foil Packets

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (31)

Douse chicken breasts in salsa and cheese for a delicious spin on chicken Parm. Layer the foil pack with corn to start, then top the the meat with sour cream and avocado once the packet's finished grilling.

Get the recipe at Dessert Now Dinner Later.

SHOP ALUMINUM FOIL

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

16

Baked Tilapia Foil Packets

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (33)

Itching to minimize indoor cooking time now that the weather's warm? Meet your healthy seafood saving grace, which takes just 15 minutes.

Get the recipe at The Wicked Noodle.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

17

Hawaiian Barbecue Chicken Foil Packets

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (35)

There's no better time than summer to bring an island-inspired vibe to your meals. Save this for your next Hawaiian-themed party, or wow your family with the tangy foil packets for dinner.

Get the recipe at The Recipe Critic.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

18

Hamburger and Potato Foil Packets

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (37)

Relive your camping glory days with the original foil packet meal—hamburger patties. Keep it old school and cook them by the campfire or let them bake in the oven.

Get the recipe at Spend with Pennies.

SHOP ALUMINUM FOIL

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

19

Creamy Salsa Verde, Chicken, Rice, and Veggies Foil Packets

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (39)

Your family will love a tasty Mexican dinner—and you'll love that it only takes 10 minutes to put together.

Get the recipe at Chelsea's Messy Apron.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

20

Garlic Steak and Potato Foil Packs

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (41)

A classic steak-and-potatoes dinner is even easier when you can just cook it in foil.

Get the recipe at Creme de la Crumb.

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (2024)

FAQs

How do you make a good foil packet? ›

Center all food items in the middle of the foil sheet. Grab the two long edges and bring them together. Begin folding the edges together down toward the food. Be sure to leave a little wiggle room for steam and heat to build when cooking.

Is Reynolds wrap aluminum foil safe? ›

Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil fully complies with U.S. Food and Drug Administration requirements for direct contact with food.

What not to mix with aluminum foil? ›

Avoid mixing aluminum foil and acidic foods: Avoid exposing aluminum foil or cookware to acidic food, such as tomato sauce or rhubarb ( 23 ).

What are foil packets made of? ›

Aluminum foil bags are made by laminating polythene and a barrier foil of polyester or pure aluminum foil to offer advanced sealing abilities.

How long to cook foil packets on fire? ›

Place each packet on the fire, or a grill. If your campfire has a grill or rack, use that, if not, place the packets around the perimeter of the fire. Cook for about 20 minutes, or until the beef is cooked through. Check doneness by using tongs to slightly open one packets and cut into a piece of beef.

Can you make tinfoil dinners ahead of time? ›

Make-Ahead Tips

The beauty of foil-pack meals for camping is that they can usually be assembled at home before your trip. At the very least, you can wash and chop your veggies and meat, and mix up the marinade ahead of time.

What temperature do you cook foil packets? ›

3 ways to cook foil dinner packets

On the grill— Preheat grill to medium high, or to about 400°F. Place foil dinners on grill and cook for 20 minutes, flipping once during cooking. In the oven— Preheat oven to 400°F. Place foil dinners on a sheet pan and bake for about 20 minutes.

How do you make a smoke box out of aluminum foil? ›

If you do not have a smoke box, then you can use aluminum foil or a foil pan to make your own. Using a foil pan, place your wood chips in the pan and cover it with aluminum foil. Be sure to poke holes in the aluminum foil cover so that the smoke will be able to travel to your food to produce the desired flavor.

How long do you leave foil packets on the grill? ›

Wrap each packet securely using double-fold seals, allowing room for heat expansion. When ready to grill, place packets, seam side up, on gas grill over medium heat or on charcoal grill 4 to 6 inches from medium coals. Cook 25 to 35 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

How do you cook in aluminum foil on a campfire? ›

Place ingredients side-by-side on a doubled-up piece of aluminum foil. Cover and seal with another doubled-up piece of foil and crimp the edges. In the centre of the fire, push away some of the coals and place the foil on the fire. Cover the foil with coals and let cook for about 15 minutes.

Why you shouldn t wrap your food in aluminium foil before cooking it? ›

Aluminium is significantly more likely to leach into food, and at higher levels, in acidic and liquid food solutions like lemon and tomato juice than in those containing alcohol or salt. Leaching levels climb even more when spice is added to food that's cooked in aluminium foil.

Which side of aluminum foil is safer? ›

Foil has a shiny side and a dull side because of how it is manufactured. Unless you are using foil that's labeled non-stick, which does have a non-stick side, it does not matter what side you use. Both the shiny and dull sides can be used the same way to cook, freeze, and store food.

Does aluminum foil expire? ›

The melting point is 660 ℃—the boiling point is 2327℃, the appearance of silver-white light metal, ductility, and ductility. In humid air, an oxide film can be formed to prevent metal corrosion. Theoretically, aluminum foil roll are metal materials with no shelf life.

How do you make good foil? ›

How to create a good foil character
  1. Make an opposite list. This is the easiest but most important step. ...
  2. Consider the world of your story. While the point of the foil is to be the opposite of your protagonist, an effective foil still inhabits the same world your story—and protagonist—is set in. ...
  3. Consider the whole plot.
Jan 30, 2024

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Kerri Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 5443

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kerri Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1992-10-31

Address: Suite 878 3699 Chantelle Roads, Colebury, NC 68599

Phone: +6111989609516

Job: Chief Farming Manager

Hobby: Mycology, Stone skipping, Dowsing, Whittling, Taxidermy, Sand art, Roller skating

Introduction: My name is Kerri Lueilwitz, I am a courageous, gentle, quaint, thankful, outstanding, brave, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.