These cheesy foil packet potatoes are a camping side dish staple. They're easy to prepare, require minimal ingredients, involve almost no cleanup, and can be cooked on your grill or over the campfire. What's not to love?
In our home, these cheesy potatoes in foil are nicknamed "jo-jo potatoes" for a reason that predates me, but I'm certainly thankful that I was introduced to them. Whatever you want to call buttery potatoes topped with melted cheese is up to you, but I can assure you that they will be delicious no matter the name. You could make them a meal in itself (I know I have!), but they are also excellent alongside make-ahead camping ribs or a grilled steak.
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Why This Recipe is Great for Camping
- It requires minimal ingredients, involves little cleanup, and is simple to prepare.
- You can prepare it on the grill or over the campfire.
- It's an easy camping recipe for two.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Potatoes--Yellow or gold potatoes work best for these foil packet grilled potatoes. I don't recommend using Russet potatoes as they tend to fall apart. Slice your potatoes as thinly as possible, and try to keep the slices the same size so that everything cooks evenly.
- Cheddar--I recommend using full-fat cheese and grating it yourself. Pre-shredded cheese doesn't melt well.
How to Make Potatoes in a Foil Packet
1. Place the sliced potatoes in an even layer in the center of your foil.
2. Top with onion, butter, and season with salt and pepper. Fold up the sides to create a pouch.
3. Grill the foil packet potatoes on the BBQ or over the campfire on low heat for 30 minutes.
4. Remove from the heat, open the foil packet, and add the cheese. Close the foil packet to let the cheese melt, then serve immediately.
FAQs
No, it's not necessary. Yellow potatoes are so thin-skinned that I don't find peeling them makes a difference.
The best way to make a foil packet is to place your food in the center of the foil. Bring the long edges of the foil up to meet, and then fold them over a couple of times, creating a seam that runs over the top of your food. Then working with one end at a time, fold it over a few times to seal the end.
I like this method because it's easy to open the seal on top to check them for doneness and then close, if necessary, and it also creates an easy pouch for eating when opened.
Yes. Following the directions in the recipe, cook the potato foil packets in a 350°F oven until tender, about 30 minutes. Add the cheese and let it melt before serving.
Tips and Troubleshooting
- If you're making this over the campfire, the cooking time may vary due to the outside temperature, wind, and distance from the coals. Give the potatoes a quick poke with a fork before adding the cheese. If they're not soft, close up the foil packet and let it cook for a few more minutes.
- Keep the foil packets over low heat or flame to avoid burning the potatoes.
- Use a double layer of heavy-duty foil for your packets to prevent any leaks from flaring.
- This recipe is suitable for gluten-free diets.
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Recipe
Cheesy Foil Packet Potatoes
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 2 medium yellow potatoes (about 12 ounces | 340 g) thinly sliced
- ½ small onion diced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into small cubes
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the grill for medium-low heat (325°F) or prepare hot coals in a campfire. If you're making them on the grill, I prefer to have a couple burners on low.
- Arrange a double layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil on a flat surface and spray with cooking spray.
- Place the sliced potatoes in a single layer on the foil.
- Top with the onion and butter cubes, distributing them as evenly as possible. Season with the salt and pepper.
- Fold up the sides and ends of the foil to create a foil packet.
- Place over low heat on the grill or over campfire coals and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil packet from the heat, and carefully open the top to let the steam release. Sprinkle the cheese into the foil packet on top of the potatoes and then loosely close the foil. Let sit until the cheese melts, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Check the potatoes--If you're making this over the campfire, the cooking time may vary due to the outside temperature, wind, and distance from the coals. Give the potatoes a quick poke with a fork before adding the cheese. If they're not soft, close up the foil packet and let it cook for a few more minutes.
- Use low flame--Keep the foil packets over low heat or flame to avoid burning the potatoes.
- Double up--Use a double layer of heavy-duty foil for your packets to prevent any leaks from flaring.
- Dietary--This recipe is suitable for gluten-free diets.
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