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    Home » Recipe Index » Articles

    Published: Apr 5, 2024 by Angie Zoobkoff · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. · Leave a Comment

    How to Make a Foil Packet

    Whether you're camping or just want a dishes free meal in the oven or on the grill, knowing how to make a foil packet will serve you well. You can create flavorful, healthy food with minimal mess. Here's how to do it.

    Four foil packets cooking over an open fire.

    Benefits of Foil Pack Cooking

    • The food stays tender and juicy because it cooks in steam.
    • It's a healthy way to cook, since you don't need to add a lot of extra fat to your meal.
    • There are no dishes to clean up!

    How to Make a Foil Packet

    Creating a foil packet is easy to do by following a few simple steps. While it may seem simpler to just fold each edge over the food, the reason I prefer to fold mine this way is that is easy to check your food for doneness without opening the entire pouch. You can simply pull the center open and, if necessary, it's easy to fold back up.

    A sheet of aluminum foil.
    1. For each foil packet you'd like to create, lay a large sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil on a flat surface.

    Tip: If your aluminum foil isn't labeled as 'heavy-duty' use two sheets to create your foil packet.

    A pile of uncooked food on top of a sheet of foil.
    1. Pile a serving of food in the center of the foil, leaving plenty of space around it. Don't be tempted to overfill your packets as the food won't cook as evenly. Ideally, create a foil packet for each serving, or if you're making side dishes, like these grilled beets with goat cheese, use one pouch for every 3 to 4 servings.

    Tip: Add a little butter or oil to your meal, or spray your foil with cooking spray to ensure your food doesn't stick.

    A person folding up the two sides of a foil packet.
    1. Lift the long edges of the aluminum foil up so that the edges meet above the food. Fold the joined edges over a couple of times until they create a flat seam on top of the food. Don't fold it too tightly--you want the steam to be able to circulate around the food in your foil packet.
    A person folding in the ends of a foil packet.
    1. Fold each side of the flattened foil pack in to create a sealed pouch.
    A corn and tomato gnocchi foil packeto n a wooden tree stump.
    Corn and tomato gnocchi foil packets

    How to Cook Your Foil Packet

    On the Grill

    For best results when cooking foil packets on a grill, prepare your grill for medium-low or medium heat, ideally with all your burners on low heat. For most recipes, you can place your foil packets directly over low flame.

    If your recipe calls for indirect cooking, place your foil packets over an unlit burner, and leave the other burners lit. This is important when cooking foods that cook very quickly, or are prone to burning.

    Over a Campfire

    When cooking over a campfire, it's important to use hot coals, not strong flames. Start your fire well in advance of cooking, and let the fire burn until the coals are glowing. The hot coals will distribute even heat, which will allow your food to cook evenly. Strong open flame will likely result in food that is unevenly cooked, or burned.

    In the oven

    Most foil packet recipes can also be prepared in the oven. To minimize any potential mess or spills in the oven, I recommend placing your foil packets on a baking sheet in the oven. It also makes it easier to transfer them in and out of the oven.

    Tip: Be careful when opening your foil pouch after cooking. There will be plenty of steam trapped inside, which can burn you.

    More Outdoor Cooking Tips

    • A cast iron Dutch oven suspended over a fire.
      How to Cook with a Cast Iron Dutch Oven
    • A tent covered with snow on a mountain.
      Top 6 Tips for Cold Weather Camping
    • A cast iron skillet filled with stuffing and a carved turkey on a wooden board.
      How To Cook Thanksgiving Dinner on the Grill
    • Several dishes on a checkered tablecloth with a vintage camper in the background.
      A Simple Thanksgiving Camping Dinner

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