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.

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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

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2

Chicken Cordon Bleu Foil Packets

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (4)

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.

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3

Philly Cheesesteak Foil Pack

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

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.

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4

Garlic Shrimp and Veggie Foil Packet

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (6)

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

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5

Teriyaki Beef Foil Packs

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

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.

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6

Zucchini Parmesan Foil Packs

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (8)

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.

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7

Bacon Ranch Chicken Foil Packets

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

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

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8

Steak Fajita Foil Packet

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (10)

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

Get the recipe at Diethood.

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9

Cheesy Potatoes Foil Packet

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

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.

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10

Italian Sausage and Veggies Foil Packet

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (12)

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.

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11

Grilled Pineapple Chicken Foil Packet

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

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

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12

Nachos Foil Packet

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (14)

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.

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13

Cajun Shrimp Foil Packets

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

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.

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14

Tater Tot Meatball Foil Packets

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (16)

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.

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15

Southwestern Chicken Foil Packets

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

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

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16

Baked Tilapia Foil Packets

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (18)

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.

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17

Hawaiian Barbecue Chicken Foil Packets

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

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.

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18

Hamburger and Potato Foil Packets

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (20)

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.

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19

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

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (21)

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.

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20

Garlic Steak and Potato Foil Packs

These Fast Foil Packet Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze (22)

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? ›

Pull out an extra-long length of aluminum foil and fold it in half so you've got a double layer. Place your ingredients in the center, then pull over one side, folding the edges to seal. Then fold the remaining two edges. Don't seal the packet too tightly: you want to leave some room for the steam to expand.

Is it good to pack food in aluminium foil? ›

Is aluminium foil hazardous for our health? No, aluminium foil in itself is not hazardous for our health. However, as a precautionary measure strongly acidic products or foods that contain a lot of salt shouldn't be kept or barbecued in aluminium foil.

Can you freeze foil packet meals? ›

Ah, foil packs. They are one of the best kept secrets of freezer meals, in my opinion. They open up a variety of possibilities for many common dinnertime struggles. Serving size is never an issue, because you can pull out as many servings as you need for each meal.

Why is it called a hobo dinner? ›

Mulligan stew, also known as hobo stew, is a type of stew said to have been prepared by American hobos in camps in the early 1900s. Another variation of mulligan stew is "community stew", a stew put together by several homeless people by combining whatever food they have or can collect.

When cooking with aluminum foil which side goes down? ›

Quite simply, it doesn't matter what side of aluminum folk you use. Either is acceptable. Since the exact same material makes up both sides, they will perform precisely the same way. The only difference is aesthetic.

What does covering a dish with foil do? ›

It's always a great idea to cover your dishes with aluminum foil while cooking at high temperatures in the oven. It protects your food from drying out or burning and helps keep in the heat and moisture, ensuring a perfectly cooked meal.

Should you bake potatoes wrapped in foil? ›

NEVER BAKE POTATOES IN FOIL.

Foil wraps will not decrease baking time, but will result in a soggy potato interior with wet skin. Wrapping a baked potato in foil after it has been baked will allow you to hold up to 45 minutes, but the best method for holding a baked potato is in a bread warming drawer.

Can you bake chicken in foil? ›

Preheat the oven: For boneless chicken breasts, we recommend baking them in foil at 400°F for 25–30 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken and packet.

Can you bake foil packs in the oven instead of grilling? ›

Foil packets can be cooked on the grill and in the oven, depending on your preference. Most recipes will give you instructions for both methods, but not always. If grilling, preheat your grill to 400 to 425°F, which is medium or medium-high, depending on your grill. If baking, preheat your oven to 425°F.

What temperature do you cook foil packets? ›

We recommend cooking your foil packets on a baking sheet at 450°F for 20-25 minutes or follow the instructions from one of our easy, delicious, and mess-free foil packet recipes for the whole family. Please note, oven cooking times will vary depending on the ingredients used and the fullness of the packet.

Can you make foil packets ahead of time? ›

Yes! you can make your foil packets ahead of time and store in cooler or fridge. Just be sure to use heavy duty aluminum foil, and if the ingredients are heavy double up on the foil. Making the packets ahead of time is such a time saver and makes dinner prep so easy.

How far in advance can you make foil packets? ›

Prepare Hobo Foil Packets according to the directions and seal up the packets. Throw them in the cooler and they'll be ready to go when it's time to put them on a grill or coals over a campfire. I don't recommend making these more than a day in advance.

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