13 Easy Foil Packet Meals for Camping and Grilling

You know that feeling when you’re out in the great outdoors—fresh air, crackling fire, stars twinkling overhead—and your stomach suddenly reminds you that s’mores aren’t exactly dinner? (Trust me, I’ve tried 😊)

That’s where foil packet meals come to the rescue. I learned this the hard way during our first family camping trip when Matthew and I seriously underestimated how hungry our little guy could get after a day of running around the woods. Let’s just say, a granola bar and half a bag of pretzels didn’t cut it.

Now, foil packet meals are our go-to for camping and even backyard grilling. They’re ridiculously easy to prep (just wrap, toss, and cook!), and cleanup is practically nonexistent. Plus, you can customize them any way you like—think BBQ chicken with veggies, cheesy potatoes, or even breakfast burritos. It’s like having a tiny oven in your campfire, minus the scrubbing pots and pans afterward.

But here’s the real magic: there’s no fuss and no mess. After a long day of hiking, swimming, or just chasing little ones around the campsite, the LAST thing you want is to scrub greasy pans in cold water. (I’ve been there, and let me tell you, it’s not exactly a vacation vibe.)

With foil packets, you simply open, enjoy, and toss the foil away. It’s dinner without the drama, which is exactly what we need after a day in the wild—or, let’s be honest, a long afternoon of backyard BBQ chaos.

So, if you’re looking to keep things simple and delicious next time you’re grilling at home or roughing it in the wild, these 13 foil packet meals are exactly what you need.

13 Easy Foil Packet Meals

Alright, let’s talk foil packet meals. If you haven’t tried these yet, you are seriously missing out. Picture this: you’re out by the fire, maybe the kids are running around, and the sun’s just starting to set. You toss a few of these foil packets onto the grill or right into the coals, and BOOM—dinner practically makes itself.

No pots, no pans, and best of all, NO DISHES. (Seriously, the only cleanup is crumpling up the foil and tossing it. If only everything were that easy, right?)

I swear by these during our family camping trips, but we don’t just save them for the woods. Matthew loves firing up the grill on lazy Sundays, and you better believe these foil packets are part of the lineup. There’s something kind of magical about unwrapping one of those packets and seeing the steam escape, knowing everything inside is perfectly cooked and ready to devour.

And the best part? You can make pretty much anything—juicy chicken, cheesy potatoes, even breakfast burritos that’ll make you wonder why you ever bothered with a skillet.

So, if you’re ready to make your next camping adventure or backyard BBQ a whole lot tastier (and a LOT less messy), here are 13 foil packet meals that are going to change the way you think about outdoor cooking. Let’s get to it!

Tips for Cooking Foil Packets

Alright, so you’ve got your foil packets ready to go—now it’s time to make sure they cook up perfectly every single time. Over the years (and more than a few burnt attempts), I’ve picked up some tried-and-true tips that make ALL the difference. Here’s everything you need to know to get that campfire magic just right:

1. Use Heavy-Duty Foil

Trust me on this one—you do NOT want thin foil for this. Heavy-duty aluminum foil is your best friend here. It won’t tear easily, and it holds up beautifully against the heat of the grill or campfire. If you’re unsure, just double wrap for extra security.

2. Grease It Up

Before you start piling on those ingredients, give the foil a quick spray with non-stick cooking spray or brush it with a bit of olive oil. This prevents your food from sticking and makes cleanup even easier.

3. Don’t Overfill

As tempting as it is to stuff everything in one packet, less is more. Overfilling can lead to uneven cooking, and nobody wants half-raw potatoes when you’re starving after a hike. Keep it to a single layer of meat and veggies, and make extra packets if you need to.

4. Seal Tightly—but Leave Some Room

Fold the foil over your ingredients and crimp the edges tightly, but don’t wrap it like it’s Fort Knox. You want to leave a little bit of space inside for steam to build up—this is what cooks your food evenly and keeps it moist.

5. Rotate and Flip for Even Cooking

If you’re cooking over a campfire, be sure to rotate and flip your packets every 10 minutes or so. For grilling, it’s a good idea to flip halfway through cooking to avoid hot spots.

6. Cooking Time Guidelines

• Chicken and Veggies: 20-25 minutes
• Steak and Potatoes: 15-20 minutes
• Shrimp and Corn: 10-12 minutes
• Breakfast Burritos: 8-10 minutes

Always check for doneness before serving—nobody wants a half-cooked potato when you’re out in the woods.

7. Let It Rest Before Unwrapping

Here’s the hardest part—waiting! When you pull your foil packets off the heat, let them sit for about 5 minutes before unwrapping. This allows the steam to finish cooking everything and keeps you from burning your hands (been there, done that!).