Camping with family and friends can be so much fun, but it can also be a lot of work. Preparing and making meals can take up a lot of precious vacation time. Which is why we’ve put together & recently updated this list of easy, make ahead foil packet recipes for camping.
These all require minimal prep, are easy to cook or reheat on the grill or campfire and most importantly are YUMMY!
While cooking hotdogs and s’mores for a couple of days is fun, if you are out in nature longer, you’ll likely want a bit more variety.
My daughter & I go camping every year. We like to try out new (and super easy) recipes each time. As well as fit in our fav camping meals & desserts. As it’s just her & I, we like quick meals with little clean up. Which is why these foil packets are awesome.
If you are looking for some fun ideas, we’ve put together meals you can make for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. Break all the rules and eat them any time of day. Hey you’re on vacation.
Disclosure: Please note that this post contains affiliate links. If you click one of the links and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you! See full disclosure and disclaimer policy here.
45+ FOIL PACKET & MAKE-AHEAD CAMPING MEALS
Recipes you cook in foil packets are easy make-ahead camping meals your family can enjoy, with less work. Many of your favorite grilling recipes can be adapted into foil packet meals for camping.
Shrimp boil foil packets are a quick favorite for seafood lovers.
Fajita chicken foil packets with a side of roasted sweet potatoes is an easy recipe our whole family enjoys.
NOTE: Any of these meals can be made ahead at home, and then reheated on site. Or freeze and then cook at your campsite on a grill or campfire.
We use this Coleman Camp stove that has a grill and a burner, which is super handy when you don’t want to cook over the campfire. Or there is a fire ban on. Ours is over 15 years old and still going strong.
If you are looking to spend more time exploring, playing and relaxing with your family, and less time prepping and cooking, these ideas are perfect for you.
How to Make Foil Packet Meals
The reason grill and campfire foil packet meals are so popular are they are low-mess, and so easy to make. Foil packet dinners are the post popular, but you can even make-ahead foil packets for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks and desserts.
It’s as simple as:
- Laying out a sheet (or more) of aluminum foil
- Combine your favorite protein, veggies, herbs/spices and a bit of oil.
- Roll up the edges into a packet and voila, your meal is ready to cook over a grill, a fire pit or campfire.
When cooking foil packet meals, keep an eye on your food, and check it every once and awhile. It is easy to burn one side, especially if cooking in a fire pit
🏕️ A printable camping planner is super helpful with planning & creating your camping menu for your next camping adventure.
General supplies you will need
- Heavy duty aluminum foil – helps prevent the package breaking open
- Long Metal Tongs– to help turn and grab your foil packets. Avoid burnt fingers.
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Oil – butter, olive & avocado are our favorites
- Veggies & Protein
- Herbs and/or spices
While any combo of protein & hardier veggies typically works for easy foil pack recipes for camping, some tried and true favorites are:
Proteins
- Tofu
- Steak
- Fish or Shrimp
- Sausage
- Ground meat; pork & beef
Vegetables
- Onions
- Mushrooms
- Bell Peppers
- Asparagus
- Carrots
- Potatoes
- Broccoli
STEPS FOR MAKING CAMPING MEALS
Step One: Chop Up Veggies & Meat
Don’t chop too big (doesn’t cook fully) or too small (overcooks and gets mushy). I usually leave fish and asparagus whole, as they cook well that way.
Step Two: Lay Out Foil
Rip off a piece of foil in a rectangle shape. Make sure the foil is large enough to be able to close the packet by rolling the longest edges of the foil together.
Lay out your piece of foil flat, and place ingredients in the middle.
Step Three: Season Meal
Next you’ll need to season your meal. Add about a tbsp of butter, and / or olive oil to taste, depending on size of the meal.
Add salt and pepper, herbs and spices to taste.
Roll up the long edges then fold in the sides. Add another layer, placing the seam side down, repeat 2-3 times. Now you are ready to cook.
Cook meals within a day or so of wrapping. If you want to prep ahead of time, freeze the foil packet in a large freezer bag.
Step Four: Cook Your Foil Packets
If campfire cooking, put your foil pack meal in the hot coals, or cook over a grill, not the flames.
Cooking time will vary depending on the type and size of ingredients. Plan to cook for about 30-40 minutes, turning and flipping every 10 minutes or so. You should hear a low sizzle when the heat is just right.
FOIL PACKET CAMPING RECIPES
Also check out our kid friendly Easy, Make Ahead Meals for camping & recipes
CAMPING MAKE AHEAD MEALS
First we will start with breakfast, and my favourite breakfast of all time. Sweet, soft apples, a hint of cinnamon and ginger, and crunchy oats. Yum!
Quick Breakfast Camp Meals
1. Campfire Apple Crisp (Campfire, Grill, or Oven in Foil Packets!)
Apple crisp makes a delicious breakfast idea (not just for dessert). Juicy warm sweet apples with cinnamon and granola. Yum! These Campfire Apple Crisp Foil Packs are breakfast perfection. Just skip the caramel & ice cream (or not! I won't judge)
2. French Toast Foil Packet
French toast is a quintessential breakfast food. This super easy french toast foil packet ups its breakfast game by adding cinnamon, strawberry, and walnuts. Cook in the oven, on a grill, or over the campfire. Eat for breakfast or dessert.
3. Grilled Potatoes in Foil (potato packets)
Grilled potatoes are comfort food, and are an effortless breakfast. These potato campfire foil packets are simple, easy to make, and deliciously kid (and adult) friendly.
4. Foil Pack Southwest Sausage and Potatoes
The Foil pack method of cooking makes for an easy, stress-free camping meal. This Southwest Sausage and Potatoes Foil Pack takes just minutes to assemble, about 15 minutes to cook, and the cleanup is almost non-existent! A hit for savoury breakfast treats.
5. Bacon Ranch Foil Wrapped Potatoes
Foil-wrapped potatoes are tender, savoury and loaded with cheese, bacon, and peppers. A perfect breakfast food or side dish to any camping meal. Cheesy summer comfort food.
6. Cajun Shrimp Boil Foil Packets
Cajun Shrimp Boil Foil Packets for brunch! Who says they have to be just for dinner. Vibrant flavour and mess free breakfast idea with shrimp, sausage, corn, peppers and delightful seasonings.
7. Foil Packet French Toast (Campfire or Grill)
French Toast the easy & delicious way while camping. Make enough for your hungry hordes in just a foil pack or two. Add in raspberries for their jam-like flavour.
EASY FOIL PACKET FISH & SHRIMP RECIPES
Grilling fish & shrimp in foil is so versatile, and relatively foolproof. The possibilities are endless. You can add any fresh herbs you like, garlic, onions, a bit of spice or whatever you like.
Easy Foil Packet Seafood Recipes
8. Grilled Salmon in Foil is easy, delicious way to grill salmon
Grilled Salmon in Foil is a fast, easy and delicious way to cook a meal! Moist and full of flavor, this salmon will melt in your mouth. The vegetables become a side dish and everyone gets their own packet. Cook over a campfire grill, grill or in an oven.
9. Shrimp Foil Packets With Zucchini (Campfire)
Versatile shrimp foil packets with zucchini are a fun way to spice up your camp meals, but without a lot of prep or cleanup. These make-ahead Shrimp Foil Packs are full of juicy shrimp, quick-cook vegetables, and pantry spices. Gluten-Free, Keto, Paleo, and Low Carb friendly.
10. Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon in Foil Recipe
Make this flavourful Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon ahead of time, and just heat up or eat cold at your campsite, for an easy meal. Baked salmon in foil is a moist, and flaky fish, infused with a lemony garlic butter sauce.
11. Cajun Shrimp Foil Packets (oven and grill)
Cajun Shrimp Foil Packets with Asparagus is a healthy shrimp recipe, full of flavour you can be cook on a grill or in the oven. My go-to fast meals are grilled shrimp. Easy to prep, and cook in only 20-minutes.
12. Shrimp Boil Foil Wrap
Cajun grilled shrimp, and sausage and corn, oh my! This easy Shrimp Boil foil packet meal can be as spicy or mild as you like.
13. Mediterranean Salmon Foil Packets
Elevate your camping meals with these Mediterranean Salmon Foil Packets. Incredibly flavourful and flaky, with capers, olives, oregano, garlic and tomatoes. A delicious meal ready in just 20 minutes!
14. Shrimp Foil Packets with Summer Veggies
Delicious, healthy camping meal with shrimp & summer veggies. To kick off the grilling season. Juicy shrimp with zucchini, corn, and peppers (or choose your favourites).
15. Miso Glazed Salmon in Foil Packets
Up the flavour with this Miso Glazed Salmon. Salmon is full of protein, healthy fats, and cooks quickly, Making this umami, Asian inspired dinner a treat at your campsite. Just cook over your campfire grill, instead of the oven.
VEGETABLE FOIL PACKETS FOR FAMILIES
Fuss-free vegetable foil packets are perfect for the oven, grill or campfire. A great way to add some veggies to your families meals, without a lot of extra prep or time.
Grab your favourite hearty vegetables ( potatoes, carrots, broccoli, onions, mushrooms, zucchinis etc), add some oil or butter, herb, salt and pepper. Then wrap up and stick on the grill or campfire. Easy peasy.
Foil Packet Vegetables & Side Dishes for Camping
16. Vegetable Foil Packets
Fuss-free vegetable foil packets are perfect for the oven, grill or campfire. A mix of seasonal fresh vegetables, seasoned with a simple homemade spice mix cooked in foil. Quick prep, easy clean up and so, so delicious.
17. Foil Packet Potatoes
Baby red potatoes grilled to perfection with sweet corn. Foil packet potatoes will soon become a new family favourite camp food.
18. Mediterranean roasted vegetables in foil packets
Mediterranean roasted vegetables in foil are a perfect side dish for any camping meal. The veggies are roasted to perfection on the grill, and packed with delicious Mediterranean flavours like garlic, basil, rosemary, oregano.
19. Black bean bake with roasted corn salsa
Black bean bake with roasted corn salsa makes for easy foil packet meals & quick prep for dinner. One you will want to add to your make ahead camping meal rotation. Combine roasted corn salsa with fibre packed black beans for a tangy, flavourful, sweet dish.
20. Grilled Asparagus (in Foil)
Nothing says fun in the sun summer grilling than asparagus. This recipe has only 5 ingredients, has a lemony zest, and will be ready to yum up in less than 30 minutes.
21. The Best Spicy Corn on the Cob Grilled in Foil
Easy as can be, this spicy corn on the cob can be grilled in the campfire, the oven or over a grill. Only 3 ingredients in this flavour explosion veggie side dish. Or eat it for dinner.
22. Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows Foil Pack
The sweet potato with marshmallow casserole you didn't know you needed in your life. Til now. Perfect for camping, cooking over the grill (or even the oven at home), for a no mess, quick dinner side dish.
23. Grilled Plantains - Strength and Sunshine
Smoky grilled plantains add a quick, easy and flavourful side dish to any camp meal. Or make for breakfast. I love a good fried egg, side of black beans and grilled plaintains for breakfast.
24. Loaded Foil Packet Potatoes
Loaded Foil Packet Potatoes are the ultimate camping meal side dish. Butter, cheese, bacon, chives & spices topped with sour cream. Need I say more? Cook on a grill or over the campfire for a hearty snack, breakfast or side dish.
DINNER FOIL PACKET RECIPES FOR FAMILIES
So many foil packet dinners to make, so little time. You can even make “breakfast for dinner,” which is another family favorite thing to do.
Throw out the rules, and just go with what makes sense for your family. Tin foil dinners don’t have to be complicated to taste good
Our recent family camping trip it was wayyyyy too hot to have a campfire, or cook over a camp stove / grill for any length of time at traditional dinner time. So we ate pre-made pasta salads, granola & yogurt for a snack, and then roasted hot dogs later in the evening, once it cooled down enough.
Dinner Camping Meal Ideas for Families
25. Sausage and Shrimp Boil Foil Pouch At Camp
Sausage and Shrimp Boil is an easy camp recipe to try! Juicy shrimp, sweet corn and potatoes grilled over a campfire is a delight to the senses.
26. Easy Campfire Spaghetti Bake Recipe
Kids most requested camp meal. This Easy Campfire Spaghetti Bake is super easy to prep ahead, and cook into cheesy, meatball goodness in every bite. .
27. Easy Chicken Foil Packets (oven, grill or campfire!)
Easy & delicious, this cheesy chickenand potatoes dish can be made in the in the oven, on the grill, or over a campfire. A fun meal the whole family can enjoy.
28. Super Easy Garlic Steak and Potato Foil Packs
Scrumptious garlic steak and potatoes foil packs make for a super easy family dinner or a summer grill-out with friends. Cook in an oven or on a grill.
29. Honey Dijon Chicken Foil Packets
Who wants to do dishes in summer? These Easy Honey Dijon Chicken Foil Packets are bursting with summer flavours. Sweet tomatoes, fresh zucchini and lean chicken breasts are covered in sweet and tangy whole-grain honey dijon sauce. Prepare ahead of time & take along on your next camping trip.
30. Grilled Italian Sausage & Veggie Foil Packets - Healthy Dinner Recipe
Make an entire meal in the foil packet! Just toss all your favorite seasonal veggies and Italian sausages, grill it up, and add feta on top. Campfire meals = Sweet summer tastes.
31. Honey Garlic Chicken Potato Foil Packets (Campfire Chicken)
Tender honey garlic chicken potato foil packets is a hearty and delicious recipe the whole family will love. Great for hungry campers, and for grilling or cooking over a campfire.
32. Hamburger Foil Packets
Hamburger Foil Packets are a family favorite camping dinner. They are a one-pan meal with tender carrots, potatoes, onions and a ground beef patty, grilled to perfection!
33. Easy Chicken Fajita Foil Packets
These 5 ingredient Chicken Fajita Foil Packets are a budget friendly camping staple. Make on the grill for a nourishing meal the whole family will enjoy. Low carb, gluten free, keto and paleo friendly.
34. Green Chile Chicken & Cheese Foil Packet Camping Recipe
Add a little spice to your camp life with this Green Chili Chicken with Cheese Foil Packet Camping Recipe. Cheesy goodness, pair with some refried beans, and sour cream to up the deliciousness.
35. Campfire Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich
This mouth watering campfire sandwich recipe makes a hearty meal for the whole family to enjoy. Slice your favorite french loaf into sandwich slices, add provolone, flank steak & caramalized onions plus green peppers. Next level camp food (you can also make in the oven at home).
36. Hamburger Pie Foil Packets
A Campfire tradition, Hobo Hamburger Pie Foil Packets are a hearty meal everyone will love. Just cook on the grill over the campfire (or oven, or pan).
37. Campfire Chicken Foil Packets
Marinated chicken, green beans, and baby potatoes make this campfire foil pack a mouth watering and simple meal. A fresh, hot camping meal you'll be glad to eat after a busy day.
CAMP SNACKS & DESSERT
A few unique, and fun camping snacks and sweet desserts to try with the kidlets. Not only are they quick to prep and make-ahead, they cook up in no time, and are fun for the kids to get involved.
Photo: Donna | Packed for Life
Tasty Camp Snacks & Desserts to WOW your Kids
38. Foil Packet BBQ Chicken Nachos
Cheesy Nacho Chips covered with BBQ chicken, beans, green onions and favorite toppings, sign me up! Foil packet nachos are a quick and fun way to deliver snacks at a BBQ or while camping.
39. Watermelon Feta Basil Salad with Blueberry Balsamic
While not a foil packet meal, this Watermelon Feta Basil Salad is so refreshing, I had to include. The taste of summer to me is watermelon, and brings back happy childhood memories. It takes only 10 minutes to make and is the perfect balance of sweet and salty.
40. Grilled Peach Crisp
Grilled Peach Crisp is amazing. Something you don't want to miss this summer season. Deliciously simple foil packet recipe that can be grilled on the BBQ or cooked over the coals of a campfire.
41. Foil Packet Chocolate Cherry Cake
Create memories with this easy Foil Packet Chocolate Cherry Cake. It is a delicious chocolate dessert that can be made in a campfire, on a grill, or in the oven.
42. Banana S'mores in a Waffle Bowl
Gooey mix of s'mores and banana boats, this waffle bowl will satisfy the sweetest of cravings. A tasty campfire recipe that is as easy as it is delicious.
43. Campfire Apple Pie Packets
Kids love these delicious and easy Campfire Apple Pie Packets. Made with quick and affordable ingredients, and fun to cook over a fire, on a grill, or even in your oven for a home camp out.
44. This S'mores Cones Recipe is perfect for the Campfire, BBQ or Oven.
S'Mores Cones are the perfect holiday weekend treat. Enjoy the sweet taste of s'mores in a convenient to hold cone. Sticky fingers be gone. Kids will love creating their own. Make them right on your BBQ grill or on a campfire.
45. Grilled Caramel Apple Crunch
Apples & Caramel go together like PB&J, only a million times better! Grilled Caramel Apple Crunch is a fun treat for camping or a BBQ.
46. Campfire Apple Crisp Foil Packets {Vegan, Gluten Free}
An easy campfire foil packet dessert recipe for those with a sweet tooth. lovers. Combine juice apples, cinnamon and granola for gorgeous Campfire Apple Crisp Foil Packs. Vegan and gluten-free.
Final Thoughts: Campfire Foil Packets
With these easy make ahead foil packet recipes for camping, you’ll have plenty of delicious meals to enjoy on your next camping adventure.
Whether you’re grilling or cooking over a campfire, these recipes are perfect for families looking to make their camping trips even more memorable and delicious. From hearty breakfasts to mouthwatering dinners and scrumptious desserts, there’s something for even the most sceptical of your group.
FAQs
What are foil packet meals?
A foil packet meal is a popular camp food that is usually made up of vegetables and proteins rolled in aluminum foil. This creates a “packet” that seals in moisture, which steams the food as it is heated over a grill or campfire.
If you make individual servings, the best part is you can open it up, and eat right out of the foil. Low-mess = less cleanup and happy campers.
Related camping & road trip posts:
