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 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.
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.
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33 FOIL PACKET & MAKE-AHEAD CAMPING MEALS
Table of Contents
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
It’s as simple as laying out a sheet (or more) of aluminum foil and combining 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 or campfire.
Our Coleman Camp stove has a grill and a burner, which is super handy when you don’t want to cook over the campfire. Ours is over 15 years old and still going strong.
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, 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
A printable camping planner is super helpful with planning & creating your camping menu for your next camping adventure.
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 oil, or 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 camping over a campfire, cook in the coals, or 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 Easy, Make Ahead Meals for camping with kids ideas and 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
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)
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.
Grilled Potatoes in Foil (potato packets)
Grilled potatoes are comfort food, and are an effortless breakfast. These potato packets are simple, easy to make, and deliciously kid (and adult) friendly.
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.
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.
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
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.
Shrimp Foil Packets With Zucchini (Campfire, BBQ, Air Fryer + Instant Pot)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mediterranean Salmon Foil Packets [VIDEO]
Elevate your camping meals with these Mediterranean Salmon Foil Packets. Incredibly flavourful and flaky, with capers, olives, oregano, garlic and tomatoes. Ready in just 20 minutes.
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 for Camping
Vegetable Foil Packets
Fuss-free vegetable foil packets are perfect for the oven, grill or campfire. A mix of seasonal vegetables, seasoned with a simple homemade spice mix cooked in foil. Quick prep, easy clean up and so, so delicious.
Foil Packet Potatoes
Baby red potatoes grilled to perfection with sweet corn. Foil packet potatoes will soon become a new family favourite camp food.
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.
Black bean bake with roasted corn salsa
Black bean bake with roasted corn salsa is an easy meal prep 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.
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.
DINNER FOIL PACKET RECIPES FOR FAMILIES
Dinner, so many foil packet options. 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.
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
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.
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.
Super Easy Garlic Steak and Potato Foil Packs in the Oven
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.
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.
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. Sweet summer tastes.
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.
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!
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.
Green Chile Chicken with 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.
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.
Tasty Camp Snacks & Desserts to WOW your Kids
Foil Packet BBQ Chicken Nachos
Cheesy Nacho Chips covered with BBQ chicken, beans and favorite toppings, sign me up! Foil packet nachos are a quick and fun way to deliver snacks at a BBQ or while camping.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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