How to Cook a Tasty Foil Dinner In the Campfire

You can create a tasty meal with just heavy-duty aluminum foil and hot coals from a campfire. Food wrapped airtight in foil cooks like it’s in a miniature pressure cooker.

PREPARING THE INGREDIENTS

Almost anything you like can be cooked in a foil dinner packet. Here are some of our favorite ingredients:

Protein: Ground beef, chicken breast, sausage, fish, or even tofu for a vegetarian option.
Vegetables: Potatoes, carrots, onions, bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, corn, etc.
Seasoning: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or Italian seasoning.
Fat: Olive oil, butter, or cooking spray to prevent sticking and add flavor.

To prepare the ingredients, cut the vegetables into uniform, bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly. If you’re using meat, make sure it’s cut into small pieces or patties for faster, even cooking.

Lay out a large sheet of aluminum foil (about 12-18 inches long). For best results, use heavy-duty aluminum foil to prevent tearing. You may also want to double wrap it if you’re concerned about your meal breaking open during cooking.

Before assembling your meal, lightly oil or spray the the foil to prevent sticking. Then layer your ingredients. Start with the protein (like a ground beef patty, sausage or chicken), then add your veggies on top. Season generously with salt, pepper and your choice of herbs and spices.

HOW TO FOLD A FOIL DINNER

When you fold your foil meal, allow some space for expansion by wrapping your uncooked food loosely. If you want your food to brown or broil as if it were in a skillet, leave the package open at the top so the steam can escape, and you can watch your meal cook. Otherwise, fold the foil to make it airtight.

There are three ways to fold a foil dinner: handle wrap, bundle wrap and drugstore wrap.

To use the handle wrap, tear off a section of foil long enough to double it, and crimp and fold the foil into the shape you need.
For the bundle wrap, place your food in the center of the foil. Bring the corners of the foil up into a pyramid shape, twisting the four corners together to create a seal.
And with the drugstore wrap, place your food in the center of the foil. Fold the sides up and tightly crimp and fold down several times. Bring the open ends together, folding several times, and crimp it to seal.

HOW LONG DOES A FOIL DINNER TAKE TO COOK?

Place the wrapped food directly on a bed of hot coals. With some heat on top, a foil packet of diced vegetables and meat should cook in 10 to 15 minutes. Whole potatoes are done in 40 to 50 minutes. If you don’t have heat on top, you’ll want to flip it halfway through.

Use long tongs and oven mitts to move foil packs or pick them up. Open the packets carefully, as steam will escape. You can eat directly from the foil or transfer your meal to a plate. Add any extras like cheese, herbs, or sauces at this point.