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Easy Family Camping Foil Packet Dinners

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These easy family camping foil packet dinners are quick, versatile, and perfect for outdoor meals, requiring minimal cleanup and delivering delicious, flavorful results.

Ingredients

  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (about 1 lb / 450 g), trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
  • Ground beef or turkey (1 lb / 450 g), lean
  • Shrimp, peeled and deveined (1 lb / 450 g)
  • Firm tofu, pressed and cubed (14 oz / 400 g) – vegetarian option
  • Red bell peppers, diced (2 medium)
  • Zucchini, sliced into half-moons (1 large)
  • Yellow onion, thinly sliced (1 medium)
  • Baby potatoes, halved (1.5 lbs / 700 g)
  • Cherry tomatoes (1 cup / 150 g), whole or halved
  • Garlic cloves, minced (3-4)
  • Olive oil or melted butter (3 tbsp)
  • Smoked paprika (1 tsp)
  • Dried Italian herbs or herbes de Provence (1 tbsp)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Lemon wedges for serving (optional)
  • Grated Parmesan or shredded cheese (optional, ½ cup / 50 g)

Instructions

  1. Prepare your ingredients (10-15 minutes): Chop all vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Cut chicken or other proteins into roughly 1-inch chunks. Parboil potatoes for about 5 minutes if using.
  2. Mix the seasoning blend: In a large bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Whisk together.
  3. Toss ingredients together: Add protein and vegetables to the bowl and toss until evenly coated with the seasoned oil.
  4. Form the foil packets (5-7 minutes): Tear off large sheets of heavy-duty foil (about 12×12 inches). Place an even portion of the mixture onto each sheet. Fold foil over and crimp edges tightly to seal packets, leaving a little space inside for steam.
  5. Cook the packets (15-25 minutes): Place packets on a preheated grill or over indirect heat on a camp stove. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Shrimp cooks faster (10-12 minutes), chicken or beef may need 20-25 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
  6. Check doneness and serve: Carefully open one packet to test if veggies are tender and protein cooked through. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top and sprinkle with Parmesan or cheese if desired.

Notes

Do not overload packets to avoid soggy veggies and uneven cooking. Cut ingredients uniformly for even cooking. Start with high heat to sear packets, then move to indirect heat. Let packets rest 3-5 minutes after cooking. Leave a small vent hole in foil to prevent bursting. Packets can be assembled ahead and refrigerated up to 24 hours before cooking. For dairy-free, skip cheese or use plant-based alternatives. Can be baked in a conventional oven at 400°F for about 20 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: camping meals, foil packet dinners, quick meal prep, outdoor cooking, easy family dinners, camping recipes, one-pan meals

Find it online: https://sizzlesprout.com/easy-family-camping-foil-packet-dinners-5-quick-meal-prep-recipes/