When it comes to foil packets, we can't believe we just learned about these a few years ago. They're an inexpensive, foolproof, mess-free, cleanup free way to make great dinners — and they scale really easily for small families or large ones!
A few pro tips for optimal flavor and done-ness: don't skimp on the aluminum foil for these! That store-brand stuff is just going to fall apart, so pony up for the good stuff. If these dishes are being cooked in an oven, it's totally fine to check them, although it's not something that should be done all the time because the steam gets released. Once they're in for about the amount of time the recipe says, just snatch one packet out and test it.
The meat should be cooked through (it's simple to slice a bit open to tell), and the veggies should be tender without being mushy. When grilling, it's best to fold but not completely seal these — the flavor of the grill needs to get in somehow! Remember to toss all the flavors together, stirring them so all the ingredients are evenly coated before cooking — they can even be marinated in the foil packet ahead of time for more flavor.
And while foil packets are among our favorite ways to make everything from steak to salmon, there are also a ton of other options for easy dishes. For great stay-at-home date-night dishes (or something for when company's coming over that can still be done with little time), try one-skillet dishes. These only dirty up one pan, are super easy, but seem really elevated. We also recommend other zero cleanup dishes and sheet pan recipes, because life is complicated and nobody has time to spend all night cooking and cleaning!
Tin Foil Packet Seasoned Italian Chicken and Veggies
This tin foil packet seasoned Italian chicken and veggies is an absolutely amazing complete meal, with plenty of protein, fresh vegetables, and potatoes. There's no simpler, more beloved zero-cleanup total meal to feed a family last-minute!
Lemon Herb Shrimp & Broccoli Foil Packs
We love how simple and delicious this recipe for lemon herb shrimp and broccoli foil packs is. The lemon cuts through any fishiness in the shrimp, making it perfect even for families who have one member who claims they don't like seafood (there's always one).
Grilled Peach-Glazed Pork Tenderloin Foil Packet With Potatoes
This grilled peach-glazed pork tenderloin foil packet with potatoes is such an amazing summer recipe — we love the way peach and pork go together! Would be really delicious served with some roasted asparagus.
Sausage & Potato Foil Packets
These sausage and potato foil packets are a great solution to weeknight dinners. It's even easy to throw all the ingredients together in a foil packet ahead the morning of, then toss them in the oven after walking through the door.
Foil Packet Turkey & Sweet Potato Tacos
These foil packet turkey and sweet potato tacos are totally nutritious — they're fully loaded with B-vitamins, protein, and tons of flavor. A great weeknight dinner, and also quickly made vegetarian by replacing the turkey with chickpeas.
Butter Garlic Herb Steak Foil Packets
Butter garlic herb steak foil packets may not be the world's healthiest meal, but sometimes we're in the mood for some perfectly cooked steak, and that's what this recipe absolutely brings (the butter isn't hurting anything, either).
Honey Garlic Shrimp & Zucchini Foil Packets
These honey garlic shrimp and zucchini foil packets are packed to the brim with the best summer flavors and produce, including tomatoes, corn, and fresh basil. Perfect for cookouts, but also for a rainy summer night in.
Mushroom Chicken Foil Packets
These mushroom chicken foil packets are such a simple dinner, and the cleanup is absolutely minimal. A well-balanced meal with chicken, rice, mushrooms, and peas, this is one that takes just a few minutes to make and is super healthy.
Sweet Mustard Pork & Potato Packets
We love these sweet mustard pork and potato packets for their versatility and ease. We're also super into throwing whatever veggies are in the fridge into the packets with these — mushrooms, green beans, or whatever else is laying around!
Herb Butter Salmon & Asparagus Foil Packs
These herb butter salmon and asparagus foil packs are so bright and fresh-tasting, we love them even though raw salmon is clearly superior to cooked in terms of flavor (don't write in, we know it's a controversial stance and we respect everyone's opinion even though we totally super disagree).
Southwestern Chicken Packets
These Southwestern chicken packets make a tasty alternative to tacos or burritos, but share many of the same ingredients. The avocado and pico de gallo bring freshness to the dish.
Old Bay Shrimp Foil Packs
The delicious Maryland flavor of these Old Bay shrimp foil packs is perfect for a weeknight meal or a low-key weekend chill-out. We'd serve with baked potatoes, a Caesar salad, and maybe some pan-roasted veggies.
Grilled Greek Chickpea Foil Packets
Grilled Greek chickpea foil packets are such a sneaky way to add a meatless night into a meat-heavy rotation. The chickpeas are rich and satisfying, while the Greek herb blend makes this absolutely appetizing.
Pesto Pork Chop & Summer Vegetable Foil Dinners
Pesto pork chop and summer vegetable foil dinners are so bright and flavorful. We think pesto belongs in basically everything, all summer long, because it's the best of everything summer, and that even includes pork.
Cauliflower Curry Grill Packets With Yogurt Sauce
These cauliflower curry grill packets with yogurt sauce are such a delicious, beautifully fragrant, iron-packed dinner unto themselves — although they'd also work as a side with any of the meat-heavy dishes on this list!
Bacon Ranch Chicken Foil Packets
These bacon ranch chicken foil packets are the ultimate answer to a family full of picky eaters. We challenge anyone to find the kid who will turn up their nose at bacon and ranch (even if some veggies are snuck in there, too).
Moroccan Salmon Foil Packets With Carrot Noodles & Chickpeas
Moroccan salmon foil packets with carrot noodles and chickpeas sounds so incredibly elegant — and it is! — but it's also no harder than throwing some chicken and potatoes in a foil packet. Totally beautiful enough for an at-home date night or when company comes!
Grilled Halloumi & Summer Veggie Foil Packets
Grilled halloumi and summer veggie foil packets is such a perfect vegetarian alternative when folks are grilling. It's perfect because it's so quick to toss a foil packet onto a grill, and there's no way for it to touch the meat!
Campfire S'more Nachos Grill Packet
This campfire s'more nachos grill packet is such a wonderful consolation prize to a rained-out camping trip! (And a great way to use up all those s'mores ingredients other than just eating them cold).
Campfire Apple Pie Packets
These campfire apple pie packets have all of the bubbling goodness and flavor of apple pie, but are so simple to make — and the cleanup is basically nonexistent. A sweet end to any of these foil packet dinners!
