These campfire foil packet scalloped potatoes are a favorite for outdoor enthusiasts who love cooking over an open flame. I’ve been experimenting with this foil packet scalloped potatoes recipe for years, and I’m happy to share it with you. Essentially, it’s a twist on traditional scalloped potatoes, but instead of baking them in the oven, we’re going to cook them in foil packets right over the campfire.
You don’t need any special equipment or cooking skills to make it happen. Just gather your ingredients, prep the potatoes, and let the campfire do the rest. I love that I can prepare everything ahead of time, toss the packets on the fire, and let them cook while I’m busy setting up camp
This foil packet scalloped potatoes recipe is that it’s perfect for camping trips, backyard gatherings, or even just a quick weeknight dinner. The cleanup is minimal, and the results are always good. Your friends and family will love the smoky flavor the campfire adds to the potatoes, and you’ll appreciate how easy it is to make a delicious meal without slaving away in the kitchen.
Whether you’re a seasoned camper or just looking for a new way to cook potatoes, I promise you’ll love this foil packet scalloped potatoes recipe. So grab a cup of coffee, get comfortable, and let’s dive in!
Cooking Instructions For the Campfire Foil Packet Scalloped Potatoes
- The first step of making the campfire foil packet scalloped potatoes is to start your fire or charcoals. You will using them for the campfire foil packet scalloped potatoes, so you will want to make sure you have plenty on hand.
- If using embers, get a large fire going using (preferably) hardwood and let it slowly burn down. This process from start to finish can take upwards of an hour.
- If using charcoals, fill a large chimney starter and light. This process will take approximately 20 minutes to get all the coals hot and ready. You will likely want to have some charcoals available in reserve.
- Prepare 8 pieces of aluminum foil with vegetable cooking spray. Add thee potatoes, green onion, soup, cheese, (and bacon and mushrooms if using) in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Evenly divide the potato mixture among the squares of aluminum foil. Add butter. Fold into foil packets, sealing well.
- Cook foil packets on the grill for 12 to 20 minutes, until the potatoes have cooked.
- To serve cut a large X across each foil packet. Carefully peel the foil back and serve.
Ingredients
potatoes
onions
mushroom soup
Cheddar cheese
black pepper
garlic salt
bacon
mushrooms
butter
Why I Love This Campfire Foil Packet Scalloped Potatoes
Cooking with foil packets is a popular method among campers for several reasons. Here are ten factual reasons why:
Ease of Preparation:
1. Minimal Prep Time: Preparing foil packet meals is usually quick and straightforward, often involving simply chopping ingredients and seasoning them before wrapping in foil.
Simple Ingredients: Many foil packet recipes require basic, readily available ingredients.
2. Convenience:
No Need for Pots and Pans: Foil packets eliminate the need for multiple cooking utensils and dishes.
Portability: Foil packets are easy to transport, making them ideal for camping trips.
3. Versatility:
Variety of Recipes: Almost any meal can be adapted for foil packet cooking, from breakfast to dessert.
Suitable for Various Cooking Methods: Foil packets can be cooked over an open flame, on a grill, or in coals.
4. Flavor Enhancement:
Sealed Cooking: The sealed packets trap steam, helping to retain moisture and enhance the flavors of the ingredients.
Even Cooking: Foil packets promote even cooking by distributing heat uniformly.
5. Easy Cleanup:
Disposable: After cooking, the foil can be disposed of, reducing the need for washing dishes.
Less Mess: The foil contains the food and any cooking juices, minimizing spills and mess.
6. Healthier Cooking:
Less Oil Needed: The steaming effect of foil packets often requires less oil or fat for cooking.
Nutrient Retention: Cooking in foil packets can help retain nutrients in the food since it cooks in its own juices.
7. Portion Control:
Individual Servings: Foil packets can be easily portioned out for individual servings, making it easier to manage meal sizes.
Customizable: Each packet can be customized to accommodate individual dietary preferences or restrictions.
8. Safety:
Reduced Risk of Contamination: Cooking food in sealed packets reduces the risk of cross-contamination, especially important when dealing with raw meat.
Controlled Cooking Environment: The packets help control the cooking environment, reducing the risk of food falling into the fire or grill.
9. Fuel Efficiency:
Shorter Cooking Times: Foil packets often require less cooking time, conserving fuel.
Efficient Heat Use: The packets make efficient use of the heat source, whether it’s a campfire, grill, or portable stove.
10. Fun and Interactive:
Group Activity: Making foil packets can be a fun group activity, allowing everyone to assemble their own meals.
Creative Cooking: Campers can get creative with their recipes, trying different ingredient combinations and cooking techniques.
These reasons make foil packet cooking a favored method among campers, providing practicality, efficiency, and enjoyment.
Campfire Foil Packet Cooking Tips
Use heavy-duty aluminum foil. This will help prevent tearing as you handle the packs and flip them over the campfire/grill.
Take advantage of indirect heat. When cooking over a campfire, you’ll want to use embers/coals, rather than placing the packets right over a roaring fire.
Flip the packets. Turn the packets over every once in a while to make sure they cook evenly.
Protect your hands: We like to use heat-resistant gloves or extra-long BBQ tongs when handling hot foil packets.
Use a meat thermometer. When it comes to foil pack recipes, we highly recommend using an instant-read thermometer to ensure that the meat is cooked through. Take a packet off the fire, carefully open it (it will be full of steam!), and check the temp of a few pieces. If the meat needs more time, re-seal the packet and put it back on the fire to cook for a while longer.
The first step of making the campfire foil packet scalloped potatoes is to start your fire or charcoals. You will using them for the campfire foil packet scalloped potatoes, so you will want to make sure you have plenty on hand.
If using embers, get a large fire going using (preferably) hardwood and let it slowly burn down. This process from start to finish can take upwards of an hour.
If using charcoals, fill a large chimney starter and light. This process will take approximately 20 minutes to get all the coals hot and ready. You will likely want to have some charcoals available in reserve.
What Are Foil Packets and How Do I Use Them
Campfire foil packets are dishes prepared on a campfire or grill packaged in foil and served all at once. You might have tried them previously or seen others camping with food wrapped in tinfoil and thrown on a grill to cook together.
Like a one-pot dinner, all of the ingredients cook altogether within the foil, resulting in a steaming, tender, and wonderful all-in-one dish. Foil packages can be prepared over a campfire, on a grill, or in the oven.
This dish is extremely adjustable, so if someone doesn’t like onions, for instance, you may substitute it with green beans, making it ideal for a group. These are a few typical items found in foil packs.
It’s simple to switch out ingredients! Choose asparagus, zucchini, broccoli, snap peas, or sweet peppers. To replace fresh potatoes, use frozen cubed hash
browns or thinly chopped sweet potatoes. Instead of Italian spice, use lemon pepper, Cajun seasoning, or your favorite barbecue sauce. In addition, instead of chicken breasts, use chicken thighs, chicken sausage, or ground chicken in chicken foil packets.
What Exactly is a Foil Pack Meal?
A foil pack dinner, also known as a hobo package or foil packet dinner? is a complete meal composed of vegetables, meats, carbohydrates, and spices wrapped in many layers of aluminum foil. It’s cooked over campfire embers, on the grill, or in the oven. The tight closure retains moisture while steam cooks the food within the package.
Additionally, there are several vegetable and protein combos that may be used to create quick foil pack camping dinners. For example, in this package, I combine asparagus, chicken, and potatoes with garlic flavor.
It’s simple to switch out ingredients! Choose asparagus, zucchini, broccoli, snap peas, or sweet peppers. To replace fresh potatoes, use frozen cubed hash
browns or thinly chopped sweet potatoes. Instead of Italian spice, use lemon pepper, Cajun seasoning, or your favorite barbecue sauce. In addition, instead of chicken breasts, use chicken thighs, chicken sausage, or ground chicken in chicken foil packets.
How To Make Foil Packets
- Tear out a 16-inch piece of tinfoil.
- Place the meal onto the foil sheet.
- Fold up both long edges of the foil until the ends touch above the meal.
- Double fold both ends, allowing heat circulation inside.
- To close the packet, double fold the two short ends.
Make Ahead Tips For the Campfire Foil Packet Scalloped Potatoes
Start The Coals / Prepare Your Fire
The first step is to start your fire or charcoals. You will using them a lot so you will want to make sure you have plenty on hand.
If using embers, get a large fire going using (preferably) hardwood and let it slowly burn down. This process from start to finish can take upwards of an hour.
If using charcoals, fill a large chimney starter and light. This process will take approximately 20 minutes to get all the coals hot and ready. You will likely want to have some charcoals available in reserve.
Campfire Cooking Tools
Kitchen Twine
Mixing Bowl
Cast Iron Skillet
Grill Grate
Knives
Campfire Cooking Utensils
Campfire Serving Utensils
Campfire Fork or Tongs
Fire Proof Cooking Gloves
Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Foil Paper Non Stick
FAQ For the Campfire Foil Packet Scalloped Potatoes
Q How do I prepare campfire foil packet scalloped potatoes?
A To prepare campfire foil packet scalloped potatoes, slice potatoes thinly and layer them with butter, cheese, and seasonings. Place the mixture on a sheet of heavy-duty foil, wrap it tightly, and cook over a campfire until the potatoes are tender.
Q What ingredients are needed for campfire foil packet scalloped potatoes?
A The ingredients for campfire foil packet scalloped potatoes typically include thinly sliced potatoes, butter, cheese, garlic, salt, pepper, and heavy-duty aluminum foil for wrapping.
Q How long should campfire foil packet scalloped potatoes be cooked?
A Campfire foil packet scalloped potatoes should be cooked for about 30-40 minutes over medium heat, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Q Can I make campfire foil packet scalloped potatoes in advance?
A Yes, you can prepare campfire foil packet scalloped potatoes in advance by assembling the packets at home and keeping them refrigerated until ready to cook over the campfire.
Q Are there any variations to the traditional campfire foil packet scalloped potatoes recipe?
A Yes, you can customize campfire foil packet scalloped potatoes by adding ingredients like onions, bacon, herbs, or different types of cheese to enhance the flavor.
Other Foil Packet Recipes to Try
Steak n Potato Foil Packets Recipe
Easy Grilled Cod Foil Packets Recipe
Steak w Cowboy Butter Foil Packet Recipe
Cowboy Butter Salmon Foil Packet Recipe
Grilled Mushrooms n Onions Foil Packet Recipe
Campfire Foil Packet Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Twine
- mixing bowl
- Cast Iron Skillet
- Grill Grate
- knives
- Campfire Cooking Utensils
- Campfire Serving Utensils
- Campfire Fork Or Tongs
- fire proof cooking gloves
- Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- Foil Paper Non Stick
Ingredients
- 8 potatoes large baking peeled and diced
- 1 onions green sliced
- 10 oz mushroom soup condensed cream
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp garlic salt
- ½ cup bacon crumbled crisply cooked
- ½ cup mushrooms sauteed
- ½ cup butter
Instructions
- The first step of making the campfire foil packet scalloped potatoes is to start your fire or charcoals. You will using them for the campfire foil packet scalloped potatoes, so you will want to make sure you have plenty on hand.
- If using embers, get a large fire going using (preferably) hardwood and let it slowly burn down. This process from start to finish can take upwards of an hour.
- If using charcoals, fill a large chimney starter and light. This process will take approximately 20 minutes to get all the coals hot and ready. You will likely want to have some charcoals available in reserve.
- Prepare 8 pieces of aluminum foil with vegetable cooking spray. Add thee potatoes, green onion, soup, cheese, (and bacon and mushrooms if using) in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Evenly divide the potato mixture among the squares of aluminum foil. Add butter. Fold into foil packets, sealing well.
- Cook foil packets on the grill for 12 to 20 minutes, until the potatoes have cooked.
Nutrition
1 comment
Good side dish for any campfire meal.
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