My campfire cauliflower and cheese foil packet recipe is one of our favorite dishes to use up when we’re out camping with friends and family.
My husband and I love cooking outdoors, and foil packet recipes have become a big part of our camping meals. They are easy to make, packed with flavor, and requires minimal cleanup.
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to make. You only need a few ingredients. cauliflower, cheese, garlic, and some seasonings are all you need to create this tasty side dish.
We’ve experimented with different types of cheese, and let me tell you, the combination of cheddar and parmesan is the best for us. What I love most about the campfire cauliflower and cheese foil packet recipe is how many ways you can use it. You can serve it as a side dish, add some protein like chicken or steak, or even make it a main course. The possibilities are endless!
My husband and I have used this recipe over the years, and we’re excited to share it with you. In this post, we’ll walk you through the simple steps to create this mouthwatering dish. So grab your camping gear, and let’s get started on this campfire cauliflower and cheese foil packet recipe adventure!
By the end of this post, you’ll be a pro at making this delicious recipe, and your camping buddies will be begging for more. Trust us, the campfire cauliflower and cheese foil packet recipe is a must-try for your next outdoor adventure. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in and get cooking!
Cooking Instructions for the Campfire Cauliflower and Cheese Foil Packet Recipe
- The first step of making the Campfire cauliflower and cheese foil packet recipe is to start your fire or charcoals. You will using them for the Campfire cauliflower and cheese foil packet recipe, 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.
- Place cauliflowerets in center of Reynolds Wrap® Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil. Spoon cheese sauce evenly over cauliflowerets; top with bell pepper and ice cubes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, if desired. Place packet on baking sheet with 1-inch sides.
- Bring up sides of foil; fold down two times. Double fold both ends of foil to seal packet, leaving room for heat circulation inside.
- Cook 25 minutes over the campfire or until cauliflowerets are at desired texture.
- Cut a large X across each foil packet. Carefully peel the foil back and serve. stir to coat evenly and serve.
Ingredients
cauliflower florets
cheese sauce, pasteurized processed
red bell pepper, chopped
tsp salt
tsp pepper
Why I Love This Campfire Cauliflower and Cheese Foil Packet Recipe
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 cauliflower and cheese foil packet recipe is to start your fire or charcoals. You will using them for the Campfire cauliflower and cheese foil packet recipe, 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 hashbrowns 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 hashbrowns 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 Cauliflower and Cheese Foil Packet Recipe
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 Cauliflower and Cheese Foil Packet Recipe
Q: What ingredients do I need for the Campfire cauliflower and cheese foil packet recipe?
A: For the Campfire cauliflower and cheese foil packet recipe, you will need cauliflower florets, shredded cheese (such as cheddar or mozzarella), olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional ingredients like chopped green onions or bacon bits for extra flavor.
Q: How long does it take to cook the Campfire cauliflower and cheese foil packet recipe?
A: The Campfire cauliflower and cheese foil packet recipe typically takes about 20-25 minutes to cook over a campfire or grill, depending on the heat level and the size of the cauliflower florets.
Q: Can I prepare the Campfire cauliflower and cheese foil packet recipe ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can prepare the Campfire cauliflower and cheese foil packet recipe ahead of time by assembling the foil packets and storing them in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook them. This can make your campfire cooking more convenient.
Q: What type of cheese works best for the Campfire cauliflower and cheese foil packet recipe?
A: For the Campfire cauliflower and cheese foil packet recipe, cheeses that melt well, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend of both, work best. You can also experiment with other cheeses like Monterey Jack or Gruyère for different flavors.
Q: How do I prevent the Campfire cauliflower and cheese foil packet recipe from sticking to the foil?
A: To prevent the Campfire cauliflower and cheese foil packet recipe from sticking to the foil, lightly coat the foil with olive oil or use non-stick aluminum foil. Additionally, ensure that the cauliflower is evenly coated with oil or butter before adding the cheese and sealing the packets.
Other Foil Packet Recipes to Try
Campfire Foil Packet Bacon Ranch Potatoes Recipe
Easy Campfire Spinach Dip Foil Packet Recipe
Campfire Orange Cinnamon Rolls Foil Packet Recipe
Easy Campfire S’Mores Foil Packet Recipe
Cranberry Apple Sweet Potato Foil Packet Recipe
Easy Campfire Cauliflower and Cheese Foil Packet 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
- 4 cups cauliflower florets
- 1 cup cheese sauce pasteurized processed
- ½ cup red bell pepper chopped
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
- The first step of making the Campfire cauliflower and cheese foil packet recipe is to start your fire or charcoals. You will using them for the Campfire cauliflower and cheese foil packet recipe, 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.
- Place cauliflower in center of Reynolds Wrap® Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil. Spoon cheese sauce evenly over cauliflower; top with bell pepper and ice cubes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, if desired. Place packet on baking sheet with 1-inch sides.
- Bring up sides of foil; fold down two times. Double fold both ends of foil to seal packet, leaving room for heat circulation inside.
- Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until cauliflower are at desired texture. Open packet carefully by cutting along top folds with a sharp knife, allowing steam to escape. Stir to coat evenly and serve.
- To serve cut a large X across each foil packet. Carefully peel the foil back and serve.
Nutrition
1 comment
Good side dish for camping.
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