This Cowboy butter salmon foil packet recipe was my favor meal on our camping trip to the mountains last weekend. I had been thinking of trying this cowboy butter salmon foil packet recipe for months, and what better way to test it out than on an outdoor camping trip? As we set up our campsite, I couldn’t wait to get started on preparing dinner. The cowboy butter salmon foil packet recipe is simple enough – just a few ingredients, some foil packets, and a hot campfire.
I started by prepping the salmon fillets, seasoning them with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Next, I mixed together the cowboy butter ingredients – softened butter, parsley, dill, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. I wrapped each fillet in foil, adding a slice of lemon and a sprinkle of parsley on top. The packets were sealed tight, ready to be placed directly onto the coals.
Twenty minutes later, I carefully unwrapped the packets and it looked great. The salmon was flaky and tender, with a rich, buttery flavor that melted in our mouths. The lemon and herbs added a freshness that add to the smoky from the campfire.
What I loved most about this cowboy butter salmon foil packet recipe was its ease and convenience. No fancy cooking skills required, just a few simple ingredients and some foil packets. It’s the perfect camping recipe – minimal cleanup, no fuss, and maximum flavor.
Cooking Instructions For the Cowboy Butter Salmon Foil Packet Recipe
- The first step of making the cowboy butter salmon foil packet recipe is to start your fire or charcoals. You will using them for the cowboy butter salmon 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 4 pieces of aluminum foil (about 12 x 18 inches each) on the kitchen counter.
- Place one piece of salmon on the center of each piece of aluminum foil. Arrange the veggies to one side of the fish (if using).
- Season the salmon and vegetables lightly with salt and pepper.
- Spread the Cowboy butter on the fish and veggies. Sprinkle the onions over the salmon.
- Fold the sides of the foil over the salmon and crimp the edges to seal the packets. Do not wrap the packages too tightly. A little gap between the meal and the top of the foil allows for air circulation. Make sure the fish/veggies are thoroughly wrapped to keep the Cowboy butter from leaking.
- Place the foil packets on the fire grate or grill for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through but still slightly pink in the center. Time will vary based on the thickness of the fish and your desired level of doneness.
- To serve cut a large X across each foil packet. Carefully peel the foil back and serve.
- Put all the ingredients for the Cowboy Butter in a bowl and mix them together. Set this aside until you are ready to use it.
Ingredients
Salmon
salmon fillets
salt
black pepper
olive oil
Cowboy Butter
butter
parsley
hives
garlic
mustard
red pepper flakes
Kosher salt
Why I Love This Cowboy Butter Salmon 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.
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 Cowboy Butter Salmon 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 Cowboy Butter Salmon Foil Packet Recipe
Q: What is a cowboy butter salmon foil packet recipe?
A: The cowboy butter salmon foil packet recipe is a simple and delicious way to prepare salmon fillets with a flavorful compound butter made from ingredients like softened butter, parsley, dill, garlic, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. The salmon is wrapped in foil packets with the cowboy butter and cooked to perfection in the oven or on the grill.
Q: What type of salmon is best for this cowboy butter salmon foil packet recipe?
A: You can use any type of salmon fillet for this cowboy butter salmon foil packet recipe, but thicker cuts like King or Sockeye salmon work best. Thicker fillets hold up well to the cooking method and allow for even distribution of the cowboy butter flavors. If using thinner fillets, adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Q: Can I customize the cowboy butter salmon foil packet recipe ingredients?
A: Absolutely! The Cowboy butter is a versatile compound butter that can be tailored to your taste preferences. Feel free to add or substitute ingredients like chopped fresh herbs (such as chives or tarragon), grated ginger, or minced jalapeño peppers to give the butter a unique flavor profile.
Q: How do I ensure the cowboy butter salmon foil packet recipe is cooked to perfection?
A: Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the salmon fillets and your desired level of doneness. As a general guideline, cook the salmon for 12-15 minutes per inch of thickness at 400°F (200°C) in the oven or 4-6 minutes per side on the grill. Check for doneness by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the fillet; it should read at least 145°F (63°C). If you prefer a more well-done salmon, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Q: Can I make cowboy butter salmon foil packet recipe ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can prepare the cowboy butter and assemble the cowboy butter salmon foil packet recipe ahead of time. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours or freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to cook, simply remove the desired number of packets from the refrigerator or freezer and cook as instructed. Keep in mind that cooking time may vary slightly if cooking from frozen.
Other Foil Packet Recipes to Try
Campfire Gnocchi Foil Packets Recipe
Campfire Foil Packet Shrimp Pasta Recipe
Campfire Poblano n Potato Foil Packet Recipe
Campfire Goat Cheese Pasta w Tomatoes Foil Packet Recipe
Campfire Grilled Sausage w Peppers Foil Packets Recipe
Cowboy Butter Salmon 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
Salmon
- 4 salmon fillets (180g/6oz each), skinless and boneless
- 1/2 tsp salt cooking / kosher
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Cowboy Butter
- 1 cup butter melted unsalted
- 2 tbsp parsley chopped
- 2 tbsp chives chopped
- 2 tbsp garlic minced
- 1 tbsp mustard Dijon
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp Kosher salt
Instructions
Salmon
- The first step of making the cowboy butter salmon foil packet recipe is to start your fire or charcoals. You will using them for the cowboy butter salmon 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 4 pieces of aluminum foil (about 12 x 18 inches each) on the kitchen counter.
- Place one piece of salmon on the center of each piece of aluminum foil. Arrange the veggies to one side of the fish (if using).
- Season the salmon and vegetables lightly with salt and pepper.
- Spread the Cowboy butter on the fish and veggies. Sprinkle the onions over the salmon.
- Seal the packages by folding the foil sides over the salmon and crimping the edges. Don't wrap the packages too tightly. A little space between the food and the top of the foil allows for airflow. To prevent the Cowboy butter from leaking, make sure the fish and vegetables are well covered.
- Place the foil packets on the grill or fire grate for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the salmon is fully cooked but still slightly pink in the middle. The time will vary depending on the thickness of the fish and the desired level of doneness.
- To serve cut a large X across each foil packet. Carefully peel the foil back and serve.
Cowboy Butter
- Put all the ingredients for the Cowboy Butter in a bowl and mix them together. Set this aside until you are ready to use it.
1 comment
Good salmon and really easy.
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