The campfire foil packet bacon ranch potatoes recipe is one of my go-to dishes when I’m out camping. I’ve made it countless times, and every time I do, I’m reminded of just how easy and delicious it is. The best part is that it’s a cinch to prepare, and you can make it with just a few simple ingredients.
The campfire foil packet bacon ranch potatoes recipe is flagged in my camping cookbook, and for good reason. Everyone loves the combination of crispy bacon, creamy ranch seasoning, and tender potatoes.
Plus, it’s incredibly versatile – you can customize it to your taste by adding in other ingredients like
One of the things I love most about the campfire foil packet bacon ranch potatoes recipe is how easy it is to scale up or down, depending on the size of your group. Whether you’re camping with a small family or a large crew, this recipe is perfect because you can simply adjust the number of packets you make. Each packet is a self-contained meal, so there’s no need to worry about serving utensils or plates.
I’ve made the campfire foil packet bacon ranch potatoes recipe in all sorts of weather conditions, from sunny days to rainy nights, and it always turns out perfectly. The foil packets seal in all the flavors and moisture, so you’re left with a dish that’s both satisfying and filling. And let’s not forget the cleanup – it’s a breeze! Just toss the used foil packets in the trash, and you’re done.
So grab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair, and get ready to learn how to make one of the most delicious camping dishes out there – the campfire foil packet bacon ranch potatoes recipe!
Cooking Instructions For the Campfire Foil Packet Bacon Ranch Potatoes Recipe
- The first step of making the foil packet bacon ranch potatoes recipe is to start your fire or charcoals. You will using them for the foil packet bacon ranch potatoes 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.
- Scrub and slice potatoes.
- Prepare foil. Use heavy-duty foil . Cut a piece large enough to fold over the potatoes on all sides. Coat evenly with nonstick frying spray.
- Mix potatoes and ranch dressing. Layer on the foil. Garnish with bacon, shredded cheese, salt, pepper, and parsley.
- Add to the grate on the fire and cook for about 15 minutes. Flip over and grill for another 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender.
- To serve cut a large X across each foil packet. Carefully peel the foil back and serve.
Ingredients
potatoes
ranch dressing
bacon
cheddar cheese
parsley
salt
black pepper
cooking spray
Why I Love This Campfire Foil Packet Bacon Ranch Potatoes 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 foil packet bacon ranch potatoes recipe is to start your fire or charcoals. You will using them for the campfire foil packet bacon ranch potatoes 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 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 Bacon Ranch Potatoes 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 Foil Packet Bacon Ranch Potatoes Recipe
Q: What ingredients do I need for campfire foil packet bacon ranch potatoes recipe?
A: You’ll need baby potatoes, cooked and crumbled bacon, ranch seasoning mix, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, fresh chives, salt, pepper, and heavy-duty aluminum foil for the campfire foil packet bacon ranch potatoes recipe.
Q:How do I prepare the potatoes for the campfire foil packet bacon ranch potatoes recipe?
A: Start by preheating your grill or campfire to medium-high heat. Mix the halved baby potatoes with crumbled bacon, ranch seasoning mix, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Cut four large pieces of heavy-duty aluminum foil and divide the potato mixture among them. Fold the sides of the foil over the potatoes and seal the packets tightly. Cook your campfire foil packet bacon ranch potatoes recipe.
Q:How long do I cook the campfire foil packet bacon ranch potatoes recipe on the campfire or grill?
A: Place the campfire foil packet bacon ranch potatoes recipe on the preheated grill or over the campfire. Cook for 25-30 minutes, turning occasionally, until the potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork.
Q:Can I make campfire foil packet bacon ranch potatoes recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the foil packets ahead of time. Assemble the packets as instructed and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours. When ready to cook, follow the same instructions, adding an extra 5-10 minutes to the cooking time if the packets are coming straight from the refrigerator.
Q:What can I serve with campfire foil packet bacon ranch potatoes recipe?
A: These potatoes pair well with grilled meats like steak, chicken, or sausages. They can also be served as a hearty side dish with a green salad. For a complete meal, consider adding vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or zucchini to the foil packets before cooking.
Other Foil Packet Recipes to Try
Campfire Strawberry Jalapeno Ribs Foil Packets Recipe
Campfire Foil Packet Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
Campfire Greek Style Beef Foil Packets Recipe
Campfire Teriyaki Vegetables Foil Packet Recipe
Campfire Sweet Potatoes Foil Packet Recipe
Campfire Foil Packet Bacon Ranch 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
- 1 lb potatoes I used Yukon gold
- 1/3 cup ranch dressing
- 4 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese or Colby Jack cheese shredded
- 2 tbsp parsley fresh chopped finely
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 black pepper
- non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- The first step of making the foil packet bacon ranch potatoes recipe is to start your fire or charcoals. You will using them for the foil packet bacon ranch potatoes 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.
- Scrub and slice potatoes.
- Prepare foil. Use heavy-duty foil . Cut a piece large enough to fold over the potatoes on all sides. Coat evenly with nonstick frying spray.
- Mix potatoes and ranch dressing. Layer on the foil. Garnish with bacon, shredded cheese, salt, pepper, and parsley.
- Add to the grate on the fire and cook for about 15 minutes. Flip over and grill for another 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender.
Nutrition
1 comment
I really liked your recipe.
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