This Tilapia with pesto veggies foil packet recipe became the highlight of our recent picnic at the lake. The tilapia, combined with a medley of vibrant vegetables, all mixed with the aroma of basil pesto.
We all know that planning a picnic can be tricky, especially when it comes to the food. You want dishes that are delicious, easy to prep, and travel-friendly. That’s why I was thrilled when I tried this tilapia with pesto veggies foil packet recipe. Not only is this recipe easy to make, it requires minimal cleanup, and cooked evenly, giving perfectly flavored fish and veggies every time.
The best part oof this dish lies in its simplicity. The fresh tilapia acts as the perfect base for the rich pesto. Sitting alongside are colorful bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and tender zucchini, each absorbing the flavorful juices from the pesto. Sealing all these ingredients in a foil packet ensures that they cook in their own steam that keeps everything tender and moist.
Not only did John rave about it but friends from the next RV tried it and loved it as well. All I did was gather the ingredients, assemble the packets, and let the grill work its work.
Bring this recipe to bring to your next outdoor trip. It’s a win for taste, ease of preparation, and minimal cleanup.
Cooking Instructions
- The first step of making the tilapia with pesto veggies is to start your fire or charcoals. You will using them for the tilapia with pesto veggies, 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.
- Rub filets on both sides with olive oil and season with fish sauce, and let the fish come to outdoor temperature Cut Cherry tomatoes in half and slice green onions.
- Tear off four squares of foil, stack them up to make two double pieces, and spray the inside of the foil with non-stick spray or brush with olive oil.
- Put a piece of fish on top of each double piece of foil, spread about 2 tbsp pesto over each piece of fish, and scatter 1/4 the tomatoes and green onions over each. Fold the foil around the fish, tightly sealing the ends.
- Cook fish on the hot grill without turning until the fish is cooked through and the pesto, tomatoes, and green onions are wilted and have formed a flavorful sauce, about 15 minutes. Check on package after 15 minutes and return to the fire if necessary.
- To serve cut a large X across each foil packet. Carefully peel the foil back and serve.
Ingredients For the Tilapia with Pesto Veggies Foil Packet Recipe
tilapia filets
olive oil
fish sauce
Basil Pesto
tomatoes,
green onion
Why I Love This Tilapia with Pesto Veggies 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 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 Tilapia with Pesto Veggies 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 Tilapia with Pesto Veggies Foil Packet Recipe
Q: What is the best type of fish to use for this tilapia with pesto veggies foil packet recipe?
A: For this tilapia with pesto veggies foil packet recipe, you can use either fresh or frozen tilapia fillets. If using frozen, make sure to thaw them first before cooking. Look for sustainably sourced and wild-caught tilapia for the best flavor and texture. You can also use other types of white fish like cod or mahi-mahi if you prefer.
Q: Can I customize the vegetables in the tilapia with pesto veggies foil packet recipe?
A: Absolutely! The beauty of this tilapia with pesto veggies foil packet recipe is that you can customize the vegetables to your liking. While the recipe calls for zucchini, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes, you can substitute or add other vegetables like asparagus, carrots, broccoli, or mushrooms. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time based on the vegetables you choose.
Q: How do I prevent the tilapia with pesto veggies foil packet recipe from sticking to the foil?
A: To prevent the tilapia with pesto veggies foil packet recipe from sticking to the foil, make sure to spray the foil with cooking spray or brush it with a little bit of olive oil before adding the fish and vegetables. You can also use parchment paper or aluminum foil with a non-stick coating for easier cleanup.
Q: Can I cook the tilapia with pesto veggies foil packet recipe in the oven instead of on the grill?
A: Yes, you can cook the tilapia with pesto veggies foil packet recipe in the oven instead of on the grill. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and cook the packets for 12-15 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. You can also use a toaster oven or air fryer for a crispy exterior and tender interior.
Q: How do I store leftovers from this tilapia with pesto veggies foil packet recipe?
A: To store leftovers from this tilapia with pesto veggies foil packet recipe, let the foil packets cool completely before refrigerating or freezing them. You can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 2 months. When reheating, make sure the fish is heated to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure food safety.
Other Foil Packet Recipes to Try
Campfire Smoked Kielbasa and Vegetables Foil Packet Recipe
Zucchini Parmesan Foil Packet Recipe
Chicken Fajitas Foil Packets Recipe
Indian Spiced Potatoes n Eggs Foil Packet Recipe
Caprese Stuffed Chicken Foil Packet Recipe
Tilapia with Pesto Veggies 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 fish filets Tilapia
- 2 tbsp olive oil for rubbing the fish pieces
- 4 tsp. fish sauce or use your favorite seasoning mix for fish
- 1 cup Basil Pesto with Lemon
- 4 tomatoes cherry size cut in half (or diced whole tomatoes)
- 6 tbsp green onion sliced
Video
Instructions
- The first step of making the tilapia with pesto veggies is to start your fire or charcoals. You will using them for the tilapia with pesto veggies, 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.
- Rub filets on both sides with olive oil and season with fish sauce, and let the fish come to outdoor temperature Cut Cherry tomatoes in half and slice green onions.
- Tear off four squares of foil, stack them up to make two double pieces, and spray the inside of the foil with non-stick spray or brush with olive oil.
- Put a piece of fish on top of each double piece of foil, spread about 2 tbsp pesto over each piece of fish, and scatter 1/4 the tomatoes and green onions over each. Fold the foil around the fish, tightly sealing the ends.
- Cook fish on the hot grill without turning until the fish is cooked through and the pesto, tomatoes, and green onions are wilted and have formed a flavorful sauce, about 15 minutes. Check on package after 15 minutes and return to the fire if necessary.
- To serve cut a large X across each foil packet. Carefully peel the foil back and serve.
Nutrition
