Cooking foil packets on a camp stove is a fun and easy way to make tasty meals while camping or backpacking. The foil helps contain the ingredients and speeds up cooking by creating a mini oven-like environment. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making foil packet meals on a camp stove.
What is a Foil Packet Meal?
A foil packet meal is when ingredients are wrapped in foil and cooked over a campfire or camp stove. The foil pouch steams and reflects heat back onto the food, resulting in evenly cooked meals similar to using a portable oven. Foil packet meals are a convenient camp cooking method because everything is wrapped up neatly in one pouch.
Benefits of Foil Packet Meals
- Portable and lightweight – Foil packs are easy to transport.
- Even cooking – Food cooks quickly and thoroughly in the insulated pouch.
- Versatile – Almost any ingredients can be used from meat to veggies to fruit.
- Easy clean-up – Just dispose of the foil after eating.
- Fun – Kids often enjoy assembling and opening the packets.
Choosing a Camp Stove
An easy-to-use camp stove is ideal for cooking foil packets. Look for the following features:
- Compact, lightweight size for portability.
- Wide, sturdy base to hold foil pouches.
- Adjustable heat control for cooking versatility.
- Quick to start and boil time.
- Fuel efficiency since foil cooking doesn’t require much heat.
Some top camp stove picks include:
Canister Stoves
These convenient stoves use self-sealing fuel canisters and provide adjustable flame control. Popular choices are the Jetboil Flash and the MSR Pocket Rocket 2.
Liquid Fuel Stoves
Liquid fuel stoves offer high heating capacity for larger groups. They can burn white gas, kerosene, diesel or jet fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal is a reliable option.
Wood Burning Stoves
Wood stoves like the Solo Stove Lite run off renewable resources like small twigs and branches. This makes them a good eco-friendly choice.
Tips for Building a Foil Packet
Follow these tips for properly assembling foil packets:
- Use heavy-duty aluminum foil that won’t tear easily.
- Make pouches small enough to lay flat on the stove.
- Pile ingredients in the center of the foil.
- Bring foil sides together and double fold the edges to seal.
- Fold and crimp the ends together tightly.
- Add seasoning like oil, salt and pepper before sealing.
- Write the name of the meal on top with a marker.
Foil Packet Folding Methods
There are a few techniques for folding foil packets:
- Burrito method – Place food in the center. Fold sides together, then fold and crimp ends.
- Canoe method – Fold base and sides up around food. Fold and crimp ends closed.
- Envelop method – Bring sides together over food. Crimp edges to seal. Fold ends under.
Cooking Considerations
Follow these tips when cooking foil meals on a camp stove:
- Use medium-low heat. Foil packets don’t need high temperatures.
- Place packets directly on the grill grate or on a rack.
- Flip packets halfway through for even cooking.
- Cook meat and root veggies for 30-45 minutes. Softer veggies and fruit need less time.
- Add 5-10 minutes if cooking multiple packets stacked together.
- Use tongs and oven mitts when handling hot packets.
Foil Packet Recipe Ideas
Almost any combination of ingredients can be made into a tasty foil packet meal. Here are some recipe ideas to get you started:
Breakfast
- Egg, potato, onion, bell pepper and cheese packets
- Sausage, potato and red pepper foil packets
- Banana, chocolate chip and marshmallow packets
- Apple cinnamon oatmeal packets
Lunch & Dinner
- Hamburgers or meatloaf with vegetables
- Chicken fajitas with peppers and onions
- Salmon with potatoes and asparagus
- Shrimp boil with corn on the cob and potatoes
- Kabobs using cubed meat and veggies
Side Dishes
- Baked potatoes loaded with bacon, cheese and sour cream
- Sweet potatoes sprinkled with brown sugar and cinnamon
- Corn on the cob with garlic herb butter
- Carrots and potato slices with seasonings
Desserts
- Campfire s’mores – chocolate, marshmallows and graham crackers
- Pineapple boats filled with chocolate chips
- Apples baked with raisins, brown sugar and granola
- Banana slices folded into granola and nutella
Sample Foil Packet Recipes
Here are two delicious foil packet recipes to try on your next camping trip:
Lemon Garlic Salmon Packets
Ingredients:
- 2 (6-8 oz) salmon fillets
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cut 2 (12×18 inch) sheets of heavy-duty foil. Place each salmon fillet in the center of a foil sheet.
- Top each fillet evenly with lemon slices, garlic, olive oil and oregano. Season with salt and pepper.
- Seal foil into a packet using the burrito folding method.
- Grill packets over medium heat for 12-15 minutes until salmon is opaque and flakes easily.
Southwest Chicken Packets
Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cut 2 (12×18 inch) sheets of heavy-duty foil. Divide chicken, beans, corn and peppers between packets.
- Drizzle lime juice over ingredients. Season with chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper.
- Seal packets using the envelop folding method.
- Grill packets for 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
- Remove from heat and top with avocado slices before serving.
Clean-Up Tips
Foil packets make for fairly hassle-free clean-up while camping. Here are some tips:
- Dispose of foil directly into fire pit or trash bags.
- Use campsite grills for cooking. Then cleanup is just removing ashes.
- Line camp stoves with foil for easier cleanup. Replace between meals.
- Have biodegradable soaps on hand for washing cookware and utensils.
- Use paper plates and disposable cutlery when possible.
Safety Tips
Practice these safety measures when cooking foil packets:
- Use potholders to move hot packets.
- Open packets away from face to avoid steam burns.
- Keep a fire extinguisher and first aid kit nearby.
- Store fuel canisters properly when not in use.
- Supervise children around the camp stove.
Conclusion
Cooking in foil packets on a camp stove is one of the most fun and simple cooking methods while camping. With just some foil, camp stove, creativity and basic ingredients, you can whip up quick and easy foil packet meals. Use flavorful recipes like lemon garlic salmon or southwest chicken packets. Keep safety in mind and clean-up a breeze by disposing of foil directly after eating. With foil packet meals added to your camping menu, you’ll look forward to delicious campfire cooking.