RECIPES
FOIL PACKS
The Ultimate Guide to FOIL Pack Cooking
Fire Up, Fold Tight, Feast
A hobo pack (also known as a foil packet meal) is a one-stop dinner wrapped tightly in aluminum foil and cooked over a fire, on the grill, or in the oven. You toss your choice of protein, veggies, seasonings, and maybe a little butter or oil into a foil packet, seal it up, and cook it until everything inside is steamy and delicious.
The term “hobo pack” comes from the Great Depression era, when transient workers (often called “hobos”) would cook meals over open fires using minimal equipment—just whatever they could carry. Foil wasn’t available back then (they used leaves or metal tins), but the idea of an all-in-one, portable, fire-cooked meal stuck around.
By the time aluminum foil became a household item in the mid-20th century, the hobo pack evolved into a camping and backyard grilling staple—simple, hearty, and endlessly adaptable.
Basic FOIL Pack Formula
INGREDIENTS:
Protein (chicken, beef, sausage, fish, tofu)
Vegetables (potatoes, carrots, onions, peppers, corn, etc.)
Oil or butter (about 1 tablespoon per pack)
Seasoning (salt, pepper, herbs, spices, garlic)
Optional extras: lemon slices, cheese, sauce, broth, herbs
INSTRUCTIONS:
On the Grill or Campfire:
Tear off a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil (about 12–18 inches long). Double up if using regular foil.
Place your ingredients in the center. Add oil/butter and seasoning.
Fold the foil over the food and seal the edges tightly to make a packet
Place the packet directly on hot grill grates or campfire coals.
Cook for 20–30 minutes, flipping halfway. Check doneness carefully (watch for steam!).
INSTRUCTIONS:
In the Oven:
Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
Follow the same assembly method as above.
Place packets on a baking sheet (to catch leaks).
Bake for 30–40 minutes, depending on ingredients.
Foil Pack Hack Attack
10 Meals That Practically Cook Themselves
Why settle for burgers and brats when you can wrap up a whole mein foil and let the fire (or oven) do the work? These 10 creative foil pack variations go beyond the usual and cover everything from steakhouse classics to zesty seafood, plant-based power meals, and even breakfast-for-dinner. Just layer, seal, and cook—no cleanup required.
STEAKHOUSE FOIL PACK
A hearty meat-and-potatoes combo with steakhouse vibes, cooked to tender perfection in its own juices and herbs.
Ingredients: Sliced sirloin, baby potatoes, mushrooms, red onion, rosemary, butter
SOUTHWEST CHICKEN PACK
All the flavors of a chicken burrito—no tortilla required. Spicy, cheesy, and satisfying.
Ingredients: Chicken breast, black beans, corn, bell peppers, red onion, taco seasoning, cheddar
MEDITERRANEAN COD PACK
Light and flavorful with classic Greek-inspired ingredients and a flaky white fish that cooks fast.
Ingredients: Cod fillet, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, red onion, olive oil, oregano
SAUSAGE & PEPPER PACK
A campfire classic made simple. Juicy sausage and sweet peppers in a smoky, savory foil packet.
Ingredients: Italian sausage (sliced), bell peppers, onions, zucchini, garlic, olive oil
TERIYAKI TOFU & VEGGIE PACK
A vegan-friendly option full of umami, color, and crunch. Perfect with rice or noodles on the side.
Ingredients: Firm tofu cubes, broccoli, carrots, snap peas, red bell pepper, teriyaki sauce, sesame oil
LEMON GARLIC SHRIMP PACK
Bright, zesty, and quick-cooking—shrimp and summer vegetables with a citrusy kick.
Ingredients: Raw shrimp, zucchini, yellow squash, grape tomatoes, garlic, lemon slices, butter
CHILI CHEESE DOG PACK
All the indulgent goodness of a chili cheese dog, without the mess. A kid (and grown-up) favorite.
Ingredients: Hot dogs, canned chili, shredded cheese, tater tots or sliced potatoes, diced onion. All the indulgent goodness of a chili cheese dog, without the mess. A kid (and grown-up) favorite.
PESTO CHICKEN & TOMATO PACK
Herby and melty, this foil pack is like an Italian summer dinner wrapped up in foil.
Ingredients: Chicken breast or thighs, cherry tomatoes, green beans, pesto, mozzarella
MUSHROOM & POTATO BREAKFAST PACK
A savory breakfast-for-dinner (or breakfast-for-breakfast) foil pack with earthy flavors and crispy edges.
Ingredients: Diced potatoes, mushrooms, scrambled eggs (or crack an egg on top), bacon or veggie sausage
SPICY CAJUN FISH PACK
Southern spice and soulful ingredients meet in this bold, smoky, and flaky foil pack feast.
Ingredients: Tilapia or catfish, Cajun seasoning, corn, okra, red onion, bell pepper, lemon
Foil Pack Success Tips: Read This Before You Wrap
CUT TO THE SAME SIZE
Aim for uniform pieces—whether it’s veggies or protein. This helps everything cook evenly so you're not biting into a raw carrot and a mushy zucchini in the same mouthful.
KNOW YOUR VEGGIES
Tougher vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and sweet potatoes take longer to cook. Slice them thin or give them a quick parboil before adding to your foil pack. Softer veggies like zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach can go in raw.
LAYER STRATEGICALLY
Put the quickest-cooking ingredients on top, closest to the heat. For example, shrimp or delicate fish should sit above a bed of sliced potatoes or onions, not under them.
DON’T CRY
Add a drizzle of oil, sauce, butter, broth, or even a few lemon slices. A little moisture goes a long way in keeping everything tender and flavorful.
WATCH FOR MUSHY INGREDIENTS
Soft foods like tomatoes, cheese, or eggs should be added later in the cooking process if possible—or accept that they’ll melt into things (which isn’t always a bad thing).
SEAL IT TIGHT
Use heavy-duty foil and make sure your packet is tightly crimped to keep steam and juices in. Double-wrap if your fillings are saucy or if you're cooking over a campfire.
FLIP IT CAREFULLY (OR DON’T)
For grill cooking, some foil packs benefit from a flip halfway through—but only if your ingredients are hearty enough not to fall apart. Oven versions usually don’t need flipping.
LET IT REST
Once you take the foil pack off the heat, let it sit for 3–5 minutes before opening. It finishes cooking in the steam and cools just enough to avoid the dreaded lava-mouth burn.
CHECK FOR DONENESS
Use a fork or thermometer to peek inside a corner before serving—especially if you’re dealing with chicken or fish. Undercooked foil packs are sad little bundles of regret.
CUSTOMIZE SMARTLY
Making multiple packs for a crowd? Let folks choose their fillings but keep the cooking times similar by sticking with ingredients that play well together.
Wrap It Up (Literally)
Foil packs are the ultimate mealtime magic trick—minimal prep, endless variety, and hardly a dish to wash. Whether you're grilling on the patio, baking in your oven, or roasting over campfire coals, these tasty bundles deliver big flavor with zero fuss. So go ahead—pick your combo, wrap it up, and let the heat do the rest. Dinner’s never been this easy (or this fun).