How to Cook in Foil Packets
Whether in the oven or over a campfire, cooking with foil packets provide easy and virtually pan-free cooking. A heavy-duty foil affords stability for heavier foods such as meat and potatoes, and you may cook the meat and vegetables separately or together as individual dinners. However you choose to cook your meals, the foil packets provide a unique way of preparing food for the family. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Heavy-duty aluminum foil
- Meat or fish
- Cubed vegetables
- Seasonings
- Liquid
- Knife
Instructions
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1
Tear off a large section of heavy-duty aluminum foil and place on the counter. Spray the foil with a non-stick cooking spray.
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2
Place meat first on the aluminum foil if cooking meat and vegetables together for individual foil dinners. Beef or pork generally cook longer than fish so you may want to cook the fish in its own foil packet. Lay the meat lengthwise on the foil.
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3
Cube large vegetables into smaller pieces such as carrots or potatoes. You may also add squash, mushrooms, tomatoes or peppers. Layer a serving of vegetables over the meat. Add your preferred seasonings including salt, pepper, basil, chives or cilantro. Pour 3 to 4 tbsp. of liquid, including water, wine or chicken broth over the meat and vegetables. If cooking the meat and vegetables separately, add liquid to both packets.
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4
Bring the two sides of foil up over the food and seal together tightly. Place the foil packets in a preheated 350 degree oven or on a grill. If cooking with a campfire, lay the foil packets next to hot embers or on a rack over the fire. After 30 minutes, check the doneness of the meat and vegetables. Thick cuts of meat may require longer cooking times. Cook fish 10 to 15 minutes, then check for doneness.
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5
Remove the foil packets from the oven or grill using hot pads. Cut open the top of the foil packet slightly with a knife to allow steam to escape before opening completely.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a meat thermometer to check doneness of beef, poultry or pork.
Resources
- Photo Credit Eising/Photodisc/Getty Images
