After spending a day in the great outdoors, pizza delivery to a campground is unlikely to happen when hunger strikes. Cooking food in a foil packet is a no-fuss method for preparing meals. No pots or array of utensils are needed to prepare a first-class camp meal. Here’s our guide for how to fold and shape foil, arrange your ingredients to ensure even cooking, and a few recipes designed to get food on the picnic table quickly.

Techniques

Flat packet – Good for browning meat. Use ample foil that’s twice as long as the food you’re wrapping. Put food in the center of the foil. Bring the long sides together in the center and crease them, making tight folds until the foil is flat next to the food. Tightly roll the short sides to seal packet.

Tent packet – Good for steaming. Follow the steps above but stop the folds before they are flat against the food. This leaves an air pocket or tent to allow steaming.

Tips

• Use heavy-duty foil or double wrap packets with regular foil.
• When applicable, put meat on the bottom because it takes longest to cool.
• Put the foil packet on a bed of coals, not directly over the fire.
• If cooking foil packets on a gas grill at home, adjust heat and height of grate to ensure even, thorough cooking.
• Grill or coals should be at medium to medium-high heat.

Recipes

Sausage, Peppers, and Onions – Serves 4.

Cut 2 pounds of Italian sausage or bratwurst into slices. Cut 4 bell peppers of various colors and 1 white or red onion into wedges. Mix meat and vegetables together with a sprinkling of your favorite BBQ seasoning and wrap fod in 1-2 large foil packets.  We like Lambert’s Sweet Rub O’Mine in this one.  Add a sprig of fresh basil, thyme, or oregano, if desired. Cook for 20 minutes or until sausage is cooked through evenly.

BBQ Chicken and Vegetables – Serves 4.

Use eight sheets of foil large enough to wrap around a chicken breast. For each foil pack, place two sheets of aluminum foil on top of each other for durability. Place a four-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breast on each set of double-stacked sheets. Brush chicken breasts with olive oil or vegetable oil. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and rub, if desired. Brush 1-2 tablespoons of Three Little Pigs Competition Barbecue Sauce onto chicken for sweet, sassy, and smoky flavor.

Place equal portions of sliced raw zucchini, bell pepper strips, and onion slices around chicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Fold sides of the foil over the chicken, covering completely and seal packets. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once, or until done. If using a meat thermometer, the interior of the chicken should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow foil packets to rest for a few minutes before serving.

Lemon Thyme Tilapia – Serves 2

Use a light coat of non-stick cooking spray or brush vegetable oil onto two large foil sheets. Cut a lemon into eight slices. Discard ends and place three lemon slices each onto the center of the foil sheets. Place a handful of washed spinach on lemon slices. As a substitute, use washed baby bok choy sliced in half. Season two tilapia fillets with salt, pepper, and Rub Some Fish seafood seasoning. Place one fillet each on the foil packet. Drizzle olive oil on fish. Place a fresh sprig of thyme on each filet. Cook for 15 minutes or until fish is opaque. Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes. Discard lemon slices and thyme and serve.

Peanut Butter, Chocolate, and Marshmallow stuffed Bananas – Serves 1.

Go ape over this easy-to-make sweet treat. Cut a deep slit along the length of an unpeeled banana. Don’t puncture the skin on the opposite side. Use a thumb or small spoon to spread wide the banana sides. Fill center with a spoon of peanut butter (optional) and chocolate chips. Load the opening with mini marshmallows. Add more chocolate chips as desired. Make a foil boat to hold the banana upright over the grill or coals. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the banana skin is black and the chocolate is melted. Carefully remove from heat, let cool for 1-2 minutes, and dig in with a spoon.

When done serving the food, toss the foil in the trash. Cleanup is a snap.