Foil Pack Dinners

Many campers know that if you want a meal with little cleanup, you can cook it in a foil pack. The most typical foil pack ingredients are ground beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions. But don’t get stuck in a rut! Try some new combinations.

Most foil packs contain some type of meat (beef, chicken, ham, etc.), a starch (potatoes or rice), and fruits or vegetables (carrots, apples, peppers, pineapple). You can add a little moisture with some condensed soup, ketchup, gravy, BBQ sauce, or something similar. I stay away from cheese in the pack itself, but sometimes I sprinkle some on the finished product.

Don’t be afraid to try something different in your foil pack dinners. I’ve seen a recipe for an omelet in a foil pack which I am going to try soon.  Find some new foil pack combinations at the bottom of this page.

After assembling your ingredients, follow the directions below to seal and cook your pack.

How to Make a Foil Pack (Hobo) Meal

Equipment

• Heavy duty aluminum foil
• Charcoal fire – charcoal should be in a single layer

Instructions

1. Tear off a piece of foil about four times the size of the food you want to cook.
2. Fold the foil in half.
3. Place the food in the middle of the foil.
4. Bring the opposite sides of the foil together.
5. Fold the sides over, one half inch at a time, crimping the foil together as you go.
6. Fold the open edges toward the center, crimping together.
7. Place the foil packet on the charcoal
8. Cook until packet puffs up with steam – usually about 30 to 45 minutes.
9. Open carefully! You don’t want a steam burn.

When sealing up the foil, the idea is to form an airtight seal, so the steam can’t escape. If the steam gets out, you might scorch your food. You are essentially making a small pressure cooker.
If you are not using heavy duty foil, use two pieces of foil to make a double layer. You don’t want your dinner to end up in the fire.

Foil Pack Hawaiian Chicken and Rice Recipe

Foil packs are great for camp, but sometimes we get tired of having burger, potatoes, and carrots every time. Here is a different twist on the hobo dinner.

Cooking Troop Program Feature for Scouts BSA

The Cooking feature teaches Scouts how to make their favorite food and discover new recipes for use at home and at camp. Scouts learn the satisfaction of preparing their own meals.

Ham and Sweet Potato Packets Recipe

Don't get stuck in a rut when making foil packets. This variation of the hobo meal features ham and sweet potatoes. Perfect for a fall campout!