Tulo

Easy Campfire Foil Packet Dinner Recipe

Smoked sausage is already fully cooked, so it only needs to heat through and pick up char, while potatoes cut into small, even pieces finish tender in the same 20-25 minutes. Sealing everything in foil traps steam, which cooks the vegetables through without any pot, pan, or open flame contact, and cleanup is just balling up the foil.

Prep
15 min
Cook
25 min
Total
40 min
Servings
4

Ingredients

Servings4
  • 1 1/2 lb baby potatoes, halved (quartered if larger than a golf ball)
  • 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
  • 2 ears corn on the cob, husked and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 medium bell peppers, sliced into strips
  • 1 medium red onion, sliced into wedges
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Nutrition per serving

Calories
605
Protein
23g
Carbs
28g
Fat
46g

Based on the recipe as written, one serving. Recalculates if you swap an ingredient above. An estimate only, exact values depend on the specific ingredients used.

Need different units or a different yield? Try our Conversion Calculator →

Instructions

  1. 1Build a campfire and let it burn down to a bed of hot, glowing coals (no open flame), or preheat a grill to medium-high, about 400°F (205°C).
  2. 2Cut the potatoes into pieces no larger than a golf ball halved, small enough to cook through in the same time as everything else.
  3. 3Tear off four 18-inch sheets of heavy-duty foil and, if using regular foil, double up two sheets per packet to keep it from tearing.
  4. 4Divide the potatoes, sausage, corn, bell peppers, and onion evenly among the foil sheets. Drizzle each portion with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, then toss gently right on the foil to coat.
  5. 5Fold the foil over the food and crimp the edges tightly into a sealed packet, leaving a little room inside for steam to circulate.
  6. 6Place the packets directly on the coals or on the grill grate. Cook for 20-25 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until the potatoes are fork-tender.
  7. 7Carefully unfold one packet to check doneness (steam will escape, keep your face back). If using cheese, sprinkle it over the hot vegetables and sausage, then loosely reclose the packet for 1-2 minutes to melt.
  8. 8Open the packets fully and eat straight from the foil, or slide the contents onto plates.

Tips & variations

  • Swap the smoked sausage for raw chicken thighs cut into chunks, but add 8-10 extra minutes and check that the chicken hits 165°F (74°C) before serving.
  • No campfire or grill? These bake in a home oven at 425°F (220°C) on a sheet pan for about 25-30 minutes as a backup.
  • If you're worried about potatoes staying underdone over uneven coals, microwave or parboil them for 5 minutes at home before packing them for the trip.
  • Add a splash of barbecue sauce or a squeeze of lime just before sealing the packet for a different flavor direction.

Storage & reheating

Leftover packet contents keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, or reseal in fresh foil and warm on the grill for about 10 minutes.

Tips from the Tulo kitchen

  • Assemble the packets at home the night before, refrigerate them unsealed contents-in-bag, then seal and pack them in a cooler so all that's left at the campsite is dropping them on the coals.
  • Rotate the packets a quarter turn every 5-7 minutes if your coals are uneven, so one side doesn't scorch while the other lags behind.

FAQ

Can I prep these foil packets ahead of time before a camping trip?

Yes. Cut and season all the ingredients at home, pack them in a zip-top bag or airtight container, and keep them cold in a cooler. Assemble and seal the actual foil packets at the campsite so the vegetables don't get soggy sitting in the oil.

Do I cook these directly on the campfire flames?

No, place them on a bed of hot coals or embers, not on an open flame, which will scorch the outside of the foil before the inside cooks through.

What if the potatoes are still hard after 25 minutes?

Reseal the packet and give it another 5-10 minutes over the heat; coal temperature varies a lot more than an oven, so times can run longer depending on how hot the fire is.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Yes, swap the sausage for a plant-based smoked sausage or extra chunks of zucchini and mushrooms, which hold up well to the same steam-cooking method.

More recipes