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When it comes to getting dinner on the table in a flash, Instant Pot recipes are all the rage. But they aren’t the only easy cooking game in town. Foil packet meals let you cook up individual meals in next to no time.
And you aren’t limited to using foil. The French call it cooking en papillote, or “enveloped in paper.” But you can also use banana leaves, a paper bag, corn husks (lookin’ at you, tamales) or even mud. The whole point of this method is to lock in moisture. So any food-safe (and fire-resistant if cooking over an open flame) material will do.
The French cut a folded square into a heart shape just the way you learned in elementary school, pile the food on one side of the heart, fold the other side over it and fold the edges together until they’re sealed. But any way you can lock in that precious steam will do.
Once you’ve got the method down, you can make any of these packet recipes for a quick and mess-free dinner any night of the week.
A version of this article was originally published October 2019.
Bacon Barbecue Chicken With Potatoes
Tangy barbecue chicken topped with crisp bacon bits and melty cheddar and a side of tender potatoes is less than an hour away.
Get the recipe from Spend With Pennies.
Honey Garlic Salmon
A foil packet is one of the best and easiest ways to prepare salmon. It cooks it evenly and keeps all of that juicy moisture in the fish. We love this honey garlic salmon from Easy Weeknight.
Get the recipe from Easy Weeknight.
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken
Top sweet and salty teriyaki-marinated chicken with bell peppers and sweet onions.
Get the recipe from A Mind”Full” Mom.
Lemon Miso Butter Parchment Salmon With Asparagus
Slather salmon steak with tangy Parmesan- and garlic-spiked miso-lemon butter and lay it over asparagus and potatoes.
Get the recipe from Closet Cooking.
Sausage & Peppers
Nothing foils the unctious spice of sausage like a crisp, verdurous bell pepper.
Get the recipe from Damn Delicious.
Cajun Shrimp Boil
Andouille sausage and Cajun seasoning spice up shrimp, corn and potatoes in a quick Louisiana-inspired shrimp boil.
Get the recipe from Damn Delicious.
Baked Lemon Salmon & Potatoes With Dill Yogurt
Tart lemon, tangy Greek yogurt and ever-so-slightly bitter dill bring out the umami of salmon. Lay it on a bed of thinly sliced potatoes and top it with peppery arugula.
Get the recipe from Half Baked Harvest.
Shrimp Scampi
Classic shrimp scampi is virtually hands-off when you wrap it in foil.
Get the recipe from Damn Delicious.
Parmesan Chicken
This healthy alternative to classic chicken Parmesan features breadless chicken over a bead of summer zucchini and tomato pasta sauce.
Get the recipe from Spend With Pennies.
Salmon With Roasted Potatoes & Carrots
Sweet carrots and earthy potatoes comprise the bed for a salmon steak topped with fresh herbs and lemon.
Get the recipe from A Couple Cooks.
Santa Fe Chicken
This cheesy Southwestern smothered chicken is brimming with the flavors of luscious corn, juicy tomatoes, grassy peppers and a hint of chili powder.
Get the recipe from Spend With Pennies.
Campfire Apple Crisp
Surely you didn’t think we’d forget dessert! Whip up this delectable apple crisp in minutes. Top it with ice-cold ice cream or a drizzle of evaporated milk.
Get the recipe from Love From the Oven.
Aluminum Foil
Of course, if you’re going to be making all of these delicious meals, you might as well stock up on aluminum foil.
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