Meal in Foil Recipe – Easy Campfire Foil Packet Dinner with Ground Beef
Meal in Foil is a hearty one-packet dinner featuring seasoned ground beef, potatoes, carrots, onions, and other fresh vegetables wrapped in aluminum foil and cooked over a campfire, grill, or in the oven. The ingredients steam together inside the packet, creating tender vegetables and juicy beef infused with savory herbs and spices. Easy to customize, budget-friendly, and requiring minimal cleanup, this recipe is perfect for camping trips, family dinners, meal prep, and outdoor gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 zucchini, sliced (optional)
- 1 cup mushrooms, halved (optional)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your campfire, grill, or oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Divide the ground beef into four equal portions and gently shape into patties or loose portions.
- Cut four large sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil.
- Place a layer of sliced potatoes in the center of each foil sheet.
- Add carrots, onions, bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms over the potatoes.
- Place one portion of ground beef on top of the vegetables.
- Drizzle each packet with olive oil and season with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Top each packet with a small piece of butter.
- Fold the foil tightly, sealing all edges to keep the steam inside.
- Cook over hot campfire coals, on a grill, or in the oven for 30–35 minutes, turning the packets once halfway through cooking.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve directly from the foil or transfer to plates.
Notes
- Heavy-duty foil prevents tearing during cooking.
- Slice vegetables evenly for uniform cooking.
- Lean ground beef minimizes excess grease.
- Butter adds extra richness and flavor.
- Add cheese during the last few minutes for a melty topping.
- Customize the vegetables based on seasonal availability.
- Keep the packets tightly sealed to retain moisture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days