The Best Camping Foil Dinners Cooked Right on the Coals

Introduction to Foil Dinners

Foil dinners, also known as hobo meals or campfire packets, are an ideal culinary solution for camping enthusiasts. These meals are prepared by wrapping a selection of ingredients in aluminum foil and cooking them directly on campfire coals. The concept of foil dinners revolves around simplicity, convenience, and minimal cleanup, making them a favorite among campers of all experience levels.

One of the main advantages of foil dinners is their versatility. They can be customized to suit a variety of tastes and dietary preferences, from vegetarian and vegan options to hearty meat-based meals. With a basic understanding of ingredient combinations and cooking times, anyone can create a delicious and nutritious meal right at their campsite.

Typical ingredients include proteins like:

• chicken

• beef

• spam

• hot dogs

• tofu

• eggs

• or no protein if you're a vegetarian

Pair these ingredients with an assortment of vegetables like:

• baby potatoes

• onions

• tomatoes

• mushrooms

• sugar snap peas

• carrots

Try adding some herbs and seasonings for full flavorful delight like:

• rosemary (fresh)

• garlic salt

• onion powder

• condensed milk

• cream of mushroom soup

The ability to mix and match ingredients ensures that each meal can be tailored to individual preferences, making foil dinners a highly adaptable choice.

Cooking directly on the coals imparts a unique, smoky flavor that is hard to replicate with other cooking methods. The enclosed environment within the foil packet allows the ingredients to steam and cook evenly, retaining moisture and enhancing flavors. This method also eliminates the need for pots and pans, reducing the amount of equipment required and simplifying the cleanup process.

After enjoying a hearty foil dinner, campers can simply discard the foil, leaving them more time to relax and enjoy the great outdoors.

In essence, foil dinners encapsulate the spirit of camping by combining ease of preparation, versatility, and the distinct flavors imparted by cooking over an open fire. Whether you are a seasoned camper or a novice, foil dinners offer a reliable and enjoyable way to experience outdoor cooking.

Essential Ingredients for a Perfect Foil Dinner

A successful camping foil dinner begins with selecting the right ingredients, ensuring both flavor and practicality.

• The base ingredient for many campers is Spam, renowned for its long shelf life and rich, savory flavor. Spam's durability makes it a reliable choice for outdoor adventures where refrigeration might be limited.

  • Prep the spam by placing it on a big wood cutting board and slicing with your very sharp knife (this Cutco knife if my favorite) perpendicular to the length- createing a "hashbrown" size slice of spam.

Vegetables play a crucial role in adding texture and nutrition to the dish.

• Baby potatoes are a staple, offering a hearty base that complements the meat

  • Prep the baby potatoes by placing them on the same big wood cutting board as the spam and slicing them with your very sharp knife (Cutco knives are the best and this one is my favorite knife) lengthwise. This allows for the potatoes to soak up the juices when cooking over the fire.

Onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, carrots, and sugar snap peas contribute a variety of flavors and nutrients.

• Onions provide a sweet and tangy essence

  • On a separate big wood cutting board, use your very sharp knife to cut the onions in long thin slices.

• tomatoes add a touch of acidity that balances the richness of the Spam

  • My favorite is to use cherry tomatoes as they hold up better as they cook with the other ingredients. If you have big tomatoes (on the vine or beef steak tomatoes are also amazing), place them on the same big wood cutting board (they have grooves to catch liquid) as the onions and cut into big chunks.

• Mushrooms introduce an earthy flavor profile

  • Add the mushrooms whole as they are mostly water and will become small when cooked.

• Carrots and sugar snap peas bring a subtle sweetness and crunch

  • Use your very sharp knife and slice the carrots in a diagonal which creates an elongated look but adds additional flavor because of the increased surface area.

  • Add the sugar snap peas whole when adding all ingredients together in the assembly stage.

*My experience has taught me to keep all ingredients on the big wood cutting boards so they are covered easily until ready to assemble your foil dinners and makes cleanup a breeze by only having to clean the cutting boards and not any additional bowls.

To achieve a creamy consistency that binds the ingredients together, condensed milk and cream of mushroom soup are indispensable. These elements not only enhance the texture but also add a layer of richness to the foil dinner.

• The condensed milk introduces a slight sweetness

  • shake the can of condensed milk vigorously as the contents in the can settle and separates. Use the pointy end of a bottle opener to create two big holes across from each other on the lid. One hole is for pouring the milk and the other is to let air into the can as you pour.

• The cream of mushroom soup provides a savory, thick meaty depth

  • No prep necessary except to open the top of the cream of mushroom lid. Some have a popper built into the lid of the can. Or, use a can opener (this one is my favorite) to open the entire lid of the can.

Seasonings are vital for elevating the dish's aromatic qualities.

• Garlic salt and onion powder are straightforward yet effective choices, enhancing the overall flavor without overwhelming the palate

• Fresh rosemary adds a fragrant, pine-like aroma that pairs well with the other ingredients, creating a balanced and aromatic profile

*Add as much or as little of these seasonings to your foil dinner as you want.

Preparation and packing are key to ensuring a seamless cooking experience. Vegetables should be washed, peeled, and cut into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. Pack the ingredients in airtight containers to maintain freshness and prevent spillage.

Consider pre-mixing the seasonings and storing them in small, resealable bags for convenience.

Remember to bring seasoned (1+ year preferably) dry firewood, long stem matches, and paper to create a hot campfire which will turn into red hot coals to put your foil dinners on to cook. The easiest and most convenient way to turn foil dinners over the coals is with a flat head shovel.

By organizing everything in advance, you can focus on enjoying your camping experience without the hassle of meal prep.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Cooking foil dinners directly on the coals is a convenient and flavorful method that brings an outdoor meal to life. Follow these detailed instructions to ensure a delicious and evenly cooked foil dinner.

• Prepare the Coals: Begin by positioning your dry firewood that allows air to get between the logs and lighting your campfire with long stem matches allowing it to burn down until the coals are glowing red and covered with a thin layer of ash. This typically takes around 20-30 minutes. Spread the coals out evenly to create a uniform cooking surface.

• Assemble the Foil Dinners: Tear off a large sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil, approximately 18 inches long. This will ensure ample space to wrap and secure your meal.

  • Place slices of Spam in the center of the foil, creating a solid base layer.

  • Next, add your desired chopped vegetables – common choices include baby potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, onions, sugar snap peas, and bell peppers.

  • Pour over a mixture of condensed milk and cream of mushroom soup, ensuring each piece is coated for added moisture and flavor.

  • Sprinkle your chosen seasonings evenly over the ingredients- common choices are garlic salt and onion powder. Add a sprig of fresh rosemary for an aromatic and flavorful touch.

*Add each of these items to your own taste and desired quantities.

• Wrap the Foil: Fold the long sides of the aluminum foil over the ingredients, ensuring they overlap slightly. Then, fold the shorter ends tightly to create a secure packet. Make sure there are no gaps or holes to prevent leaks and to retain steam, which aids in cooking.

  • repeat this step with a second sheet of aluminum foil by placing the first packet upside down on the new piece- fold as described above.

• Cooking the Foil Packets: Place the foil dinner packets directly on the hot coals, positioning them evenly to ensure consistent heat distribution. Cooking times can vary based on the thickness of your ingredients, but generally, 20-25 minutes should suffice.

  • Turn the foil dinner packets halfway through the cooking time to promote even heating and cooking. To check for doneness, carefully open one packet using heat-resistant gloves (my personal favorite gloves) and a long-handled tool, BBQ utensils work excellently.

  • The vegetables should be tender and the Spam should be heated through.

• Tips for Best Results: To enhance the flavors and avoid burning, consider triple-wrapping the foil dinner packets with an additional layer of aluminum foil. This provides extra insulation and protection.

  • Additionally, maintaining a steady temperature of the coals and periodically rotating the foil dinner packets will help achieve even cooking.

By following these step-by-step instructions, you'll master the art of cooking delicious foil dinners right on the coals, making your camping experience both enjoyable and satisfying.

*** Check out my blog article about the Top 5 Knife Manufacturers, Plus My Personal Favorite: Cutco Knives here.

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What are customer's saying...

Here's what our customers have to say about our amazing recipes!

My family has been making foil dinners since I was a kid. We always made them when we went camping. Since I've had children, we now make them in our fire pit in our backyard.

Leo P. - Dallas, TX

I've never tried foil dinners until I took my kids camping. Wow! I can't believe I've never tried these before. Love the spam too.

Amanda L. - Vancouver, WA

★★★★★

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