In the world of open-air cooking, the humble foil pack is a surprisingly versatile utility player (see also: s'mores!). Think of it as the outdoorsy alter ego of the sheet pan—a way to mingle flavors in a glorious little pouch that requires zero cleanup. Just load it with your favorite veggies and protein, season to your liking, and toss it on the grill or into the campfire. It’s the caveman version of set-it-and-forget-it cooking, and once it’s ready, everyone gets to unwrap it like a savory birthday gift.
Fun to prep in advance, grilled foil packets and campfire foil meals are simple, forgiving, family friendly, and endlessly customizable. These recipes are already delicious on their own, but swap in our chicken sausages and you’ve got a pouch full of treasure.
Italian Herb Chicken Foil Packs
Developed by the same mind that gave us our ultra-juicy sausages to begin with, our foil pack recipe lets our Italian Herb Chicken Sausage do a lot of the heavy lifting: As it steams alongside zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and peppers in an aluminum tent, the sausage’s Calabrian kick and aromatic herbs infuse the veggies. The result is slightly sweet, a little spicy, and incredibly satisfying—especially when you rip it open and get smacked with a burst of aromatic steam.
Make it yourself: Get our recipe here
Campfire Paella Foil Packets
Paella can intimidate even confident cooks, but this Zestuous recipe brings Barcelona to the backyard without the jet lag. Bell peppers, arborio rice, saffron, and chorizo mingle in foil for rich, smoky magic. Boost it with our Classic Roasted Chicken Sausage and shrimp, plus a splash of vermouth for good measure, and you’re basically in Spain (give or take a Gaudí).
Make it yourself: Grab the recipe here
Breakfast Foil Packs
Epicurious’ breakfast pack is basically brunch in foil: Shredded hash browns form a base for sausage (breakfast links or, if you’re wild Melty Cheddar), scallions and spinach, gooey cheese, and an egg strategically dropped on halfway through the cook. Perfect for camping mornings or backyard brunch.
Make it yourself: Start your day off right
Teriyaki Chicken Foil Packets
A fantastic teriyaki stir fry is one of those things that’s deceptively simple to make yet endlessly satisfying to eat—in fact, it’s one of our favorite recipes! Life Made Sweeter has transformed your wok’s favorite power move into a campfire banger that works great with chicken sausage. It’s all the flavor, none of the stirring. Sweeter also included a quick guide for turning the leftovers into bento boxes… not that we anticipate leaving a single bite behind.
Make it yourself: Get the goodness here
Sausage Broccoli Foil Packets
Sometimes something perfect can be, um, perfect-er. Broccoli and cheese are already a dream team. But broccoli steamed in the savory juices of our Melty Cheddar Chicken Sausage? And an extra layer of cheese seeping out of that sausage? Game over. Stylish Cravings’ keto-friendly take keeps it low-carb but big on flavor.
Make it yourself: Get the recipe here
Garlic Butter Sausage & Veggies
With the exception of goodnight kisses and (possibly) ice cream, garlic butter makes everything better. Chelsea’s Messy Apron knows this, so she drizzled her gorgeously seasoned fresh green beans, corn, red potatoes, and sausage with a drizzle of garlic-spiked dairy gold. The recipe says any sausage will do, and our vote goes to Italian Herb, which ups the garlic level and brings a hint of heat.
Make it yourself: Chelsea’s recipe is super easy, while Spruce Eats’ recipe for garlic ice cream has us intrigued!
Grilled Sausage & Chicken Jambalaya
Jambalaya is a flavor bomb that usually takes all day. That generally creates a barrier for entry, which is why Tatyana’s Everyday Food’s foil-pack take is the great equalizer: It brings all the flavor with none of the fuss (or cleanup). Tatyana’s recipe says any sausage will do, so might as well stack chicken on top of chicken by incorporating our sausage alongside juicy thighs. Pair it with some boudin balls and you’ve got some serious bayou bliss.
Make it yourself: Tatyana’s recipe is extremely easy to follow
Ji Bao Gai
Also known as paper-wrapped chicken, this Cantonese comfort food packs an impossible amount of flavor into each bite courtesy of an umami-rich sauce mixture, bright green onions, and, in 3Jamigos’ version, a splash of whiskey. Swap in chicken sausage and serve it over rice so you don’t miss a drop of the saucy, juicy goodness.
Make it yourself: Unwrap the flavor with this recipe
Grilled Chicken Sausage & Veggie Packets
Fresco y Más’ recipe is like a seafood boil… minus the seafood. And the boil, actually. But there is corn on the cob! Plus peppers, zucchini, and potatoes that pair perfectly with chicken sausage (Classic Roasted, please) and a zippy Dijon dressing.
Make it yourself: Feel free to add seafood if you want!
Tips for Making the Perfect Foil Packs
Now you’ve got the inspo, but it’s also important to know how to make foil packets. The good news? It’s super easy, and once you’ve got it down you can riff on the above recipes. Follow these tips for the perfect foil packs.
- Choose the right foil: Go with heavy-duty aluminum foil to avoid tears, which compromises your steaming. Or go with a double layer of regular foil.
- Cut your ingredients evenly: Cut your ingredients to be roughly the same size so they cook evenly—especially proteins and firm veggies like potatoes or carrots.
- Add moisture: A splash of broth, olive oil, butter, or even white wine keeps food tender and prevents sticking.
- Seal tightly: Fold edges over twice to lock in steam. Avoid puncturing the foil, which can cause juices to leak out.
- Don’t overfill: It’s fun to stuff the foil to the point of bursting, but don’t do it. Leave room inside for steam to circulate—an overstuffed packet will cook unevenly.
- Check for doneness carefully: Open packets slowly and away from your face to avoid steam burns.
- Boost with fresh toppings: Add a squeeze of lemon, fresh herbs, or grated cheese after cooking for extra color and flavor.