Description
Hearty ground beef and vegetable foil packet dinners offer quick comfort for busy families. Simple ingredients combine for a delicious one-pan meal you can customize with favorite seasonal produce and herbs.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 pound ground beef
Starchy Vegetables:
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 large onion, sliced
Seasonings and Enhancers:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: herbs such as thyme or rosemary
Instructions
- Prepare four generously sized aluminum foil sheets, ensuring they’re large enough to create sturdy, leak-proof packets for cooking.
- Distribute chopped potatoes, sliced carrots, and thinly sliced onions evenly in the center of each foil sheet, creating a colorful vegetable base.
- Crumble raw ground beef directly over the vegetable medley, covering the surface with an even layer of meat.
- Season the mixture liberally with salt, pepper, and aromatic herbs like thyme or rosemary to enhance the flavor profile.
- Strategically place a pat of butter on top of each packet to introduce richness and help prevent the ingredients from drying out during cooking.
- Carefully fold and crimp the foil edges, creating a tight seal that will trap steam and allow ingredients to cook uniformly.
- For grilling, place packets on medium-heat grill (around 375°F) and cook for 40-45 minutes, rotating occasionally to ensure even heating.
- Alternatively, bake packets in a preheated oven at 375°F for 40-45 minutes until beef is thoroughly cooked and vegetables reach desired tenderness.
- Remove packets from heat source using tongs, allowing them to rest for 2-3 minutes to prevent steam burns.
- Gently open packets, releasing the aromatic steam, and serve immediately while the meal remains piping hot.
Notes
- Choose heavy-duty aluminum foil to prevent tearing and leaks during cooking, ensuring a mess-free and perfectly sealed packet.
- Dice vegetables uniformly for even cooking, allowing potatoes, carrots, and onions to reach the same tenderness simultaneously.
- Experiment with lean ground beef or ground turkey for a healthier protein option without compromising the dish’s rich flavor profile.
- Add fresh herbs like parsley or chives after opening packets for a bright, fresh garnish that elevates the final presentation and taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg