Foil Packs: Your Answer to No-Mess, No-Guilt Grilling

For a cookout with barely any cleanup, grab a roll of aluminum foil and grill — and even serve! — your meal in foil packs.

FNK HEALTHY GRILLED FRENCH TOAST FOIL PACKS, Food Network Kitchen, Unsalted
Butter, Nonfat
Evaporated Milk, Eggs, Maple Syrup, Vanilla Extract, Cinnamon, Multigrain
Bread, Mixed Berries

FNK HEALTHY GRILLED FRENCH TOAST FOIL PACKS, Food Network Kitchen, Unsalted Butter, Nonfat Evaporated Milk, Eggs, Maple Syrup, Vanilla Extract, Cinnamon, Multigrain Bread, Mixed Berries

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Do you love to cook but hate to clean? Then summer is your season. One of the many perks to grilling is the minimal cleanup it involves. Sure, you might whip up a marinade in the kitchen and have to rinse a bowl, but grilling rarely involves scrubbing multiple pots and pans. For even less of a mess, grab a roll of aluminum foil and grill — and even serve! — your meal in foil packs.

Check out these unexpected dishes to grill in foil and witness how versatile this cooking method can be. It’s not just for small vegetables and delicate fish anymore — we’re talking spaghetti, French toast and meatloaf. These genius foil packs will work for your next camping expedition, quick weeknight dinner or backyard barbecue, and low calorie counts are just another bonus.

A lightly buttered foil pack steps in for the traditional skillet and cuts way down on the fat for cooking French toast. For campground cooking, use canned nonfat evaporated milk (it’s one less thing to keep cold). Go for the nonstick foil to prevent sticking and burning.

FNK HEALTHY GRILLED SUMMER VEGETABLE SPAGHETTI FOIL PACK, Food Network
Kitchen, Tomatoes, Japanese Eggplant, Zucchini, Olives, Garlic, Sundried Tomato Pesto,
Olive Oil, Crushed Red Pepper, Whole Wheat Spaghetti, Dry White Wine, Parmesan Cheese,
Basil

FNK HEALTHY GRILLED SUMMER VEGETABLE SPAGHETTI FOIL PACK, Food Network Kitchen, Tomatoes, Japanese Eggplant, Zucchini, Olives, Garlic, Sundried Tomato Pesto, Olive Oil, Crushed Red Pepper, Whole Wheat Spaghetti, Dry White Wine, Parmesan Cheese, Basil

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Yes, you can make one-pot pasta outdoors! In this recipe, sun-dried tomato pesto and olive oil deliver loads of flavor, and whole-wheat spaghetti and veggies provide plenty of fiber. So even though it’s cooked on a grill, this garden-fresh sauce tastes like it simmered on the stovetop.

FNK GRILLED SHRIMP FAJITA FOIL PACKS, Food Network Kitchen, Bell Peppers, Onion,
Scallions, Olive Oil, Chipotle Powder, Cumin, Shrimp, Limes, Flour Shells, Cilantro, Avocado

FNK GRILLED SHRIMP FAJITA FOIL PACKS, Food Network Kitchen, Bell Peppers, Onion, Scallions, Olive Oil, Chipotle Powder, Cumin, Shrimp, Limes, Flour Shells, Cilantro, Avocado

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

The only thing you’ll miss in these lightened-up shrimp fajitas is that iconic restaurant sizzle sound. Serve them family style and let your guests choose their own toppers, like classic cilantro, salsa and avocado — but go ahead and make up your own. (Cabbage and pickled carrots are test-kitchen favorites.)

Fish cooked in a packet (en papillote) is a classic, and it’s even better on the grill — using foil, of course, not parchment. Capers, lemons and rosemary infuse Giada De Laurentiis’ salmon with a summery, Mediterranean flavor.

FNK HEALTHY GRILLED BBQ MEATLOAF FOIL PACK, Food Network Kitchen, Milk, Egg,
Whole Wheat Breadcrumbs, Worcestershire Sauce, BBQ Sauce, Baby Spinach, Scallions,
Garlic, Ground Beef, Ground Turkey

FNK HEALTHY GRILLED BBQ MEATLOAF FOIL PACK, Food Network Kitchen, Milk, Egg, Whole Wheat Breadcrumbs, Worcestershire Sauce, BBQ Sauce, Baby Spinach, Scallions, Garlic, Ground Beef, Ground Turkey

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

What makes this low-fat meatloaf speedier than the typical oven version? The reflective surface of the foil packet, which traps and intensifies the heat like a mini silver oven. Plus, the loaf is slightly thinner, so it cooks more quickly while maintaining a flavorful char on the surface.

Food Stylist - Alison Attenborough

KK_09_0320_shot_05-035.tif

Food Stylist - Alison Attenborough

Bring mussels from the stove to the grill and steam them in a foil pack right on the grates. Jalapeno, lime and cilantro add brightness and a spicy kick.

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Grill juicy summer peaches in makeshift bowls made of foil and eat them straight out of the pack for your own private piece of summer.

Check out more of Food Network’s Healthy Grilled Foil Packs.

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