When it comes to effortless meals with bold, satisfying flavor, few recipes can compete with Garlic Steak & Potato Foil Packets. This simple yet incredibly delicious dish brings together tender, juicy steak, perfectly seasoned potatoes, and rich garlic butter—all sealed inside a foil packet and cooked to perfection. Whether you’re grilling outdoors, baking in the oven, or cooking over a campfire, this recipe delivers big flavor with minimal cleanup.
Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, backyard cookouts, and camping trips, garlic steak and potato foil packets are a one-meal solution that feels indulgent without being complicated.
⭐ Why You’ll Love These Garlic Steak & Potato Foil Packets
- Easy one-packet meal with no mess
- Ready in about 30–40 minutes
- Juicy steak and tender potatoes every time
- Perfect for grilling, baking, or camping
- Naturally gluten-free
- Great for meal prep and portion control
- Customizable with endless veggie options
This recipe is effortless, flavorful, and guaranteed to become a staple in your dinner rotation.
🥩 What Are Garlic Steak & Potato Foil Packets?
Garlic steak and potato foil packets are a classic hobo-style meal where raw ingredients are seasoned, wrapped tightly in aluminum foil, and cooked until everything becomes tender and infused with flavor. The foil traps moisture, allowing the steak to stay juicy while the potatoes soften and absorb the garlic butter seasoning.
This cooking method:
- Locks in flavor
- Prevents drying out
- Requires little cleanup
- Works on the grill, in the oven, or over a campfire
It’s one of the simplest and most reliable ways to cook steak and potatoes together.
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Steak & Potatoes
- 1½ lbs sirloin steak (or ribeye, New York strip)
- 1½ lbs baby potatoes, halved
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
For the Garlic Butter
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
Optional Add-Ins
- Mushrooms
- Green beans
- Bell peppers
- Red onion slices
👨🍳 How to Make Garlic Steak & Potato Foil Packets (Step-by-Step)
1. Preheat the Oven or Grill
- Oven: 400°F (200°C)
- Grill: Medium-high heat
2. Prepare the Ingredients
Cut the steak into 1–1½ inch cubes. Wash and halve the baby potatoes. If using additional vegetables, slice them evenly.
3. Season the Potatoes
Place potatoes in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Toss until well coated.
4. Season the Steak
Season steak cubes with salt, pepper, and a light touch of olive oil.
5. Make the Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, combine melted butter, garlic, parsley, and salt.
6. Assemble the Foil Packets
Tear out large sheets of heavy-duty foil. Place a portion of seasoned potatoes in the center, top with steak cubes, and drizzle generously with garlic butter.
Fold the foil tightly to form sealed packets.
7. Cook the Foil Packets
- Oven: Bake for 30–35 minutes
- Grill: Cook for 12–15 minutes per side
Flip halfway through cooking for even heat distribution.
8. Rest, Open & Serve
Allow packets to rest for 2–3 minutes before opening (steam is hot). Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
🍽 What to Serve with Steak & Potato Foil Packets
These foil packets are a complete meal on their own, but they pair wonderfully with:
- Garden salad
- Garlic bread
- Coleslaw
- Grilled corn on the cob
- Roasted asparagus
- Dinner rolls
🔄 Delicious Recipe Variations
1. Cajun Steak & Potato Packets
Add Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes for bold spice.
2. Garlic Parmesan Version
Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan over the potatoes before sealing the foil.
3. Herb Butter Steak Packets
Use rosemary and thyme in the garlic butter for elevated flavor.
4. Cheesy Steak & Potato Packets
Open the foil during the last 5 minutes and top with shredded mozzarella or cheddar.
5. Low-Carb Steak Foil Packets
Replace potatoes with cauliflower or zucchini.
✅ Pro Tips for Perfect Foil Packets
- Cut potatoes evenly so they cook at the same rate
- Use heavy-duty foil to prevent leaks
- Don’t overcrowd the packets to ensure even cooking
- Seal tightly to trap steam and flavor
- Add cheese at the end so it melts without burning
❄️ Storage, Make-Ahead & Reheating
Make-Ahead
Assemble raw foil packets and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before cooking.
Refrigerator
Store cooked leftovers for up to 4 days.
Freezer
Freeze uncooked packets for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
❤️ Why This Recipe Always Works
This recipe succeeds because:
- Foil traps moisture, keeping steak juicy
- Garlic butter infuses everything with deep flavor
- Potatoes absorb seasonings beautifully
- Cooking together creates a perfectly balanced meal
It’s hearty, comforting, and incredibly satisfying without being complicated.
✅ Final Thoughts
Garlic Steak & Potato Foil Packets are the perfect answer to weeknight dinners, weekend grilling, and outdoor cooking adventures. They’re juicy, buttery, savory, and incredibly easy to prepare. Best of all, cleanup is practically nonexistent—just toss the foil and enjoy your meal.
If you want a simple recipe that tastes like a restaurant-quality dinner with minimal effort, this one delivers every single time.
Print
Garlic Steak & Potato Foil Packets – The Ultimate Easy, Flavor-Packed Dinner
Ingredients
• 1 lb sirloin or flank steak, sliced into 1″ strips
• 1 lb baby potatoes, halved (or Yukon Gold, 1″ cubes)
• 1 bell pepper (any color), sliced
• 1 small zucchini, sliced (optional)
• 3 tbsp butter, melted
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried rosemary (or 1 tbsp fresh)
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt & black pepper to taste
• Optional: ¼ cup shredded Parmesan (added after cooking)
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high (or oven to 400°F/200°C).
- In a large bowl, toss potatoes with 1 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp olive oil, half the garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Divide potato mix evenly among 4 large heavy-duty foil sheets (12×18″). Top each with steak, peppers, and zucchini (if using).
- Drizzle remaining garlic-butter mixture over everything. Seal packets tightly (fold edges inward, double-fold to lock in steam).
- Grill method: Cook 15–18 mins, flipping once halfway.
Oven method: Bake on a sheet 20–25 mins. - Carefully open packets (steam is hot!). Sprinkle with Parmesan if desired. Rest 3 mins before serving.
PREP TIME & NUTRITION :
Prep Time: 15 mins, Cook Time: 20 mins, Total Time: 35 mins, Servings: 4
Calories: 420, Net Carbs: 20g, Fats: 24g, Protein: 32g
✅ Lower-carb option: Swap potatoes for radishes or turnips — net carbs drop to ~8g/serving.