Garlic Steak and Potato Foil Packs
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Juicy and savory seasoned Garlic Steak and Potato Foil Packs are simply the most perfect baked or grilled hearty, healthy meal, and done in just 30 minutes!
If foil packs are on your mind, you’ll have to try these other delicious foil packs like Steak Fajita Foil Packs, Herb Butter Salmon and Asparagus Foil Packs, and Lemon Herb Shrimp and Broccoli Foil Packs.
In my mind there are some foods that just go together. For example: French fries and ketchup. Oreos and peanut butter. Chips and salsa. Diet coke and cherry syrup. And of course, who could ever forget the best one of all: steak and potatoes.
While I’ve always been a fan of potatoes, whether mashed, or split open and piled with sour cream, cheese, and bacon, or deep fried and salted, I’m on board.
Steak was always a different story though. For years and years I believed that I didn’t like steak; I thought it was tough and flavorless. That all changed when, in my late teenage years, I ate at a Japanese restaurant and devoured a fillet mignon in about 2.7 seconds. All it took was one amazing steak, cooked the right way, to convince me that steak was actually pretty fantastic after all.
I had no idea steak could be so juicy, so tender, so melt-in-your-mouth perfect with such incredible flavor! But it was and it can be and ever since that day, I became a steak superfan, especially if we are talking about garlic steak. I’ll take garlic on pretty much anything (seriously, garlic is LIFE), but garlic steak is just out-of-this-world delicious.
So, it would make sense then, that since I’ve become somewhat obsessed with foil packs that I would also try a twist on steak and potatoes with lots of garlic and seasonings. Turns out this recipe was just waiting to happen because it is perfection.
That all goes to show you that steak and potatoes are a fantastic combination all the time and especially in this easy and insanely flavorful foil pack meal! Savory herbs, olive oil, and garlic bring these ingredients to life in just 30 minutes with pretty much zero cleanup.
Ingredients for Steak and Potato Foil Packets
- Top sirloin steak
- Baby yellow potatoes
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Minced garlic
- Onion powder
- Dried oregano
- Dried parsley
- Dried thyme
- Fresh thyme or parsley (optional)
Here’s How you Make it
To make these amazing foil packs, you’ll want to start by seasoning the steak. To do this, combine the pieces of steak with potatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, and the rest of the seasonings and give it a toss to combine.
Next, tear off four 12 x 12 sheets of foil (no need to get out a ruler, but try to make them ample enough to put in the steak and potatoes, about that size). And divide the steak and potatoes between the sheets of foil.
Wrap the corners up around the ingredients to form the foil packs. Put the packs right on the grill grates and grill over high heat for about 10 minutes on both sides or until steak and potatoes are cooked through.
If you prefer to bake rather than grill the steak foil packs, then pop them in the oven at 425 degrees for about 20-25 minutes or until they are cooked through to desired doneness. I like to garnish my packs with fresh thyme or parsley and serve immediately while they are nice and hot.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Be sure to cut your steak into pieces that are at least 2 x 2 inches, and potatoes into pieces smaller than one inch. This ensures even cooking.
- I like my steak with just a teeny tiny hint of pink right in the middle, just to the point it’s about to disappear completely. If you like it that way too, I suggest cutting the steak into larger 2-inch chunks because the potatoes need enough time to cook all the way through.
- If you like more doneness to your steak, just cut it into 1-inch pieces and it should come out just right.
- For medium doneness on the steak, boil the potatoes first for five minutes before adding to the bowl and proceeding with the rest of the recipe. This will help them to cook faster once in the foil pack.
- If you prefer a bit of char on your steak, you can open up the packets at the end and cook for a couple minutes directly on the grill, or for baking you can switch the oven to broil for a few minutes, again with the packets opened.
Garlic Steak and Potato Foil Packs
Ingredients
- 2-2 ½ pounds top sirloin steak, trimmed of fat and cut into 2 ½-inch pieces, (see note)
- 1 pound baby yellow potatoes , quartered (or halved if they are already less than 1 inch in size, see note)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste , (I use about 1 teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- fresh thyme or parsley for topping , (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine steak, potatoes, olive oil, salt and pepper, garlic, and seasonings and toss to combine.
- Divide steak and potatoes between four 12×12 inch sheets of foil, then wrap the foil tightly around the contents to form your foil packs. Grill over high heat for about 10 minutes on each side or until steak and potatoes are cooked through OR bake at 425 degrees for about 20-25 minutes until cooked through to desired doneness (see note).
- Garnish with fresh thyme or parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can you bake this in a Pyrex dish?
Yes! I recommend switching your oven to broil for a few minutes right at the end to get a good color on the potatoes and steak. 🙂
Can you do these in the oven? What temp and time do you think if so?
oops, didn’t read all the way. LOL. Thanks for this recipe!
So, if you boil the potatoes first, do you still cook it in the foil pack for the same amount of time?
Hi Pat, if you boil your potatoes first, you can reduce the cooking time for the foil packs a bit depending on the desired doneness for the steak.
Of your cooking these on a grill is it direct heat or indirect heat, I see most recipes leave out these little nuances, it makes a difference??
Direct heat. 🙂
Hi,
How do you get your steak to look “grilled”? Every time I cook foil packs, the meat never looks “grilled”, but more like it is boiled!
Hi Monica! When I’m baking foil packs, I like to open up the foil pack toward the end and switch my oven to broil for the last few minutes to get a nice browning. For grilling, my meat gets brown as long as the food in the packet isn’t stacked too deep if that makes sense – I try to spread it all out in an even layer so the packet is kind of flat when it goes on the grill. You can also move the meat over directly onto the grill for the last couple of minutes to get some char on it. 🙂
HiTiffany… I tried this and it is fantastic!! We are having it again for supper… I add some fresh rosemary too. Thanks again….
Thanks…this was going to be my question too. The recipe is quite tasty, but not at all brown. Definitely more of a steamed look. I will try opening toward the end next time. Great tip!
Ok why aren’t you supposed to go meat in aluminum foil?
My electric fan oven doesn’t cook well in foil I don’t know why so I never use it. Think it’s the same for convection ovens too.
I think they believe the aluminum get’s into the food?
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Apparently there is no good reason to avoid using foil to cook the meat and potatoes in. I have used foil all my life for recipes like this but I like to spray the foil with a nonstick coating, like Pam, to keep the food from sticking. The question was asked multiple times for the reason why you shouldn’t use foil. There wasn’t a reason given to anyone asking, so I’m assuming (shame on me for that) that there isn’t a good reason for not using the foil.
There are many replies. A lot of research leans towards aluminium being linked to dementia
You can prove anything you want in a study. Better safe than sorry. If you believe something to be try, don’t do it. There are other ways to cook than with foil. Each to his/her own.
I totally agree with you, that YOU CAN prove anything you want in a study. Sooner or later someone is going to prove that “living” causes “dying.”
There actually was a reply if you scroll up you’ll see it was posted at five something in the morning on the same day you posted yours the aluminum has been associated with Alzheimer’s and various other diseases it leaches into the food so you can use parchment paper to line the aluminum foil or Parchment paper by itself
A doctor replied – don’t believe everything you read on the internet.
Exactly! DON’T NECESSARILY believe some yahoo claimIng to be a doctor.
According to “Consumer Reports On Health” newsletter, Sept 2017, the link between Alzheimer’s and aluminum has failed to be confirmed by research. This was the thinking a few decades ago but not now.
However, I still don’t let aluminum touch food…old habits die hard, so I lined the foil packets with parchment. The potatoes didn’t cook in 25 min. I’d parboil them first the next time.
So you’re fine with wax getting in your food but not trace amounts of aluminum? That’s strange to me.
I have found that the Reynolds wrap foil that is non stick works really good also. Instead of spraying mine. Started using it for “grilling only” a couple yrs ago. Works great.
As far as not using foil to cook this in. Researchers are trying to say that the use of aluminum foil has been linked to Alzheimer’s among other things. I have heard this for years about aluminum cooking pans but never about foil.
But stop and think about it, if it was really all that “bad” for us wouldn’t they have pulled it from the shelves by now? Also what these days doesn’t cause Cancer or something else??
It has been answered numerous times why. And to google if you want.
I get sheet of foil and place it on the counter. I put the parchment paper on top of it. I put the food on the parchment paper and fold it over and then I fold the foil over. Parchment paper is the best!
Has this been tried in a crockpot?
It could be done but it won’t have that grill/oven bake taste. I guess you could try it, I’d suggest quickly browning the meat on the stovetop first in olive oil or butter, really sear in that flavor. I don’t know if you would need to add any liquid or if the oil would be enough…I am thinking you may need to. Perhaps a lil worcestire sauce.
Browning it first will help make it taste more like an “authentic” steak and not like boiled and bland. It really makes a WORLD of a difference I have found, definitely a step I won’t skip again. I made a huge pork roast the other day and I seasoned it wel land pan seared it in olive oil for 5 mins each side with a lid over it. It really browned both sides nicely, gave great flavor and looked a lot more appetizing when completed. Next time I do pot roast I am going to definitely pan sear first! Game changer!!!
Hi! What kind of steak did you use?
Top sirloin. 🙂
How would a ribeye work for this recipe?
Ribeye should work fine 🙂
Hi,
Yum this looks amazing! What type of forks are those I love the look of the handle 🙂
Thank you! These forks are some antique ones I found a while back, but I’ve never seen them anywhere else besides that one little shop and I bought all they had ha! I wish they still made silverware like that!!
I so agree Tiffany they are awesome!
Thanks, Doctor. That’s what I was about to say. I do understand foil gets too hot in a confection oven. They advise not using it for my new Oster, but I had a Black & Decker I used it in for years and it never hurt it. Usually, not always, when something like this is posted there is an ad for something within the article like the oven and microwave bags. They are great, but they can’t do all that foil does.
I like to bake this …but it is not recommended to use aluminum foil t cook meat..any advice of how to bake it ???
Hi Marta, You can line your foil with a layer of parchment paper, or you can bake wrapped in just oven-safe parchment paper, you’ll likely need a toothpick or two to secure the packet and keep it closed.
Hi Tiffany, I’m going camping tomorrow so wanted to take this dish with us. Recommendations for cooking times if placing baking parchment wrapped on foil greatly appreciated:)
Why arent you suppose to use foil to cook meat, i have been doing it for years and never new that..
oh the new thing is something about it’s bad to use foil cause I think the aluminum can get into your food or something. Who knows, they are always coming up with this is bad and that is bad when it’s something we have done for years.
I have health issues which include an auto-immune illness. Docs told me to stay away from foods cooked/baked/prepared in aluminum. Hope this helps.
Hi, those interested in ALUMINUM foil cooking or pots lineD with aluminun (PROS and CONS). It seems that people. Who are strong and super healthy have an easier time with various risks with foods and questionable ways of preparing/cooking foods. I have had immune system problems since i was a young child diagnosed with rhumatoid arthritis. It seems as though my health was compromised all of my life. I am now 63. My doctor for years was Dr. William Crook of Jackson, TN. I followed his advice b/c I Knew the benefits of his reSearch. He wrote several outstanding books. Before his death.
His RESEARCH had started to turn up links between cooking with aluminum and Early onset of ALZHEIMER’S. I am not sure what research shows at this point, if anything. I learned to keep an open mind on Such subjects. .
Aluminum foil leaches heavy metals into food!!! My Dr tested me for heavy metal toxicity & Aluminium came up way too high! He told me to use cast iron or stainless steel pans & throw away all tephlon & aluminum cookware & never cook w tin foil! It accumulates in ur body & is very detrimental to ur health! I w use a cast iron Dutch oven to make this camping! Or parchment paper lined so the food doesn’t touch the tin foil! Not sure if it w still leach into food or not?
what do you do for soda, and canned veggies..those cans are alu.. i have heard this but i still use it.. 73 and have always used it…
Those cans are lined with plastic.
I Heard cast iron isn’t safe to cook with either.
Then I must be doomed and dead … have used both aluminum foil and cast iron skillets and dutch ovens since high school home ec class and i’m 75 and still kickin’! guess my days must be numbered!
Exactly
One answer I have heard is that there are higher levels of aluminum in brains of Alzheimer’s patients. This is of course not detected until an autopsy is performed… But it’s a better-safe-than-sorry option.
The aluminum in the foil supposedly leaches into the food. To much levels can cause problems.
Aluminum foil or in pans is toxic linked to alzheimer’s disease
IF TRYING NOT TO USE FOIL………….
Try parchment paper crimped around the edges much like making a stromboli (at least I think that’s what I’m thinking of…..sorry it is late). Take a piece of parchment paper and on 1/2 of the sheet place the meat, potatoes and other stuff then fold over the other 1/2 of the parchment then crimp the edges together to seal. Bake as recommended. Worth a try.
If you’re looking for a video of howto seal it securely, the name of this technique is cooking en papillote. Most commonly used with fish or chicken breast, so that’s probably what you’ll find when you search on google or youtube, but you can cook pretty much anything that way
Why can’t you cook meat in a foil pack?
aluminum has been getting alot.of and press.lately. research is showing a correlation between aluminum and certain diseases dementia and Parkinsons, same with sprays lime deodorant and air.dresheners
pumps and solids are more.recommended as is parchment paper for.cooking and baking
I’m a doctor. That’s nonsense. Stop believing everything u read on the interwebs.
Thank you. I am really sick of the food police, and what they say don’t eat, how not to prepare etc.. I’m just sticking with the moderation idea. My weight is good and my lab work is great. I am 60 years old. I have joint issues, but I am never sick.
Just because ur a Dr. Does not mean you know everything. It was a Dr. That told me aluminum foil was not good to cook with.
HITTING THE LIKE BUTTON!
Doc, maybe you need to continue studying. Remember you are in practice so you never will get everything right.
Then ‘doc’ you should most very well, know that aluminum is indeed related to certain dementia-(type) ailments??
Good for you Doc! I’ve managed to make 56 years, using foil, eating cookie dough, and maintaining a GMO inclusive lifestyle. People freak out over every little thing.
We may as well not use any of the old methods of cooking then If you believe every little bit of B.S. that gets publicity the world would be full of people too scared to eat. Please have some common sense.There is possibly more chemicals in the baking paper than there are in the aluminium foil.
Thanks Doc, too many people believe everything they read onlinejk.
Thank you I was going to say the same thing I need aluminum foil to cook all the time I know I’ve ever had a problem . It is nonsense only part I’m not her doctor
Thank you!!!! I swear every few months people come up
with something else!
No you’re not. I have read several studies done (from PubMed) that indicate aluminum could be a factor in dementia/Alzheimer’s. If you know so much tell us why it’s not harmful.
Wow, so the fact that my husband has heavy metal poisoning from aluminum based deodorant and from vaccines is not true then? My 3 year old also can not handle heavy metals in her system and was vaccine injured bc they contain high levels of aluminum. I guess the specialists are just liars.
Hahaha. Thanks for clarifying that. Surely several people thought for sure they were going to die from cooking in foil. I’m sure webmd told them so.
I like your common sense so over people trying to change everything we do Joanne New Zealand
Thank you!!!!!
Th ha anks Doc. For clearing this foil issue. My Mom used it cooking for years, im now 57, and been dong the samenever got sick…This dish is awesome, can also use chicken breast, as well as pork chops.
Amen been using foil since a kid, no problem, i am 81 and still using.
thanks for bringing some common sense to this discussion. These so-called “Health” claims usually begin with “I heard…” without any documented proof from a reliable source.
Totally agree DOC. !!!
Thank you
I dont believe THIS BECAUSE IM READING IT ON THE INTERNET AND DONT HAVE ANYWAY TO VERIFY YOU
hahaha, Awesome “doc”. they did exactly what you told them not do do 😉
Yes, nonsense. I saw the article on Huffington Post and would tend to agree that it can be unhealthy if you did this often..but cooking in foil once or two times a year is not going to have any health risks.
Have you researched the correlation between flu shots (the mercury in them) and how they destroy brain cells? And their relation to Alzheimer’s and Dementia? Yeah, been cooking with foil all my life and doing ‘foil pack’ meals with no problems.
WHAT’S WRONG WITH LIME DEODORANT? I ABSOLUTELY LOVE WELEDA’S LEMON-LIME ROLL-ON.
Oh, and BTW, folks, research is showing that lack of cholesterol may be the main cause of Alzheimer’s. The brain needs cholesterol in order to function properly.
Sorry about the caps, I have no idea why that happened. I’m on PC.
Because it is not healthy…google it!
If you are going to pattern your life and health according to the Huffington Post…… and get your real news off Facebook, then I might suggest developing some common sense is a far better option. Skip the foil, parchment paper and all else, put the entire thing in a cast iron Dutch oven and cook it. Iron is far healthier than the Huffington Post.
Nothings healthy anymore, not the food we eat or even the water we drink….nothing new.
Do you really believe everything I read on the internet? I learned some time ago not to do that. I am 74 years old and I have used aluminum foil all my life, raised 4 kids on it especially when camping across the USA.
Aluminum is a heavy metal. It would make sense that there would be such correlations. New things are discovered all the time. This could very well be true. Just because someone says it has not affected them, does not mean it has not. And, it can very well have affected someone else.
It’s now linked to many health problems especially Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s (dementia) has been around a lot longer than Aluminum foil. More than likely it is defective genes. This is like when eggs and butter were to be avoided but now they are ok. Looking for reasons like this is what keeps scientist employed.
Sorry but aluminum has been around forever in our soil so that could still be associated with health issues
Amen
There are bake bags in the ziploc section in the store that can be used as well. I’ve used them for poultry and roasts in the past.
Possibly line the pouch with parchment paper?
Awesome idea! I will do this.
I used baking paper and foil wrapped it up with baking paper then foil so the foil doesn’t touch the food
I used a tin disposable pan. Tons of juices and still easy clean up!
Baking paper should do the trick.
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