This Shrimp and Sausage Foil Packet Dinner is an easy, flavorful meal that combines juicy shrimp, smoky sausage, tender potatoes, sweet corn, and colorful vegetables with a delicious garlic-butter seasoning. Everything cooks together in individual foil packets, making this a perfect option for busy weeknights, summer cookouts, or an easy oven dinner with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
For the Foil Packets
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 12 oz smoked sausage, sliced into rounds
- 1 lb baby potatoes, halved or quartered
- 2 ears corn, cut into small pieces
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small red onion, cut into wedges
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay or seafood seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
For Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges
- Extra melted butter, optional
Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
Cut four large sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil. If your foil is thin, use two layers for each packet.
2. Cook the Potatoes Partially
Because potatoes take longer to cook than shrimp and sausage, place the potatoes in a pot of salted water and boil for about 7–8 minutes, just until they begin to soften.
Drain well and allow them to cool slightly.
3. Make the Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, paprika, seafood seasoning, oregano, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and lemon juice.
Stir until well combined.
4. Assemble the Packets
Divide the partially cooked potatoes, sausage, corn, bell pepper, and red onion evenly among the foil sheets.
Add the shrimp on top.
Drizzle the garlic-butter mixture evenly over each portion.
Gently toss the ingredients on each sheet to coat everything with the seasoning.
5. Seal the Packets
Bring the long sides of the foil together and fold them tightly over the food.
Fold the ends inward to create sealed packets, leaving enough room inside for the steam to circulate.
Place the packets seam-side up on a baking sheet.
6. Bake
Bake for approximately 15–18 minutes, or until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
Carefully open one packet to check the shrimp. Steam will escape when the packets are opened, so use caution.
7. Finish and Serve
Carefully open the packets and sprinkle everything with fresh parsley.
Serve with lemon wedges and extra melted butter if desired.
You can serve the meal directly in the foil packets or transfer everything to plates.
Tips for the Best Foil Packet Dinner
Partially cook the potatoes: This prevents the shrimp from becoming overcooked while waiting for the potatoes to soften.
Use large shrimp: Larger shrimp are less likely to overcook during baking.
Don’t overfill the packets: Keep the ingredients in a fairly even layer so everything cooks properly.
Seal the packets tightly: Properly sealed packets trap steam and help cook the vegetables evenly.
Check the shrimp early: Shrimp cook quickly and should be removed once they become opaque and firm.
Easy Variations
Add zucchini, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, green beans, or asparagus for extra vegetables.
For more heat, add cayenne pepper or additional red pepper flakes.
You can also swap smoked sausage for chicken sausage or another fully cooked sausage you enjoy.
For a Cajun-inspired version, use Cajun seasoning instead of the seafood seasoning and add a little extra paprika.
Grill Instructions
These foil packets can also be cooked on the grill.
Preheat the grill to approximately 400–425°F (200–220°C) and place the sealed packets directly on the grill grates.
Cook for about 15–20 minutes, carefully turning the packets once if necessary.
Check that the shrimp are fully cooked before serving.
Storage
Remove leftovers from the foil and place them in an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 3 days and reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until hot.
This Shrimp and Sausage Foil Packet Dinner is loaded with juicy shrimp, smoky sausage, buttery potatoes, sweet corn, and colorful vegetables. It’s flavorful, easy to customize, and best of all, cleanup is almost effortless.