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With the rich and savory flavors of Cajun spices, grilled shrimp, corn, and sausage—you’ll love these Cajun Shrimp Foil Packets! Summer grilling is in full swing. And we’re loving it!
Cajun Shrimp Foil Packets
We make foil dinners a lot in the summer. When the temps start reaching triple-digits I will do anything I can to keep the heat out of my kitchen. The whole family loves them, and there is NO MESS (that is the best part, really).
Surprisingly, many people I’ve talked to don’t know how to make grill foil packets. There really isn’t much to them– they are so easy to do! You just throw all the food in, fold it up, and put it over a grill, a campfire, or even in the oven (see recipe notes below on how to bake foil packets in the oven).
Not only is there virtually no mess when making them– there is no mess when EATING from them either! My family will eat them right out of the foil packet, crumple up the foil, and throw it away. This is the perfect meal for camping. You can prepare the packets ahead of time and throw them on the fire when you get to your campsite… again, no mess.
Another great thing about these foil packets is that each person can make and customize their own, which makes EVERYONE happy. No one picking through the contents and turning up their nose because a shrimp touched their potatoes, etc.
If you haven’t tried grill foil packets yet– now is the time. You are going to love them!
Ingredients in Cajun Shrimp Foil Packets
These are the ingredients you will need for your foil packets. Make sure you have plenty of aluminum foil on hand.
- Corn on the Cob
- Red Potatoes
- Raw Shrimp (try marinating in our grilled shrimp marinade before adding to the packets)
- Smoked Sausage
- Melted Butter
- Chicken Broth
- Cajun Seasoning
- Salt and Pepper to taste
No Mess!
Not only is there virtually no mess when making these shrimp foil packets, there is no mess when eating them either! My family will eat them right out of the foil packet, crumple up the foil, and throw it away. This is the perfect meal for camping. You can prepare the packets ahead of time and throw them on the fire when you get to your campsite. No need to wash a bowl, baking sheet, pots or pans. Clean up is a breeze!
Variations on Cajun Shrimp Foil Packets
We like to dip some of the contents of the packets in ranch dressing or BBQ sauce, but it is great as-is if you want to serve it plain. If you’re looking for more to add to your foil packet, try some of our favorite vegetable, meat, and seasoning additions:
- Zucchini
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Minced Garlic
- Red Bell Peppers
- Yellow Squash
- Andouille Sausage
- Diced Chicken
- Paprika
- Cayenne Pepper
- Fresh Lemon Juice
- Fresh Parsley
- Thyme
- Oregano
Questions
If you don’t have a grill or aren’t wanting the outdoor experience, you can also make these in your oven at 400-degrees for the same amount of time. Place each packet on a cookie sheet and bake as you would on the grill.
Some of the things can be prepared ahead of time, such as the corn and sausage, and they should be stored in separate Ziplock bags and refrigerated after being prepped. I recommend preparing the shrimp as fresh as possible. If frozen, keep it frozen until you are ready to thaw and prepare to avoid any fishy flavors. I always cut the potatoes right before cooking. Cutting them too early can cause browning.
Yes! Cajun Shrimp Foil Packets are gluten-free when you use a gluten free chicken broth. We like to use Swanson’s Chicken Broth which is always gluten free.
Read Next: 35+ Quick and Easy To Follow Dinner Ideas Your Family Will Surely Love
More Recipes for the Grill
If you haven’t tried grill foil packets yet, now is the time. You are going to love them! Also be sure to try our Grilled Foil Ranch Potatoes. They are a great side dish to any outdoor meal. If you are looking for something sweeter, our Grilled Banana Split Boats are the perfect foil-wrapped dessert!
How to Make Cajun Shrimp Foil Packets
Cajun Shrimp Foil Packets
Video
Equipment
- Outdoor Barbecue Grill
Ingredients
- 18 pieces corn on the cob (6 full cobs cut in half or in thirds)
- 4 red potatoes washed and cubed
- 25 uncooked shrimp peeled or not, it’s up to you
- 1 pound smoked sausage cut into chunks
- 1/2 cup melted butter or olive oil, to taste
- 1/2 cup chicken broth you may not need that much
- Cajun/Creole seasoning we like to use Tony Chachere’s brand, to taste
- salt and pepper to taste
More ingredients to try in a foil packet (optional, and to your taste)
- Italian sausage
- chicken (cut in bite size pieces)
- bell peppers
- mushrooms
- red onions
- celery
- carrots
Instructions
- Heat grill to 400-degrees. You can do this in your oven at the same temperature. Bring all the ingredients to your work area.
- Evenly distribute corn, potatoes, shrimp, and sausage between 4 heavy-duty foil sheets (approximately 12×18 inches each). Drizzle melted butter and about 2 tablespoons chicken broth over each foil packet. Season evenly and generously, to taste, with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Tightly seal foil packets by folding up the sides over the contents and tightly folding up the ends over the seam.
- Grill 30-40 minutes or until potatoes are tender, flipping once half-way through
- Serve immediately. (Be careful the steam is HOT)
Notes
- Some people have found that their potatoes don’t get cooked. Some of our readers have recommended boiling or microwaving the potatoes for a minute or two before adding to the packets. We haven’t had a problem with the potatoes being under done, but this is definitely an option for those of you who are concerned about it. Another option would be to cut the potatoes smaller so they cook faster.
- If you don’t have a grill or aren’t wanting the outdoor experience, you can also make these in your oven at 400-degrees for the same amount of time. Place each packet on a cookie sheet and bake as you would on the grill.
- Cajun Shrimp Foil Packets are gluten free when you use a gluten free chicken broth. We like to use Swanson’s Chicken Broth which is always gluten free.
- For extra flavor, marinate the shrimp in our grilled shrimp marinade before adding to the packets.
Saved them all, all good.
Saved them all, all good.
Trying this tomorrow. Going to use raw shrimp and smoked sausage, corn on cob quartered, red onion,baby carrots,and potatoes…my husband is not so much into spicy so instead of broth, butter and Cajun seasoning is there a marinade I could use?
You could use like a BBQ marinade maybe?
Which smoked sausage should I use? Beef, Pork, Turkey??
I usually use pork or chicken sausage!
Great recipe! I follow the recipe and add lemon wedges along with a blend of old bay, garlic and chili pepper for spice. Currently have some packets on the grill and this time added a new sauce. Smells fantastic!
Favorite summer meal. Thanks!
I make these all the time.. because I can’t have corn I often sub cauliflower, carrot, or fresh green beans in place of corn, and frozen pearl onions. My family also likes lemon slices in it too! And oven cooking them on a busy week day lets us take time together without the hassle of a messy clean up.
My hubby & I love cajun flavors! It’s a very tasty meal for sure! It all goes so well together!
All the delicious flavors of the south! I have made these for family & they are always a hit & a fun change!
The combination of flavors is perfect. We may try swapping out fish next time. Love the shrimp though!
Thanks a lot for sharing this very helpful and tasty recipe! Will make it again! Thanks a lot!
Had at campground made by my kids. Got all ingredients has become my go to comfort food
What if I only have frozen corn on the cob?
Frozen corn on the cob will work fine in this recipe. Thaw it and dry it prior to adding it in so it doesn’t add extra moisture to the packets. Thanks for asking!
Any recommendations for seasonings if someone doesn’t like the spice of Cajun? Also, do you think it would work on a Blackstone griddle?
You could try some garlic, salt, and pepper if someone wants a simpler flavor profile. I’m not sure what a blackstone griddle is, but I have cooked mine in the oven before and they turn out great!
This recipe is SO good!! This will be one you put in the recipe book. Good in the over and on the grill!
Can i substitute talapia filets for the shrimp? Would it change cooking time? Thanks!
That sounds delicious! It depends on the thickness of the filets. I would cook it for the same amount of time as the shrimp and then just check it every few minutes until it is done.
I made this tonight. So, so good. The only thing I did different was to add some red onion. We had a busy afternoon and evening so I cooked it in the oven. I made four but my daughter stopped by and her husband was coming home from fighting range fires since Sunday so I sent the other two home with her (both have sent me messages about how good it was!) so I’m making these again tomorrow!!! Thanks, love your recipes.
Absolutely loved this. Easy and delicious!!
Any advice on prepping this ahead of time to take on a camping trip? I’m wondering if I can put the packets together at home and then just leave in the cooler until we are ready to grill? Thanks!!
I would add everything to the foils except the butter and chicken broth. Drizzle both over the foils right before you grill. Hope this helps!
Great. I put shrimp in separate foil and cook shorter time.
Can you do this in a air fryer?
I actually don’t have an air fryer so I’m not sure! Let me know how it goes if you do try it!
If you’re doing this over a campfire, a folding griddle helps a ton. Build your fire to one side so you can cook both indirectly and over top of the coals.
Thank you for the tip! A folding griddle is a great idea for cooking over a fire. Makes me want to go camping right now. 🙂
Delicious! I used a local smoked sausage, diced chicken, medium shrimp, lousiana seasoning and red bell pepper along with the other ingredients.