Sweet Potato Foil Packets combine sweet potatoes and taco meat, cooked in the oven or on the grill, and reliable for any night.
author’s note
The Foil Pack Meal My Kids Ask For Every Week!
I wanted to channel one of my family’s favorite dinners, this Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet, into a foil pack meal because foil packs always make for the easiest, yummiest weeknight dinners with minimal cleanup.
I spent some time testing to make sure the potatoes cooked through without turning to mush and the meat stayed flavorful and juicy. Once I got the timing right, these Sweet Potato Foil Packets quickly earned a spot in our weeknight rotation. The kids love having their own little packet to open, and It is satisfying to not having a sink full of dishes.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Tips & Swaps |
|---|---|
| Sweet potatoes | Peel and dice to ½‑inch cubes so they cook through. Par‑boil 3 minutes for reliable tenderness. |
| Ground turkey (93/7) | Brown first for a flavorful crust. Swap in lean ground beef if you prefer. |
| Taco seasoning | A packet works great, or make my from-scratch blend. |
| Red onion | Dice small; sub yellow or white onion if needed. |
| Black beans | Rinse and drain. Pinto beans also work. |
| Mild red enchilada sauce | Old El Paso is my pick for shortcut flavor but nothing beats from-scratch. |
| Sharp Cheddar | Shred from a block for the best melt. Monterey Jack–Cheddar mix is tasty too. |
Quick Tip
If you prefer to make your own seasoning mix or sauce for these Taco Sweet Potato Foil Packets, I’ve got you covered! Try my go-to taco seasoning recipe or our from-scratch enchilada sauce.
chelsea’s recipe tip
Sweet Potato Foil Packets Tips
- Cube evenly: ½‑inch sweet‑potato pieces cook at the same rate as the meat.
- Use heavy‑duty foil: Regular foil tears easily once the sauce bubbles.
- Spray the foil: A quick mist keeps cheese from sticking.
- Seal tightly: Fold long edges together, then crimp the ends.
- Rest one minute: Steam settles and flavors mingle before you open the packet.
- Open carefully: Hot steam escapes fast—use tongs or oven mitts.
Taco Sweet Potato Foil Packet Toppings
Get creative with your toppings! Here are some of my favorites:
- Avocado slices or a scoop of guacamole
- Lime wedges and fresh cilantro or green onion
- Light sour cream whisked with a splash of lime juice
- Pico de gallo or chopped cherry tomatoes
- Pickled or fresh jalapeño slices
- Hot sauce and crushed tortilla chips
- Cotija crumbles for a salty finish
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container or keep them in the sealed sweet potato foil packets in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, remove the food from the foil before microwaving. Microwave individual portions until heated through, or reheat the foil packets in the oven at 350°F until warm. Never place aluminum foil in the microwave.
More Foil Packet Meals:
Dinner
Cheesy Broccoli and Chicken (Foil Pack)
Dinner
Hobo Foil Packets
Seafood
Shrimp Foil Packets
Dinner
Baked Potato Foil Packs
