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Creamy Garlic Potato Packets

These Creamy Garlic Potato Packets are so simple to make but are so delicious.  Diced potatoes, heavy cream and garlic all wrapped up in foil. Make them in the oven, on the grill or over a campfire!

A DELICIOUS GRILLED SIDE DISH

These Creamy Garlic Potato Packets have been a favorite of ours for the pasty 20 years or so. I make them a lot because they are so good but I can put them together fairly quickly. I like to make them when I have guests over because I know they will always be a huge hit! If you need a new side dish for your grilled meats, give these Creamy Garlic Potato Packets a try!

potatoes shown in aluminum foil on a plate with a steak.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’S)

Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?

No. Milk is far too thin to use here. You need the thickness and richness of the heavy cream.

Can I grill potato packets?

Yes. Prepare the same way. Put on a grill over medium heat for about 35-45 minutes (check after the first 30 minutes.) Also, make sure you clean your grill really well. If there are any old, crusty bits on your grates, then it may poke a hole in the aluminum foil.

What other toppings can I use?

Generally, you can pretty much put on any toppings you would usually enjoy on a baked potato. Top with diced chives, shredded cheese or bacon.

Shouldn’t you peel the potatoes?

No it is not necessary. The skin becomes fork tender as they cook. But if you absolutely cannot stand potato skin, you can certainly peel them.

closeup photo of garlic potatoes in aluminum foil on a plate.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)

  • russet potatoes
  • garlic
  • salted butter
  • heavy cream
  • salt & pepper
  • onion
  • nonstick aluminum foil
russet potatoes, heavy cream, butter, garlic, salt, aluminum foil.

HOW TO MAKE CREAMY GARLIC POTATO PACKETS:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F) or preheat your grill. Give your potatoes a good scrub with a paper towel or rinse them off a bit and dry. Dice potatoes into cubes. Leaving the skin on.

diced russet potatoes on a cutting board.

You’re gonna need 4 sheets of nonstick aluminum foil squares to make the packets. On each of the four squares, divide up the cubed potatoes and place a tbsp. of butter on top. Evenly sprinkle minced garlic over each of the four servings (also, add onion if you’re using). Then sprinkle with kosher salt & pepper.

diced potatoes on aluminum foil with garlic, salt and pepper.

Fold up the sides but leave an opening at the top

diced potatoes, butter and salt and pepper shown in aluminum foil.

Now, pour a bit of the heavy cream onto each of the potato packets. Evenly distribute the cream as best you can between all four packets. Feel free to add a bit more cream as necessary.

heavy cream shown being poured into  potato foil packs.

Fold up the packets and place packets on a baking sheet and cook for about 45 minutes (until fork tender.)

folded up potato packs on a baking sheet.

Be careful when opening the packets because the steam is gonna come outta there fast and furious. Now dig in! Serves 4

Diced potatoes cooked in garlic and heavy cream shown close up with the aluminum foil open.

Cook’s Note: These packets go so well with my grilled steak recipe. Be sure to check it out here: Steak Marinade with Steakhouse Butter!

grilled steak with melted butter on top and garlic potato packages shown on the side.

CRAVING MORE RECIPES?

Creamy Garlic Potato Packets with grilled steak

Creamy Garlic Potato Packets

These Creamy Garlic Potato Packets are so simple to make but are so delicious. Diced potatoes, heavy cream and garlic all wrapped up in foil to grill or bake!
5 from 17 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F)
  • Give potatoes a good scrub under water to clean the skin.
  • Dice potatoes into cubes. Leaving the skin on.
  • On each of the four aluminum foil squares, divide up the cubed potatoes and place on top of the foil then top each with 1 Tablespoon of butter.
  • Evenly sprinkle minced garlic over each of the four servings (also, add onion if you’re using).
  • Then sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper.
  • Fold up the sides but leave an opening at the top.
  • Pour a bit of the heavy cream onto each of the potato packets. Evenly distribute the cream as best you can. Feel free to add a bit more cream as necessary.
  • Seal up each of the packets and place them on a baking sheet and cook for about 45 minutes (until fork tender).
  • Be careful when opening the packets because the steam is gonna come outta there fast and furious.

Notes

To grill: Put on a grill over medium heat for about 35-45 minutes (check after the first 30 minutes). Also, make sure you clean your grill really well. If there are any old, crusty bits on your grates, then it may poke a hole in the aluminum foil. 
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 310kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 19g | Sodium: 118mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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Originally published: June 2011
Updated and republished: May 2019

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38 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    We are BIG potato lovers and it is great to see another way of preparing them. You can't go wrong with adding cream and garlic. Great side dish recipe for a braai (barbecue).
    🙂 Mandy

  2. this is indeed a great potato dish. I usually add some finely chopped rosemary to the pockets.
    Thanks for sharing your way too.

    happy weekend 🙂

  3. 5 stars
    I do something very similar on the grill. I just stick the cut up potatoes in the microwave for a few to give them a head start! Must try your oven method!

  4. I have made these long ago for a camping trip. Thanks for reminding me…they look wonderful Andi

  5. Great recipe! I have a similar recipe coming soon on my site, done on the grill!! I love sides like this! Great for those summer cookouts!

  6. 5 stars
    I just realize that I skipped lunch! Now I am extra hungry! Thanks for sharing this oh-so-yummy-looking recipe!

  7. That looks like such a yummy and easy dish. 2 things I am always looking for. Thanks for sharing it.

  8. 5 stars
    These would be delicious with a little sliced onion and Gruyere thrown in… Who doesn't love easy?!

  9. Yum! A new version for us…I'll have to try this. I usually use shallots, thyme, butter, olive oil and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. I bet the cream is a great addition!

  10. We love this style of packet cooking – a great way to 'bake" in the summer on the grill. We add a chicken breast and taco seasoning – it's soooo good!

  11. 5 stars
    LOVE it! This concept feels a bit nostalgic for me…I can't remember if it was my mother who made a version of this, or my sister's experience in Girl Scouts that first introduced me to the method. Either way, I haven't seen or thought of it a few decades. Thank you for your spin Brandie…keep serving 'em up!

  12. I used to make these when we went camping. They were alway a hit. Sometimes I would add muchrooms to mine.

  13. We made these all the time when I was growing up, but my dad always seasoned them with the Lawry's orange salt. Definitely one of my favorite childhood foods 🙂

  14. I think I'd need to have onions AND garlic on my potatoes. No picky eating here. What a great idea this is. I can see why this is a favorite of yours.

  15. This sounds fantastic! What a fun way to cook potatoes..never tried it before that way!!! I love it, and thanks so much for sharing!!

  16. Im lovin these! And also lovin how you used garlic in them! YUM I think adding in some rosemary would be delish too. : )

  17. We like to go camping at least a few times over the summer and I am always looking for recipes that can be adapted to cook over the campfire. This looks like a great one for that!

    Do you do any camping? Have any good recipes for that?