Delicious Shrimp and Broccoli Foil Packs For Dinner

A quick easy dinner idea you will want on repeat 🍤🥦

If you love meals that cook themselves while you do literally anything else then meet your new favorite healthy shrimp recipe. These shrimp and broccoli foil packs are juicy, flavorful, and turn into a complete meal in about 30 minutes. And cleanup is, well, basically none.

This is one of those foil packet recipes that I make when I want something satisfying, fresh, and hands-off for dinner with minimal mess. Think lemon garlic shrimp, tender crisp broccoli, juicy marinade, and that steam-infused magic only foil packs can deliver.

What it is:
Easy, healthy foil pack meal with shrimp, broccoli, and bright flavor.

Who it’s for:
Perfect for busy weeknights, 30 minute meals fans, low carb dinner lovers, grill masters, or anyone needing a quick dinner everyone will enjoy.

Why you’ll love it:

• One-pan (or one-foil) meal

• Ready in about 30 minutes

• Healthy low carb dinner choice

• Works on grill or oven

• Zero cleanup beyond tossing foil

• Perfect for summer cookouts or cozy dinners

🛒 Ingredients (with tips)

Here’s everything you need for juicy shrimp and tender broccoli in those magical foil packs. You can tweak portions for more people or extra veggies too.

Main Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds raw shrimp, peeled and deveined – thawed if using frozen

• 4 cups broccoli florets – aim for bite-sized pieces

• 3 tablespoons olive oil (or melted butter for richer flavor)

• 3 cloves garlic, minced – garlic makes everything better

• 1 lemon (zest + juice) – adds brightness and acidity

• Salt & black pepper, to taste

• Red pepper flakes (optional) – for a tiny kick

• Italian seasoning or dried herbs – easy flavor boost

Flavor Boosters (optional but recommended)

• 1 tablespoon honey (balances lemon)

• Paprika or smoked paprika – warmth and color

• Grated Parmesan or parsley for garnish

Chef Tip: If you want extra veg, add thinly sliced onions, bell peppers, or even zucchini tucked beside the broccoli before sealing the foil.

🍽 Why This Recipe Works

This is one of those weeknight meal ideas that feels intentional yet takes very little effort. You don’t need fancy equipment, and it works equally well if you’re grilling outside or roasting in your home oven.

Shrimp cooks fast (usually in under 10 minutes once heat hits), and the broccoli gets perfectly tender when enclosed in the foil steam chamber. All the juices from the shrimp, lemon, herbs, and oil mingle and make a mini steam bath inside each packet. That’s the magic of foil pack meals.

Plus, once you fold the foil, you free up your brain for anything else — setting the table, picking a side, or kicking off a drink.

🍤 How to Make Shrimp and Broccoli Foil Packs

Here’s the step-by-step method that’s easy enough even if you just started cooking.

1) Preheat your heat source

• Oven: Preheat to 425°F (220°C)

• Grill: Preheat to medium-high heat

2) Prep your foil

Tear off 4 large sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil (about 12 x 14 inches each). Lay them flat on your counter.

3) Season the shrimp and broccoli

In a large bowl, toss the shrimp and broccoli with olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, paprika, and red pepper flakes if using.

💡 Tip: Don’t skip the lemon zest, it adds so much fresh flavor. And make sure the shrimp are fairly dry before seasoning so the oil + herbs actually stick.

4) Build your foil packets

Divide the shrimp and broccoli evenly among the foil sheets, placing them in the center of each sheet.

👉 If you’re adding extras like sliced bell peppers or onions you can layer them under the shrimp so they steam nicely.

5) Seal the foil

Fold the longer edges over the food then fold the ends, sealing tightly so steam doesn’t escape. Leave a little room inside so things aren’t smushed flat.

6) Cook

• Oven: Place packets on a baking sheet and roast for 15-18 minutes until shrimp are pink and broccoli is tender.

• Grill: Place packets on grill grates for 12-15 minutes, rotating once halfway so they cook evenly.

💡 Tip: When you open the packets, steam will escape hot. Use tongs or mitts and aim the opening away from you.

7) Finish and serve

Carefully open the foil packets, garnish with parsley or Parmesan if you like, and serve hot.

This meal pairs beautifully with a scoop of rice, quinoa, or even a simple side salad for a wholesome dinner.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

Even though these foil packs are a full meal on their own, here are some tasty accompaniment ideas:

• Rice or quinoa – soak up all that lemon garlic juice

• Garlic bread or crusty rolls – for dipping

• Cauliflower rice – keeps it low-carb

• Roasted potatoes – cooks separately for a heartier meal

• Simple green salad – keeps everything light and bright

Pro Tips for Best Results

Use fresh ingredients when possible

Fresh shrimp and broccoli make a noticeable difference in texture and flavor. Frozen shrimp is fine too — just make sure it’s fully thawed and patted dry.

Don’t overcook

Shrimp goes from juicy to rubbery fast. Aim to remove it from heat as soon as it turns pink with a slight curl.

Heavy duty foil is your friend

Thin foil can tear easily, especially with juices and heat. Using sturdy foil makes packing, grilling, and opening easier.

Let it rest briefly

A minute or two out of heat makes it easier to handle the packets and lets juices settle.

Variations You Might Love

Here are a few ways to switch it up and keep this easy dinner idea feeling fresh:

🔥 Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli

Swap the olive oil for melted butter, add extra garlic, and finish with a squeeze of lemon at the end.

🌶 Spicy Cajun Shrimp Foil Packs

Mix in Cajun seasoning instead of Italian herbs for a little kick and southern flair. You can even add sliced andouille sausage or baby potatoes.

🍤 Asian Style Shrimp + Broccoli

Use a soy sauce, ginger, garlic, honey, and lime marinade and add a bit of sesame oil for an Asian twist. Serve over rice.

🍚 Shrimp, Broccoli, & Rice Packets

Layer par-cooked rice under the shrimp and broccoli inside the packet so everything cooks together (just make sure rice has a bit of liquid).

❤️ Why You’ll Make This Again and Again

I make these shrimp and broccoli foil packs so often because they feel special even on a random Tuesday night. They’re easy enough for a busy week, impressive enough for guests, and flexible enough to adjust to whatever you have on hand.

Once you taste juicy shrimp infused with lemon, garlic, and herbs, and crisp-tender broccoli that steamed right inside the pack, your search for a quick, healthy dinner idea is basically over.

🍽 Wrap Up

Whether grill season is in full swing or you’re just craving an easy, healthy dinner, these grilled shrimp foil packs deliver on flavor and convenience. This is officially one of my favorite 30 minute meals for busy nights that still taste like you made something thoughtful.

Let me know how yours turned out or what twists you tried, I always love hearing from you!
And if you made this as a foil packet dinner for the first time, congrats, welcome to the easiest dinner club 🥳

Happy cooking! 🥦🍤

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