Savor the mouth-watering blend of sweet potatoes and taco-seasoned meat in these easy-to-prepare Taco Sweet Potato Foil Packets. Cooked to perfection either in the oven or on the grill, this delicious and wholesome meal is perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends.
Try some of our other favorite foil packet meals next — these Hobo Foil Packets, Baked Potato Foil Packs, or Foil Pack French Dip Sandwiches.
Taco Sweet Potato Foil Packets
This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet came to life on a whim and quickly gained popularity in my household. Everyone loves the flavors and ingredients, and I appreciate its simplicity and nutritional benefits.
Another favorite of my kids? Foil pack meals! They simply can’t get enough of them, likely because they love the idea of having their own individual meal in a personalized packet. So, I thought, why not combine these two concepts into one easy-to-make and tasty dish? The result has been an undeniable hit with the entire family!
This foil packet meal is a delightful combination of tender sweet potatoes and savory, seasoned ground beef or turkey, cooked together in a single, personalized packet. The blend of flavors and textures creates a satisfying and wholesome dish that’s both easy to prepare and fun to eat. The convenience of cooking everything in the foil packet not only saves time but also makes a quick cleanup!
Ingredient Tips
- Sweet potatoes: Choose firm, evenly shaped sweet potatoes without any bruises or soft spots. Store them in a cool, dark place to maintain their flavor and freshness. Have leftover potatoes? You’ve got to try our practically famous Roasted Sweet Potatoes recipe.
- Red onion: Choose a firm onion with tight, dry skin. Store onions in a cool, dark place for maximum freshness. You can also use white or yellow onions if red onions are not available.
- Black beans: Rinse canned black beans thoroughly to remove excess sodium. If you aren’t a fan of black beans, try pinto beans instead!
- Sharp Cheddar cheese: Grate your own cheese from a block for the best melting consistency and flavor. Alternatively, use a blend of Cheddar and Monterey Jack.
- Taco seasoning and enchilada sauce: To add lots of flavor to the meat, without a long ingredient list, we rely on a couple of shortcuts: a taco seasoning packet and red enchilada sauce. Enchilada sauce can vary greatly in flavor and heat from brand to brand. Personally, I love and recommend Old El Paso® mild red enchilada sauce in this recipe.
- Ground turkey: More about the meat in the next section!
Quick Tip
If you prefer to make your own seasoning mix or sauce for these Taco Sweet Potato Foil Packets, we’ve got you covered! Try our go-to taco seasoning recipe or our homemade enchilada sauce.
Quick Tip
TACO SEASONING MIX:
1 Taco Seasoning Packet:
1 tablespoon ground chili powder
1 teaspoon each: ground cumin, paprika
1/2 teaspoon each: onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano
Fine sea salt & pepper
Make a batch of taco seasoning packets and keep on hand for your Mexican recipes!
To make 4 packets, use 4TB chili powder, 4 TB chili powder,
1 TB each: cumin, and paprika, 2 tsp each: onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano.
What Meat To Use
For these Taco Sweet Potato Foil Packets, I like to use lean ground turkey. With all the seasonings, sauce, and cheese we add to the turkey, you’ll be amazed at how much flavor it has! That said, feel free to use lean (93/7) ground beef instead. (Or, try the beef chuck roast from our Shredded Beef Enchiladas recipe)
To elevate the flavor and achieve the best texture, sear the meat in a hot skillet before breaking it up and cooking completely. This process forms a flavorful crust on the meat, contributing to the dish’s overall depth of flavor and enhancing the meat’s texture.
Remember to brown the meat before adding it to the foil packet to ensure it’s thoroughly cooked when the dish is complete.
How To Make Taco Sweet Potato Foil Packets (Tips)
- Cut sweet potatoes into small, even, and consistent 1/2-inch cubes: Uniform size allows for even cooking and perfectly tender potatoes throughout the dish. The recommended cooking times are based on this specific size.
- Precook the sweet potatoes: Boiling the sweet potatoes briefly before assembling the foil packets ensures they will be fully cooked and tender. Be careful not to overcook them, since they will continue to cook a bit in the foil packets.
- Use heavy-duty foil: Opt for heavy-duty aluminum foil to avoid tearing and ensure your packets remain sealed during cooking. Spray the foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Seal foil packets securely: Fold the long ends of the foil together and fold them down to create a tight seal. Fold in the sides to prevent any leaks, making sure the packets are completely sealed.
- Let packets rest before opening: Allow the foil packets to rest for a minute after removing them from the oven or grill. This helps the steam redistribute and the flavors meld together.
- Be cautious of the steam when opening packets: Open the foil packets carefully, as steam will be released, and that can cause burns. Use tongs or oven mitts for extra protection.
Taco Sweet Potato Foil Packet Toppings
Get creative with your toppings! Here are some of our favorites:
- Fresh cilantro adds a bright, herbal touch to the dish. Green onions are another great option if you don’t love cilantro.
- Lime wedges brighten the flavors.
- Diced ripe avocado providesa welcome creaminess to the meal. Guacamole is also delicious here!
- Sour cream offers a tangy, rich contrast to the savory taco flavors. I love to mix 2 tablespoons light sour cream with 1 tablespoon lime juice for a tangy and creamy drizzle. SO good!
- Pico de gallo is a fresh tomato-based salsa that brings a burst of flavor and color. Even a few diced cherry tomatoes are delicious.
- Sliced jalapeños are perfect for those who prefer a spicy kick. Use either fresh or pickled jalapeños.
- Hot sauce drizzled to reach your heat preferences boosts the savoriness factor.
- Crushed tortilla chips add a crunchy texture and a hint of saltiness to the dish.
- Cotija mild Mexican cheese adds a nice finishing touch of salty-savoriness.
What To Serve Alongside Taco Sweet Potato Foil Packets
Taco Sweet Potato Foil Packets are a complete and satisfying meal on their own, but you can also serve them with some complementary side dishes. Here are a few suggestions:
- Rice: A side of Mexican Rice or cilantro-lime rice pairs well with the flavors of the foil packets and adds an extra element of heartiness to the meal.
- Salad: A simple green salad with a tangy dressing, like a cilantro-lime dressing, provides a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of the foil packets.
- Vegetables: Serve up roasted Corn and Bell Peppers or zucchini for a delicious side dish that complements the smoky, grilled flavors of the foil packets.
- Tortilla chips and salsa: A side of crispy tortilla chips and your favorite salsa add a crunchy texture to the meal.
- Refried beans: Serve refried beans (or these truly incredible Pinto Beans on the side for an extra boost of protein and fiber.
- Cornbread: A warm slice of Cornbread (or these Cornbread Muffins) can add a comforting, slightly sweet element to the meal, complementing the savory flavors of the foil packets.
More Foil Packet Meals:
- Cheesy Broccoli and Chicken with rice
- Hobo Foil Packets with smoked sausage
- Shrimp Foil Packets with a garlic-herb butter
- Baked Potato Foil Packs with bacon and sour cream
- Tin Foil Sausage and Veggies Dinner with corn on the cob
Taco Sweet Potato Foil Packets
Equipment
- Heavy-duty aluminum foil see note 1
- Large pot
- Large pan
Ingredients
- 4 cups peeled and diced sweet potatoes see note 2
- 1 (1-ounce) packet taco seasoning or a homemade seasoning blend—see note 3
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup diced red onion 1 onion, optional
- 1 pound lean ground turkey 93/7, or ground beef
- 3/4 cup mild red enchilada sauce see note 4
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 cup freshly grated sharp Cheddar cheese packed, see note 5
- Salt and pepper
- Toppings as desired see note 6
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F or the grill to 425–450°F. Tear off 4 large pieces of heavy-duty foil and generously spray with cooking spray.
- Bring a large pot of water (8 cups) to a boil. Once boiling, salt the water (I add 1 tablespoon salt). Add diced sweet potatoes and boil 5–7 minutes or until just cooked (still a bit firm; they’ll cook more in packet). Drain, then right in the colander, toss to coat with salt and pepper (I add 1/4 teaspoon each).
- In a large pan over high heat, add oil. Once oil is hot, add diced onion and sauté for 2 minutes. Push onion to the edges of pan and add ground turkey to the center. Let the meat sear (brown) before crumbling with a wooden spoon and browning most of the way through, about 3–5 minutes. Drain or remove any grease if needed.
- Reduce heat to medium and add taco seasoning. Stir until meat is fully cooked through and the seasoning is fragrant, about 1–3 minutes. Add enchilada sauce and simmer until nicely thickened. Remove from heat and mix in drained and rinsed black beans. Taste for salt and pepper, adding more if needed.
- Divide sweet potatoes evenly among the foil sheets. Top each packet with a packed 1/4 cup cheese, then add the taco meat mixture in an even layer on top.
- Bring the long ends of the foil together and fold them down to seal the packets. Fold in the sides to ensure the packets are fully sealed. Do not double wrap in foil.
- Place packets on a sheet pan or right on the grill grates of the fully heated grill. Cook 10–15 minutes on the grill or 15–20 minutes in the oven. Let stand 1 minute (still sealed) out of oven or grill; then carefully open, expecting a burst of steam. Give everything a really good stir. Add your favorite taco toppings and dig in!
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
