If you hate to do dishes, or are cooking for 1-2, or don’t want to spend a ton on a healthy meal at home, or just have 20 minutes of dinner prep time, here’s a recipe that meets all of these criteria.
While I don’t usually half or quarter recipes despite only cooking for 2, this is because 1) Mr. Prevention eats for two, and 2) I take leftovers (happily) for lunch every day. But I know many of you would prefer to cook for one or two, and therefore, this is a perfect recipe for you! Of course, this recipe is just as easily doubled or tripled for those feeding a family or crowd.
I can’t decide which I love more about this meal…the very little clean-up, or the fact that it’s ready in 20 minutes or less. The great tasting and healthy aspects of the recipe should be a given…I mean, just look at it!
Foil packets…rock. Now that I’ve done fish and shrimp foil packets, I’m on the prowl for a chicken packet meal!
Shrimp, Black Bean and Pineapple Foil Packets slightly adapted from Cara’s Cravings
8 oz raw, medium sized shrimp (peeled, deveined)
1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup pineapple, finely chopped
1/3 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/2-1 jalapeno pepper, minced (use more/less to your preference)
1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
2 Tbsp lime juice, divided
1/2 tsp ground coriander
3/4 tsp ground cumin, divided
1/4 tsp chili powder
pinch of salt
freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbsp chopped cilantro
1/2 avocado, diced
Directions:
Preheat grill to medium.
Rinse the shrimp and pat dry. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine the black beans, pineapple, red onion, jalapeno, and ginger. Stir in 1 tablespoon lime juice, coriander, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon cumin.
Spray two large pieces of aluminum foil with cooking spray. Spoon half of the black bean mixture into the center of each and top with half of the shrimp. Squeeze the remaining lime juice over the shrimp. Bring the edges of the foil together and fold down, sealing well.
Place the foil packets on the grill, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes, until shrimp are opaque.
Carefully open the foil packets and stir the contents. Top with the diced avocado and sprinkle with cilantro.
Nutrition Information (per serving): 494 calories; 11 g. fat; 150 mg. cholesterol; 745 mg. sodium; 55.5 g. carbohydrate; 17.5 g. fiber; 37.5 g. protein
Result: Sweet & tangy with a touch of spice! These have such a fun mix of flavors from the pineapple, cumin, and tangy shrimp! This was a thumbs-up recipe from us both and it constitutes an entree and sides all in one – no need to plan for anything more than what you pile into that steamy tin foil packet. Enjoy!
Money Matters: The shrimp is the most expensive ingredient. I found medium shrimp (frozen, deveined with shells on) for $6.99/lb. The avocado usually runs me $1.50 a fruit and the recipe calls for half. I got lazy and bought the pre-diced pineapple in the refrigerated section which ran me $0.75/cup, roughly. Coriander is also not a cheap spice, but the recipe uses very little and it provides lots of flavor. The total cost of the recipe came to $7.33 making the price per serving $3.67. This wasn’t the cheapest meal, but it uses fresh ingredients, seafood ($!), and is a great example and healthy cooking for 2! Or 1 with leftovers 
Even though fall (in my mind) starts this weekend with college football beginning, I am soaking up every last gorgeous moment in the sun…and I’m taking full advantage of any and every grilling opportunity. It’s that perfect time of year…the best of summer and the incoming fall. Love it!
Question: What’s your favorite season? What’s your favorite thing about that season?
Be well,
I love easy clean up meals!!!
Sounds great!
My favorite season is summer because we get to play more!
But I’m starting to look forward to fall. Pumpkin. Halloween. The toddler’s birthday. Soups. It’s not that bad! 
Foil packet meals?! I love this idea!! I will have to try this. I love that there is very little cleanup, that’s my favorite part. I do nachos on foil quite often, and the clean up for that is a breeze.
My favorite season is FALL! I am loving this weather, and not looking forward to the impending 90 degree weekend. Ugh. But we ARE looking forward to dinner with you guys!! Will you make shrimp packets?!
I really do enjoy fall and all that comes with it. Yes, I’m talking about Thanksgiving… lol
And I’d say $3.67 is pretty decent for a fresh seafood dish!
This recipe looks amazing! I wish I had a grill to try it! And I absolutely love fall and everything that comes with it—hoodie season, anyone?
whoo hoo! so glad you liked this!
This recipe has all my favorite flavors! I love cooking in foil packets and will definitely try this out!
I really do love the falll but I like summer even better! I love this shrimp wrap recipe! My hubby LOVES shrimp! I’ll have to try these!
Fall is my favorite season! I wish I had a grill because I would make this in a heartbeat!
Great dish – it comes in at 11 WW points – nice! I’ll have to make this for myself for lunches, Tony isn’t a big fan of foil packet food, but I love the clean up!
This sounds really really tasty! And I consider less than $4 a person pretty successful!
Oh yum! I’ve only cooked with foil packets once or twice before but since you reminded me of the incredibly easy cleanup, I’m going to have to try packet cooking more often! This one looks great!
I have an Orange Chicken Packet recipe in my blog if you’re still looking for one…
Im all about meals that require very little clean up.
I love all the seasons. Im one of those weird people that really doesnt have a problem with the wet rainy winter/spring/fall. The early nights in the winter suck, but at the same time, I love that I can curl up with a giant blanket and a cup of tea.
That looks delicious and it’s even better that it requires little clean up. I love Fall because of the weather. It’s not too cold and not too hot. It’s awesome!
This looks so delicious and I really want to make it..all of my favorite flavors and ingredients..I wish i had a grill though. Nicole – is there another way I can make this? I have a grill pan, could that work?? I
Dana, sure! I would bake at 375 for 12-15 minutes or until the shrimp are opaque
Should work great!
This meal looks amazing! I would love to find a recipe like this for chicken as well. Please let me know if you come across one.
I might have to go with fall…and mainly to wear boots and eat loads and loads of pumpkin! Yum!
I found an orange chicken foil packet recipe – I’m definitely going to make it!
Yay for minimal clean up!!! (or for a husband who cleans up! Not that I have that all the time…but he’s getting better!
) I love the early fall, still warm but sunny, love apples and pumpkins and the color of leaves changing. Have a good Tuesday Nicole.
Yum! I love pineapple with shrimp and spices like cumin
Great recipe!
Foil packet meals are genius! I’ve often found that I can purchase shrimp at Target for cheaper than the grocery store.
My favorite season is Fall because I love the leaves and the cool, crisp feeling in the air. Plus I’m all about some Hokie Football
I love cooking with foil packs. Especially when I’m camping. So easy and simple and delicious!
I use foil a lot in the kitchen, and you happened to fill it up with a few of my favorite ingredients. It looks delicious!
My favorite season for food is fall. Years ago it was because I got to carve pumpkins, now it’s because I get to eat pumpkins. I always look forward to trying anything pumpkin flavored. Pumpkin pie and pumpkin bread are my favorites, but I’ve also enjoyed pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin ice cream/frozen yogurt and pumpkin cheesecake. Mmm. So good.
This looks so good! And healthy! Bonus!! We’re not big on pineapple in my house (ok, I’m not, which means “we’re” not) so I would probably substitute pineapple with mango! Yum!
That may be even better…yum!!!