3 foods you should never cook in aluminum foil — experts reveal why

aluminum foil on wooden surface
Aluminum foil next to cutting board and vegetables (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Aluminum foil is a popular staple found in many kitchens (mine included!). From cooking and covering dishes to wrapping up lunch and leftovers, this flexible metallic sheet comes in handy for different cooking methods.

Additionally, not only does this metal sheet distribute heat evenly, ensuring foods don’t dry out, but saves us the messy clean up afterwards. And while there are many surprising uses for aluminum foil, you’ll be surprised to know this material is not always the safest option for cooking. In fact, experts say there are certain foods that we should never cook in aluminum foil — even though we probably do.

To find out what these are, we’ve asked the food safety experts to reveal what foods you should never cook in aluminum foil and why.

Why is aluminum foil a concern for certain foods?

Crumpled aluminium foil used for cooking stained with food residue

Crumpled aluminium foil used for cooking stained with food residue (Image credit: Shutterstock)

There’s been much debate about health concerns when cooking with aluminum foil. So is aluminum foil generally safe to use?

“The biggest concern of using aluminum foil when cooking is the potential of aluminum leaching into the food at levels that may exceed those established by health authorities as safe,” explains Kelly Magurany, Director of Toxicology and food safety expert at NSF.

“A recent review of the data for aluminum by Health Canada in 2021 demonstrated that deficits in neuromuscular function, renal pathology and biochemical changes were observed at a dose of 100 mg Al/kg-day.

"In their assessment, which is consistent with other health authority assessments including the World Health Organization and the European Foods Safety Authority, a safe (or tolerable) level of exposure of 0.3 mg/kg-day was identified. This level of exposure would not lead to the health effects observed at higher levels of exposure.

"While infrequent use of aluminum foil when cooking is unlikely to lead to a significantly higher intake of aluminum above the tolerable level, frequent use of aluminum for highly acidic, alkaline or salty foods may exceed these levels and is not recommended.”

Another thing to note is that not all aluminum foils are created equal!

“Not all aluminum products meet safety standards, and definitely make sure to look for food safety notices,” adds Celeste Costa, Marketing Director at Wyda. “Some foil products sourced from certain parts of the world have more harmful elements”.

Le Creuset Enameled Signature Cast Iron Skillet
Le Creuset Enameled Signature Cast Iron Skillet: $249 at Amazon

Our tests confirmed it: there's a reason Le Creuset cast iron is so iconic. This skillet offered unparalleled evenness and heat retention, cooking everything from steak to scrambled eggs without any trouble.

3 foods not to cook in aluminum foil

Here are the foods experts warn to never cook in aluminum foil.

1. Tomatoes, citrus or any acidic foods

Cooked tomatoes and mushrooms on foil

Cooked tomatoes and mushrooms on foil (Image credit: Shutterstock)

According to experts, one of the biggest food groups to avoid cooking in foil is anything acidic. This also includes dishes like apple purees, rhubarb, tomato purees.

“The acidity causes a chemical reaction that can break down the foil, allowing tiny bits of aluminum to leach into your food,” states Dennis Littley, Chef and Recipe expert at Ask Chef Dennis.

“Think tomatoes, citrus fruits, vinegar-based marinades, or anything with a lot of lemon juice.While this won’t ruin your dish immediately, it can sometimes leave a slightly metallic aftertaste.”

2. Melted cheese

A person wrapping a cheeseburger in foil

A person wrapping a cheeseburger in foil (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Most of us love the taste of melted cheese to spruce up our burgers and other dishes. However, this ingredient should never be cooked or wrapped in aluminum foil.

“’Melted cheese is another one to be careful with,” advises Littley, “If cheese is wrapped in foil and exposed to high heat, especially in a dish with tomatoes or spices it can develop an odd aftertaste.

"Salt and heavily spiced foods can also react with foil in a similar way. Ever notice how foil sometimes gets dark spots or tiny holes when covering seasoned or salty dishes? That’s the reaction happening right on the surface, and it can affect the flavour of your food.’’

3. Salted meats

Pepperoni slices on foil

Pepperoni slices on foil (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Similarly, any foods or dishes containing high levels of salt are a no-no. Just like acid, salt can cause aluminum to potentially leach into foods. Popular cured cuts of meats, like ham and sausages should never be cooked in foil to prevent the risk of sodium chloride (salt) reacting with aluminum ions.

‘’At the end of the day, foil is convenient, but not always the best choice. If you’re cooking with acidic, salty, or heavily seasoned foods, switching to an alternative is an easy way to keep your meals tasting great while avoiding unnecessary aluminum use.’’ adds Littley.

What are alternatives to aluminum foil?

Best cast iron skillets

Cast iron skillet (Image credit: Le Creuset)

If you do want to cook your favorite dishes however, there are alternative methods that you can use.

“If you need to use foil for highly acidic, alkaline or salty foods, consider putting parchment paper on top of the foil to create a barrier and using shorter cooking times at lower temperatures.” suggests Magurany.

“Alternatives to foil include glass, ceramic, stainless steel or cast-iron cookware, silicone baking mats and parchment paper. As always, make sure you review and follow the manufacturer's instructions on the cookware or cooking product to ensure safe use.”

Another top tip when you’re wrapping leftovers, is to not crumple the aluminum foil tightly around the food.

Another top tip when you’re wrapping leftovers, is to not crumple the aluminum foil tightly around the food.

"If you’re wrapping food for baking or grilling, avoid crumpling the foil too tightly, this traps moisture and speeds up aluminum breakdown,” says Littley. “Switching to an alternative is an easy way to keep your meals tasting great while avoiding unnecessary aluminum use.”

If you’re thinking of investing in a best cast iron skillet, these are 7 things you should check when buying a cast iron skillet. Or if undecided, check out our breakdown on the differences between cast iron vs enameled cast iron skillet.

More from Tom's Guide

Cynthia Lawrence
Content Editor, Homes

As the Homes Content Editor, Cynthia Lawrence covers all things homes, interior decorating, and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, ‘must-have’ home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy ‘how to’ features. 

Her work has been published in various titles including, T3, Top Ten Reviews, Ideal Home, Real Homes, Livingetc. and House Beautiful, amongst many.

With a rather unhealthy obsession for all things homes and interiors, she also has an interior design blog for style inspiration and savvy storage solutions (get rid of that clutter!). When she’s not testing cool products, she’ll be searching online for more decor ideas to spruce up her family home or looking for a great bargain!

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Foil bowl in air fryer
5 top tips when using aluminum foil in an air fryer
 A sleek black air fryer sits on a modern kitchen countertop, perfectly crisping golden fries
Ditch the oven — these 5 foods always taste better when I air fry them
Vegetable spiralizer slicing cucumbers into a plate
5 kitchen tools I've wasted my money on — don't make these mistakes
recycling bins being sorted
9 common items you should never recycle — you might be surprised
things you should never store in a cardboard box
7 things you should never store in a cardboard box — but probably do
Pots and pans on table
Forget baking soda — I cleaned my stainless steel with this food item
Latest in Home
the baratza encore esp coffee grinder with a 200g capacity hopper, steel burr, with plastic black exterior
I just tested one of the most famous budget coffee grinders — and it lives up to its hype
the comandante c40 mk4 hand coffee grinder with a glass catch chamber and high nitrogen steel burrs
I tested this famous $300 hand-crank coffee grinder — and it's worth every penny
Cumulus Coffee Machine
I tried this high-tech coffee maker that makes nitro cold brew in seconds, and I'll never order an espresso martini at a bar again
Le Creuset Pokémon limited edition collection
You can now buy Le Creuset's Pokémon collection in the U.S. and I gotta catch 'em all
Cleaning with a mop in yellow bucket
Your cleaning tools are spreading dirt — here’s how to disinfect them properly
HomePod with display concept render
Apple HomePod with display now rumored for late 2025 launch
Latest in How To
Cleaning with a mop in yellow bucket
Your cleaning tools are spreading dirt — here’s how to disinfect them properly
ChatGPT on iPhone
I tried these 11 ChatGPT tips — and they take my prompts to the next level
Manus AI logo on smartphone screen
How to join Manus — the new AI assistant everyone is talking about
iPhone 16 Pro shown held in hand
You can disable those awkward AI message summaries on iPhone — here's how
Scottie Scheffler of the United States plays a shot from a bunker prior to The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass
The Players Championship 2025 live stream: how to watch the PGA Tour golf online
White bottle of bleach with cleaning products in blue box
How to get rid of bleach smell in your home — 5 quick tips to do now