Go Back

Hobo Dinner Foil Packets

Hobo dinner foil packets are an all-in-one campfire meal with ground beef and sliced potatoes, carrots, and onions steaming inside sealed foil. You’ll cook over medium heat until the vegetables are tender and the beef is cooked through, then open with care for juicy, flavorful results.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
cooling 5 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

ground beef
  • 1 lb ground beef
potatoes
  • 4 medium potatoes
carrots
  • 4 medium carrots
onion
  • 1 onion
seasonings
  • 0.25 Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
butter
  • 4 tbsp butter 1 tablespoon per packet
foil
  • 4 heavy-duty aluminum foil sheets

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep and portion the meat
  1. Divide the ground beef into 4 portions and shape each portion into a thin patty.
Build the foil packets
  1. Layer sliced potatoes, carrots, and onions onto each foil sheet, then place one beef patty on top of the vegetables.
  2. Season each packet with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then top with 1 tablespoon butter.
  3. Fold the foil into sealed packets, crimping the edges tightly to prevent steam from escaping.
Cook over campfire heat
  1. Place packets on a campfire grate over medium heat for 25-30 minutes until the foil is puffed and you see steady steaming.
  2. Flip the packets halfway through cooking so the vegetables cook evenly and the steam stays trapped inside.
Check doneness and serve
  1. Carefully open the packets, watching for steam, and check that the beef is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
  2. Let packets cool for 5 minutes before serving directly from the foil.

Notes

For the best texture, slice potatoes and carrots evenly so they finish cooking at the same time; if your slices are thick, cook closer to the upper end of the 25-30 minute window. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 3 days in sealed containers; reheat until hot throughout. Freezing is not recommended because foil-packed potatoes can turn mealy after thawing. For a lighter option, use lean ground beef (or ground turkey) to reduce fat without changing the packet method.