Hobo Dinner Hamburger Foil Packets

Hobo dinner hamburger foil packets are easy to make, allergy-friendly, and can be cooked in the oven, on a grill, or even over an open fire. And the best part is clean-up is a breeze!

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love These Hobo Dinner Foil Meals
• Ingredients for Hamburger Foil Packets
• How to assemble the foil packets
• Cooking instructions
• Recipe variations
• 📖 Recipe
• More main dishes

Hamburger foil packets—also known as hobo dinner foil meals—are a classic, no-fuss recipe that’s perfect for camping, grilling, or even baking in the oven. These hearty meals are simple to prep, customizable to each person's taste and dietary restrictions, and best of all, clean-up is a breeze!

Whether you're cooking for your family on a camping trip or just want a convenient weeknight dinner, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

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Why You'll Love These Hobo Dinner Foil Meals

These hamburger foil packets have always been a camping favorite in our family because they can be made ahead of time, cutting down on prep and cleanup when we’re out in the great outdoors. But there are plenty of reasons to love these hobo dinner foil meals, no matter where you're cooking:

• Perfect for meal prepping: Assemble in advance!
• Versatile cooking methods: Oven, grill, or open fire.
• Easy prep and cleanup: One foil pack per person.
• Covers the bases: All of the food groups in one foil packet!

Ingredients for Hamburger Foil Packets

To make these hobo dinner foil packs, you’ll need:

• Cooking spray
• 1 lb lean ground beef, divided into 4 hamburger patties
• 2 large potatoes, diced (or 4 small)
• 1 cup carrots (baby carrots or thick-cut coins)
• 1 onion, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 tablespoons water (1 per packet)
• Heavy duty aluminum foil

How to assemble the foil packets

When camping, I assemble these hamburger foil packets before we even leave our house. Assembly goes like this:

1. Lay out as many squares of aluminum foil as meals you are making (sometimes I make one extra to split if appetites are bigger than expected). The foil squares should be about 12 x 12 inches.
2. Spray the foil with cooking spray.
3. Add a hamburger patty to each piece of foil.
4. Add a handful of diced potatoes (about ½ of a large potato).
5. Add a handful of carrots (I often use baby carrots for convenience, but thick carrot coins would be great, too).
6. Top with a slice of onion.
7. Salt and pepper to taste.

It should look something like this:

Now, it's time to pack it up! Start by folding the foil over the top. Make two small folds so it seals tightly. The potatoes and carrots will end up on top of the burger patty, and that is perfectly fine!

Next, fold over one of the ends twice to seal tightly.

Finally, add a splash of water (about 2 tablespoons) to the open end of the pack. This will help create some steam while cooking. Seal up the other end and you're done!

I like to do these ahead of time when we go camping and put them in resealable bags so they don't leak in the cooler.

Cooking instructions

On the Grill

• Preheat the grill to medium heat.
• Place foil packs directly on the grill grates.
• Cook for 45 minutes or until the potatoes and carrots are tender and the meat juices are clear.

Over an Open Fire

• Wait until the fire burns down and you have glowing coals (this can take some time - even 45 minutes to an hour).
• Place the foil packets on a fire grate or near the coals (not directly on them).
• Cook for 45–60 minutes, rotating for even heat. Test one of the packets to ensure the potatoes and onions are tender and the meat juices are clear.

In the Oven

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Place foil packs on a baking sheet.
• Bake for 45 minutes or until the potatoes and carrots are tender and the meat juices are clear.

Recipe variations

• Make it vegetarian: Use a plant-based burger or a portobello mushroom cap.
• Swap lean ground beef with ground turkey or a 50/50 mix.
• Use sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes.
• Add other vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or green beans.
• Sprinkle dairy free shredded cheese or drizzle with BBQ sauce before sealing.

What to serve with

📖 Recipe

More main dishes

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