Looking for a delicious and easy meal idea? Try these hobo dinner foil packets, packed with tender vegetables and seasoned hamburger patties, perfect for grilling, baking, or cooking over a campfire.

These hobo dinner foil packets are a delightful and easy meal perfect for any season of the year! Imagine tender carrots, potatoes, and onions nestled under a juicy hamburger patty, seasoned just right, and cooked to perfection. Whether you grill, bake, slow cook, or even cook them over a campfire, these packets promise a simple yet scrumptious meal with minimal cleanup.

I absolutely adore hobo foil dinners—they’re not only super tasty but also a breeze to prepare. They bring back such fond memories of camping trips and Girl Scouts days when we used to cook these over an open campfire. Today, my family still enjoys making them during our camping adventures, but I often whip them up on the grill, in the oven, or even in the slow cooker at home.

My kids love getting involved, making their own foil packets with their favorite ingredients. The best part? You can easily customize these packets to fit everyone’s tastes. If onions aren’t your thing, no worries! Just leave them out, though I must say, they do add a wonderful flavor to the mix.

What is a Foil Packet?

Foil packets are a fantastic and simple way to create a delicious meal. If you’ve ever been camping with Scouts, you’ve probably made some yourself. They involve placing fresh veggies and meat onto a square of aluminum foil, sealing it up, and cooking it over a campfire, in the oven, on the grill, or even in a slow cooker.

Making foil packets is quick and easy, and each person can personalize their own packet to satisfy their appetite!

Easy Hobo Dinner Packets

These foil packets combine tender vegetables with seasoned hamburger patties, making them a crowd-pleaser that can be tailored to individual tastes.Ingredients for the Best Hobo Dinner

Butter: Adds a touch of richness and helps everything cook up tender.

Ground Meat: Lean ground beef is a favorite here, but ground venison works beautifully if you have it on hand.

Carrots: Baby carrots or frozen carrots (thawed) work perfectly.

Potatoes: I love russets chopped into 1″ pieces, but red potatoes or halved baby potatoes are great too.

Onion: For added flavor, sweet Vidalia onions are fantastic. Just quarter and add a piece to each packet.

Seasonings: Salt, pepper, and garlic powder bring out the delicious flavors of the burger and veggies.

How to Make Hobo Foil Packets

Tear off four pieces of heavy-duty foil.

Distribute the prepared vegetables evenly in the center of each piece of foil. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Form four hamburger patties from your chosen meat and place one patty on top of the veggies in each packet. Season each patty with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add a pat of butter on top of each patty.

Fold the foil over the ingredients, sealing the packets tightly.

Cooking Hobo Dinners

Campfire: For a camping trip classic, place the foil packets on hot coals at the edge of the fire. Cook for 45 minutes to an hour, flipping occasionally with tongs. They’re ready when the patty reaches 160°F and veggies are fork-tender.Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 450°F). Cook the packets for 20 minutes, flip, and cook for another 20 minutes.

Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the packets on a sheet pan for one hour, flipping once halfway through.

Slow Cooker: For a set-it-and-forget-it option, place the sealed packets in a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Perfect for a busy day, and you’ll come home to a hearty, ready dinner!

Make Ahead Foil Packets

You can prep these packets in advance for camping trips or busy days. Simply assemble, seal, and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook. Avoid freezing, but frozen veggies can be used if thawed slightly before assembly.

Hobo Dinner Recipe Variations

Feel free to get creative! Add green bell peppers, mushrooms, fresh green beans, or parsnips for extra flavor. Stuff the burger patties with mozzarella and jack cheese for a cheesy surprise. You can also substitute ground beef with ground chicken, turkey, or buffalo. When using ground venison, a splash of Worcestershire sauce adds a lovely depth of flavor.

Enjoy the simplicity and heartiness of these hobo foil packets—perfect for making mealtime a little easier and a lot more enjoyable!

I hope these hobo dinner foil packets bring ease and joy to your family meals, whether you’re camping or cooking at home. For more delicious recipes and cooking tips, follow me on Facebook at The Rustic Elk and on Instagram @TheRusticElk. Let’s share and inspire each other as we savor simple, wholesome meals together!