1½ lbs ground beef
4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
3 carrots, sliced
1 medium onion, sliced
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
👩🍳 How to Make Hobo Dinner Foil Packets
1. Preheat the oven 🔥
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Prepare the foil 🧻
Tear off 4 large sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Lightly spray the center of each sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Make the beef portions 🥩
Divide the ground beef into 4 portions and shape each into a thick patty. Season both sides with the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Build the packets 🥔🥕
Divide the sliced potatoes, carrots, and onions among the four foil sheets. Place one seasoned beef patty on top of the vegetables in each packet.
Add a small pat of butter over the top.
5. Seal the packets ❤️
Bring the foil up and around the food, folding the edges tightly to create sealed packets. Leave a little room inside for steam to circulate.
6. Bake until tender 🍽️
Place the packets on a baking sheet and bake for approximately 40–50 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the beef reaches 160°F (71°C) in the center.
Carefully open one packet to check for doneness—the steam will be very hot!
7. Serve and enjoy! 😍
Open the packets carefully and serve everything right in the foil or transfer it to plates. Spoon those delicious buttery juices over the vegetables before digging in!
✨ Easy Variations
🧀 Cheesy: Add shredded cheddar during the final few minutes of cooking.
🥓 Loaded: Add cooked bacon crumbles before serving.
🌽 Veggie-Packed: Add corn, green beans, or sliced bell peppers.
🌶️ Spicy: Add chili powder or crushed red pepper flakes.
🍗 Chicken Version: Substitute ground chicken, but cook it to 165°F (74°C).
💡 BASSMA'S LITTLE TIP
Slice the potatoes fairly thin and evenly. They take longer to cook than the beef, so uniform slices help everything finish at roughly the same time.
If your potato slices are particularly thick, give them a quick microwave pre-cook for a few minutes before assembling the packets.
🔥 Want to Grill Them?
These packets are also fantastic on the grill! Place the sealed packets over medium heat and cook until the vegetables are tender and the beef reaches a safe internal temperature.
They're also a classic camping meal—just make sure you use appropriate heavy-duty foil and handle the hot packets carefully. 🏕️❤️
🍽️ What to Serve With Them
You really have a whole meal in one packet, but you can add:
🥖 Warm dinner rolls
🥗 A simple green salad
🌽 Corn on the cob
🥒 Pickles
🍎 A crisp fruit salad
❤️ Let's Talk!
Have you ever made Hobo Dinner Foil Packets?
🥩 A) Yes—it's a family favorite!
🥔 B) Not yet, but I'm trying these!
🔥 C) I make them over a campfire!
🧀 D) Mine MUST have cheese!
Save this recipe for your next easy family dinner or camping trip, and share it with someone who loves good food and easy cleanup! 🥰❤️
Written with care by BASSMA EL-HAZIBI. 💕
