This post may contain affiliate links.
Hamburger Hobo Dinner Foil Packs are just downright delicious! Whether you’re cooking this meat and potato dish on the grill, a campfire, or in the oven, these flavorful packages are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. Foil pack dinners are destined to become one of your favorite ways to cook since they are easy to make, can be prepared in advance and as a bonus, clean up is virtually nonexistent.
If you’ve never given foil pack cooking a try, fear not! I’ve got your back with this simple and delicious dinner recipe. My family adores Cheesy Ranch Potatoes and Sausage and Potatoes cooked in foil packets, so adding a burger to the lineup was a no-brainer.
Using aluminum foil to create scrumptious parcels filled with tasty ingredients is one of my favorite cooking methods during the summer, as well as on camping trips. In fact, I’ve started using this fun technique during the fall and winter too, and here’s why:
Foil packs are incredibly simple, requiring just a few ingredients. They’re perfect for dinner recipes since proteins and veggies can be cooked together, making the most of square feet on charcoal grills.
I can prepare the packets ahead of time, and when it’s time to cook, I just take them out of the fridge, place them on the preheated grill, and in about 30 minutes, dinner is served!
Customizing the packets with everyone’s favorite ingredients is a breeze, which is especially great for picky eaters.
Cooking foil packs is an excellent way to feed a crowd, whether you’re using ground beef or other cooking meats. I like to serve these one-packet meals with a fresh green salad and some warm bread. The minimal cleanup always brings a smile to my face.
Just grab some Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil, use a non-stick cooking spray like Pam Original Cooking Spray, and get ready to explore the high heat cooking techniques of foil pack grilling. In no time, you’ll be enjoying pan-fried flavors without the need for deep frying or worrying about hot liquid spills. Give it a try and revolutionize your cookouts!
Ingredients Needed To Make Hamburger Hobo Dinner Foil Packs
- Hamburger Patties
- Potatoes
- Onions
- Carrots
- Butter
- Montreal Steak Seasoning
Tips For Making Foil Pack Dinners
- Pick the star of the show. What I mean is you first need to pick a protein. You can choose from beef, chicken, seafood or pork. Whatever suits your fancy.
- Add in some veggies. I like to use seasonal vegetables from my local farmer’s market.
- Season, season, season! This is where you can get creative. I love using my homemade House Seasoning and Montreal Steak Seasoning. These easy to make blends are great to have on hand for meats and veggies.
- Make sure to add some fat. I lightly coat the foil with cooking spray before I build my dinner packs. I also add-in either butter or olive oil to give extra flavor and to help the food stay juicy.
- Use heavy-duty aluminum foil. If you don’t have heavy-duty foil then use a double thickness of regular aluminum foil.
People Often Ask…
To preheat the grill, set it to medium heat and let it warm up for about 10-15 minutes. This ensures even cooking and prevents the foil packs from burning.
Absolutely! To cook the foil packs in the oven, preheat it to 400°F (200°C) and place the foil packets on a baking sheet. Cook them for approximately the same amount of time as on the grill, checking for doneness.
Generally, foil packs take around 30 minutes to cook on the grill or in the oven. To check for doneness, carefully open one of the packets, ensuring not to burn yourself with the steam, and use a fork to test the tenderness of the meat and vegetables.
Yes! Foil pack cooking is highly versatile, so feel free to swap in your preferred proteins, such as chicken or fish, and your favorite vegetables to customize the meal to your liking.
Using a non-stick cooking spray, like Pam Original Cooking Spray, on the inside of the aluminum foil before adding your ingredients will help prevent sticking. Additionally, make sure the grill or oven is preheated to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
More Easy Recipes You’ll Love…
- Grilled Chicken Souvlaki Skewers With Greek Salad
- Squash Casserole
- Cauliflower Fried Rice
- Grilled Lemon Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 large potato
- 2 carrots
- 1 small onion
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons Monteral Steak Seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat gas grill to medium-high heat. Tear heavy duty tin foil into 4 pieces approximately 15 X 12 inches. Lightly coat with cooking spray.
- While the grill is heating, divide the ground beef into ¼ pound portions and form into patties. Slice potatoes about ¼ inch rounds. Peel and slice carrots. Slice onion.
- To build dinner packets, place 3 to 4 slices of potato on the coated foil. Divide onions and carrots between 4 packs and layer over potatoes. Place hamburger patties on top of the veggies. Place 1.5 teaspoons of butter on top of the patty. Sprinkle with 1.5 teaspoons of Montreal Seasoning. Fold foil over ingredients then seal middle and ends
- To cook on the grill: Place packets on grates, seam side down and cook for 10 minutes. Turn and continue to cook for an additional 15 minutes.
- To cook in the oven: Heat oven to 400. Place packets on the oven rack seam side down and cook for 10 minutes. Turn and cook for an additional 15 minutes.
- ***Oven temperatures vary so check for doneness before serving.
- Remove packets from grill or oven and carefully open. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and additional salt and pepper if desired. Serve immediately.
Want more?
Then grab my Ebook!
1 Week of Family Favorite Menus
7 menus, 29 recipes, 41 pages, tons of tips!
Ideas, recipes, and strategies to make easy meals loaded with flavor. Each of these recipes is affordable and simple to prepare using common ingredients.
Ultimate Spring Recipe Guide
FREE Email Bonus: Spring into flavor with delicious seasonal recipes!
Hi how do these hamburgers get juicy without frying them on skillet? After 25 min what is doneness, medium rare, medium,medium well. I like my hamburgers medium so how long do I need to leave in oven?
I make this , but I put in oven at 350 for a hour and we love it!
I have also made this for camp fires and it’s always a hit!
My family loves this recipe! I leave out the carrots, but it’s still so good.
Thanks for your kind comment and the terrific rating!
~Donya
My mother used to make these all the time. She would also put quarter tomatoes, celery, butter. Garlic, s&p. I made some for my daughter and this is her favorite meal. She always has me make them when she visits.
Hey there Bob!
Thank you so much for sharing! I’m a huge tomato lover and I’ve actually never tried adding them into these Foil Packet Dinners, but the next time I make them I definitely will that sounds delicious! I hope you enjoy this recipe, it’s perfect for family dinners or cookouts, I’d love to hear what you think!
~Donya
Quick and easy! I almost like this better than meatloaf for a mid-week hamburger meal. Just a question: 2 tbs of butter and seasoning, but 1/2 tsp of each in each packet?
Hey there Diane!
Thanks for yet another fantastic review, I really appreciate all your support! You are right, it is 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of seasoning total, divided up between the four packs it will be about 1/2 a teaspoon of both butter and seasoning in each packet. I hope you enjoy this recipe!
~Donya
Donya: thank you, my math went out the window for some reason!! I was so excited to make these! I forgot to squish the first two into patties! They were SO TASTY! I took one already cooked, still in the foil, with me for lunch at work. MMM just transferred it to a bowl and heated it in the microwave.
Hey Diane!
I’m always happy to help, I’m so glad it turned out well! I bet it made a great lunch the next day, that’s a wonderful idea. Thrilled you liked the recipe, thank you for all your support!
~Donya
Since my husband passed away I’m only cooking for one so these hobo meals are so easy and delicious and no leftovers to end up throwing away. My favorite is hamburger on top of my veggies and the smoked sausage with potatoes. Try it. Another favorite is mix a meatloaf and make into patties and put on top of potatoes and carrots and freeze until you are ready to cook. I make a chicken one too. Label them and I have 3 different meals to choose from whenever I want one I just pop in the oven for about 30 minutes, eat and enjoy, and throw away the wrapping and no clean ups 🥰
Hey there Shirley!
It truly warms my heart to read this, I am so happy that you’ve been finding these ‘hobo’ meals useful! It is a terrific idea to label and freeze these meals, that way you’ll never run out of homecooked food and the cleanup process is so simple. Thank you so much for your kind words and support, if you ever have any questions about a recipe please don’t hesitate to reach out!
~Donya
It will be 1/2 T in each, not 1/2 tsp. One tablespoon is equal to 3 teaspoons.
Hey there Aspen!
Thank you for your interest in this recipe, you are completely right! You’ll add 1.5 teaspoons of butter and seasoning to each packet, totaling 2 tablespoons. I really hope you enjoy this recipe, if you ever have any questions feel free to reach out!
~Donya
Meatloaf in a hobo packet. Hum. That gives me an idea. Thanks
Hey there!
I am thrilled to hear you’ve been inspired! I hope you enjoy this recipe, thank you so much for your support! I hope you have a great rest of your day!
~Donya
I use cream of mushroom soup on to of mine. No butter. Soup makes for a good gravey. Also when your cutting your veggies mix them all together with olive oil, rosemary, thyme and whatever else you wanna throw in… Garlic you name it delicious!!!
Hey there Lori!
That’s a good idea, it sounds like a beautiful meal to me! Thank you so much for sharing!
~Donya
This recipes brings back good memories! I love that the whole meal is in one package and it’s so flavorful and delicious! Thank you.
Love these! Quick week night dinner! I add a little garlic, Worcestershire sauce and cook seam side up to hold in juices! Yum!
Donyta,,,,had this in the a school camp in the 50’s,,, always remember how good it was, One question,,,why you call for seam side down,,,all the juice with leak out even if you seal it well,,,and I like juice…lol
Douglas
I love it,so good