Tasty hobo foil packets are the ultimate easy dinner, perfect for camping, backyard barbecues, or even a weeknight meal at home! Growing up, my family would make these on camping trips. The aroma of sizzling vegetables and seasoned ground beef, all wrapped in a simple foil packet, brings back so many cherished memories, and now I’m sharing these memories through this recipe. With minimal prep and cleanup, and endless customizable options, these foil packet dinners are a guaranteed crowd pleaser. These are more than tasty hobo foil packets, they are time savers for busy cooks.
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Why You Will Love This tasty hobo foil packets Recipe
These _easy foil packet meals_ are the epitome of comfort food because they are incredibly simple to make and packed with flavor. Picture this: tender ground beef, perfectly cooked potatoes, sweet carrots, and savory onions all steamed to perfection in their own little foil cocoon.
The best part? Cleanup is a breeze! No messy pots or pans to scrub, just toss the foil packets when you’re done. These are easily adapted to your own tastes. Add your favorite veggies, change up the protein, or spice it up with your go to seasonings.
Making these brings back such wonderful memories. The best part is you get to spend more time with your family and less time cleaning. I promise you this will be a hit!
Follow us on Pinterest for more easy and delicious recipes! Did you enjoy this easy recipe? Check out this Tasty Finger Food Mini Jalapeno Popper Egg Rolls recipe too!
Ingredients Needed for This tasty hobo foil packets Recipe
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 large russet potato, scrubbed and diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Optional: 1/2 cup frozen peas or corn per packet
- Heavy duty aluminum foil
How to Make This tasty hobo foil packets Recipe
- 1. Preheat your grill to medium heat or your oven to 375°F (190°C). Have ready four large sheets of heavy duty aluminum foil, approximately 12×12 inches each.
- 2. Divide the ground beef into four equal portions. In a bowl, add one pound of ground beef, garlic, onion, parsley, salt, paprika, and pepper.
- 3. In a separate bowl, combine the diced potatoes, sliced carrots, and chopped onion. Add olive oil, salt, pepper, and your any other seasoning.
- 4. Place a portion of the ground beef in the center of each foil sheet. Flatten it slightly to create a base.
- 5. Top each beef portion with an equal amount of the vegetable mixture. Feel free to add frozen peas or corn at this stage.
- 6. Fold the foil over the meat and vegetables, bringing the edges together. Crimp the edges tightly to seal the packet completely. Ensure there are no openings for steam to escape.
- 7. Place the foil packets on the preheated grill or oven. Grill for 20-25 minutes, or bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the ground beef is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Cooking times may vary depending on your appliance.
- 8. Carefully remove the _hobo foil packets_ from the grill or oven. Let them rest for a few minutes before opening, as they will be very hot. You can use a knife to cut the foil or carefully unfold it. Serving directly from the packets makes cleanup easy. Enjoy your homemade meals!
How to Serve This tasty hobo foil packets Recipe
These are perfect on their own but here are a few serving suggestions for an elevated experience.
Consider serving with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt for added creaminess. A sprinkle of fresh herbs, such as parsley or chives, adds a pop of color and flavor. For a bit of tang, serve with a side of coleslaw or a simple green salad with vinaigrette.
If you want to serve it on a plate, make it fancy by slicing and fanning it to show the ingredients in all their goodness.
How to Store This tasty hobo foil packets Recipe
If you have any leftovers, storing them properly will extend their shelf life.
To refrigerate, allow the cooked _tasty hobo foil packets_ to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For freezing, wrap the completely cooled foil packets tightly in an additional layer of foil or freezer wrap to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2 months.
To reheat, thaw the _easy foil packet meals_ (if frozen) in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave them, but the vegetables may become a bit softer.
Tips to Make This tasty hobo foil packets Recipe
Experiment with different vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms. You can also swap the ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or sausage. For a vegetarian option, use lentils or beans as the main protein source.
Avoid overcrowding the foil packets, as this can prevent even cooking. Make sure to seal the packets tightly to trap the steam and ensure everything cooks properly.
Be careful when opening the hot foil packets, as steam will escape. Have extra foil on hand in case there are any leaks.
Helpful Notes for This tasty hobo foil packets Recipe
Ensure that the ground beef is cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for food safety.
Heavy duty aluminum foil is recommended to prevent tearing during cooking. If you only have regular foil, use two layers for added strength.
You can prepare the _hobo foil packets_ ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until ready to cook. This is a great way to save time on busy weeknights. Or, perhaps give our Traditional Irish Apple Cake a try on a busy night.
If you prefer to use an oven, adjust cooking time as necessary to achieve your desired degree of doneness with the potatoes.
Variation of This tasty hobo foil packets Recipe
For a low carb version, replace the potatoes with cauliflower or broccoli florets. Kick up the spice by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce, or try the delicious treat known as Traditional Irish Lemon Pudding Cake.
If you’re in the mood for something different, try adding a can of diced tomatoes or a jar of salsa to the vegetable mixture. Get creative and explore different flavor combinations to create your own signature _foil packet dinners_.
For camping, you can even cook these directly in the embers of a campfire (just be sure to turn them occasionally)!
What are hobo foil packets?
Hobo foil packets are individual meals wrapped in aluminum foil and cooked over a campfire, grill, or in the oven. They typically contain a combination of protein, vegetables, and seasonings, offering a convenient and customizable cooking method.
What ingredients can I put in hobo foil packets?
You can use a variety of ingredients such as ground beef, chicken, sausage, potatoes, carrots, onions, peppers, corn, and your favorite seasonings. The possibilities are endless, making it easy to cater to different preferences and dietary needs.
How do I cook hobo foil packets?
Hobo foil packets can be cooked on a grill, over a campfire, or in the oven. The cooking time will vary depending on the heat source and the ingredients used, but generally, they take about 20-30 minutes to cook thoroughly. Ensure that the protein is cooked to a safe internal temperature.
Can I prepare hobo foil packets in advance?
Yes, you can assemble hobo foil packets ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking. This makes them a convenient option for camping trips or busy weeknights. Just be sure to cook them thoroughly before serving.
Conclusion
These _tasty hobo foil packets_ are truly the ultimate comfort food and offer the opportunity to have a quick simple dinner. With customizable ingredients and minimal cleanup, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Gather your ingredients, fire up the grill or oven, and get ready to savor the goodness of a complete, well balanced meal in a neat little package. Make these _tasty hobo foil packets_ yours today!
Tasty Hobo Foil Packets: Easy Dinners You’ll LOVE
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Simple foil packet dinner cooked with ground beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions for an easy, delicious meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 large russet potato, diced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Optional: 1/2 cup frozen peas or corn per packet
- Heavy duty aluminum foil
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium or oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Divide ground beef into four portions.
- Combine potatoes, carrots, and onion with olive oil and seasonings.
- Place beef on foil, top with vegetable mixture.
- Seal foil packets tightly.
- Grill for 20-25 minutes or bake for 30-35 minutes, until beef is cooked and vegetables are tender. Let rest before opening.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
