A Hobo Dinner is a foil packet meal made with seasoned ground beef and vegetables that cook together in a sealed packet until tender. We mix barbecue sauce directly into the beef patties, adding subtle smoky flavor while helping keep them juicy as they cook. Easy to prep, family-friendly, and ready in about 1 hour.
If you love the classic flavors of this hobo dinner, be sure to try our hobo casserole for another hearty ground beef and potato dinner the whole family will enjoy.
Hobo Dinner Quick Summary
- Flavor & Texture: Tender beef patties, buttery potatoes, and soft carrots cook together in a sealed foil packet, creating a hearty, savory meal packed with comfort-food flavor.
- Method: Ground beef patties are layered over seasoned vegetables, wrapped in foil packets, and baked until everything is tender and flavorful.
- Time: About 1 hour from start to finish, including 15 minutes of prep and 45 minutes of cooking time.
- Best For: Easy family dinners, camping meals, backyard cookouts, and busy nights when you want a complete meal with minimal cleanup.
- Make Ahead: Assemble the foil packets up to a day in advance and refrigerate until ready to bake, grill, or cook over a campfire.
Summarize and Save This Content On
This ground beef hobo dinner became a regular in our house because it solves two common dinner problems: too many dishes and too little time. The kids love opening their own foil packets at the table, and it turns a simple set of ingredients into something that feels a bit more fun to eat.
After testing a few versions to get the beef and vegetables just right, it quickly became one of our go-to weeknight dinners.
If you enjoy easy family dinners, you'll also love our ground turkey sloppy joes and cheesy baked spaghetti.
Why This Recipe Works
This hobo dinner recipe works because a few simple technique changes turn a basic foil packet meal into something more flavorful and reliable.
- The barbecue sauce, egg, and breadcrumbs lock in moisture and help the beef patties hold together as they cook.
- The seasoning blend is used on both vegetables and the beef, so flavor runs through every layer of the packet.
- Butter melts as everything cooks, helping the beef stay juicy while adding richness to the vegetables.
- Cooking everything together in one packet helps the flavors blend naturally as they steam.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef: We prefer using 80/20 ground beef for these hamburger foil packets. The fat keeps the patties juicy while leaner beef can dry out in the foil.
- Barbecue Sauce: Mixed directly into the beef instead of being added on top. It builds flavor throughout the patty and helps keep it tender.
- Italian Breadcrumbs: Help bind the beef so the patties hold their shape inside the foil while adding light seasoning.
- Potatoes: Russet potatoes work best because they become tender but still hold their shape. Slice evenly to about ¼-inch so they cook at the same rate. If you love potatoes, don't miss our twice-baked potatoes recipe.
- Carrots and Onions: Soften and sweeten as they steam in the packet, balancing the savory beef.
- Seasoning Blend: A mix of pepper, onion powder, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and rosemary seasons both beef and vegetables for consistent flavor.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Gluten-Free Option: This recipe is naturally easy to make gluten-free. Just use certified gluten-free breadcrumbs or swap them for crushed gluten-free crackers to keep the patties binding properly.
- Ground Turkey or Chicken: Swap the beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version of this hobo dinner in the oven. Leaner meats cook a little faster, so check for doneness early to avoid overcooking.
- Cheesy Finish: Open the packets in the last few minutes and add shredded cheddar or Colby Jack so it melts over the beef and vegetables.
- Different Veggie Mix: These ground beef foil packet dinners are flexible, so you can swap in green beans, mushrooms, corn, bell peppers, or baby potatoes depending on what you have on hand.
- Extra Flavor Boost: Add a splash of beef broth or Worcestershire sauce before sealing the packets for a richer, more savory steam-cooked sauce.
How to Make a Hobo Dinner
Making these hobo packets in the oven is simple and mostly hands-off once everything is assembled. Start by preheating the oven to 375℉ and cutting four pieces of foil about 12" x 18" so you're ready to build each packet.
- Step 1: Mix the seasoning. Stir together the pepper, onion powder, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and rosemary in a small bowl so it's ready to go.
- Step 2: Prepare the vegetables. Divide the potatoes, carrots, and onions evenly between the foil pieces, keeping everything in a single, even layer so it cooks properly.
- Step 3: Make the beef patties. Combine the ground beef, egg, garlic, barbecue sauce, and breadcrumbs until just mixed, then shape into four patties.
- Step 4: Assemble the packets. Place a patty on top of each vegetable pile, sprinkle with seasoning, and add a pat of butter over each one.
- Step 5: Seal and bake. Fold the foil tightly around each packet, leaving a small air pocket, then bake until the vegetables are tender and the beef is cooked through.
- Step 6: Serve. Carefully open the packets and serve warm, straight from the foil. Add soft, homemade brioche dinner rolls on the side to round out the meal.
Expert Tips
- Use Heavy-Duty Foil: Heavy-duty foil or a double layer of regular foil helps prevent tearing and keeps the tin foil dinner sealed properly while it cooks.
- Leave a Steam Pocket: Don't pack the foil too tight. A small air pocket allows steam to circulate and helps the vegetables cook evenly.
- Slice Vegetables Evenly: Cut the potatoes to a consistent thickness so everything finishes cooking at the same time, instead of some turning soft while others stay firm.
- Season in Two Layers: Season the vegetables first, then the beef patties. This builds flavor throughout the entire packet instead of just on top.
- Prep Ahead for Busy Nights: Assemble packets up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Add a few extra minutes to the bake time if cooking straight from cold.
- Storage and Reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through or microwave in short intervals.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve these hobo foil packets with a fresh green salad and warm garlic knots for a simple, family-friendly weeknight meal that comes together with minimal effort.
- Serve alongside a hearty, zesty Italian pasta salad and homemade biscuits for a filling spread that works well for family dinners or casual gatherings
- These also work great as a campfire foil packet dinner when prepped ahead and cooked over hot coals. Pair with Hawaiian macaroni salad for a classic, make-ahead camping side.
Hobo Dinner Recipe FAQs
Use 80/20 ground beef, add butter on top of the patty, and seal the foil tightly so moisture stays trapped inside while cooking.
Yes, this recipe is great for camping. You can even assemble the packets up to 24 hours ahead. Place them over hot coals instead of direct flames and cook for about 30-45 minutes until everything is tender.
Reheat leftovers wrapped in foil or covered in a baking dish in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, or use an air fryer at 350°F for 8-10 minutes for slightly crisp edges.
More Easy Ground Beef Dinner Recipes
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Hobo Dinner
Ingredients
Ground Beef Patties
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons barbecue sauce
- ½ cup Italian bread crumbs
Foil Packets
- 4 small russet potatoes peeled and sliced into ¼-inch thick pieces
- 3 medium carrots peeled, halved, and cut into 1-inch pieces
- ½ medium yellow onion sliced
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- 4 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375℉ and cut four pieces of foil 12" x 18".
- In a small bowl, whisk together black pepper, onion powder, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and rosemary. Set aside.
- Lay out 4 pieces of foil on a sheet pan. Evenly divide the potatoes, carrots, and onions among the pieces of foil. Season with half of the prepared seasonings.
- In a bowl, add ground beef, egg, garlic, barbecue sauce, and bread crumbs. Mix until just combined, then form four equal-sized patties.
- Place the beef patties on the vegetables and season with the remaining seasonings. Place 1 tablespoon of butter on each patty.
- Seal the foil packets tightly. Place them beef side up on a large sheet pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the potatoes and carrots are tender.
Notes
- Seal the foil packets tightly but leave a small air pocket so steam can circulate and cook everything evenly.
- Slice the potatoes evenly so they finish cooking at the same time as the beef and carrots.
- Mix the beef just until combined to keep the patties tender instead of dense.
- Place the vegetables on the bottom and the patty on top so everything cooks in the right order and stays juicy.
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
Ryan Allen
These foil packets are so easy to make and take me back to my childhood and making them in a camping fire.