Campfire Cheeseburger Hobo Packets (Printable)
Ground beef, potatoes, and melted cheddar cooked in foil over an open fire for a hearty outdoor meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meat
01 - 1.1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 large russet potato, thinly sliced
03 - 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
05 - 3.5 oz button mushrooms, sliced
06 - 2 dill pickles, sliced (optional)
→ Cheese
07 - 4 slices cheddar cheese
→ Seasonings & Pantry
08 - 2 tablespoons ketchup
09 - 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
10 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
11 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - Salt and black pepper to taste
14 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
→ Optional Toppings
15 - Chopped lettuce
16 - Sliced tomatoes
17 - Additional ketchup and mustard
# Directions:
01 - Preheat your campfire, grill, or oven to medium-high heat (approximately 400°F).
02 - In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix gently just until evenly combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
03 - Divide the seasoned beef mixture into 4 equal portions.
04 - Tear 4 large sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil (approximately 12 inches per side) and brush the centers with olive oil to prevent sticking.
05 - Arrange potato slices in the center of each foil sheet, then layer with onion, bell pepper, and mushrooms. Season the vegetables lightly with salt and pepper.
06 - Shape each portion of seasoned ground beef into a flat patty and place on top of the vegetable layer in each packet.
07 - Drizzle ½ tablespoon of ketchup and a small amount of mustard over each patty.
08 - Fold the foil up to form tightly sealed packets, ensuring all edges are securely closed to prevent juices from leaking during cooking.
09 - Place the sealed packets on the campfire grate, grill, or in the oven. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until the beef is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
10 - Carefully open each packet, watching for hot steam. Place a slice of cheddar cheese on each patty, then reseal the packets for 2 more minutes to allow the cheese to melt.
11 - Serve directly from the packets or transfer to plates. Garnish with pickles, lettuce, tomato, and additional condiments as desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Zero cleanup since everything cooks inside sealed foil packets you can toss straight into the fire when finished.
- All the nostalgic comfort of a backyard cookout condensed into a self contained meal you can make anywhere there is heat.
- The vegetables steam in burger juices so even the potato slices end up tasting like the best part of a diner plate.
02 -
- Overhandling the ground beef makes the patties dense and rubbery so mix the seasonings in with a light touch and stop as soon as everything looks combined.
- If your potato slices are thicker than three millimeters they will not cook in time so use a mandoline or take extra care with your knife.
03 -
- Write each persons name on the outside of their foil packet with a permanent marker before cooking so there is no confusion or territorial disputes at serving time.
- Double wrap the packets with a second layer of foil if your campfire has aggressive hot spots because a single layer can puncture and ruin the entire meal.