Campfire Cheeseburger Hobo Packets (Print Version)

Cheeseburger patties and seasoned veggies cooked in foil packets over an open campfire for a hearty outdoor feast.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground beef, 80/20 blend preferred

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 medium russet potatoes, thinly sliced
03 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 1 green bell pepper, sliced
05 - 1 cup sliced mushrooms
06 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

→ Dairy

07 - 4 slices cheddar cheese

→ Pantry and Condiments

08 - 2 tbsp ketchup
09 - 2 tbsp yellow mustard
10 - 2 tbsp mayonnaise
11 - 2 tbsp olive oil
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
13 - 1 tsp garlic powder
14 - 1 tsp smoked paprika

→ To Serve

15 - 4 hamburger buns

# Steps:

01 - Build a campfire with hot coals or preheat a grill to medium-high heat, approximately 375°F to 400°F.
02 - In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Mix gently until evenly seasoned, then divide into 4 equal portions and shape into flat, even patties.
03 - Tear 4 large sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil, approximately 18 inches each. Lightly drizzle the center of each sheet with olive oil to prevent sticking.
04 - Arrange thinly sliced potatoes in the center of each foil sheet. Layer with red onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, and halved cherry tomatoes. Season the vegetables generously with salt and pepper.
05 - Place one seasoned beef patty on top of each vegetable pile. Drizzle each patty with ketchup and mustard.
06 - Fold the foil tightly around the contents, crimping the edges securely to form sealed packets that trap steam during cooking.
07 - Place the sealed packets directly on hot coals or grill grates. Cook for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until the potatoes are fork-tender and the beef is cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F.
08 - Carefully open each packet, watching for hot steam. Place a slice of cheddar cheese over each patty and reseal the foil. Let rest for 1 to 2 minutes until the cheese melts.
09 - Serve hot directly from the foil packets, or transfer the contents to hamburger buns topped with additional condiments as desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Zero dishes to wash afterwards, which alone makes it worth knowing by heart.
  • The vegetables and meat cook together in their own juices, creating a built in sauce that keeps everything incredibly moist.
02 -
  • Undercooked potatoes are the number one complaint with hobo packets, so slice them thin and layer them on the bottom where the heat is most direct.
  • Do not skip the heavy duty foil, as regular foil tears easily on grill grates and you will lose all those wonderful juices into the fire.
03 -
  • Let the packets rest for two minutes after pulling them off the heat so the juices settle back into the meat instead of running out onto your plate.
  • Write each persons name on the outside of their packet with a permanent marker before cooking so everyone gets exactly the combination they want.

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