Campfire Cheeseburger Hobo Packets (Print Version)
Ground beef patties layered with potatoes, veggies, and melted cheddar in foil packets over campfire coals.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb (450 g) 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 (120 g) sliced mushrooms
06 - 1 cup (130 g) cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
→ Dairy
07 - 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
→ Pantry & Condiments
08 - 2 tbsp ketchup
09 - 2 tbsp yellow mustard
10 - 2 tbsp mayonnaise (optional)
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 (optional)
# How To Make:
01 - Build your campfire and let it establish hot coals, or preheat a grill to medium-high heat (375–400°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. Shape each into a flat, even patty about ½ inch thick.
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 potato slices as the base layer on each foil sheet. Top with red onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes if using. Season the vegetable layers with salt and pepper.
05 - Place one seasoned beef patty on top of each vegetable pile. Drizzle each patty lightly with ketchup and yellow mustard.
06 - Fold the foil tightly around the contents, crimping the edges firmly to create fully sealed packets that trap steam and juices inside.
07 - Place the sealed packets directly on hot coals or grill grates. Cook for 25–30 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until the potatoes are fork-tender and the beef is cooked through (internal temperature of 160°F).
08 - Carefully open each packet, watching for hot steam. Lay one slice of cheddar cheese over each patty and reseal the foil. Let rest for 1–2 minutes until the cheese melts.
09 - Serve hot directly from the foil packets, or slide the contents onto hamburger buns. Offer extra ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise on the side if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Everything cooks inside sealed foil so you get zero pans to scrub and all theCleanup happens in the trash bag.
- The juices from the beef drip down into the potatoes and vegetables creating layers of flavor you simply cannot get from cooking things separately.
02 -
- Heavy duty foil is non negotiable because regular foil tears on coals and you will lose your dinner into the ash.
- Opening packets too early releases all the steam that actually cooks the vegetables so resist the urge to peek before the timer goes off.
03 -
- Shaping your patties slightly wider than the vegetable pile ensures even cooking because meat shrinks inward while vegetables stay put.
- Writing names on the outside of each foil packet with a marker before cooking lets everyone claim their customization without confusion.