Hobo Dinner

These easy Tin Foil Dinners are sometimes called a “Hobo” dinner. They’re tried and true camping meals that are hearty and satisfying. This hobo dinner packet is an easy dinner that can be cooked over a fire or in the oven.

EASY TIN FOIL DINNERS

Let me just start by pointing out the obvious – these are ugly. It’s impossible to make these look pretty. Believe me I tried. But let’s face it – there isn’t much about camping that is pretty. I just went on a camping trip two weeks ago up in the mountains and pretty much hung out in my pajamas the whole time with no makeup on and without brushing my hair.

Our dinner the first night was an epic fail. A Pinterest epic fail. We tried cooking pizza rolls in foil. The dough burnt in some places and was a doughy mess in others. We definitely won’t be trying those again.

The second night we made these tin foil dinners. We called these Hobo dinners growing up. They have beef, potatoes, onions, carrots, and cream of mushroom soup. For some reason, these are absolutely the best thing to eat when you’re camping.

Hearty and comforting. It’s hard to screw these up. I made 18 of these ahead of time and froze them for our trip. They transport well in a cooler.

The best way to cook these hobo packets is over coals rather than an open flame. Depending on the size of your patties and veggies it could take from 45-90 minutes. Cooking time with differ. Really, it’s hard to overcook your beef and veggies and you definitely want to error on the side of more cooked. You can also cook these in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 45 minutes.

HOW TO MAKE THESE:

1. For the oven method: Preheat oven to 350 ℉. For the campfire version, build a fire until you have hot coals. Spray four 12×18 inch squares of foil with cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, add the beef and onion soup mix. Mix together and form into four patties about 1/2 inch thick.
3. Divide the veggies evenly between the four foil pieces, piling in the middle. Season well with salt and pepper. Add additional spices as desired. I like garlic powder and sometimes steak seasoning.
4. Place a hamburger patty in the center on top of the potatoes, carrots, and onions. Spoon about 1/4 cup of the cream of mushroom soup on top of the beef patty. Fold foil up and over, sealing tightly. If making ahead, you can refrigerate or freeze until ready to use.
5. For the oven method: Bake for 40-45 minutes or until veggies are tender. For campfire method: Cook over campfire coals for 45-90 minutes, checking periodically and turning and rotating until done.

TIP:

• You can use premade hamburger patties to make them even easier if you want.
• Also heavy-duty foil works great here.
• You can sub sweet potatoes for regular potatoes and add green beans if you want something green in there.

OTHER RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE:

• Campfire Cones
• S’mores Cookies
• Hawaiian Grilled Chicken 

Easy Tin Foil Dinners

Christy Denney

4 from 4 votes

These Easy Tin Foil Dinners are sometimes called "Hobo" dinners. They're tried and true camping meals that are hearty and satisfying.

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 45 minutes mins

Total Time: 55 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  

½1x2x

• heavy duty foil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 )1 ounce) package Lipton Onion Soup mix
• 2 cups diced frozen hashbrowns, (or peeled and cubed fresh potatoes)
• 2 cups peeled and sliced carrots
• 1 large onion, sliced, (about 1.5 cups)
• 1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
• seasonings: salt, pepper, onion powder, or garlic powder

Instructions

 

• For the oven method: Preheat oven to 350 ℉. For the campfire version, build a fire until you have hot coals. Spray four 12x18 inch squares of foil with cooking spray.
• In a medium bowl, add the beef and onion soup mix. Mix together and form into four patties about 1/2 inch thick.
• Divide the veggies evenly between the four foil pieces, piling in the middle. Season well with salt and pepper. Add additional spices as desired. I like garlic powder.
• Place a hamburger patty in the center on top of the potatoes, carrots, and onions. Spoon about 1/4 cup of the cream of mushroom soup on top of the beef patty. Fold foil up and over, sealing tightly. If making ahead, you can refrigerate or freeze until ready to use.
• For the oven method: Bake for 40-45 minutes or until veggies are tender. For campfire method: Cook over campfire coals for 45-90 minutes, checking periodically and turning and rotating until done. *My nieces and nephews like to eat theirs with ketchup.

Notes

Source: slightly adapted from my brother-in-law Ryan Denney

Cuisine: American

Course: Main Course

Author: Christy Denney