Here’s a simple and tasty way to make Hobo Dinner Foil Packets—a classic campfire or oven meal where everything cooks together in foil for minimal cleanup. 🥩🥕
Ingredients (serves 2–3)
- 2–3 small potatoes, diced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 2–3 chicken thighs, sausage links, or hamburger patties (your choice of protein)
- 2–3 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika (optional)
- Optional extras: bell peppers, zucchini, corn, or mushrooms
- Optional herbs: thyme, rosemary, parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven (or prepare fire):
- Oven: 400 °F (200 °C)
- Campfire: Use hot coals, or grill over indirect heat
- Prepare foil packets:
- Tear out large sheets of aluminum foil (one per serving).
- Place diced potatoes, carrots, onion, and other vegetables in the center.
- Add your protein on top.
- Season:
- Drizzle with olive oil or melted butter.
- Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and herbs.
- Seal packets:
- Fold foil over ingredients and seal edges tightly to create a pouch.
- Cook:
- Oven: Bake 35–45 minutes, depending on protein thickness, until potatoes are tender and meat is fully cooked.
- Campfire: Place packets on hot coals or grill for 20–30 minutes, turning once.
- Serve:
- Carefully open packets to avoid steam burns.
- Serve hot, directly from foil for easy cleanup.
Tips & Variations
- Cheesy hobo dinner: Sprinkle shredded cheese on top in the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Marinate protein: Marinate chicken or beef ahead of time for extra flavor.
- Vegetarian version: Skip meat and add beans or extra vegetables.
- Extra flavor: Add a splash of soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, or barbecue sauce before sealing packets.
I can also give a garlic-herb butter version that makes the vegetables and protein extra tender and flavorful in the foil packets.
Do you want me to share that version?
