Campfire Cheeseburger Hobo Packets (Printable)

Foil-wrapped cheeseburger patties with seasoned veggies, grilled over campfire coals for easy outdoor cooking.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound 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 (optional)

→ Dairy

07 - 4 slices cheddar cheese

→ Pantry & Condiments

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

→ To Serve

15 - 4 hamburger buns (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Build your campfire and let it establish hot coals, or preheat a grill to medium-high heat (around 375°F to 400°F).
02 - In a large bowl, combine 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. Drizzle the center of each sheet with olive oil to prevent sticking.
04 - Arrange sliced potatoes in the center of each foil sheet. Layer red onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes on top. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper.
05 - Place one seasoned beef patty on top of each vegetable pile. Drizzle each patty 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 inside.
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 through 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 is melted.
09 - Serve hot directly from the foil packets, or transfer the contents onto hamburger buns with additional condiments on the side.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Zero dishes to wash afterwards because everything cooks right inside the foil.
  • The vegetables steam in burger juices, so every bite carries that smoky, savory depth.
  • It works on a campfire, a grill, or even a hot oven with nearly identical results.
02 -
  • Seal the foil packets completely or you will lose all the steam that cooks the vegetables through, a lesson I learned the hard way with crunchy potatoes.
  • Let your campfire burn down to coals before cooking because open flames will scorch the foil bottom while leaving the inside raw.
03 -
  • Potatoes take the longest to soften, so slice them thinner than you think you need to ensure everything finishes at the same time.
  • Dimple the center of each patty with your thumb to prevent it from swelling into a meatball inside the packet.

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