Cheeseburger Hobo Packets – Easy Foil Packet Dinner for the Grill or Oven

Cheeseburger Hobo Packets are the ultimate fuss free dinner that your whole family will devour without a single complaint. Everything goes into a foil packet, seasoned beef patty, tender baby potatoes, sweet carrots, and melty cheese, and the grill (or oven!) does all the heavy lifting. It’s like a classic American cheeseburger and a hearty veggie side dish all wrapped up in one tidy little package. Minimal prep, zero dishes, and maximum flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Tastes like a backyard cookout — juicy, cheesy, smoky beef in every single bite
• Only 15 minutes of prep — you’ll have dinner on the grill faster than you can preheat the oven
• One packet = one complete meal — protein AND veggies, no sides needed
• Zero dishes — just toss the foil when you’re done
• Picky-kid approved — the seasoning seeps right into the veggies and suddenly everyone’s a vegetable fan

Equipment Needed

• Heavy-duty aluminum foil (or double up regular foil)
• Grill or oven
• Large mixing bowl
• Nonstick cooking spray
• Meat thermometer

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Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tsp seasoning salt
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 lb small baby potatoes, halved
• 2 large carrots, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 slices American or cheddar cheese

Ingredient Notes

Ground Beef: 80% lean ground beef is your sweet spot here. It has enough fat to stay juicy and flavorful while cooking inside the packet. Leaner blends can dry out before the veggies get tender, so stick with 80/20 for the best results.

Baby Potatoes: Halved baby potatoes cook evenly and absorb all those savory juices from the seasoned beef. If you only have regular russet potatoes, dice them small — about 1/2-inch cubes — so they cook through in the same amount of time as everything else.

Cheese: American cheese melts like a dream inside a hot foil packet. Cheddar works great too and adds a sharper flavor. Open the packet at the end, tuck in the cheese slice, reseal, and give it just a minute or two to melt into perfection.

Heavy-Duty Foil: This matters more than you’d think! Regular foil can burn through on a hot grill, especially on the bottom of the packet. Use heavy-duty foil or double-layer standard foil to protect your dinner.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat Your Grill or Oven

Fire up your grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F), or preheat your oven to 400°F. Tear off four large sheets of heavy-duty foil and spray each one generously with nonstick cooking spray. You want plenty of room for the ingredients to steam-cook inside, so make those sheets big — about 18 inches long.

Step 2: Mix and Form the Beef Patties

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, beaten egg, seasoning salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands just until everything is incorporated — overmixing makes the patties tough. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and flatten each into a patty roughly the size of your palm.

Step 3: Season the Veggies

In that same bowl, toss together the halved baby potatoes, sliced carrots, olive oil, onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Make sure every piece gets coated — this is where a lot of the flavor lives. The oil also helps the veggies steam and soften nicely inside the sealed packet.

Step 4: Build the Packets

Divide the seasoned vegetables evenly among the four foil sheets, piling them right in the center. Lay one beef patty on top of each veggie pile. Fold the foil up and over the ingredients, crimping the edges tightly on all sides to create a sealed packet — you don’t want any steam escaping.

Step 5: Grill or Bake

Place the packets beef-side up on the grill grates or on a baking sheet in the oven. Cook for 25–30 minutes, until the beef reaches an internal temperature of 160°F and the potatoes are fork-tender. If you’re using the oven, go for 40–45 minutes total. Don’t rush this part — the steam inside is doing all the cooking!

Step 6: Add the Cheese and Finish

Carefully open each packet (hot steam will escape — use tongs!), and lay one slice of cheese directly on top of the beef patty. Reseal loosely and cook for another 2–3 minutes until the cheese is fully melted.

Pro Tips & Cooking Hacks

• Slice carrots thin — 1/4 inch or less. Thick slices won’t soften in time and you’ll end up with crunchy, underdone carrots.
• Don’t skip the egg in the beef — it acts as a binder and keeps the patty from falling apart when you open the packet.
• Double the foil on the grill — this prevents the bottom from scorching on high grill heat.
• Make packets ahead — assemble them up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate until grill time. Perfect for camping trips!

Tips & Variations

Bacon Cheeseburger Version: Tuck a strip of uncooked bacon on top of each beef patty before sealing the packet. It crisps up beautifully inside and adds smoky richness to every bite.

Swap the Veggies: Bell peppers, zucchini, or corn cut from the cob all cook well in foil packets. Use whatever’s in your fridge — this recipe is very forgiving.

Make It Campfire-Ready: These packets are perfect for camping! Prep them at home, keep them cold in a cooler, and toss them straight onto the campfire grate when you’re ready to cook.

Serving Suggestions

Open the packet right on the plate and top with your favorite burger fixings — ketchup, mustard, pickles, or a drizzle of special sauce. The packet IS the serving bowl, which means no extra plates to wash.

If you want to round out the meal, serve with a simple coleslaw or a bag of chips on the side. [Internal link: Easy Creamy Coleslaw Recipe]

For a fun summer spread, set up a toppings bar with diced onion, shredded lettuce, tomato slices, and condiments so everyone can dress their own packet their way. [Internal link: Homemade Burger Sauce Recipe]

Common Mistakes

• Sealing the packet too loosely — steam escapes and veggies don’t cook through. Crimp those edges tight!
• Using extra-lean beef — it dries out before the veggies are done. Go 80/20.
• Cutting potatoes too thick — they won’t soften in time. Halve small ones or dice larger potatoes small.
• Opening the packet too early — trust the process. Let it cook the full time before peeking.
• Forgetting the nonstick spray — food will stick to the foil. Don’t skip this step.

What to Serve With Cheeseburger Hobo Packets

Honestly, these packets are a complete meal on their own — beef, potatoes, and veggies all in one. But if you’re feeding a crowd, a bag of kettle chips or some warm dinner rolls on the side goes a long way.

For a summer cookout vibe, pair them with a cold pasta salad or some grilled corn on the cob. [Internal link: Grilled Corn on the Cob with Garlic Butter]

Finish the meal with something sweet and easy — ice cream sandwiches, a fruit salad, or those classic s’mores if you’re out camping. The whole vibe here is relaxed, outdoor-friendly, and delicious.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these in the oven instead of the grill?

Absolutely! Place the sealed packets on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 40–45 minutes. Check that the beef reaches an internal temp of 160°F before serving.

Can I prep these ahead of time?

Yes — assemble the packets up to 24 hours in advance, refrigerate, and cook straight from the fridge. Just add 5 extra minutes to the cook time if starting cold.

What other cheese works well in this recipe?

Cheddar, pepper jack, Swiss, or provolone all melt beautifully inside a hot foil packet. Use whatever your family loves on a regular burger.

Can I cook these over a campfire?

Yes! Place the sealed packets directly on the campfire grate over medium coals. Cook for 25–35 minutes, rotating once halfway through.

How do I know when the beef is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer — ground beef needs to reach an internal temperature of 160°F. When in doubt, add 5 more minutes and check again.

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