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    Home » Main Dishes

    How to Make a Hobo Dinner

    Published: Jul 2, 2018 · Modified: Dec 28, 2023 by burntapple · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Summer time is always a busy time but doesn't have to be with this easy take on a traditional hobo dinner. I'll show you how to make a hobo dinner that simplifies your time in the kitchen and makes dinner easy but still tasting like the campfire favorite! 

    tips on how to make a hobo dinner with meat, potatoes and vegetables
    Jump to:
    • Serving Hobo Dinners
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Storing
    • Tips
    • FAQ
    • How to Make a Hobo Dinner

    Serving Hobo Dinners

    You can make this hobo dinner camping or make it as a weeknight meal. It's simple to serve and adapt. I even make it as a sheet pan dinner.

    Ingredients

    The ingredient list is pretty simple. You will need:

    • ground beef
    • red potatoes
    • carrots
    • green beans
    • egg
    • onion soup packet
    • oil

    Instructions

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with tin foil and set it aside for later use.

    In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, and half of the onion soup mix. Use your hands to thoroughly blend the ingredients. Shape the mixture into 4 balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. If using high-fat meat, consider creating a bowl with an additional piece of foil on the sheet pan to contain excess fat while cooking.

    In another bowl, mix the remaining onion soup mix with oil until well combined. Coat the vegetables and potatoes with this mixture, ensuring they are evenly covered. Drizzle any remaining mixture over the potatoes and vegetables once they are on the baking sheet.

    Arrange the potatoes on the baking sheet while setting the coated vegetables aside for the time being.

    Place the baking sheet with the meat and potatoes in the oven and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Afterward, remove the baking sheet from the oven and add the coated vegetables to it. Continue baking for an additional 20-25 minutes until both the potatoes and meat are fully cooked. To prevent the meat from drying out, consider covering it with tin foil for the last few minutes of cooking.

    Season with salt and pepper according to taste before serving.

    Substitutions

    This recipe is already naturally gluten free. Just make sure that you use gluten free onion soup packet. This recipe is also naturally dairy free.

    Storing

    You can store this recipe in the refrigerator for several days. Reheat.

    Tips

    • Properly Prepare Ingredients: Cut vegetables and meat into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking. Precook harder vegetables or denser meats if needed.
    • Seasoning and Sauces: Season the ingredients well with your favorite herbs, spices, or marinades to enhance flavor. Add a bit of oil or butter to prevent sticking and improve taste.
    • Cooking Method: Hobo dinners can be cooked on a grill, campfire, or in the oven. Ensure even heat distribution and flip the packets halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.
    • Customize: Hobo dinners are highly customizable. Add different ingredients, spices, or sauces to suit personal preferences or dietary needs.

    FAQ

    What ingredients can I use for hobo dinners?

    You can use a variety of ingredients such as protein (chicken, beef, fish, sausage), potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, onions, zucchini, broccoli, and other vegetables. Be creative and choose ingredients that cook well together.

    How do I prevent the food from sticking to the foil?

    o prevent sticking, use non-stick cooking spray, oil, or butter on the foil before adding the ingredients. You can also place a layer of parchment paper inside the foil for extra protection.

    Can I prepare hobo dinners ahead of time?

    Absolutely! You can assemble the foil packets in advance and refrigerate them until ready to cook. Ensure the packets are sealed tightly to maintain freshness.

    tips on how to make a hobo dinner with meat, potatoes and vegetables

    How to Make a Hobo Dinner

    Traci Wennerholm
    Enjoy a simple and easy meal around the campfire or from the comfort of home. Delicious beef, vegetables, potatoes and seasoning come together in minutes!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 40 minutes mins
    0 minutes mins
    Total Time 55 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 537 kcal

    Equipment

    • tin foil
    • baking sheet

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound ground beef
    • 4 whole red potatoes
    • 1 cup carrots
    • 1 cup green beans ends cut off
    • 1 whole egg
    • 1 packet onion soup
    • 2 tablespoons oil

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cooking sheet with tin foil. Set aside.
    • In a bowl, mix together the ground beef, egg, and ½ package of the onion soup. Mix with hands until thorughly combined. Form the meat into 4 balls. Place on baking sheet (NOTE: If you are using a high fat meat, you may want to take a second piece of tin foil and form a bowl inside the sheet pan to place them in while cooking so the fat stays in the piece of tin foil.
    • In a separate bowl, mix together the remaining onion soup mix and oil. Stir until combined. Toss the vegetables and potatoes in the mixture to coat, drizzling any of the remaining mixture over the potatoes and vegetables once on the baking sheet.
    • Arrange the potatoes on the baking sheet. Set the vegetables aside for now.
    • Place the meat and potatoes in the oven and bake for twenty minutes at 350 degrees. Remove the meat and potatoes from the oven and arrange the vegetables on the baking sheet. Cook an additional 20-25 minutes until potatoes and meat are cooked. (You may need to cover the meat with some tin foil the last few minutes of cooking time to avoid drying out the meat).
    • Serve with salt and pepper to taste.

    Notes

    Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several days. Reheat. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 537kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 26gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 174mgPotassium: 1453mgFiber: 5gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 5610IUVitamin C: 24mgCalcium: 69mgIron: 4mg
    Keyword hobo dinner, hobo dinner camping, how to make a hobo dinner, serving hobo dinner
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