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Campfire Cheeseburger Hobo Packets

Campfire cheeseburger packets with thin ground beef patties, tender potato-onion layers, and melted cheddar tucked inside heavy-duty foil. Cook over medium campfire heat, flip halfway, then open and melt the cheese for a stretchy finish.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
rest time 5 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 820
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ground beef
  • 1 lb ground beef
Buns (optional)
  • 4 hamburger buns Optional for serving.
Cheddar cheese
  • 4 cheddar cheese Use slices.
Potatoes and onion
  • 3 potatoes Thinly sliced.
  • 1 onion Sliced.
Tomatoes
  • 2 tomatoes Sliced.
Condiments
  • 4 tbsp ketchup
  • 4 tbsp mustard
Seasoning
  • salt and pepper to taste Season to taste.
Foil
  • 4 heavy-duty aluminum foil 4 sheets.

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Make the patties
  1. Form the ground beef into 4 thin patties and season with salt and pepper. Keep the patties thin so they finish cooking inside the foil packets.
Assemble foil packets
  1. On each sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil, layer the sliced potatoes and onions. Spread them in an even layer so steam cooks the potatoes through.
  2. Place a burger patty on top of the potato-onion layer, then add the sliced tomato over the patty. The tomato should sit near the center so it steams the meat.
  3. Drizzle ketchup and mustard over the packet filling. Use enough to coat the top lightly without soaking through the foil.
  4. Fold the foil into sealed packets and place them on a campfire grate over medium heat. Seal tightly to keep steam inside; you should see no gaps at the edges.
Cook and melt cheese
  1. Cook packets for 25-30 minutes over medium heat, flipping them halfway through. Look for the potatoes to be tender when you open one briefly.
  2. Open each packet and add 1 slice of cheddar cheese on top, then reseal briefly to melt. Stop when the cheese is fully melted and slightly stretchy.
  3. Let the packets cool for 5 minutes before serving. The filling should thicken slightly as it rests, making it easier to eat.
Serve
  1. Serve the cheeseburger packets in the foil, or on hamburger buns if desired. Use the opened foil as a guide for a hot, mess-free portion.

Notes

Pro tip: slice the potatoes very thin so they steam-cook within the 25–30 minutes without turning hard. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat in the microwave or in a covered skillet until hot. Freezing is not recommended because potatoes can soften too much after thawing. For a lighter take, use lean ground beef (90% or higher) while keeping the same cooking method.