Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Make the patties and prep the fillings
- Form the ground beef into 4 thin patties, then season each with salt and pepper for even flavor.
- Slice the potatoes and onion, and slice the tomatoes; keep the slices thin so everything cooks through in the foil.
Build the foil packets
- Lay out 4 sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil and layer sliced potatoes and onions on each sheet.
- Place 1 burger patty on top of the potato-onion layer, then add tomato slices over the patty.
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon ketchup and 1 tablespoon mustard over each packet, spreading lightly so it cooks into the filling.
- Fold the foil into sealed packets and press the edges tightly to prevent leaks while cooking.
Cook campfire-style
- Place packets on a campfire grate over medium heat and cook for 25 minutes, checking that the potatoes are tender.
- Flip the packets halfway through cooking (about 12–13 minutes total) so the burgers and potatoes heat evenly.
- Cook the remaining 5–10 minutes until the packet contents are hot and the potatoes are fully tender.
Melt cheese and finish
- Open packets carefully, add 1 slice of cheddar cheese to each, and reseal briefly just long enough to melt the cheese.
- Let packets cool for 5 minutes so the filling thickens slightly and is easier to serve.
- Serve cheeseburger hobo packets in the foil or on hamburger buns if using.
Notes
Pro tip: make the burger patties thin and keep potato slices uniformly thin for the same doneness time in the foil. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 3 days; reheat in a skillet or microwave until hot. Freeze only if tightly wrapped in foil or an airtight container, up to 2 months, and thaw in the fridge before reheating. For a lower-carb option, skip the hamburger buns and serve as-is with extra sliced tomatoes or pickles.
