Hamburger Hobo Dinner Foil Packets Recipe

I’m excited to share this hamburger foil packets recipe with you today. Sometimes referred to as “hobo dinner foil packets,” it is a simple delicious meal that dates back to my Girl Scout camping trip days.

Seasoned hamburger patties and frozen or fresh vegetables wrapped in an aluminum foil packet and cooked in the oven or over a campfire or grill until done. This easy dinner recipe is a perfect low points way for Weight Watchers to enjoy ground beef patties and their favorite vegetables. I love that this hearty meal is perfectly portion controlled and makes for very easy clean up.

What Are Foil Pack Hobo Dinners?

Hobo foil packets are a popular and easy meal option that can be cooked over a campfire, on the grill, or in the oven. The meal typically consists of a protein, such as lean ground beef, ground turkey, chicken, sausage, pork chops, or even fish, along with vegetables, potatoes, and seasoning, all cooked together in a foil packet. The foil packet not only helps to cook the food evenly, but also makes for an easy clean-up.

How Do You Make These Hobo Meals?

To make a foil pack hobo dinner, start by prepping your ingredients. Cut your potatoes and vegetables into small pieces so they cook evenly. Then, mix your protein with any desired seasoning, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, or cumin. Next, place a large piece of foil on a flat surface and layer the ingredients in the center. Fold the edges of the foil up to create a foil pouch / packet, and crimp the edges tightly to seal in the heat.

Place packets over a campfire, on the grill or in the oven. Cook about 20-35 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the protein is cooked through. Then, carefully open the foil packet and enjoy your delicious and easy meal with your favorite condiments. Talk about easy peasy.

How Many Calories and Weight Watchers Points in these Hamburger Vegetable Foil Packs?

According to my calculations, each serving has 277 calories.

To see your WW Points for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site, Click here!

Recipe Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic-pepper seasoning (I used Montreal steak seasoning)
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon salt
2 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced into half moons
1 medium onion, peeled and thinly sliced into half moons
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 large carrot, peeled and thinly sliced
½ cup broccoli florets
½ cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
Salt and pepper to taste

How to Cook Hamburger Vegetable Hobo Packets Step-by-Step

Step 1: Gather & Prep your ingredients.

Step 2: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees and make your hamburger Patties.

Step 3: Divide the Veggies evenly between 4 sheets of heavy duty aluminum foil and place a hamburger patty on top of each one. 

Step 5: Serve the foil packets directly on plates or carefully transfer the contents to plates. Be careful of the hot steam that will escape when opening the packets.

Recipe Notes, Substitutions & Variations

Seasoning Options: If you don’t have garlic pepper, use 1 teaspoon seasoned salt or ¾ teaspoon salt plus ¼ teaspoon garlic powder. Paprika, thyme, rosemary, Italian seasoning, or any other herbs or spices would also work. Some folks like to place a dollop of cream of mushroom soup on top of their uncooked hamburgers before cooking it to insure juicy burgers and create a gravy / sauce. A little barbecue sauce would another tasty option.

Meat Options: lean ground beef, ground turkey, ground chicken, sausage, chicken breast, fish fillets, pork chops

Vegetable Options: You can customize the vegetables based on your preferences or what you have on hand. Just be sure they are cut into small enough pieces that they will cook in the time the protein is done. Potatoes, sweet potatoes, zucchini, onions, peppers, carrots, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower green beans, snap peas, pieces of corn on the cob would all be good.

No Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil? Use a double layer of regular aluminum foil. I’ve also had good success cooking foil pack meals in foil pan covered tightly with foil.

When shaping the ground beef patties, make sure they are evenly sized and not too thick. This will help ensure that they cook evenly and thoroughly.

To check if the beef and vegetables are fully cooked, carefully open one of the foil packets and check the internal temperature of the beef with a meat thermometer. It should be at least 160°F (71°C). The vegetables should also be tender.

Serve the foil packets directly on plates or carefully transfer them to serving dishes, being cautious of the hot steam that will escape when opening the packets.

Ways to Use Leftovers

Transfer the leftovers into airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Warm the leftovers as is or try one of these creative ways to transform them:

Leftover vegetable and beef stir-fry: Chop up any leftover vegetables and beef into bite-sized pieces and stir-fry them in a hot pan with a little oil. Season with additional garlic pepper seasoning and Worcestershire sauce to taste. Serve over rice, cauliflower rice, or noodles.
Leftover beef and vegetable soup: Combine leftover vegetables, crumbled ground beef patty, and any juices from the foil packets in a large pot with beef or vegetable broth. Add additional chopped vegetables as desired (such as celery, carrots, or potatoes), and simmer until everything is heated through and the vegetables are tender. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Leftover beef and vegetable pasta: Cook your favorite pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, heat up leftover crumbled hamburger and vegetables in a pan with a little olive oil. Toss the pasta with the beef and vegetables, and season with additional garlic pepper seasoning and Worcestershire sauce to taste. Top with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Leftover beef and vegetable quesadillas: Chop up leftover vegetables and beef into small pieces. Heat up a large low carb tortilla in a pan, then sprinkle one half with shredded cheese, beef, and vegetables. Fold the other half over the filling and press down gently with a spatula. Cook until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy, then cut into wedges and serve with salsa and light sour cream.
Leftover beef and vegetable hash: Chop up leftover vegetables and beef into small pieces. Heat up a large skillet with a little oil, then add the vegetables and beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until everything is heated through and the vegetables are starting to brown. Serve with fried or poached eggs on top, and toast or crusty bread on the side.

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If you’ve made this Hamburger Vegetable Foil Pack Meal, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

Recipe source: Betty Crocker

*Points® calculated by WW. *PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® calculated by Simple Nourished Living; Not endorsed by Weight Watchers International, Inc. All recipe ingredients except optional items included in determining nutritional estimates. SmartPoints® values calculated WITHOUT each plan’s ZeroPoint Foods (Green plan, Blue plan, Purple plan) using the WW Recipe Builder.

Can you do foil pack dinner recipes in the oven?

Yes, foil packet dinner recipes can be made in the oven. Here’s how:

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Cut a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil or use double layers of regular aluminum foil.
Place your desired ingredients in the center of the foil. Make sure to season with salt, pepper, herbs, and spices as desired.
Bring the short ends of the foil together and fold them over each other to create a seal. Then, fold over the sides of the foil to seal the packet completely.
Place the foil packet on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, depending on the recipe and the thickness of the ingredients.
Remove the foil packet from the oven and carefully open it. Be careful as hot steam will escape from the packet.

Remember to adjust cooking time and temperatures according to your recipe and your oven.

What temperature do you grill foil packets?

The temperature at which you should grill a foil packet dinner depends on the specific recipe and ingredients you are using. However, as a general guideline, most foil packet dinners can be grilled at a medium-high heat of around 375-400°F (190-204°C).

It’s important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the thickness and type of meat, as well as the types of vegetables and seasonings used. Always refer to the recipe instructions for the specific cooking temperature and time recommendations for your foil packet dinner. Additionally, be sure to properly seal the foil packet to prevent any juices or flavors from escaping during grilling.

Are foil pack dinners good for Weight Watchers?

Foil packet meals can be a great option for people following a Weight Watchers program as they allow for easy portion control and can be packed with healthy, low-calorie ingredients. The key to making foil packet meals work for Weight Watchers is to choose lean proteins, such as extra lean ground beef, chicken breast, fish, or tofu, and plenty of vegetables. You can also add flavor with herbs and spices, which are zero points on the Weight Watchers program.

When it comes to cooking, you can use a variety of methods, including grilling, baking, or even steaming. Just be sure to adjust cooking times and temperatures based on the ingredients you are using.

Overall, foil packet meals can be a convenient and healthy option for people following a Weight Watchers program. However, as with any meal, it’s important to pay attention to portion sizes and to balance your meals with a variety of nutrient-dense foods.

WW friendly recipe ideas for foil packet dinners

Foil Pack Shrimp Boil for Two
Healthy Baked Salmon in Foil for Two
Potato & Sausage Foil Packets (Keeping On Point)
Foil Packet Cheesy Sausage & Peppers (SkinnyTaste)
BBQ Chicken & Vegetables Foil Pack (Hungry Girl)

More Ground Beef Dinners for Weight Watchers

Healthy Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup
Skinny Cheeseburger Pasta One Pot Skillet
Simple 3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes

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