You’re intrigued, right? Or just confused? Perplexed maybe?
All of a sudden one day, I remembered how when Andrew and I were first married (nearly 10 years ago) and lived in Detroit, I used to make something called a Hobo Dinner quite often. Why in the world they’re called Hobo Dinners is beyond me? Probably because they’re in a tin foil pouch and we’re to believe homeless people eat out of something similar? I’m not sure. But they’re a legitimate method of cooking and you can find loads of other Hobo Dinner recipes in cookbooks and online…I’m not just making this stuff up (though I bet you think I am…).
Anyway…I digress…I remembered one day how I used to make these and decided it was time to resurrect the idea. All you do is basically take a burger patty and put it in some foil along with your favorite veggies, bake it in the oven and voila, dinner is done! Each person gets their little foil pouch and that’s it. So simple and so yummy.
Try your own Hobo Dinner tonight :).
This recipe makes 4 individual dinners.
Shopping List
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
3 red skin or new potatoes, chopped
1 onion, sliced
a handful of baby carrots
Lots of Salt and Pepper
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
Combine your ground beef, Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder in a mixing bowl. Divide mixture into four separate patties and shape each one like a burger.
Place each patty on a piece of aluminum foil that is about 18 inches long. Divide your potato pieces, onion slices and carrots between the four patties (just lay them right on top of your patty). Sprinkle a generous amount of salt and pepper down over all four foil packets.
Place the packets on a baking sheet and bake about one hour.
Remove from oven and place one packet on each dinner plate. Open up your packet and enjoy!
Simple, right? It’s just a really simple little supper…which is exactly what we need more of this time of year!
Enjoy your Hobo Dinner!
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
You've got a whole lot of genius going on today my friend. This hobo dinner thing is right up my alley!!!!!
ashley and michael says
Try spooning some cream of mushroom soup over the dinner before you cook it! Keeps it moist and gives it a sort of gravy. Delish!
Kris says
Years ago, I picked up a free cookbook at Publix that the Reynolds Alumninum foil people put out. It was full of hobo/foil pouch meals. We were newlyweds at the time and I wasn't much of a cook, so I bet I made them 4 out of 7 times a week (I probably didn't cook the other 3 nights! LOL). Finally, my sweet husband said, "I really appreciate that you cook dinner every night, but can we occasionally do something else…that doesn't involve tin foil?"
Sabrina says
I've always wanted to make these-but I ALWAYS forget about them! This is the perfect weeknight meal–and the mix and match possibilities are endless! 🙂
jen says
Yum!!! Simple but looks so, so good!!!!
Amanda Garcia says
Perfect! We make these over the fire every time we camp. Hot dog (or sausage) slices, cubed potatoes (or fingerlings), and bell peppers. Yum!!
Kristal @ The Strong Family says
Back in our dating days, my husband and I went camping a lot with our friends and we would always make "Hobo's" over the campfire. It was one of the highlights of our camping trips. They were delicious then and I'm sure they'd be delicious in the oven, too! It never crossed my mind to bake them…I'm definitely going to give that a try soon.
Melissa says
My dad used to make this for us when I was growing up. I need to add it to my rotation. It would be great in the fall/winter.
Melissa says
Thanks for the idea! My mom used to make these with chicken, ranch, and veggies! I like how you can make the veggies different for each person if you want.
Lisa says
We do these with potatoes, carrots, squash, onion and smoked sausage. Sprinkle some cavanders or tony's over it – yummo! Haven't thought about the patty – will try that next!