Hamburger and Potato Hobo Dinner Foil Packets

Recipe and image from Spend With Pennies

I still have family living in the Midwest of the US and then post some of the more interesting cooking ideas I see.  This one has arisen a few times.  As we are having a rare hot week here, I have found myself loath to cook a hot meal.  However, if it can be cooked outside, then the house doesn't get heated up.

When the video from Spend With Pennies for their version of Hobo Foil Dinner Packets filled with hamburger, potato, onion and carrots popped up on my Facebook newsfeed again, I sat up.  They can be either baked in the oven or cooked outside on the grill. And you can change up the vegetables to something you have in your fridge already - for me that means green beans today. 

I suspect you need something that can stand up to cooking for 45 minutes, so carrots, green beans, golden beets, brussel sprouts and other sturdier vegetables would be a better choice than those that much easily like zucchini.

First I had to head out to the store to snag the 2 ingredients I was missing.  I really only took minutes to assemble, so the most time spent was simply my run to the store. I can't speak for the baked version as we cooked it on the grill outside, but it was good home food.  Nothing gourmet - just filling, tasty and super easy.

This time I chose to use the dry onion soup mix and the condensed soup. I have learned the hard way to try it their way the first time. The next time I make this, I may try to come up with my own made from scratch seasonings and sauce - a healthier version using less processed foods. 

Tried to get their video to appear here but couldn't so if you would like to see it go to https://www.facebook.com/ispendwithpennies/videos/hobo-foil-packets/1809958699020392/

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Hobo Dinner Foil Packets

4 packets/servings

For bigger eaters increase the meat and put 2 patties in each package

Ingredients - 

1 lb       Lean ground beef
1 pkg    Dry onion soup mix
4           Small potatoes peeled and sliced
2 C       Carrots chopped or sliced
1           Large onions, sliced (or 2 small)
2 T       Olive oil
1 tsp     Garlic powder
Salt & pepper to taste
1 can    Condensed mushroom soup

Instructions - 

Preheat oven to 375.

Combine ground beef and dry soup mix in a bowl. Form into four patties and set aside. In a large bowl combine all remaining ingredients except mushroom soup. Toss until well mixed.

Spray a 12″x18″ piece of foil with non-stick spray. Place 1/4 of the vegetable mixture in the center of the foil. Top with 1 beef patty. Add 2 tablespoons of condensed mushroom soup on top of each patty. Seal foil packets well. Place beef side up on a large baking sheet and bake 35-45 minutes or until potatoes and carrots are tender.

OR cook on preheated grill at medium heat for about 45 minutes or until potatoes are tender and ground beef reaches 160 degrees.