How many times have you made a meal in the crockpot, only to have someone at the table grumble about the ingredients? In our family, it was almost a guarantee—someone liked carrots, while someone else wouldn’t touch them. That’s where the beauty of a hobo dinner comes in! Traditionally cooked over a campfire in foil packets, hobo dinners are easy, customizable, and downright delicious. But when you’re camping in your RV with a trusty slow cooker, why not give the classic hobo dinner an RV-friendly twist?
Here’s how you can create a slow cooker version that lets everyone build their perfect meal.
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
The beauty of a hobo dinner is its versatility—you can use whatever you have on hand! For this version, I used:
- 1 lb of hamburger (formed into 4 patties)
- 4 potatoes
- 8 carrots
- 1 onion
- Salt, pepper, and garlic powder
You can easily swap out the hamburger for chicken, pork, or even go vegetarian with extra veggies.
Step 2: Prep Your Veggies
Peel and slice the potatoes lengthwise into quarters. Peel and cut the carrots into pieces about 1–2 inches long. If they’re thick, slice them in half lengthwise. Peel the onion and cut it into four thick slices. Mushrooms and peppers also work great here—add whatever you’ve got!
Step 3: Grab the Aluminum Foil
Cut four large pieces of aluminum foil, about 20 inches long each. The size will depend on your ingredients, but make sure the foil is big enough to hold everything and seal tightly at the top.
Step 4: Build Your Packets
Here’s the fun part! Lay out your foil and start layering your ingredients. This is a perfect opportunity to let everyone in the family customize their meal. Kids especially love building their own packets!
Layer potatoes, meat, and veggies, seasoning each layer with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. If you’re not using fatty meat (like chicken breast), spray the foil with a little oil or add 2 tablespoons of water to keep everything moist. Have a vegetarian in the group? No problem—make a veggie-only packet with a little oil and water at the bottom.
Step 5: Seal It Up
Once your packets are ready, fold the foil around the ingredients and crimp the edges tightly to seal them. Place the packets seam-side up in your slow cooker. It’s fine if they overlap or fit snugly—just make sure they’re sealed well. Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of the crockpot to create steam for cooking.
Step 6: Let It Cook
Set your crockpot to low if you’re leaving it for the day. I started mine at 7:30 a.m. and it was perfectly cooked by dinnertime at 6:30 p.m. If you’re short on time, you can cook on high for about 5 hours. Whatever you do, resist the temptation to peek! The steam is what makes the magic happen.
Step 7: Dig In
Carefully remove the packets—they’ll be hot! Open them slowly to avoid steam burns, and strain out any extra juices if needed. Serve the contents straight from the foil or pour them onto a plate. Each person gets their own perfectly customized meal, with no complaints about unwanted veggies.
Bonus Tips
- Experiment with different meats and vegetables to keep things interesting.
- If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding seasoning blends or a splash of your favorite sauce inside the packets.
- Cleanup is a breeze—just toss the foil, and you’re done!
This slow cooker hobo dinner is a game-changer for RV life. It’s easy, customizable, and makes everyone happy around the table. Give it a try on your next camping adventure, and let us know your favorite ingredient combos in the comments!
Happy trails and happy cooking!
CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL RECIPES
Grandma Cooper’s Classic Waldorf Salad
The Best Cheesy Potato Casserole for Every Holiday
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