Instant Pot Hobo Dinner–the best parts of a foil dinner at home in your Instant Pot! A delicious meat and potatoes dinner.
Instant Pot Hobo Dinner
I remember camping as a kid and we’d always have what we called tin foil dinners for supper. Basically we’d put in some ground beef, potatoes and carrots with salt and pepper. They were wrapped up well in foil and then we would place them in the fire on top of hot coals and let them cook for what seemed like forever. Many times we’d open up the foil packets and the potatoes would still be raw. Anyone else have that experience? Haha…back into the fire they would go for another 10-15 minutes. Sigh.
My grown up version of foil dinners (AKA hobo dinner) is a meatloaf with sliced potatoes made at the same time in the Instant Pot. No more ash or dirt getting in with your dinner. Nope, just some delicious meat and potatoes. This version is a family size portion instead of individual portions.
- I used a combination of beef and pork. It was the perfect combination. However you can use all beef if you’d like. I suggest using a lean (90%) ground beef so that it doesn’t get greasy.
- Make sure to slice the potatoes fairly thin (a quarter inch or thinner). Otherwise, they won’t cook through.
- If you want to add in a separate packet of green beans or carrots you totally can. Season as you like and slice thinly (if using carrots). Place the foil packet on top of the potatoes.
- If you don’t like foil you can also use stackable pans. Place the meatloaf in the pan closest to the bottom of the pot. I like these stackable pans on Amazon*.
- I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1*. This recipe also works well in an 8 quart pot. I also use my OXO sling trivet* to retrieve the foil packets.
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Instant Pot Hobo Dinner
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
The best parts of a foil dinner at home in your Instant Pot! A delicious meat and potatoes dinner.
Ingredients
Meatloaf Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 2 eggs
- 1 Tbsp dried onion
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 15 saltine crackers, crushed
- Ketchup for topping the meatloaf
Potato Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 pounds Russet potatoes (about 3 medium), peeled and sliced into quarter inch (or thinner) slices
- 1/2 of an onion, thinly sliced
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 3 Tbsp melted butter
- 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In a large bowl add the beef, pork, eggs, onion, ketchup, salt, pepper, garlic powder and crushed crackers. Combine with clean or gloved hands. Do not overmix.
- Place the meat mixture on the middle of a long piece of foil (about 18 inches). Form into a meatloaf. Bring up the edges of the foil and crimp in the middle to seal. Set aside.
- Add sliced potatoes and onions into a bowl. Toss in the kosher salt, onion powder, pepper, paprika and butter well so that potatoes are coated. Place potatoes in the middle of a long piece of foil (about 18 inches). Bring up the edges of the foil and crimp in the middle to seal. Set aside.
- Pour 1 ½ cups water into the bottom of an Instant Pot. Place a trivet into the pot. Place the meatloaf foil packet on the trivet. Place the potato foil packet on top of the meatloaf.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 30 minutes. When time is up move valve to venting and remove the lid.
- Carefully remove the foil packets and open. Check meatloaf and potatoes for doneness. Meatloaf should be at least 160° F in the center. Potatoes should be tender. If food is not done you can add it back into pressure cooker and cook for a few more minutes. Sprinkle the cheese over the potatoes and let melt. Baste the meatloaf with ketchup. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Recipe adapted from The Magical Slow Cooker
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Beef and Pork
- Method: Instant Pot
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Can this be made with all ground beef?
Yes it can!