Set the foil trays side by side in the bottom of a large slow cooker, arranging them in a single layer as best you can. It’s fine if the trays touch or overlap a bit, as long as they sit mostly flat so the juices don’t spill out.
Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook the hobo dinners on LOW for 6 to 7 hours, or on HIGH for 3 1/2 to 4 hours. They’re done when the potatoes and carrots are very tender and the beef patties are cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
Carefully lift the hot foil trays out of the slow cooker using tongs or a wide spatula, supporting the bottom so the rich brown juices don’t spill. Set each tray on a plate. Serve the hobo dinners right in their foil trays so everyone gets their own individual feast of beef, soft translucent potatoes, sweet carrots, and savory juices.
Let the trays cool for a minute or two before digging in, as the steam can be quite hot. Spoon some of the cooking juices over the top of the patties and vegetables just before serving for extra flavor.
Variations & Tips
If you’d like to stretch the meal a bit further without adding more ingredients, you can make the patties slightly smaller and pile a few extra potato and carrot slices into each tray. For richer flavor, use 80/20 ground beef; for a leaner version, use 90% lean and know you’ll have a bit less juice. If you don’t have heavy-duty foil, double-layer regular foil to keep the trays sturdy and prevent leaks.
You can also swap in Yukon Gold potatoes for russets if that’s what you have on hand; they hold their shape nicely and turn wonderfully creamy. To prep ahead, assemble the foil trays in the morning, cover, and refrigerate the slow cooker insert (if your manufacturer allows) or store the trays on a baking sheet in the fridge, then start cooking later in the day. Leftovers reheat well right in their foil trays in a low oven or can be broken up and fried in a skillet the next morning with an egg on top for a hearty breakfast.
