Grilled Vegetables in Foil

It’s hard for me to call these foil vegetable packets “grilled”, because in reality they are sort of steam-roasted, but they are cooked on the grill and will quickly become a staple of your outdoor cooking. I used to know them as “hobo dinners”, but a true complete “hobo dinner” usually includes a burger patty or some sort of meat in the foil packet with the vegetables. Whatever you call them, this mix of corn, potatoes, red onion and herbs is delicious.

Cutting Corn Kernels off Cob

Start by slicing your potatoes (I like to use Yukon Gold potatoes) and red onion. Then slice the corn kernels off the cob. You can do this right into a bowl to stop corn from bouncing all over your kitchen. A mandolin slicer also works like magic to remove corn kernels. 

How to Make Veggie Packs

Toss all the potatoes, red onion, corn together with oil, salt and pepper and then place them in the center of a long strip of aluminum foil. Add the fresh herbs – any you like, really – and dot with butter. Roll the two long edges of the foil together down toward the vegetables to make a leak-proof seal. Depending on how thick your foil is, it’s usually a good idea to do a second wrap of the vegetables just in case the foil tears. 

Foil Grilled Veggies

Then, go ahead and grill them. Now, grills range in temperatures, but you want to try to get your grill to at least 400˚F, but not hotter than 550˚F. Place the foil packets on for 10 minutes and then flip them over. Cook for another 10 minutes and flip again for another 5 minutes on each side. The goal is to have soft potato with a few browned edges if possible. If you have a ledge rack in your BBQ, go ahead and elevate the vegetables on that higher section while you cook whatever else you’re having for dinner. They will stay nice and warm there. If not, remove the packets but keep them wrapped up.

Seasoning Veggie Packs

I like to remove the old herb sprigs after the veggies are cooked and freshen the packets with new fresh chopped parsley. It’s also nice to squeeze a little lemon juice over the lot, but that is optional.

How to Serve

You can absolutely serve the vegetables in their foil packets if you like, or remove them from the foil and place it all into a serving bowl, letting people serve themselves. Foil packet vegetables are a perfect side dish for any grilled chicken dish, like Easy Grilled Chicken Thighs, or Harissa Chicken or Huli Huli Chicken. It would also be perfect with Honey BBQ Pork Chops, or Grilled Pork Chops with Peach BBQ Sauce , or any number of grilled steaks, burgers or fish.

Vegetable Hobo Packets