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Campfire Sloppy Joe Foil Packets

A campground favorite with a fun twist!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 465
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil if needed
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 2 cups baby potatoes quartered
  • 1 cup diced bell pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ¾ cup Sloppy Joe sauce homemade or your favorite bottled variety
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Chopped parsley optional
  • Heavy-duty aluminum foil

Method
 

  1. Preheat a grill or prepare a medium campfire.
  2. Brown the ground beef with the onion and garlic in a skillet. Drain excess grease if necessary.
  3. Stir in the Sloppy Joe sauce, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  4. Divide the potatoes evenly among four large sheets of heavy-duty foil.
  5. Top each with the Sloppy Joe mixture and diced bell peppers.
  6. Fold and seal each packet tightly.
  7. Cook over medium heat for 20–25 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the potatoes are tender.
  8. Carefully open each packet, sprinkle with cheddar cheese, and loosely reseal for 2–3 minutes until the cheese melts.
  9. Garnish with parsley before serving.

Notes

Camp Cook's Tips
  • Parboil the potatoes for 5 minutes at home to reduce cooking time at camp.
  • Double-wrap the foil if cooking directly over campfire coals.
  • Add sliced mushrooms or corn for extra vegetables.
  • Serve with hamburger buns if you want the classic Sloppy Joe experience.
Serving Suggestions
  • Coleslaw
  • Pickles
  • Fresh watermelon
  • Pasta salad
  • Corn on the cob
  • Kettle-cooked potato chips
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until heated through.
🥪 Leftover Lunch Idea
Warm the leftover Sloppy Joe mixture and pile it onto toasted hamburger buns for a classic Sloppy Joe lunch.
Or spoon it over cooked rice or baked potatoes for a completely different meal that uses what you already have on hand.