You could take him to a restaurant, but homemade is always better.
For the dad who has everything, cook him a dinner to remember on Father's Day this year. After all, we all know the most exciting gift to open up is a surf 'n' turf foil pack fresh off the grill. Sure, you could just take him out to a restaurant, but it’ll mean a whole lot more if you make it yourself. Whether he's a meat and potatoes guy, wants something from the grill, or is more of a seafood fan, we've got you covered. Check out our list of 65 Father’s Day dinner recipes for ideas—they’re sure to impress your old man.
Is Father’s Day a big deal in your family? You’re going to want to make your dad a dinner as special as he is. When we’re trying to put together a special meal, there are two criteria we aim for: one, we want to show off an innovative presentation or cooking method, like with our chicken teriyaki pineapple bowls (served IN a pineapple) or our brick chicken (cooked under a brick or heavy pan). And two, we’re looking for a recipe that takes just that extra bit of time you might not go for on an average night, like our chicken and sausage gumbo, grilled ribs, or our BBQ chicken pizza (make your own pizza dough!).
If your dad’s more of a laid-back guy who doesn’t want a lot of pomp and circ*mstance around the holiday, we’ve got ideas for you too. Is he a big carb lover? Try our chicken tikka Alfredo (trust us, the mash-up of flavors works!) or our baked lemon risotto (less stirring than your average risotto). Is your guy a big chicken fan? Dress it up with fun summertime produce, like in our fish taco bowls, or with a different preparation than he’s used to, like in our BBQ brown sugar pulled chicken sandwiches. Speaking of grilling, if you haven't tried foil packs, Father's Day dinner is the perfect time. Wrapping a meal in foil is the easiest way to make something incredible, without all the work. Try our corn and tomato gnocchi foil packets or our Hawaiian chicken foil packs to see for yourself.
Want more Father’s Day inspiration? Check out our Father’s Day brunch recipes, our Father’s Day desserts and cakes, and the best gifts for dad (and gift baskets!) too.
1
California Grilled Chicken
♫ California looove ...♫ Balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, honey, oil, and Italian seasoning come together here for a lovely marinade that goes perfectly with in-season tomatoes and creamy avocado.
Get the California Grilled Chicken recipe.
2
Carne Asada
Translating to "grilled meat," carne asada marinates flank or skirt steak in a flavorful, citrus-spiked mixture for several hours—or up to overnight—before grilling. The result is a juicy, beef-forward piece of meat with plenty of the smoky, signature char that's perfect for tacos, grain bowls, and more.
Get the Carne Asada recipe.
3
Grilled Honey-Chipotle Salmon Foil Packets
Grilling fish can be intimidating, but with foil packs, there's no need to stress. Rather than worry about the fish sticking to the grates or flipping the flaky flesh, you'll fold the salmon up in tin foil instead. It's not just fish inside, either—there's a medley of zucchini and yellow summer squash with a smoky honey-chipotle sauce. 😍
Get the Grilled Honey-Chipotle Salmon Foil Packets recipe.
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4
Pizza Orzo
Perfect for the times that dad is craving two things and you can’t decide which to prepare for him, this pizza orzo combines everything they love about pizza and pasta into a satisfying and comforting dinner.
Get the Pizza Orzo recipe.
5
Best-Ever Burger
There are about a 100 ways to top a hamburger, and we're not here to tell you what goes into yours. But it's our duty to make sure that you're cooking your burgers as deliciously as possible. With a few super-simple techniques and shopping tips, you'll be a burger master in no time.
Get the Classic Burger recipe.
6
Copycat Cheesecake Factory Shrimp Scampi
Classic shrimp scampi is one of our favorite Italian American dishes. What could possibly beat plump shrimp spiked with garlic and lemon over pasta? How about all of that tossed in a Parmesan cream sauce. This Cheesecake Factory staple is a seafood lover’s dream!
Get the Copycat Cheesecake Factory Shrimp Scampi recipe.
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7
Grilled Brick Chicken
Cooking chicken under a brick (or a heavy pan) is one of our most simple and reliable ways to get tender, perfectly cooked chicken and that crispy skin we all crave. We paired this chicken with a delicious spicy, herby pan sauce made with jalapeño, lime, and cilantro but you can serve this as is, with a couple squeezes of lemon, or even BBQ sauce. The world is your oyster... er, chicken!
Get the Grilled Brick Chicken recipe.
8
Grilled Ribs
Few foods are better than perfectly tender ribs, glistening with caramelized BBQ sauce. Now, you can make smokehouse-quality ribs for your dad at home. All it takes is a grill, a few hours, and—okay—a lot of patience. We promise it's all worth it.
Get the Grilled Ribs recipe.
9
Feta, Spinach & Tomato Stuffed Salmon
Oven-roasted salmon is already delicious on its own, but adding a filling made of briny feta cheese, earthy cooked spinach, and savory-sweet cherry tomatoes will take your favorite fish up a few notches. To finish it off, the salmon gets topped with a mix of scallions, crushed red pepper, and yep—extra cheese. Mmm.
Get the .
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10
Surf 'n' Turf Foil Packs
Put a few of these bad boys on the coals and you can take more time to enjoy your dad—they only take around 15 minutes of hands-off grilling. Worried about cook time? Feel free to take a peek, just be careful to avoid the trapped steam!
Get the Surf 'n' Turf Foil Packs recipe.
11
Tacos Al Pastor
Traditional tacos al pastor are made on a vertical rotisserie just like chicken shawarma. The method was used by Lebanese immigrants to Mexico and the tacos adapted to fit the culinary scene of Mexico with their spices and quickly became a popular street food. We make ours on the grill to speed things up!
Get the Tacos Al Pastor recipe.
12
Creamy Chicken Piccata With Gnocchi
When we have a favorite weeknight dinner that we want to doll up for a special occasion, we activate our go-to formula for supper success: Start with a dish you love, then add something new. Here, the dish we love is chicken piccata, the Italian-American classic, and the new ingredient is one of our favorite pantry items, boxed gnocchi.
Get the Creamy Chicken Piccata With Gnocchi recipe.
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13
Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
Do yourself a favor–don’t walk away once you’ve started cooking the roux. Once the mixture burns, there’s no going back; starting over will be your only option. If your roux is too light, your gumbo will be too, and in the sage words of every Cajun aunty ever: "That’s just dish water, baby."
Get the Chicken and Sausage Gumbo recipe.
14
Chicken Teriyaki Pineapple Bowls
The pineapple in this recipe doesn't just serve as a pretty serving vessel. It also adds a fresh and vibrant sweetness to this teriyaki sauce as well—use the juice that pools at the bottom of your pineapple when scooping out the chunks.
Get the Chicken Teriyaki Pineapple Bowls recipe.
15
Fish Taco Bowl
Crispy fish and a creamy, spicy cabbage slaw are the base of these veggie-packed takes on everyone’s favorite taco. The sweetness from the diced mango and creaminess from cool avocado blends perfectly with the drizzle of a spicy crema, making this summer salad an instant staple.
Get the Fish Taco Bowl recipe.
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16
BBQ Chicken Pizza
Our recipe uses tangy gouda, creamy mozzarella, and a hefty dose of red onions and cilantro for freshness. You can use store-bought, or make your own pizza dough!
Get the BBQ Chicken Pizza recipe.
17
Air Fryer Pork Chops
Our version gets coated in Parmesan and plenty of spices for the perfect crust, but you can tinker with the formula to find what works for you. Rub it with Cajun seasoning or burger seasoning for a slight twist, or go straight for your dad's favorite pre-packaged spice mixes like Old Bay and Cavender's Greek Seasoning.
Get the Air Fryer Pork Chops recipe.
18
Copycat Shake Shack Shroom Burgers
The cult favorite from the NYC-based chain is the rock star of veggie burgers. Thanks to breaded portobellos and the delicious shake sauce, we bet you won't even miss the meat.
Get the Copycat Shake Shack Shroom Burgers recipe.
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19
Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork
This on a potato roll plus pickles and coleslaw (and potato chips, if you're feeling crazy) = absolute perfection. It'll make enough for at least 8 HUGE sandwiches.
Get the Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork recipe.
20
Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Thanks to a magical combination of brown sugar, cumin, paprika, and lemon zest, this grilled tenderloin is one of our all-time favorite pork recipes. The parsley, oregano, scallions, and red wine vinegar in the herb sauce makes it extra special and delicious for your dad.
Get the Grilled Pork Tenderloin recipe.