30 Father’s Day Dinner Ideas All Perfect for Celebrating Dad
They all deserve a spot on his plate.
There are endless ways to make Dad feel special on Father's Day, but nothing compares to a homemade meal—especially if it’s packed with his favorite flavors! If the man of the hour is anything like Ree Drummond’s husband, Ladd, he might actually prefer a scrumptious dinner over a Father's Day gift. "He honestly would rather have a plate of delicious food than any material possession in the world," Ree says. Whether you fire up the grill for a backyard cookout or prepare a casual spread for the family to enjoy, planning the perfect Father’s Day menu will make Dad feel so loved (and satisfied!).
To prepare a Ladd-inspired Father’s Day dinner, pack his plate with steak (follow Ladd's tips for the perfect grilled tenderloin!), corn on the cob, a chopped salad, and a slice of his favorite chocolate pie. If you’re taking his special feast outside, you can’t go wrong with crowd-pleasing favorites like burgers, BBQ ribs, potato salad, and coleslaw. But serving restaurant-style surf and turf or steak fajitas will make any at-home meal look and taste extra special. Whatever you make, these Father’s Day dinner recipes are perfect for celebrating Dad. Just be sure to pair it with his favorite beer and a delicious Father's Day dessert!
Kansas City-Style BBQ Ribs
Thanks to a homemade sauce, these Kansas City-style ribs are full of sweet, smoky, finger-licking-good flavor. The meat is so tender that it nearly falls off the bone!
Get Ree’s Kansas City-Style BBQ Ribs recipe.
Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad
With hard-boiled eggs, crunchy toppings, and a tangy dressing, traditional macaroni salad gets a celebration-worthy upgrade for Father’s Day dinner. Best of all, you can prep it a day ahead.
Get Ree’s Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad recipe.
Grilled Zucchini
While flipping burgers and ribs, why not add some greens to the grill? These tender zucchini spears are coated in a zesty mix before they cook up nice and charred. A sprinkle of lemon salt is the perfect finishing touch that ties everything together.
Get Ree’s Grilled Zucchini recipe.
Santa Maria Tri-Tip
This Father’s Day dinner looks impressive, but it’s actually so easy to prepare. Tender beef is seasoned with a simple blend of flavors, seared on the grill, and topped with fresh tomato salsa.
Get Ree’s Santa Maria Tri-Tip recipe.
Steakhouse Slaw
Piling on crispy bacon, tangy blue cheese, and a creamy dressing is a totally Dad-approved way to prepare coleslaw. This Father’s Day dinner recipe is basically asking to be served with steak or burgers!
Get Ree’s Steakhouse Slaw recipe.
Smash Burgers
Transform standard burgers into something special by flattening the patties, so the edges turn crispy and golden on the griddle. Best of all, this Father’s Day dinner recipe comes together in 15 minutes!
Get Ree’s Smash Burgers recipe.
Dr Pepper BBQ Chicken
If your dad is a fan of Dr Pepper like Ladd, why not turn it into a sweet-and-tangy BBQ sauce for grilled chicken wings? On the grill, the coating becomes caramelized, golden, and downright delicious.
Get Ree's Dr Pepper BBQ Chicken recipe.
Spicy Queso Burgers
Another Ladd-approved pick? Spooning creamy queso over juicy burgers. If Dad prefers a spicy kick, this Father’s Day dinner recipe features spicy chorizo and pickled jalapeños.
Get Ree's Spicy Queso Burgers recipe.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
It wouldn’t be a Father’s Day cookout without corn on the cob! On the grill, the kernels transform into something slightly smoky and perfectly sweet. Don’t forget the garlic-chive butter!
Get the Grilled Corn on the Cob recipe.
Steak Fajitas
There's something so special about a sizzling plate of fajitas. But did you know you can skip the restaurant reservation and make them yourself on the grill? Dad will be so impressed.
Get Ree's Steak Fajitas recipe.
Linguine with Clam Sauce
This is the first meal Ree ever made for Ladd! Granted, he's not a seafood guy (oops)... but if Dad is, he'll love this classic. It comes together in just 20 minutes.
Get Ree's Linguine with Clam Sauce recipe.
Ranch Slaw
You can't go wrong with creamy coleslaw, but this variation takes things to the next level. Toss it with the homemade buttermilk ranch dressing and it's sure to become Dad's favorite side.
Get Ree's Ranch Slaw recipe.
Surf and Turf
Treat Dad to a fancy sit-down dinner with this classic combination of steak and seafood. Little does he know how easy it is to make! The secret is to prep the ingredients in advance.
Get the Surf and Turf recipe.
Grilled Swordfish
All you need is a bit of citrus to make grilled swordfish shine. But since this is Dad's special day, go ahead and top the fish with a flavorful pineapple salsa, too.
Get Ree's Grilled Swordfish recipe.
Beer Can Chicken
If Dad is a beer drinker, grab a can from the fridge and make an entire chicken that's both flavorful and moist. A light lager works best. You can roast it or grill it!
Get the Beer Can Chicken recipe.
Caesar Salad
Looking for the perfect side dish for your Dad's steak dinner? A classic Caesar salad is always a hit. The creamy, garlicky dressing is easy to whip up right in the blender.
Get the Caesar Salad recipe.
Brisket Tacos
You can't go wrong with a big batch of brisket for Father's Day. But this year, why not serve it as tacos instead? Everyone can build their own with a brisket taco bar that's fit for a king.
Get the Brisket Tacos recipe.
Grilled Pork Chops
Show Dad that you learned from the master with these impressive pork chops featuring beautiful grill marks. A marinade keeps them juicy and moist.
Get the Grilled Pork Chops recipe.
Creamed Corn
When fresh, sweet corn is in season, there's nothing better than this simple side dish. Just add butter, onions, and milk, plus fresh basil to garnish.
Get the Creamed Corn recipe.
Grilled Salmon
Whether you're looking for a fun surf and turf idea or a lightened-up dinner for your backyard cookout, you can't go wrong with grilled salmon. It has plenty of flavor from smoked paprika and dijon mustard.
Get the Grilled Salmon recipe.
Edna Mae's Sour Cream Pancakes
Smash Burgers
Ginger-Lime Flank Steak
Grilled Flank Steak
