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25 Best Father’s Day BBQ Ideas for Your Favorite Grill Master

These foods are the best gift of all.

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the pioneer woman's dr pepper bbq chicken recipe
C.W. Newell

Looking for a delicious way to celebrate Dad this Father’s Day? Give him the day off from manning the grill with his trusty set of tools and treat him to a backyard BBQ full of his favorite foods instead. That's the way the Drummond family likes to honor Ladd on the holiday. "We usually celebrate Father's Day the same way: Give Ladd an extra hug, tell him an extra 'I love you,' and have a dinner of his favorite foods." And that means firing up the grill for Father's Day dinner featuring the best BBQ recipes!

Just like every good cookout, these Father's Day BBQ ideas include all the grilled meats you could want—and, of course, the tasty BBQ sides as well. Want to take it one step further? Give Dad a shiny new grilling gift to go with his BBQ dinner. It's the gift that keep on giving! He'll certainly appreciate the thought and effort, and he'll love the sticky-sweet ribs you make together even more. 😉

1

Santa Maria Tri-Tip

pioneer woman santa maria tri tip
ryan liebe

Looking for something easygoing but still special? This beef tri-tip is rubbed with garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper, then seared hot and finished until juicy and tender. Serve with a fresh tomato-herb salsa on the side.

Get Ree’s Santa Maria Tri-Tip recipe.

2

Grilled Zucchini

grilled zucchini
C.W. Newell

Here’s an easy summer side that goes with just about anything. The zucchini is cut into long spears, marinated with olive oil and lemon, then grilled until tender with charred edges. A sprinkle of homemade lemon salt gives it a bright, special finish.

Get Ree’s Grilled Zucchini recipe.

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3

Kansas City-Style BBQ Ribs

pioneer woman kansas city style bbq ribs
ryan liebe

Talk about finger-lickin’ good! These ribs are coated in a sweet-and-spicy dry rub, baked low and slow until tender, then finished on the grill with a rich homemade barbecue sauce that caramelizes as it cooks.

Get Ree’s Kansas City-Style BBQ Ribs recipe.

4

Grilled Chicken With Alabama White Sauce

the pioneer woman's grilled chicken with Alabama white sauce recipe
ryan liebe

Messy in the best way, this chicken is grilled then brushed with a special sauce that’s rich and creamy yet bright and zippy all at once. Serve with pickles and a slice of white bread.

Get Ree’s Grilled Chicken With Alabama White Sauce recipe.

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5

Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad

the pioneer woman's deviled egg macaroni salad recipe
C.W. Newell

Put a fun, picnic-ready twist on not one but two classics! This recipe combines deviled eggs with macaroni salad. The creamy, mustardy dressing really punches up the familiar deviled egg flavor.

Get Ree’s Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad recipe.

6

Cedar Plank Salmon

pioneer woman cedar plank salmon grilling
ryan liebe

Because the salmon grills right on top of a cedar plank, it picks up that wonderful smoky flavor. The sweet-and-savory glaze makes every bite extra delicious. Finish with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of dill.

Get Ree’s Cedar Plank Salmon recipe.

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7

Grilled Chicken Wings

fathers day bbq ideas grilled chicken wings
C.W. Newell

When aren't wings a good idea? Making them on the grill keeps them juicy on the inside with just the right amount of char on the outside.

Get the Grilled Chicken Wings recipe.

8

Spicy Queso Burgers

fathers day bbq ideas spicy queso burger
Ryan Liebe

Ever wonder what Ladd's favorite way to eat a burger is? He tops it with queso! If he likes a little spice, Dad will love the pickled jalapeños, too.

Get Ree's Spicy Queso Burgers recipe.

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9

Perfect Potato Salad

fathers day bbq perfect potato salad
David Malosh

Ree Drummond is very picky about her potato salad. If Dad is, too, then this is the recipe to make. It's "the way it should be: fluffy, light, flavorful, and packed with mix-ins."

Get Ree's Perfect Potato Salad recipe.

10

Chili Dogs

fathers day bbq ideas chili dog
Stacy Allen

Take your hot dogs to the next level by slathering them in homemade chili and more fixings. It's way more impressive than just plain old hot dogs

Get Ree's Chili Dogs recipe.

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11

Ranch Slaw

fathers day bbq ranch slaw
David Malosh

It's very easy to make an ordinary bag of slaw mix from the store into an extraordinary side dish. This creamy concoction comes together in just 15 minutes.

Get Ree's Ranch Slaw recipe.

12

Steak Fajitas

fathers day bbq ideas steak fajitas
Ryan Liebe

Ordering fajitas from a restaurant feels so fun and special. But do you know what's even better? Making them on the gril at home! Dad will be so impressed.

Get Ree's Steak Fajitas recipe.

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13

Dr Pepper BBQ Chicken

fathers day bbq ideas dr pepper chicken
C.W. Newell

Yes, you can use his favorite soda on the grill! Ree's recipe is sweet and tangy with a little spice. The sugar in the sauce caramelizes and becomes a sticky, glossy, flavorful coating.

Get Ree's Dr Pepper BBQ Chicken recipe.

14

Bow Tie Pasta Salad

fathers day bbq bow tie pasta salad
Will Dickey

This pasta salad is loaded with tasty mix-ins: bits of ham, chunks of cheddar cheese, crunchy bell pepper, and colorful peas. It makes a big batch so everyone can dig in.

Get the Bow Tie Pasta Salad recipe.

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15

Beer Can Chicken

fathers day bbq beer can chicken
C.W. Newell

Make sure Dad saves a can of beer from the celebration, because it sure does make a flavorful chicken! The best part of grilling a whole bird is that you don't have to flip it while it cooks.

Get the Beer Can Chicken recipe.

16

Grilled Okra

fathers day bbq grilled okra
Caitlin Bensel

Grilling okra is a great way to bring out those smoky flavors. It's quick to cook and bursting with lemon pepper seasoning for that extra zing.

Get the Grilled Okra recipe.

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17

Grilled T-Bone Steak

fathers day bbq grilled t bone steak
David Malosh

Impress Dad with your grilling skills by putting a spice-rubbed T-bone steak on the menu. He'll be asking for this recipe by the end of the night!

Get Ree's Grilled T-Bone Steak recipe.

18

Grilled BBQ Ribs

fathers day bbq grilled ribs
Will Dickey

Ribs are one of those BBQ recipes that you just can't rush, but that's what makes them so good! They're slow cooked, smoky, and fall-off-the-bone delicious.

Get the Grilled BBQ Ribs recipe.

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19

Juicy Lucy

fathers day bbq juicy lucy
Caitlin Bensel

If you thought cheeseburgers were decadent, just wait until you try this burger that's stuffed with a molten center of American cheese! Top with caramelized onions and pickles for the ultimate drool-worthy burger.

Get the Juicy Lucy recipe.

20

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

fathers day bbq bacon ranch pasta salad
Caitlin Bensel

Pasta salads are perfect for barbecues (or any outdoor cookout for that matter) because they're easy to make ahead. Just be sure to keep the bacon on the side until ready to serve—this ensures it stays nice and crispy!

Get the Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad recipe.

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