25 Make-Ahead Father's Day Dinner Ideas for a Laid-Back Celebration
Spend less time cooking and more time hanging out with Dad.
Father's Day is the one day of the year that you get to be in charge of the cookout, so you'd better make it count! It's not just about serving up delicious summer recipes, of course. Father’s Day is also about creating memories with Dad that last long after the meal is over. But balancing a mouthwatering Father's Day menu with quality time can feel like a juggling act. That's where the best make-ahead Father's Day dinner ideas come in!
Here, you'll find a collection of simple, flavorful recipes designed to lighten your workload and maximize the celebration. Think slow-cooked meats, zesty slaws, and colorful kebabs that allow you to prep ahead so you're free to enjoy the day without stress. Whether you're leaning into classic comfort with a tater tot casserole or aiming for something a bit more elevated like a rich, braised beef brisket, these make-ahead Father's Day recipes will help you show Dad just how much he means to you.
And while no one can ever replace Dad's legendary status on the grill, you can still impress him with creative, make-ahead cookout favorites. You can make ribs in the slow cooker or sausage and peppers on a sheet pan. They’re sure to make him proud and keep everyone coming back for more. After all, the gift of good food is something every dad appreciates!
Sheet Pan Sausage and Summer Vegetables
Sheet pan dinners mean that both prep and cleanup are faster. You can chop all the vegetables ahead of time and refrigerate until you’re ready to cook. The dish reheats well, so you can roast it in advance, too.
Slow Cooker Ribs
These ribs are smoky, sweet, and taste like they spent hours on the grill. But in reality, all you need is 30 minutes of prep and your slow cooker does the rest. You can even use store-bought sauce to save more time.
Get Ree’s Slow Cooker Ribs recipe.
The Best Baked Beans Ever
Can you imagine a cookout without baked beans? Ree’s version is so easy to make the night before. Just wait to add the bacon on top until you're ready to bake the beans so it turns out nice and crispy.
Get Ree’s Best Baked Beans Ever recipe.
Cornbread Casserole
While some cornbread recipes need to be assembled and baked right away, this casserole version can be assembled in advance. Then just pop it in the oven when you’re getting the rest of dinner ready.
Get Ree’s Cornbread Casserole recipe.
Cedar Plank Salmon
Talk about impressive! This flavorful salmon only takes about 20 minutes to cook. You can season and glaze the salmon up to eight hours ahead, too. Just keep it refrigerated, uncovered, until you’re ready to cook.
Get Ree’s Cedar Plank Salmon recipe.
Succotash
The combination of sweet corn, cherry tomatoes, lima beans, and okra is a seasonal burst of flavor and the perfect side dish. You can make it ahead and reheat when you’re ready to eat. Serve it with catfish for a Southern-style feast.
Get Ree’s Blackened Catfish with Succotash recipe.
Street Corn Pasta Salad
If he loves the taste of Mexican-style street corn, make this pasta salad ahead of time. It has all the creaminess and zest but can be made up to four days in advance.
Get the Street Corn Pasta Salad recipe.
Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil
The slow cooker makes a classic seafood boil so much easier. Don’t stand over a big pot for hours. Instead, sling it all in and let the machine do the work for you.
Get Ree’s Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil recipe.
Braised Beef Brisket
Show Dad that you, too, can master the art of meat this Father's Day! This marinated brisket slow-cooks for six hours until it's fall-apart tender. You can make it a few days in advance and it reheats amazingly.
Get Ree's Braised Beef Brisket recipe.
Layered Salad
This potluck classic is such a good idea to assemble ahead of time, no matter what you’re serving. Nothing gets soggy because the dressing sits on top until you toss everything together right before serving.
Get the Layered Salad recipe.
Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Bow ties aren't just for wearing on Father's Day (at least when you're talking about the pasta kind)! The pasta's adorable bow tie shape catches every last drop of the creamy dressing, which melds with the ham, cheese, and veggies in the fridge.
Get the Bow Tie Pasta Salad recipe.
Chili Dogs
Grilling hot dogs may be his specialty, but there's still a way to put your own twist on the cookout classic! Enter: Ree's homemade chili. Make it up to three days ahead of Father's Day, then simply reheat it on the stove while you cook your hot dogs! Just don't forget to sprinkle cheese and onions on top.
Get Ree's Chili Dogs recipe.
Southern Potato Salad
Odds are, Dad requested a good old cookout for Father's Day—and you can't have one without potato salad! Prepare it ahead of time, and let the smooth dressing, crunchy celery, relish, and hard-boiled eggs meld together in the fridge for maximum flavor.
Get the Southern Potato Salad recipe.
Freezer Door Margaritas
Give Dad (and yourself) a break from cocktail duty by stashing a batch of margaritas in your freezer door! When it's time to celebrate, give the bottle a quick shake and pour.
Get the Freezer Door Margaritas recipe.
Dr Pepper BBQ Chicken
Take a cue from Ladd Drummond and whip up some Dr Pepper BBQ chicken! The sticky-sweet sauce will last up to four days in the fridge and is great for coating tender, bone-in chicken and even ribs.
Get Ree's Dr Pepper BBQ Chicken recipe.
Cowboy Casserole
Cowboy or not, this tater tot casserole will please any dad! It's everything he loves in one skillet: crispy bacon, ground beef, plus a melty cheese and golden potato topping. Make it a day ahead and reheat when you’re ready to serve!
Get the Cowboy Casserole recipe.
Broccoli Slaw
Father's Day is as good as any to help Dad get his greens in! Just toss the slaw mix, fresh veggies, and crunchy sunflower kernels with a simple, zesty dressing in a big bowl. Cover it up and let it chill in the fridge so all those delicious flavors have time to combine.
Get the Broccoli Slaw recipe.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
Skip the stress (but not the flavor) with this slow-cooker BBQ chicken! Cook the chicken in the tangy sauce low and slow on the day of, or make it up to three days ahead and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Then, on Father's Day, simply reheat.
Get the Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken recipe.
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Instead of just serving pickles on the side, incorporate the crunchy condiment into a dish of its own! Pasta salad is ideal for making ahead because it will absorb some of the dressing as it sits overnight. Before serving, simply refresh it with some pickle juice and dill for good measure.
Get the Dill Pickle Pasta Salad recipe.
Beef Kebab Marinade
Planning a big Father's Day bash? Juicy beef kebabs are a perfect make-ahead option that makes entertaining a breeze! Marinate and assemble the skewers the night before, and all you'll need to do on the day is fire up the grill.
Get the Beef Kebab Marinade recipe.
Edna Mae's Sour Cream Pancakes
Smash Burgers
Ginger-Lime Flank Steak
Grilled Flank Steak
