47 Father's Day Dinner Ideas for the Awesome Dads in Your Life
For every dependable dad or father figure out there, we've got an equally reliable—and delicious—Father's Day dinner idea to match. You want to show him that you love him, don't you? So, dust off the grill to finish our best-ever barbecue ribs until they become lacquered and charred in places (they start in the oven to get tender and juicy), break out that extra-large stockpot to steam some lobsters, or use the rice cooker for comforting bibimbap, a dish that takes some effort and planning that he'll appreciate. Go ahead: Do it right for the dads in your life this Father's Day. They deserve it.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca2/47Spicy Watermelon Onigiri
This one’s for the vegan dads. The playful take on spicy tuna onigiri swaps watermelon (yes, watermelon) for the fish, resulting in a surprising and satisfying bite.
Ted Cavanaugh3/47Sweet and Spicy Bacon Kebabs with Scallion-Ginger Relish
This Sriracha-coated thick-cut bacon, threaded onto skewers and crisped over a grill, is so savory and satisfying. Pair it with one of these salad recipes and call it Father's Day brunch, lunch, or dinner.
Photo by Emma Fishman, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Sophie Strangio4/47Harissa-Roasted Eggplant With Fried Capers
Jonathaon Kambouris5/47Manhattan
The best Father's Day gift might just be a cocktail and some solitude. So, stir Dad a classic Manhattan, serve it in a proper Nick & Nora glass, and leave him be while you prepare the cookout.
ALEX LAU6/47Classic Chicken Pot Pie
Your supermarket is going to do most of the heavy lifting here: Store-bought rotisserie chicken and puff pastry come together to create comfort food that tastes more then semi-homemade.
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Micah Morton, prop styling by Stephanie Yeh8/47Smothered Pork Chops in Potlikker Gravy
Photo by Chelsie Craig, food styling by Kat Boytsova9/47Swirled No-Churn Thai Tea Ice Cream
Once you have Thai tea mix in your pantry, making this ice cream becomes a (vanilla-y and deeply spiced) breeze.
Photo by Molly Baz10/47Shrimp and Sugar Snap Pea Bánh Xèo (Vietnamese Sizzling Rice Crepes)
After doing her research on these turmeric-tinted crepes in Ho Chi Minh City, cookbook author Andrea Ngyuen got creative with the filling in this bánh xèo recipe. Feel free to play around with the mix-ins and go for Dad's favorites.
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Caroline Hwang, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime.11/47Tomato Salad With Jalapeño Ranch
Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman13/47Inside-Out Kimchi Grilled Cheese
Yes, you're making this crunchy, gooey, spicy comfort food for Dad, but you can consider any crispy shards of cheese that get stuck to the skillet a chef’s treat.
Alex Lau14/47Diner Burger & Fries
Sometimes, all Dad wants is a classic diner-style cheeseburger and fries. So, a classic diner-style cheeseburger and fries he shall have. For toppings, since it's summer, go for sliced tomato and bread-and-butter pickles. As for the buns, we vote soft brioche rolls.
Alex Lau15/47Cacio e Pepe Chips
The appetizer version of one of the best, classic Italian pasta dishes around, this recipe requires just three ingredients: store-bought kettle-cooked potato chips, Pecorino, and black pepper.
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Aneta Florczyk16/47Hot Honey Wings
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Caroline Hwang, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime.17/47Green Tea Arnold Palmer
Marcus Nilsson18/47Bourbon–Sea Salt Caramels
These salted caramels are as rich and buttery as you'd expect them to be, with one extra layer of indulgence: The addition of sweetened, condensed milk makes the candies extra-luscious.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Marina Bevilacqua19/47Roasted Roots With Green Salsa
Any good Father's Day dinner spread should include veggies. In this recipe, roasted sweet potatoes and carrots get gussied up with a zippy green salsa made from carrot tops, fresh tomatillos, and charred scallions.
Photograph by Jarren Vink20/47Buffalo Wing Popcorn
We'll take any excuse to whip out the Frank’s Red Hot Original hot sauce. Why this spicy caramel popcorn didn’t already exist, we have no idea.
Photo by Alex Lau22/47BA's Best Guacamole
If you’re serving this guacamole as a dip, turn it into a full spread with roasted and lightly chunky homemade salsa, pico de gallo, or salsa verde, all of which will add an acidic punch.
Photo by Laura Murray, Styling by Anna Billingskog25/47BA’s Best Blueberry Pie
Fresh blueberries are the start of this classic pie, and finely grated lemon zest really makes them sing. This recipe is a great way to show the depth of your devotion to the summer berries—or, whoops, your father. Yes, we meant devotion to your father...
Peden & Munk27/47Iceberg Wedges with Grilled Bacon and Croutons
Who doesn’t love a wedge? This salad recipe features a buttermilk dressing—buttermilk, sour cream, herbs, lemon juice, and garlic—but that doesn't mean you can't also throw some crumbled blue cheese on top.
Alex Lau28/47BA’s Best Beef-and-Bacon Meatloaf
Meatloaf is good. Bacon-wrapped meatloaf is better. Bacon-wrapped meatloaf served with a homemade sauce—ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, and cayenne—that delivers just the right amount of tang, spice, and sweetness is great.
Randy Harris29/47Perfectly Steamed Lobster
This simple method of steaming lobsters produces the sweetest, juiciest meat. And here's a shopping tip: Buy perky, energetic lobsters; they should be active and extend their claws upwards when lifted.
Alex Lau32/47BA's Best Key Lime Pie
If you’re an avid baker, you might notice some unusual ingredients here, but trust us: Using coconut oil in place of some of the butter suggests hints of the tropics, and yogurt folded into the whipped cream reinforces the tang of the lime juice.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Liberty Fennell, Prop Styling by Gerri Williams33/47Best-Ever Barbecued Ribs
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Dayna Seman34/47BA’s Best Macaroni and Cheese
This recipe easily doubles. So, serve some to Dad fresh, when the breadcrumbs are perfectly crunchy, on Father's Day, then leave him with the leftovers. He'll be comfort eating for days.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Leslie Raney Garetto35/47Classic Chocolate Mousse
Dark chocolate and espresso add the slightly bitter notes needed to balance the sweetness in this dessert. (Remember, the higher the cacao percentage, the less sweet the chocolate.)
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Spencer Richards, Prop Styling by Dayna Seman37/47BA’s Best Baked Ziti
Ricotta is the traditional move, but it has a tendency to get dry and grainy when baked. Our update uses a creamy Parmesan béchamel, which, in addition to a tangy tomato sauce, make for a super flavorful finished dish.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca38/47Classic Caesar Salad
A great Caesar salad gets its swagger from a great dressing. Egg yolks are what give richness to the emulsion, while anchovies provide a briny blast—and that whole umami thing.
Photo by Peden + Munk39/47Perfect Porterhouse Steak
This is chef Bobby Flay's recipe for the perfect Porterhouse steak. Served with a shaved raw zucchini salad and followed by some cheesecake, we'd say that's a Father's Day dinner the whole family will love.
Photo by Christopher Baker41/47Perfect Baked Potato
Olive oil, salt, and pepper. This recipe is as blank-slate as it gets. Feel free to add other spices to the salt-and-pepper mix, such as cumin or smoked paprika, and finish with whatever cheese Dad likes.
Photograph by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Sophie Strangio42/47Chana Masala
Alex Lau44/47Lemon Bars
These sweet, tart lemon bars are part of BA's Best, a collection of our essential recipes, for a reason: They're perfect. (We don't use that word lightly.)
Photograph by Laura Murray, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich45/47Ghee-Poached Shrimp
You could serve this shrimp with naan, but we love them as an appetizer. Just place a platter of them at the center of the table—or in Dad's lap—while you finish preparing the rest of the meal.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones46/47Negroni
The key to making a really good Negroni? Stir, stir, stir. And if you want to veer from the super-classic, there’s no shortage of Negroni riffs out there: Negroni sbagliato, white Negroni, Negroni punch. Let dad choose his adventure.
Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Cyd McDowell, Prop Styling by Paige Hicks47/47Adobo Mushroom Tacos
Here's a Father's Day dinner idea for the vegetarians and vegans out there. And as good as the seasoned mushrooms are, these tacos really come alive with the toppings, so don’t sleep on those.
