Father's Day

53 Father’s Day Dinner Ideas for a Memorable Celebration

Plan a Father’s Day feast that’s easy and fun.
Photo of Ginger Ale Mustard Barbeque Sauce with Grilled Pork Spareribs
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Christopher Barsch

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Coming up with ideas for Father’s Day dinners can feel tricky, but once you’ve got the menu set, you’ll be ready to host a low-stress, low-key gathering—or a big extended-family bash to remember. Below you’ll find lots of options for a casual Father’s Day barbecue or an elegant feast at home, with a few of our favorite recipes for ribs and other meaty mains, grilled chicken, seafood, and sides. Fire up the grill, get out the lawn games, and don’t forget to save room for a slice of summery cake—in Dad’s favorite flavor, of course.

  • Photo of Spicy Tamarind Glazed Grilled Chicken Wings on a platter.
    Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Liza Jernow
    1/53

    Spicy Tamarind-Glazed Grilled Chicken Wings

    Father’s Day dinners should be fun—and these grilled wings are definitely party-worthy. Don't skip the crunchy onions and fresh lime squeezed on top.

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  • Food styling by Olivia Mack Anderson, Photo by Chelsea Kyle
    2/53

    Shrimp and Chorizo Mixed Grill

    This crowd-pleasing mixed grill features lots of fresh asparagus, taking advantage of the early summer produce. The accompanying cilantro-lime dressing and creamy green dipping sauce are bound to become easy favorites.

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  • Photo by Shutterstock
    3/53

    Beer Can Chicken

    If Dad has always wanted to try this classic, make it for him this year in your backyard. Add on his favorite side dishes—and crank up his favorite tunes.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
    4/53

    Our Favorite Mac and Cheese

    We've made a lot of mac and cheese here at Epicurious. And this version is still our favorite of all time.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton
    5/53

    Tacos de Gobernador

    These juicy shrimp, poblano, and cheese tacos are flavored with a bit of diced bacon. Serve with salsa and a good, cold beer.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
    6/53

    Make-Ahead Instant Pot Grilled Ribs

    These prep-ahead ribs make life easy if you're hosting the whole extended family for a Father’s Day meal.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Susan Kim
    7/53

    Buldak-Style Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks

    These spicy chicken drumsticks get a beautiful char on the grill.

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  • Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Liberty Fennell
    8/53

    Classic Sole Meunière

    Going for French restaurant vibes this year? Impress everyone with this old-school buttery fish dish, which only takes 15 minutes from start to finish.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Simon Andrews
    13/53

    Sticky Grilled Chicken

    Molasses, pomegranate juice, and apricot jam lend a deliciously sweet-tart, barbecue sauce–like glaze to this grilled chicken recipe from Gourmet.

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  • Donna Turner Ruhlman
    14/53

    Rosemary-Brined, Buttermilk Fried Chicken

    A giant platter of this chicken—freshly fried and hot or, honestly, cold after a stint in the fridge—will certainly make Dad's day.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
    17/53

    Crab Cakes With Snap Pea Salad

    If anyone in your family needs to keep things gluten-free, this is the ideal recipe for your Father’s Day menu. A mixture of almond meal and cornmeal replaces traditional breadcrumbs in these scallion- and mint-packed crab cakes, and a crunchy, springy salad rounds out the meal.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Liza Jernow
    18/53

    Clams Casino With Bacon and Bell Pepper

    Kick off your Father’s Day dinner with this classic Italian-American appetizer.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman, Food Styling by Lillian Chou
    25/53

    Char Siu

    Cantonese barbecued pork is often enjoyed at restaurants or picked up at a barbecue shop, but you can make a juicy, sticky, delightfully rich version at home. Read tips from cookbook author Tony Tan first, then get started on the recipe.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Hampton
    26/53

    Four-Cheese Manicotti

    If a big family gathering doesn't feel right to you without a big pasta bake, this recipe is the way to go. Using a piping bag makes the filling process a bit quicker.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
    27/53

    Grilled Mahi-Mahi Tacos

    If Dad's a big seafood guy, make this laid-back main dish on the grill.

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  • Photo by Caleb Adams, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
    28/53

    Cedar-Plank Salmon

    This recipe from Gourmet offers big flavor with just a few ingredients—and the cleanup is easy too.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele
    29/53

    Maple-Wasabi Wings

    These oven-baked wings get a blast of sweet-salty flavor from a blend of maple syrup and soy sauce and a one-two punch of heat from ginger, wasabi, and ra-yu sesame chili oil (sometimes labeled “la-yu”). 

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  • Photo and Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
    30/53

    Grilled Coconut Shrimp With Shishito Peppers

    This recipe has been known to convert even avowed shrimp-haters.

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  • Photo by Antonis Achilleos
    31/53

    Detroit-Style Pizza

    Rich and crispy Detroit pizza is totally possible to make at home. It's all about the crust—but you can add whatever toppings Dad likes best.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Mira Evnine
    32/53

    Caesar Salad

    Serve this zesty salad alongside whatever you're cooking on the grill, or make it a main by topping with seafood.

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  • Photo & Food Styling by Joseph De Leo
    43/53

    Habanero BBQ Shrimp

    Marinate shrimp in a sweet-and-spicy mixture of apricot preserves, lime juice, habanero, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger—then throw them on the grill for a 15-minute dinner that Dad will love.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
    44/53

    Swordfish Steaks With Asparagus and Frisée Salad

    Swordfish steaks are the closest fish to steak in texture and cooking technique, and even the fish-averse will love them. This satisfying dish comes together in as little as 20 minutes.

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  • Photo by Laura Murray, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Simon Andrews
    47/53

    Grilled Mushroom Antipasto Salad

    Keep the mushrooms whole or in large pieces (so they don’t fall through the grate), and you will be rewarded with burnished, concentrated mushroom goodness.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
    48/53

    Goat Birria Tacos With Cucumber Pico de Gallo

    Birria is usually served with a side of consomé, the rich pan juices from the roasted meat. This recipe takes things a step further by puréeing those juices with roasted vegetables and dried chiles.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
    49/53

    Crispy Fish Sandwich

    Nothing says summer weekend like a crispy fish sandwich. This recipe has all the makings for your new favorite: crispy fried white flounder fillets enveloped in two thick slices of white bread, piled high with iceberg lettuce, pickles, onions, and of course, potato chips.

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  • Peter Frank Edwards
    50/53

    Tea-Brined Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Gravy

    Brining the chicken ahead here is absolutely worth the advance planning.

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