30 Classic Father's Day Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

By Kelly Vaughan
January 18, 2011
Ryan Liebe
Barbecued meats, slow-cooked sides, and a cold brew or two just say Dad. We can't wait to celebrate our #1 guy with these classic recipes for Father's Day.
Start Slideshow

1 of 30

Ryan Liebe

Dads rarely ask for much, even though they do it all—taking out the trash, killing spiders, and leading car road trips. Their taste is usually simple, classic, and well-executed—just like these 30 dad-approved recipes that are designed for a casual Father's Day party. Whether your dad is manning the grill all day, or you're lending a helping hand, these recipes will win over his heart. Leading the charge for appetizers and small bites are a cheesy beer dip, salsa fresca, soft pretzels, and a creamy lebneh dip. 

What would Father's Day be without red meat of every cut and style? For someone as classic as a dad, there's the Classic Burger-Joint Cheeseburger, which pairs effortlessly with Classic Boston Baked Beans. Grilled Flank Steak and Asparagus with Chimichurri Butter is just as timeless but slightly grander for the dad who spares no expense. (And even though everything that your dad does in life is well done, we really do recommend cooking these meats medium-rare.) 

While most dads never really want to be in the spotlight, these side dishes deserve as much attention as he does. The Test Kitchen’s Favorite Potato Salad, Cheddar-Jalapeno Cornbread, and Grilled Corn with Chile-Lime Salt are delicious additions to his go-to backyard barbecue celebration.

Start the meal or end the day with a refreshing cocktail for that festive toast. Try a new twist on the iconic martini, which swaps out the usual vodka or gin for tequila, or go more classic with a Sour Cherry Old-Fashioned. Here's to you, Dad. We love you…and we're so thankful for your grilling skills and expert taste in craft brews.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 30

Silver-Tequila Martini

Kate Mathis
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The dad with impeccable taste will love this tequila-based martini that turns to grapefruit for tartness. Use high-quality tequila such as Patron Silver for the first-class man in your life.

3 of 30

Sour Cherry Old-Fashioned

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Syrup-soaked sour cherries impart a vivid fruit flavor to this retro-style cocktail. Curls of lemon zest add a bit of zing to the whiskey's hints of rich oak.

Advertisement

4 of 30

Blistered Shishito-Peppers Salad with Chive Vinaigrette

Lennart Weibull
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Any health-conscious father will adore this refreshing, slightly spicy salad. While cooking the peppers in a cast iron skillet is less time-consuming than firing up the grill, a little extra flame and charcoal flavor from a real grill will take this salad to the next level.

5 of 30

Roasted Buffalo Shrimp

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A delicious and novel twist on Buffalo wings. Serve the shrimp and dip with cucumber spears, celery stalks, and wedges of crunchy fennel.

6 of 30

Labneh Dip with Caramelized Onions and Fennel

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

While this dip may be outside of his game-day food comfort zone, even pita chips deserve an upgrade on Father's Day. Sweet caramelized onions balance the tanginess of Middle Eastern labneh.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 30

Sausage-Cheddar Balls

John Kernick
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This reinterpretation of meatballs combines sausage, cheddar cheese, and onion for a flavor-packed appetizer that no dad can resist.

8 of 30

Salsa Fresca

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Serve this fresh salsa with tortilla chips for an easy appetizer on Father's Day.

9 of 30

Sweet-and-Sour Chicken Wings

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Ginger and sesame seeds add exotic notes to these tangy-sweet wings.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 30

Lina Kulchinsky's Soft Pretzels

Marcus Nilsson
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These handcrafted, heart-shaped pretzels are guaranteed to show Dad how much you love him. The dough can be made 12 hours in advance, so you can spend more time day-of celebrating with him.

11 of 30

Grilled Ribs

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A slow roast in the oven makes these ribs tender, succulent, and delicious. Glaze them with tangy homemade barbecue sauce before finishing them on the grill.

12 of 30

Salted Fried Chicken

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Thick buttermilk batter creates an extra-crisp coating on this brined fried chicken. Sprinkle the chicken with sea salt and drizzle it with honey just before serving for an exhilarating contrast in flavors.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 30

Fish Tacos with Salsa Verde and Radish Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

If hanging out by the ocean and eating fresh fish tacos isn't an option for you and Dad this Father's Day, make him this recipe. It's easy to put together and fresher than its deep-fried counterparts. 

14 of 30

Midwestern Grilled Bratwurst Sandwiches with Caraway Sauerkraut

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

For this favorite Midwestern sandwich, grill precooked bratwurst until golden brown and serve on hard rolls with spicy brown mustard and bread-and-butter pickles. Make the classic side dish by sauteing red onion in butter and then stirring in sauerkraut and caraway seeds.

15 of 30

Lobster Rolls

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Dress sweet, tender chunks of lobster meat with mayonnaise, lemon juice, and a sprinkling of herbs to make the irresistible filling for this classic of New England summer dining. Toast the buns in a buttered skillet just before filling them.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 30

Classic Burger-Joint Cheeseburger

Armando Rafael
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A perfectly-seared, juicy burger on the grill gets toppings fit for a king (maybe a king in jeans). It wouldn't be a burger-joint classic without seeded potato buns, crisp tomatoes, simple American cheese, pickles, lettuce, and ketchup.

17 of 30

Easy Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork

Christina Holmes
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Here's a recipe you can put together quickly in the morning and leave to cook while you're enjoying time with Dad. 

18 of 30

Beer-Battered Fish

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Served with a cold beer of Dad's choice and crisp fries, this beer-battered fish makes for a casual and satisfying Father's Day dinner. 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 30

Test Kitchen's Favorite Potato Salad

Ren Fuller
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Whole-grain mustard, sliced cornichons, chopped celery, and scallions give this light-on-mayo potato salad crunch and acidity. Make it a day in advance so that you can spend extra time with Dad on his day. 

20 of 30

Backyard Jerk Chicken

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Transport Dad's taste buds to the tropics with this Jamaican spice blend. Also try it with skirt steak or pork chops.

21 of 30

Smoked Pork Shoulder

Petrina Tinslay
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Slow-roasting pork shoulder before you smoke it is a great shortcut. You'll save time and still get all the great smoky flavor.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 30

Grilled Marinated Hanger Steak

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Hanger steak (sometimes labeled "butcher's steak" or "bistro cut") is highly flavorful but needs careful handling to prevent it from being overly chewy. First, give it a soak in a tangy marinade, and then slice the grilled steak thinly across the grain.

23 of 30

Grilled Flank Steak and Asparagus with Chimichurri Butter

Romulo Yanes
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Dad may love going to the steakhouse, but he also loves not having to leave his house. Grilled flank steak and asparagus get a world-class treatment with fresh green chimichurri butter.

24 of 30

Tomatoes Stuffed with Grilled Corn Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Hollow out large beefsteak tomatoes and stuff them with a mixture of grilled corn, scallions, goat cheese, and crumbled bacon. Serve these beautiful, self-contained salads with grilled steaks or chicken.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 30

Salt-and-Pepper Oven Fries

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Dad will be reaching for seconds when you serve him these salt-and-pepper fries, which are healthier—and tastier—than the fried equivalent.

26 of 30

Classic Boston Baked Beans

David E. Steele
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Another make-ahead, hands-off dish for the win! Soaking the beans overnight, then cooking them low and slow with sweet and spicy aromatics hits a home run.

27 of 30

Cheddar-Jalapeno Cornbread

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This cornbread strikes the right balance between tender and crumbly. Jazz up the batter with pickled jalapenos, sharp cheddar, and fresh corn kernels.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 30

Creamy Stone-Ground Grits

Johnny Fogg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Grits are one of the ultimate comfort foods, especially when mixed with grated cheddar cheese and plenty of butter. 

29 of 30

Grilled Corn with Chile-Lime Salt

Lauren Ross
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Lime juice, chipotle-chile powder, and diced jalapenos give a spicy kick to this Mexican street food-inspired corn.

30 of 30