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70 Father's Day Dinner Recipes That Will Show Dad How Much You Care

You could take him to a restaurant, but homemade is always better.

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pulled pork sandwich on a plate with a beer in the background
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

What do you get for the dad who has everything? Cook him a homemade dinner to remember on Father's Day, of course! Sure, you could just take him out to a restaurant, but it’ll mean a whole lot more if you make it yourself. Whether he's a meat and potatoes guy, wants something from the grill, or is more of a seafood fan, we've got you covered. Check out our list of 70 Father’s Day dinner recipes for ideas—they’re sure to impress your old man.

Is Father’s Day a big deal in your family? You’re going to want to make your dad a dinner as special as he is. When we’re trying to put together a special meal, there are two criteria we aim for: one, we want to show off an innovative presentation or cooking method, like with our jerk shrimp & pineapple bowls (served IN a pineapple), our brick chicken (cooked under a brick or heavy pan), or our monster meatballs (you guessed it, they're HUGE). And two, we’re looking for a recipe that takes just that extra bit of time you might not go for on an average night, like our chicken & sausage gumbo, grilled ribs, or our scallion pancake quesadilla (complete with homemade scallion pancakes).

If your dad’s more of a laid-back guy who doesn’t want a lot of pomp and circumstance around the holiday, we’ve got ideas for you too. Is he a big carb lover? Try our chicken tikka Alfredo (trust us, the mash-up of flavors works!) or our sheet-pan crispy ramen. Is your guy a big chicken fan? Dress it up with some fun sides, like in our chicken shawarma sheet-pan dinner, or with a different preparation than he’s used to, like in our buffalo chicken Parm. Speaking of grilling, if you haven't tried foil packs, Father's Day dinner is the perfect time. Wrapping a meal in foil is the easiest way to make something incredible, without all the work. Try our corn & tomato gnocchi foil packets or our Hawaiian chicken foil packs to see for yourself.

Want more Father’s Day inspiration? Check out our Father’s Day brunch recipes, our Father’s Day desserts and cakes, and the best gifts for dad (and gift baskets!) too.

1

Scallion Pancake Quesadillas

flaky scallion pancakes are fried to golden brown perfection then transformed into quesadillas stuffed with melty mozzarella and umami packed spiced mushrooms and paired with a tangy soy scallion dipping sauce
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: SAM SENEVIRATNE

Scallion pancakes are the flaky, crispy part of a good dim sum spread that can make you fall in love and lose track of time. But when you stuff those same pancakes with gooey cheese and savory sautéed mushrooms to make scallion pancake quesadillas? Be prepared for your newest dinner (or late-night snack) obsession.

Get the Scallion Pancake Quesadillas recipe.

2

Salmon Steaks

salmon steaks garnished with butter and parsley
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

While many recipes call for fillets, salmon steaks are a true, unsung hero. In this recipe, we gave these salmon steaks a coating of sweet and spicy sauce made with lemon juice, honey, garlic, and red pepper, that really makes each bite pop. If your dad loves sweet AND spicy food, this is the dish to make for him.

Get the Salmon Steaks recipe.

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3

Cowboy Butter Steak

juicy ribeye steak basted and served with zesty spicy butter
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: SAM SENEVIRATNE

Not to be confused with our equally delicious cowboy steak, this recipe calls for searing a bone-in ribeye, then basting it with a zesty, smoky butter until the outside has a perfectly brown crust, and the inside is tender and medium-rare.

Get the Cowboy Butter Steak recipe.

4

Monster Meatballs

large meatballs covered in red sauce
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

If your dad loves spaghetti & meatballs, but you're not looking forward to forming a million individual ones, over and over again, you've got to make these jumbo-sized meatballs. Not only are they just as delicious as their smaller counterparts, they're extra fun too!

Get the Monster Meatballs recipe.

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5

Pulled Pork

pulled pork in bbq sauce
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Pulled pork is the relatively simple dinner that feels like an extra-special treat. If you've never made pulled pork in the oven, follow our top tips below the recipe for acing this easy BBQ dish every time.

Get the Pulled Pork recipe.

6

Jerk Shrimp & Pineapple Bowls

jerk marinated and grilled shrimp tossed with fresh pineapple and sweet bell pepper served over ice in a hollowed pineapple bowl
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

This bowl has marinated shrimp, sweet bell peppers, and a sweet and spicy glaze that will make you want to lick your plate clean. Plus it only takes 45-minute, and is a total one-pan winner!

Get the Jerk Shrimp & Pineapple Bowls recipe.

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7

Bánh Mì Turkey Burgers

turkey burger topped with banh mi toppings like pickled carrots, jalapenos, and sriracha mayo
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: LAURA REGE

Turkey burgers have a reputation for being boring, but this one inspired by one of our favorite sandwiches—bánh mì—is anything but. Pickled veggies, spicy mayo, and cilantro all top them for a cheap and easy dinner that couldn’t be more exciting for Father's Day.

Get the Bánh Mì Turkey Burgers recipe.

8

Carbonara Pizza

pizza with an egg baked in the middle
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

If your dad can't get enough of Rome's famous spaghetti carbonara, then we have a sneaking suspicion he'll love this extra cheesy pizza version. With bacon, plenty of cheese, and an egg baked in the center of the pie, this pizza is salty, cheesy, and so satisfyingly messy—it's also surprisingly easy to make for an at-home pizza night.

Get the Carbonara Pizza recipe.

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9

Shrimp Street Corn Skillet

sweet corn is lightly browned in butter, then cooked with scallions, jalapeños, and garlic, tossed in chipotle chili powder and lime zest, then cooked alongside the corn before being smothered in a citrusy crema and topped with a flurry of cotija cheese and fresh cilantro
PHOTO: ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Mexican street corn (AKA elote) is one of the best things to ever come off a grill, in our opinion. The only way to improve it? Add shrimp & tortillas to make it a well-rounded dinner we know we'll be making again and again, all summer long.

Get the Shrimp Street Corn Skillet recipe.

10

Carne Asada

sliced carne asada with pico de gallo, limes, and salsa verde

Translating to "grilled meat," carne asada marinates flank or skirt steak in a flavorful, citrus-spiked mixture for several hours—or up to overnight—before grilling. The result is a juicy, beef-forward piece of meat with plenty of the smoky, signature char that's perfect for tacos, grain bowls, and more.

Get the Carne Asada recipe.

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11

Sweet & Sour Tofu

a pan of crispy tofu cubes with red onion, bell peppers, pineapple, and a sweet and sour sauce
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: SAM SENEVIRATNE

Sweet & sour sauce is a staple across Chinese-American restaurant menus—and for good reason. The combination of savory, tangy, and sweet flavors pairs well with virtually every protein, and especially tofu—because it’s mild in flavor, the sweet and sour sauce truly shines (even the tofu haters in your household will ask for seconds).

Get the Sweet & Sour Tofu recipe.

12

Chicken Shawarma Sheet-Pan Dinner

strips of chicken thigh are marinated in greek yogurt, cumin, coriander, and paprika, roasted on a sheet pan with red onion, then topped with a bright cucumber tomato salad and herby tahini yogurt dressing
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: SAM SENEVIRATNE

In this chicken shawarma sheet-pan dinner strips of chicken thigh are marinated in Greek yogurt, cumin, coriander, and paprika, roasted on a sheet pan with red onion, then topped with a bright cucumber-tomato salad and plenty of herby tahini yogurt dressing.

Get the Chicken Shawarma Sheet-Pan Dinner recipe.

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13

Grilled Ribs

grilled rib stack
PHOTO: JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: MICAH MORTON

Few foods are better than perfectly tender ribs, glistening with caramelized BBQ sauce. Now, you can make smokehouse-quality ribs for your dad at home. All it takes is a grill, a few hours, and—okay—a lot of patience. We promise it's all worth it.

Get the Grilled Ribs recipe.

14

Best-Ever Burgers

best ever burger
Erik bernstein

There are about a 100 ways to top a hamburger, and we're not here to tell you what goes into yours. But it's our duty to make sure that you're cooking your burgers as deliciously as possible. With a few super-simple techniques and shopping tips, you'll be a burger master in no time.

Get the Classic Burgers recipe.

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15

Miso Mushroom Crispy Rice

red miso sushi rice cooked in butter until a deep golden brown and topped with ginger and garlic studded mushrooms, and drizzled with spicy miso mayo
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Punchy flavor and interesting texture are like the Thelma & Louise of excellent food—you just need both, and this crispy rice and miso mushroom skillet delivers. This dish is inspired by Momofuku’s Miso Mushroom Rice, but takes cues from Persian tahdig and Spanish paella (so your adventurous dad will love it).

Get the Miso Mushroom Crispy Rice recipe.

16

Chicken Parm Meatball Skillet

chicken parm meatball skillet
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Here at Delish, our love for chicken Parm knows no bounds. Our newest obsession? This cicken Parmesan meatball skillet. Cheesy, flavorful chicken meatballs are baked in a skillet with a homemade tomato sauce and plenty of cheese, until bubbling and delicious.

Get the Chicken Parm Meatball Skillet recipe.

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17

Smash Burger Tacos

the ultimate comfort food hybrid with a crispy, juicy, thin beef patty, melty american cheese, and all the classic burger fixings loaded onto a toasted flour tortilla
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Your dad won't have to choose between burger night or taco night with these fully loaded smash burger tacos. It’s the ultimate comfort food hybrid with a crispy, juicy, thin beef patty, melty American cheese, and all the classic burger fixings loaded onto a toasted flour tortilla.

Get the Smash Burger Tacos recipe.

18

Sticky Soy Steak Skewers

marinated pieces of sirloin steak in soy and chili garlic sauce, skewered with red onion, and brushed with a sweet and savory honey garlic glaze
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

To create a main that’s worthy of unseating the master griller (your dad, ofc!), we marinated pieces of sirloin steak, skewered them with red onion, then grilled them while basting with a sticky honey glaze. The result is a combination of tender, slightly spicy charred grilled steak that's guaranteed to impress.

Get the Sticky Soy Steak Skewers recipe.

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19

Baked Chilean Sea Bass

miso marinated chilean sea bass with wilted arugula on a plate
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM

Chilean sea bass is a flaky, buttery white fish, and it's worth getting the flavors and cooking method for it just right. Enter this foolproof approach, which infuses each bite of fish with umami (aka, savory) flavors from the miso and soy sauce. Serve it with perfectly cooked white rice and gingery bok choy for an elegant, easy meal.

Get the Baked Chilean Sea Bass recipe.

20

Pretzel-Crusted Chicken Breast

chicken breasts coated in crushed up pretzel pieces
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

If you need a really simple chicken dinner idea that isn’t just a plain chicken breast, this pretzel-crusted chicken is just the thing. The coating is really simple to make, and the pretzels stick on easily, creating a crunchy, salty crust without needing to fry.

Get the Pretzel-Crusted Chicken Breast recipe.

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