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Father's Day Meal Ideas

byDebi Morgan Published Modified

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These Father's Day Meal Ideas are easy to make and perfect for Dad's special day. Find recipes for appetizers, brunch, lunch and dinner that will create lasting family traditions!

a collection of father's day meal ideas in a collage.

Happy Father's Day!

Father's Day is a great occasion to cook breakfast, lunch or dinner for the special man in your life. Since Dad deserves a little pampering, here's a collection of the best meal ideas to help you plan his celebration.

I've gathered Father's Day recipes from categories including chicken, seafood, pork, beef, vegetarian, sides, and desserts. There's even a bonus appetizer and favorite cocktail!

So, sit back, check out the recipes below...and start planning Dad's menu with some of the best homemade dishes you'll find anywhere!

  • chicken biscuit split open to see the chicken breast with honey drizzle.
  • blue bowl of red skin potato salad with celery, onions and pickles.
  • Tuscan chicken pasta in a creamy sauce in white dish.
  • honey mustard dip in the middle of a plate of fried okra.
  • barbecue sandwich with coleslaw and pickles on a bun
  • wooden spoon sitting over a baking dish with corned beef and cabbage.
  • deviled eggs on parsley and lettuce
  • warm cherry cobbler oozing over the side of a white pie plate with crumble topping and vanilla ice cream melting on top
Jump To

Chicken

Poultry is easy to fix and budget friendly when you're planning a big meal. Dad will love digging into Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits or Tuscan Chicken Pasta.

Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits
If you've never made Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits from scratch, now's your chance! Crispy fried chicken is surrounded by a homemade buttermilk biscuit, then topped with honey butter spread for a southern classic!
Check out this recipe
chicken biscuit split open to see the chicken breast with honey drizzle.
Father's Day chicken biscuit split open to see the chicken breast with honey drizzle.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is made with seasoned chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, dried pasta and heavy cream. It's a restaurant quality dish that's ready in 30 minutes!
Check out this recipe
spoon full of creamy Tuscan chicken pasta being lifted out of white dish.
Tuscan chicken pasta in a creamy sauce in white dish for Father's Day meal ideas.

Seafood

If your Dad's a seafood lover, look no further than BBQ Shrimp and Grits or Salmon Caprese! Both seafood dishes are packed with flavor and lots of love.

Southern Shrimp and Grits
Warm and comforting, BBQ Shrimp and Grits puts all the other comfort foods to shame. It makes a great breakfast and brunch dish too!
Check out this recipe
gouda cheese grits topped with BBQ shrimp, bacon and green onions in a seafood bowl
gouda cheese grits topped with BBQ shrimp, bacon and green onions in a seafood bowl
Salmon Caprese
The flavor of salmon combined with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil, is absolutely off-the-charts!
Check out this recipe
Salmon Caprese on a bed of rice.
salmon in a seafood bowl with tomatoes and basil.

Pork

Every Dad will be begging for more when you make Pulled Pork BBQ or Fall Off the Bone Ribs! No one loves a cookout more!

Dutch Oven Pulled Pork
Love pulled pork barbecue? Learn how to make tender & juicy pulled pork BBQ at home. It's a favorite recipe that Dad will love!
Check out this recipe
dutch oven pulled pork sandwich with slaw and bbq sauce dripping onto plate.
barbecue sandwich with coleslaw and pickles on a bun
Pulled Pork Sandwich
Fall off the Bone Ribs
Fall Off The Bone Ribs are baked in the oven and as good any you can find in a BBQ restaurant! The secret is in the dry rub and low and slow cooking method.
Check out this recipe
fall off the bone ribs served with potato salad and baked beans on a white plate.
bbq ribs with potato salad and baked beans on a white plate

Beef

The best way to Dad's heart is through beer braised Dutch Oven Corned Beef or Beef Tenderloin Marsala! These meals are comforting and easy to make in one pot or a cast iron skillet.

Dutch Oven Corned Beef
Try this amazing recipe for Dutch Oven Corned Beef which creates tender corned beef and cabbage that melts in your mouth! 
Check out this recipe
corned beef and cabbage with potatoes and carrots in a blue dutch oven.
point cut corned beef brisket with cabbage, potatoes and carrots in a baking dish.
Beef Tenderloin Marsala
Luscious Beef Tenderloin Marsala with roasted broccoli and garlic mashed potatoes is the perfect meal for special occasions!
Check out this recipe
beef tenderloin marsala with mashed potatoes and roasted broccoli
beef tenderloin marsala with gravy over mashed potatoes and broccoli.

Vegetarian

Be sure to include vegetarian recipes like Fried Green Tomatoes and Pan Fried Okra as you plan your Father's Day menu ideas!

Southern Fried Green Tomatoes
Southern Fried Green Tomatoes are seasoned with a cornmeal flour mixture, then deep fried. Perfect for dunking in a variety of dipping sauces!
Check out this recipe
stack of fried green tomatoes with unripened tomatoes on a white plate with a fork
fried green tomatoes in a circular pattern with ranch dip in the middle
Southern Pan Fried Okra
Pan Fried Okra is a southern dish that's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It's dredged in buttermilk and cornmeal mix for a crunchy treat!
Check out this recipe
fried okra in a cast iron skillet with a colorful spoon.
honey mustard dip in the middle of a plate of fried okra.

Side Dishes

Don't forget the sides! Red Skin Potato Salad and Calico Baked Beans are favorite go-along dishes at every cookout and barbecue picnic.

Red Skin Potato Salad
Red Skin Potato Salad is a creamy blend of red skinned potatoes, mayonnaise, sour cream, dijon mustard, crunchy celery, and bold spices. It's a traditional side dish served at an outdoor picnic, barbecue or summer cookout!
Check out this recipe
blue bowl of red skin potato salad with celery, onions and pickles.
red skin potato salad in a blue bowl.
Calico Baked Beans
Calico Baked Beans get rave reviews from family and friends! Four types of beans in a savory sauce makes the perfect side dish at barbecues, picnics and family gatherings.
Check out this recipe
crockpot fun of four types of beans and sauce.
crockpot full of calico baked beans.

Desserts

Wrap up your Father's Day party with a yummy Cherry Crumble or No Bake Banana Pudding! Dad will be asking for the leftovers!

Cherry Crumble
Cherry Crumble is a cherry lover's dream! It's filled with tart, sour cherries...then covered with a buttery, crisp topping.
Check out this recipe
warm cherry cobbler oozing over the side of a white pie plate with crumble topping and vanilla ice cream melting on top
warm cherry cobbler oozing over the side of a white pie plate with crumble topping and vanilla ice cream melting on top
No Bake Banana Pudding
Dad will love this No Bake Banana Pudding that's made with homemade whipped cream and topped with shortbread cookies!
Check out this recipe
no bake banana pudding with shortbread cookies on top
no bake banana pudding with shortbread cookies on top
Desserts

Dad's Favorite Recipes

Debi embracing her father at her son's wedding while dad sits in chair

My Daddy was bigger than life ~ and the life of every party. Dad knew how to have fun, and was the happiest when our family got together to celebrate special occasions. People say we look alike ~ (and I think we do too).

Losing him shortly after this photograph was taken is still hard to accept. But, his spirit is with me whenever I make his favorite meal, plant a flower in my yard, or watch a cardinal play at the bird feeder.

These recipes are for you, Dad. I remember how much you loved my Deviled Eggs and Bacon Bloody Mary!

Southern Deviled Eggs Recipe
Deviled Eggs don't get any better than this. The secret is in the flavorful filling! Dad will be begging for more when he takes one bite!
Check out this recipe
deviled eggs on parsley and lettuce
a platter of deviled eggs on mixed greens.
Bacon Bloody Mary
To make the best Bacon Bloody Mary recipe, start by making candied bacon! This addictive bacon recipe is so incredible, it puts your favorite cocktail over the top!
Check out this recipe
Bacon Bloody Marys in mason jars with celery and candied bacon slices.
Bacon Bloody Mary with skewer of olives, cheese, bacon and celery.

More Father's Day Recipes

If you're looking for more Father's Day meal ideas, here are several suggestions to help extend the fun. Whether your event is indoors or out, I've got you covered!

Favorite Smoked Recipes

8 Comments

  2. This list of recipes is perfect for Father’s Day. And, I love your story about your dad. My dad loved deviled eggs too. ❤️

    Reply

  3. Do you have a cookbook? I have family in Hendersonville. We come to Fletcher a lot. Your recipes are ones I cook a lot. My children had a Granny Varnadore-and she could cook.

    Reply

    1. Hi Sharon. Granny Varnadore sounds like a really good cook! Thanks for asking about my cookbook. I wrote one in 2013, but it is now out of publication. I may renew it someday and hope to include photographs. I'll let you know if I do! 🙂

      Reply

  4. How beautiful is this? Not only the food, but the sharing of your father with all of us. Of course I remember him as our principal at Enka, such a good man. Thanks Debi for your recipes , but also your heart. Have tried so many of the recipes, awesome!

    Reply

    1. You're so sweet, Melanie. Thank you for your kind words. I do miss my daddy. He was my favorite roller coaster rider and broadway play buddy. 🙂 You're the best!

      Reply

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