Father’s Day dinner is often the antithesis of Mother’s Day brunch—more laid back, less ceremonious, and, frankly, lower expectations all around. Often (speaking from experience) all it takes to help the man of the hour feel celebrated is to have everyone gathered around for a meal.
While we can’t get everyone in the same place in time for dinner, we can get dinner itself covered. Below are 13 recipes perfect for making this Father’s Day, with options to take advantage of grilling season or tackle dinner over the stove. Plus, a few options for dessert—just because.
Grilling Recipes
If the father figure in your life has been finding excuse after excuse for al fresco cooking since Memorial Day, give him one (or five) more reasons to break out his trusty outdoor cooking supplies. Below are recipes that are designed to be grilled or griddled, perfect for making with (or for) Dad. For even more grill-centric recipe inspiration, be sure to check out our roundup of grilling recipes courtesy of our culinary team and restaurant customers.
Spanish-Style Grilled Shrimp with Garlic Butter
Inspired by two classic tapas dishes—gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp) and gambas a la plancha (grilled shrimp), both of which are served in bars all over Spain—this dish practically begs to be cooked on a griddle over open flame. The shrimp come out perfectly charred, without running the risk of becoming dry. In fact, we recommend serving with some crispy baguettes to soak up any leftover juice. Serve with grilled vegetables or a side salad for a perfectly celebratory summertime meal.
Steak and Potato Salad
Whether grilling a ribeye or New York Strip (like from our friends at Porter Road), you can never go wrong with steak for a celebratory meal. This pairing from Mike and Mark Black of Austin’s famous Black’s BBQ pairs everyone's favorite protein with a baked potato-style potato salad, perfect for a laid-back Father’s Day dinner that tastes anything but.
Wagyu Burger with Balsamic Onions and Pecorino
Chef Tom Colicchio’s upscale take on a cookout classic includes Pecorino cheese, Wagyu beef, and homemade pickles and balsamic onions. While it may require a bit more planning than your everyday burger, we can promise the payoff is well worth the effort.
That said, if you're looking for something a bit more straightforward, try our back-to-basics (but just as delicious) Smash Burger.
Grilled Redfish Zarandeado
There's something deeply satisfying—not to mention impressive—about grilling up a whole fish. And when grilled with our stainless steel Fish Basket, you don't need to worry about some of the more common pitfalls (skin and scales sticking to the grates, for example) and can instead completely focus on turning out a show-stopping meal.
This recipe comes from our friend and collaborator, Chef Fermín Nuñez of Austin's Suerte and Este, who was the inspiration (and collaborator) behind the Fish Basket.
Grilled Oysters, Two Ways
Good news if Dad is a bivalve and grilling enthusiast—these combine the best of both with endlessly customizable topping options. Thanks to the perforations at the bottom of our Carbon Steel Grill Frying Pan or Half-Perforated Grill Griddle, these have a smoky, flame-kissed flavor profile without the risk of falling through the grates. While Culinary Director Rhoda Boone chose New Orleans and Bloody Mary-inspired flavor palettes, the world is—forgive the pun—your oyster when it comes to how these get dressed.
Stovetop Recipes
If outdoor cooking isn’t his jam—or if it’s just too hot out to think about grilling—there are plenty of meals that can be cooked with the AC blasting. The following five are some of our favorites.
Brisket Mac and Cheese
A barbecue favorite, this dish elevates everyone’s favorite side to a full-fledged entrée with the addition of brisket—or any other leftover protein lurking in your fridge. This recipe from pitmaster Evan Leroy of Austin’s LeRoy & Lewis Barbecue utilizes four different types of cheese and a roux-based béchamel sauce, so plan a post-meal nap accordingly.
Lamb with Mint and Pistachio Salsa Verde
Something about lamb always feels a bit celebratory, perfect for cheers-ing to the father figure in your life. This recipe from the Made In Studio is topped with a punchy, acidic salsa verde that perfectly tempers lamb’s grassy, pastoral notes. Pair with a side salad or starch like potatoes, and you’ve got a special occasion meal ready to go.
Steak Frites
Not your average steak recipe, this iteration on the bistro classic is (somehow) even better. From Chef Jo Chan of Austin hotspot Bureau de Poste, the steak gets an overnight marinade in creamy shio koji—a Japanese ferment made from cooked grains inoculated with Aspergillus oryzae (and the precursor to condiments like miso and soy sauce)—which lends an incredible savoriness and umami to the finished protein. Homemade fries may seem intimidating, but actually are one of the easiest parts of this dish when equipped with a large-format Dutch oven to simplify deep frying.
Portioned for two but easily doubled, this is bound to make an unforgettable—and undeniably celebratory—Father's Day meal.
Shrimp Pad Thai
Another incentive to skip the takeout this Father’s Day, this show-stopping recipe from Thai Fresh’s Chef Jam Sanitchat shows why it’s a best-seller at her restaurant day after day. A trip to H Mart or a well-stocked grocery store will set you up ingredient-wise, and you can alter the protein to chicken, beef, or fully vegetarian.
Dessert Recipes
After all, it's not really dinner without dessert. Below are three dessert options of varying sweetness levels to match Dad’s sweet tooth—or lack thereof. Each of these recipes make use of in-season summer fruits, so you can revel in the bounty of early summer with every bite as the cherry on top of a perfect Father’s Day.
Blueberry Pound Cake with Lime Glaze
Equal parts breakfast and dessert, this blueberry-studded pound cake from Sarah Seghi, pastry chef at Austin restaurant Eberly, makes excellent use of crème fraîche to produce a moisture-packed cake that’s far better than anything you can get at the grocery store. Topped with a lime glaze and plated with fresh blueberry compote, the only thing better than how it smells is how delicious it is.
Olive Oil Cake with Brûléed Stone Fruit and Chantilly
If Dad leans more toward savory, then this olive oil cake from Lutie’s Chef Susana Querejazu may become his new go-to. Utilizing Texas olive oil is a must for added tenderness, body, and moistness, but the stone fruit you top it with is completely up to you. Peaches, plums, or whatever else you have locally available makes for a perfectly seasonal topping to this rich dessert.
Peach Cobbler
Perhaps the most quintessential of all summertime desserts, peach cobbler is the perfect vehicle to allow local fruit to shine. This recipe from Chef Chris Shepherd calls for fresh peaches, but you can substitute in fresh apricots, nectarines, or even mangoes. Serve warm with Dad’s topping of choice for the perfect end to Father’s Day.
Icebox Banana Pudding Pie
For Made In HQ in Austin, Father's Day weekend falls during the unofficial "I am not turning on my oven for any reason" season in Texas that runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day—so no-bake desserts are an absolute must. From the Made In Studio, this banana pudding-inspired recipe hits on all of our favorite factors: no-bake, little equipment required, and absolutely delicious.
Ready to Cook?
Whether Father’s Day is a big deal or something your dad begrudgingly accepts once a year, you might as well enjoy a delicious dinner together. With the above recipes, you’re bound to find something he’ll love. All that’s left is finding the right gift to accompany (or be used to cook) the meal—check out a few of our favorites in our Father’s Day Collection.
