Best Father's Day Grilling Recipes Dad Will Love

Father's Day and grilling go hand in hand. Whether dad is the grill master in your family or you're taking over the tongs to give him a break, these recipes will make his day special with bold flavors and backyard cooking.

This complete guide covers everything from perfectly grilled steaks to smoky ribs, plus sides, sauces, and tips for creating the ultimate Father's Day BBQ that dad will remember all year.

Why Grilling for Father's Day Works

It's His Domain:

• Most dads love grilling
• Familiar and comfortable
• Outdoor cooking feels like celebration
• Relaxed entertaining

Guy-Friendly Flavors:

• Big, bold, hearty
• Meat-focused (usually)
• Simple but impressive
• No fussy plating required

Perfect Weather:

• June is ideal for outdoor cooking
• Longer daylight hours
• Comfortable temperatures
• Great for gathering outside

Budget-Friendly:

• Costs less than restaurants
• Easier than fancy dinner
• Can feed a crowd
• Leftovers for dad all week

The Complete Father's Day Grill Menu

Choose Your Main (Pick 1-2):

• Premium steaks
• BBQ ribs
• Smoked brisket
• Grilled whole chicken
• Bacon-wrapped anything

Sides (Pick 3-4):

• Loaded baked potatoes
• Grilled corn
• Coleslaw
• Baked beans
• Grilled vegetables

Dessert:

• Grilled fruit
• S'mores bar
• Ice cream sundae bar

Premium Grilled Steaks

1. Perfect Ribeye Steaks

The king of steaks, marbled and flavorful.

Ingredients (for 4):

• 4 ribeye steaks (1-1.5 inches thick)
• Kosher salt
• Freshly cracked black pepper
• 2 tbsp butter
• Fresh rosemary
• Garlic cloves

Instructions:

1. Remove steaks from fridge 30 minutes before grilling
2. Season generously with salt and pepper on both sides
3. Preheat grill to high heat (450-500°F)
4. Sear steaks 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare
5. Last minute, top with butter, rosemary, crushed garlic
6. Rest 5-10 minutes before serving

Internal temps:

• Rare: 125°F
• Medium-rare: 135°F
• Medium: 145°F

Pro tip: Use meat thermometer for perfect doneness Best cut: Prime or choice grade for special occasions

2. Filet Mignon with Blue Cheese Butter

Tender, luxurious steaks with compound butter.

Blue Cheese Butter:

• ½ cup butter, softened
• ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

For Steaks:

• 4 filet mignon (6-8 oz each)
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil

Instructions:

1. Mix butter ingredients, roll into log, refrigerate
2. Brush steaks with olive oil, season well
3. Grill over high heat 5-6 minutes per side for medium-rare
4. Top each steak with slice of blue cheese butter
5. Let rest 5 minutes

Impressive: Restaurant-quality at home Make-ahead: Make butter up to 1 week ahead

3. Coffee-Rubbed New York Strip

Bold coffee rub creates amazing crust.

Coffee Rub:

• 2 tbsp finely ground coffee
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Mix rub ingredients
2. Coat steaks generously with rub
3. Let sit 30 minutes
4. Grill over high heat 5-7 minutes per side
5. Rest before slicing

Flavor bomb: Complex, smoky, slightly sweet Dad-approved: Bold flavors guys love

BBQ Ribs Done Right

4. Fall-Off-The-Bone Baby Back Ribs

Low and slow cooking creates perfect ribs.

Ingredients:

• 2 racks baby back ribs
• Dry rub (brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, pepper)
• BBQ sauce

Instructions:

1. Remove membrane from back of ribs
2. Apply dry rub generously, let sit 1 hour or overnight
3. Wrap ribs in foil
4. Grill indirect heat at 275°F for 2.5-3 hours
5. Unwrap, brush with BBQ sauce
6. Grill 30 more minutes, brushing with sauce every 10 minutes

Make-ahead: Smoke day before, finish on grill Serves: 6-8

5. Kansas City Style Spare Ribs

Thick, sweet, tangy BBQ sauce.

Kansas City BBQ Sauce:

• 2 cups ketchup
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup molasses
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• Garlic and onion powder

Instructions:

1. Simmer all sauce ingredients 20 minutes
2. Prep ribs with dry rub
3. Smoke at 250°F for 4-5 hours
4. Brush with sauce last 30 minutes

Classic: Traditional American BBQ Make-ahead: Sauce improves with time

Smoked and Slow-Cooked Meats

6. Texas-Style Beef Brisket

The ultimate low-and-slow BBQ challenge.

Ingredients:

• 10-12 lb whole packer brisket
• Simple rub (salt, pepper, garlic powder)
• Beef broth for spritzing

Instructions:

1. Trim brisket, leaving ¼-inch fat cap
2. Apply rub generously
3. Smoke at 225-250°F for 10-14 hours
4. Spritz with beef broth every hour after 4 hours
5. Wrap in butcher paper when internal temp hits 165°F
6. Continue until 200-205°F internal
7. Rest 1-2 hours in cooler

Project: All-day affair, but worth it Serves: 15-20

7. Beer Can Chicken

Moist, flavorful whole chicken with crispy skin.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (4-5 lbs)
• 1 can beer
• Poultry rub
• Olive oil

Instructions:

1. Remove giblets, pat dry
2. Rub chicken inside and out with olive oil and seasoning
3. Open beer, drink half (important step!)
4. Place chicken over beer can, standing upright
5. Grill indirect heat at 375°F for 1.5-2 hours
6. Internal temp should reach 165°F

Fun presentation: Always gets comments Moist: Beer steam keeps chicken juicy Serves: 4-6

For more grilling ideas, check our fourth of july bbq menu.

Bacon-Wrapped Everything

8. Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp

Sweet shrimp wrapped in smoky bacon.

Ingredients:

• 24 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 12 slices bacon, cut in half
• Brown sugar
• Cajun seasoning

Instructions:

1. Season shrimp with Cajun seasoning
2. Wrap each in half slice bacon
3. Sprinkle with brown sugar
4. Secure with toothpick
5. Grill 3-4 minutes per side until bacon crispy

Appetizer: Perfect pre-dinner snack Quick: Ready in 15 minutes

9. Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers

Spicy, creamy, crispy perfection.

Ingredients:

• 12 jalapeños, halved and seeded
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• 12 slices bacon, cut in half

Instructions:

1. Mix cream cheese and cheddar
2. Fill jalapeño halves with cheese mixture
3. Wrap each with bacon half
4. Secure with toothpick
5. Grill 15-20 minutes until bacon crispy

Crowd-pleaser: Always disappears fast Make-ahead: Assemble hours before grilling

Grilled Sides and Vegetables

10. Loaded Grilled Baked Potatoes

Twice the flavor of regular baked potatoes.

Ingredients:

• 4 large russet potatoes
• Butter
• Sour cream
• Bacon bits
• Shredded cheese
• Chives
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Scrub potatoes, pierce with fork
2. Wrap in foil
3. Grill indirect heat 1 hour, turning occasionally
4. Unwrap, slice open
5. Top with butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon, chives

Classic: Perfect steak companion Make-ahead: Can partially cook in microwave first

11. Grilled Corn on the Cob

Sweet summer corn with charred flavor.

Three Methods:

In Husk:

• Soak corn in water 30 minutes
• Grill 15-20 minutes, turning often

Naked:

• Shuck corn completely
• Brush with butter
• Grill 10-15 minutes for char marks

Foil-Wrapped:

• Shuck corn, add butter and seasonings
• Wrap in foil
• Grill 15-20 minutes

Toppings:

• Butter and salt
• Mexican street corn (mayo, cotija, chili powder, lime)
• Garlic herb butter
• Parmesan and herbs

12. Grilled Vegetable Skewers

Colorful, healthy, delicious.

Vegetables:

• Bell peppers
• Zucchini
• Red onion
• Mushrooms
• Cherry tomatoes

Marinade:

• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Italian herbs
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Cut vegetables into similar-sized pieces
2. Marinate 30 minutes
3. Thread onto skewers
4. Grill 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally

Healthy: Colorful and nutritious Versatile: Use any vegetables dad likes

BBQ Sauces from Scratch

13. Homemade BBQ Sauce

Better than store-bought, customizable.

Base Recipe:

• 2 cups ketchup
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp mustard
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Garlic and onion powder

Variations:

• Sweet: Add more brown sugar and molasses
• Spicy: Add cayenne and hot sauce
• Tangy: Extra vinegar and mustard
• Smoky: More smoked paprika and liquid smoke

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients
2. Simmer 20-30 minutes
3. Adjust seasonings to taste

Make-ahead: Keeps 2 weeks refrigerated Gift idea: Bottle for dad to keep

14. Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce

Tangy yellow sauce perfect for pork.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup yellow mustard
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• Hot sauce to taste

Instructions:

1. Whisk all ingredients
2. Refrigerate overnight for flavors to meld

Regional: South Carolina specialty Perfect for: Pulled pork, chicken

Dad-Friendly Desserts

15. Grilled Pineapple with Ice Cream

Sweet, caramelized fruit that's easy to love.

Ingredients:

• 1 fresh pineapple, cut into rings
• Brown sugar
• Cinnamon
• Vanilla ice cream
• Rum (optional)

Instructions:

1. Sprinkle pineapple with brown sugar and cinnamon
2. Grill 3-4 minutes per side until caramelized
3. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream
4. Drizzle with rum if desired

Simple: No-fuss dessert Impressive: Looks fancy, tastes amazing

16. S'mores Bar

Interactive dessert everyone loves.

Setup:

• Graham crackers
• Marshmallows
• Chocolate bars (variety)
• Long skewers or sticks
• Keep grill on low for toasting

Additions:

• Peanut butter cups
• Cookies instead of graham crackers
• Flavored marshmallows
• Nutella

Fun: Great for kids and adults Customizable: Everyone makes their own

Complete Father's Day Timeline

1 Week Before:

• Plan menu with dad's favorites
• Order special cuts of meat
• Check grill and propane/charcoal
• Create shopping list

2 Days Before:

• Shop for ingredients
• Make BBQ sauces
• Prep marinades and rubs
• Clean grill thoroughly

1 Day Before:

• Marinate/rub meats
• Prep vegetables
• Make side dishes that hold well
• Set up outdoor space

Day Of - Morning:

• Make compound butters
• Prep any remaining items
• Start long-cooking items (brisket, ribs)

Day Of - 2 Hours Before:

• Light grill
• Begin cooking based on timing
• Delegate tasks to helpers

Day Of - Serving Time:

• Let dad relax while you grill
• OR let dad grill if that's his happy place
• Serve with cold beverages

Beverage Pairings

For Steak:

• Full-bodied red wine (Cabernet, Malbec)
• Bold craft beer (IPA, Porter)
• Whiskey on the rocks

For Ribs:

• Bourbon
• Dark beer
• Sweet tea

For Chicken:

• Light beer
• White wine
• Lemonade

Non-Alcoholic:

• Iced tea
• Craft sodas
• Sparkling water with citrus

Grilling Tips for Perfect Results

Temperature Zones:

• Create hot and cool zones on grill
• Sear over high heat, finish over low
• Prevents burning while ensuring doneness

Don't Press Burgers:

• Pressing releases juices
• Results in dry burgers
• Let them cook undisturbed

Rest Your Meat:

• 5 minutes for steaks
• 10-15 minutes for chicken
• 30-60 minutes for brisket
• Redistributes juices

Oil the Grates:

• Prevents sticking
• Creates better grill marks
• Use oil-soaked paper towel with tongs

Invest in Good Tools:

• Instant-read thermometer
• Long-handled tongs
• Grill brush
• Chimney starter

Budget Considerations

Splurge Items:

• High-quality steaks for dad
• Fresh seafood if he loves it
• Premium craft beer

Save Money:

• Buy sides in bulk
• Make sauces from scratch
• Use chicken thighs vs. breasts
• Shop sales for meat week before

Cost for 8 People:

• Premium meal: £80-100
• Budget-friendly: £50-60

For more budget cooking, see our budget meal prep guide.

Gift Ideas for Grilling Dads

Practical:

• New grill tools
• Meat thermometer
• BBQ rub set
• Grilling cookbook

Experiential:

• BBQ class together
• Specialty meats subscription
• Grill accessories

Homemade:

• Custom spice rubs in jars
• Homemade BBQ sauce
• Recipe book of family favorites

The Bottom Line

Father's Day grilling is about celebrating dad with food he loves in an environment where he's comfortable. Whether you take over the grill to give him a break or work alongside him as sous chef, the time together matters most.

Choose 1-2 main proteins from this guide, add 3-4 sides, and keep it simple. Dad doesn't need complicated—he needs hearty, flavorful food and quality time with family.

Fire up the grill, crack open a cold one, and celebrate the dad in your life with great food and even better company.

For more seasonal grilling ideas, explore our easy dinner ideas and one-pot meals.

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!