Top 5 Recipes to Wow Dad This Father’s Day

Written by Ayanna Frankson

Father’s Day is the perfect occasion to celebrate the man who’s always been there, whether it’s with a backyard barbecue, a hearty breakfast, or an indulgent dessert. This year, skip the restaurant lines and show your dad just how much you appreciate him with a homemade meal that hits all the right notes. These five recipes are designed to impress, satisfy, and create lasting memories around the table!

1. Dad’s Day Steak with Garlic Herb Butter

If your dad appreciates a classic steak dinner, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Perfectly seared and finished with a rich garlic herb butter, this steak rivals anything you’d find in a steakhouse.

Ingredients:

• 2 ribeye or New York strip steaks (1 to 1½ inches thick)

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

• In a bowl, mix softened butter with garlic, parsley, lemon juice, and salt.

• Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm.

• Pat steaks dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.

• Heat a cast-iron skillet or grill over high heat. Add olive oil, then sear the steaks for 3 to 4 minutes per side, depending on your desired doneness.

• Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes before serving. Top each with a generous slice of garlic herb butter.

2. Pitmaster Papa’s BBQ Ribs

These fall-off-the-bone ribs are tender, smoky, and coated in a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. Ideal for dads who love a good grill session or simply appreciate classic comfort food.

Ingredients:

• 2 racks of baby back pork ribs

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon paprika

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

• 1½ cups barbecue sauce

Instructions:

• Remove the silver skin from the back of the ribs. Combine all dry seasonings and rub generously over both sides.

• Wrap the ribs tightly in foil and bake at 300°F (150°C) for 2.5 to 3 hours.

• Unwrap ribs and brush liberally with barbecue sauce. Grill over medium heat for 5-10 minutes, until caramelized.

• Slice and serve with additional sauce on the side.

3. Big Breakfast Skillet for the Big Guy

Start Dad’s Day with a skillet full of breakfast favorites—crispy bacon, savory sausage, golden potatoes, and perfectly cooked eggs. It’s hearty, filling, and packed with flavor.

Ingredients:

• 4 slices of bacon, chopped

• ½ pound breakfast sausage

• 2 cups diced potatoes (parboiled or precooked)

• 1 bell pepper, diced

• 1 small onion, diced

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 4 eggs

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Chopped green onions (optional)

• Hot sauce (optional)

Instructions:

• In a large skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside.

• In the same skillet, cook sausage until browned. Set aside with the bacon.

• In the same pan, cook diced onions, bell pepper, and potatoes until golden and crispy.

• Add the cooked meats back to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with cheese.

• Make four wells in the skillet and crack an egg into each. Cover and cook until the egg whites are set.

• Garnish with green onions or hot sauce, and serve hot.

4. Smash Hit Dad Burgers

Smash burgers are all about crispy edges and juicy centers. This fast, flavorful recipe delivers a diner-style experience right at home, customized just the way Dad likes it.

Ingredients:

• 1½ pounds ground beef (80/20)

• Salt and black pepper

• 4 burger buns

• 4 slices of cheddar cheese

• Butter for toasting buns

• Toppings: Pickles, onions, lettuce, tomato, condiments of choice

Instructions:

• Form the ground beef into four loose ¼-pound balls.

• Butter and toast the buns in a skillet or on the grill until golden. Set aside.

• Heat a cast-iron skillet over high heat. Place one beef ball onto the skillet and smash it flat using a heavy spatula. Cook 2 to 3 minutes until crispy, then flip and top with cheese.

• Serve on toasted buns with toppings of your choice.

5. Dad’s Molten Lava Love Cakes

End the celebration with this decadent dessert. Rich, gooey chocolate cakes with a soft molten center are surprisingly easy to make—and absolutely unforgettable when served warm with ice cream.

Ingredients for making four cakes:

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

• 4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped

• 2 eggs

• 2 egg yolks

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• Butter and cocoa powder for greasing ramekins

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Butter and dust four ramekins with cocoa powder.

• Melt the butter and chocolate in a saucepan over low heat. Stir until smooth and set aside to cool slightly.

• In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs, yolks, and sugar until light and thick (about 2–3 minutes).

• Fold the melted chocolate and flour in gently.

• Pour the batter into the prepared ramekins. Bake for 12 to 13 minutes, until the edges are set but the center is still soft.

• Let rest for 1 minute, then invert onto plates.

• Serve with vanilla ice cream or fresh berries.

Whether your dad is a steak lover, a breakfast fan, or someone with a serious sweet tooth, these five recipes are designed to make him feel appreciated and full. Cooking for someone is one of the most personal, heartfelt gifts you can give, and on a day that’s all about him, these dishes go a long way in saying, “Thank you.”

Thumbnail Credit:

https://unsplash.com/photos/grilled-meat-on-brown-wooden-chopping-board-YlXvFvfybao