Father’s Day BBQ Recipes for Every Type of Dad

They say that food is the way to a man’s heart, so taking the time to plan and prepare a delicious home-cooked meal is the perfect way to show dad that you appreciate him this Father’s Day. If the dad in your household is a grill master, Father’s Day is the perfect time to relieve him of his grilling duties so he can relax and enjoy his special day.

While barbecue is a universally-loved cooking style, different dads favour different dishes. To help you plan out your Father’s Day menu, we’ve created menu plans for all types of dads. Hopefully this guide will help you make this occasion extra special for the fathers in your life.

The Sports Dad: Homemade BBQ Wings

Recipe Courtesy of All Recipes

Whether it’s hockey, football, or soccer, chicken wings are a game-day staple snack – and if your dad is a sports fan, chances are he’s a fan of wings as well. This simple-but-effective wings recipe will allow you to recreate this classic bbq dish with ease for Father’s Day.

Simply marinade the chicken wings with soy sauce and italian dressing overnight. When dinnertime approaches, preheat your grill to medium. While your grill is heating up, prepare the glaze by melting butter in a small saucepan and stirring in your dad’s favourite hot sauce, as well as some soy sauce to taste.

When the grill is ready, remove the wings from the marinade and pat them dry with paper towels. Cook the wings for 25 - 30 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is nicely browned and crispy. When they’re perfectly grilled, toss them in the sauce you made, and serve.

The Busy Dad: BBQ Pork Bites

Recipe Courtesy of Betty Crocker

If your dad always has a million tasks on his to-do list, he’ll really appreciate you taking the time to cook dinner on Father’s Day so he can get some well-deserved relaxation.

Busy dads tend to prefer meals they can have on the go (think: bite-sized snacks) and these BBQ pork bites are excellent both as a Father’s Day appetizer, as well as something that dad can take to work the next day.

To make this snackable dish, cut pork tenderloin into 1-inch pieces and place in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and cumin. Sprinkle the mixture over pork pieces, making sure to save 2 teaspoons for later. Let the pork marinade for 15 minutes, and in the meantime, create the dipping sauce by mixing mayonnaise, mustard, onion, and the remaining spice mixture.

Heat your grill to medium, and spray a grill basket with cooking spray. Place the pork cubes in the basket and set it atop the grill. Cover and cook for 10 - 12 minutes, making sure to gently shake the basket a few times during cooking.

Spear pork bites with toothpicks for easy dipping, and serve alongside the mayo mixture.

The ‘Cool Dad’: Grilled Avocado with Cilantro Vinaigrette

Recipe Courtesy of IGA

If the dad in your house has used phrases like “squad goals”, “on fleek”, or “it’s lit” in the past year, chances are he falls into this category. If this is the case, chances are he’s also on board with the ever-popular avocado toast trend. To make this millennial-friendly dish more dad-friendly, try out this BBQ version.

Start by preheating the barbecue to low heat. Meanwhile, slice avocados in half lengthwise, and remove the pits. Set aside. Next, place jalapenos, olive oil, cilantro, honey, lime juice, salt, and pepper in a blender or food processor to make the vinaigrette, and blend until smooth.

Now back to the avocados. Brush each half with olive oil and place them face-down on the grill. Close the BBQ lid and grill for about 5 minutes, or until they start developing a slight char. Then turn the avocados over and sprinkle some cheese on top. Turn up the heat slightly, close the lid, and cook for about four more minutes.

Bring the avocados inside, drizzle the vinaigrette on top, and enjoy!

The Techie Dad: Beer Can Chicken

Recipe Courtesy of a Farmgirl’s Dabbles

If dad is into gadgets and gizmos, chances are he’s also a fan of BBQ tools. If you want to flex your tech-savvy BBQ skills this Father’s Day, try using some of his tools to make a creative dish.

One of the most popular tools of the trade is a chicken roaster, which allows you to infuse a wide variety of ingredients to create moist and flavourful chicken. You can even use beer to create a tangy dish!

To cook beer can chicken, start by preheating your grill to medium-high. Then mix together garlic powder, oil, cumin, onion powder, paprika, oregano, chili powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Pat a whole chicken dry with paper towels and rub the spice mixture all over it – making sure to get even the inner parts of the chicken cavity.

When the chicken is evenly coated with spices, put a half-full beer can into the roaster compartment and place the chicken on top of the can. Before grilling, sprinkle some extra salt and pepper on top for a flavour boost.

When your grill is hot and ready, turn off one burner and place the chicken on this area to create an indirect cooking effect. Turn the heat down to medium heat and cover. Grill for at least 45 minutes before opening the lid to check on the chicken.

In total, it should take about 1 hour and 15 minutes for the chicken to cook fully. But to make sure your chicken is safe to eat, use an instant thermometer (another great BBQ gadget!) to ensure the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165° F. Next, turn the heat on your BBQ to high and let the chicken cook for another 10 minutes in order to create that coveted crispy skin. When the chicken is perfectly golden, simply slice to serve!

Note: If you want some gift ideas for a techie dad, check out our blog on the latest and greatest BBQ accessories.

The Manly Dad: Bacon-Wrapped Steak

Recipe Courtesy of Betty Crocker

Yes, it may be a stereotype, but men that love monster trucks, flannel shirts, and whisky, also tend to love bacon, steak, and BBQ. If the dad in your household fits this bill, why not give him all three for Father’s Day?

To start cooking up your bacon-wrapped steak creation, preheat your grill to high heat. In the meantime, melt butter in a bowl, and stir in olive oil, chives, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Then wrap the bacon around the steaks (ribeye steaks or filet mignon will work great) and hold the bacon in place with a toothpick.

Baste the steaks with the butter mixture and set them on the BBQ. Cook for approximately 5 minutes on each side. For a detailed guide to cooking steaks, click here.

The Frugal Dad: Marinated Hot Dogs

Recipe Courtesy of Good Food Stories

Although Father’s Day is an opportunity to splurge on the dad in your house, not all fathers want to be showered with gifts – even on their special day. For the fathers that are always trying to find the best sale, you can follow in dad’s footsteps and prepare an incredible dinner for an equally-incredible price.

If you don’t want to break the bank, hot dogs are a fan-favourite dish for Father’s Day. But to make the dish extra special for this special day, this recipe will take hot dogs to the next level for only a small additional cost!

Start by whisking together ketchup, vinegar, soy sauce, oil and worcestershire sauce to make the marinade. Then, make three rows of angled cuts on each side of the hot dog with a knife: this will help the marinade better infuse into the meat. Coat the scored hot dogs in the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.

When you’re ready for dinner, preheat your BBQ for direct heat. Grill the hot dogs, turning occasionally, until all sides are perfectly charred. Serve with all your dad’s favourite fixins!

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