20 Make-Ahead Father's Day Dinners for a Relaxed Celebration
Grilling isn't the only way to impress Dad.
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Father's Day is the one time of the year you get to be in charge of the cookout, so you've got to make it count! It's not just about serving up delicious summer recipes; it's about creating moments and memories with Dad that last long after the meal is over. But balancing a mouthwatering Father's Day menu with quality time can feel like a juggling act. That's exactly where these make-ahead Father's Day dinner ideas come to the rescue!
Here, you'll find a collection of simple, flavorful recipes designed to lighten your workload and maximize the celebration. Think slow-cooked meats, zesty slaws, and colorful kebabs that allow you to prep ahead so you're free to enjoy the day without stress. Whether you're leaning into classic cowboy-style comfort with a tater-tot casserole or aiming for something a bit more elevated like a rich, braised beef brisket, these make-ahead Father's Day recipes will help you show Dad just how much he means to you. And while no one can ever replace Dad's legendary status on the grill, you can still impress him with creative, make-ahead cookout favorites, like Dr Pepper BBQ chicken and cheeseburger bowls, that are sure to make him proud and keep everyone coming back for more. After all, the gift of good food is something every dad appreciates!
Chili Dogs
Grilling hot dogs may be his specialty, but there's still a way to put your own twist on the cookout classic! Enter: Ree's homemade chili, made with ground beef and plenty of spice. Make it up to three days ahead of Father's Day, then simply reheat it on the stove while you cook your hot dogs! Just don't forget to sprinkle grated cheddar and red onion on top.
Get Ree's Chili Dogs recipe.
Dr Pepper BBQ Chicken
Take a cue from Ladd Drummond and whip up some Dr Pepper BBQ chicken! The sticky-sweet sauce will last up to four days in the fridge and is great for coating tender, bone-in chicken and even ribs.
Get Ree's Dr Pepper BBQ Chicken recipe.
Cheeseburger Bowls
Treat Dad to burgers like he's never experienced before! Instead of the typical sandwich, all your typical cheeseburger ingredients are piled high on top of a bowl of fries. Most of the ingredients, like the shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and burger sauce, can be prepared ahead of time, but hold off on baking the French fries until right before serving to keep them perfectly crispy.
Get the Cheeseburger Bowls recipe.
Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Bow ties aren't just for wearing on Father's Day (at least when you're talking about the pasta kind)! The pasta's adorable bow tie shape catches every last drop of the creamy dressing, which melds with the ham, cheese, and veggies in the fridge.
Get the Bow Tie Pasta Salad recipe.
Grilled Veggie Skewers
These vibrant veggie skewers are the perfect sidekick to all your Father's Day BBQ favorites. Prep them in advance by chopping the veggies and assembling the skewers the night before. When the grilling begins, they'll be ready to go!
Get the Grilled Veggie Skewers recipe.
Braised Beef Brisket
Show Dad that you, too, can master the art of meat this Father's Day! Marinated in a savory blend of soy sauce, lemon juice, garlic, and a touch of smoke, the brisket slow-cooks for six hours until it's fall-apart tender.
Get Ree's Braised Beef Brisket recipe.
Southern Potato Salad
Odds are, Dad requested a good old cookout for Father's Day—and you can't have one without potato salad! Prepare it ahead of time, and let the smooth dressing, crunchy celery, relish, and hard-boiled eggs meld together in the fridge for maximum flavor.
Get the Southern Potato Salad recipe.
Broccoli Slaw
Father's Day is as good as any to help Dad get his greens in! And there's no tastier way to do so than serving this crunchy broccoli slaw. Just toss the slaw mix, fresh veggies, and crunchy sunflower kernels with a simple, zesty dressing in a big bowl. Cover it up and let it chill in the fridge so all those delicious flavors have time to combine.
Get the Broccoli Slaw recipe.
Cowboy Casserole
Cowboy or not, this tater-tot casserole will please any dad! It's everything he loves in one skillet: crispy bacon, creamy ground beef and veggie filling, and, of course, a melty cheese and golden potato topping.
Get the Cowboy Casserole recipe.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
Skip the stress (but not the flavor) with this slow-cooker BBQ chicken! Cook the chicken in the tangy sauce low and slow on the day of, or make it up to three days ahead and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Then, on Father's Day, reheat it right in the slow cooker before piling it onto buns for delicious pulled chicken sandwiches.
Get the Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken recipe.
Veggie Fajitas
The bounty of fresh summer veggies that make up the filling of these fajitas will ensure he won't miss the meat! To cut down the time spent in the kitchen on Father's Day, shred the cheese and prepare the pico up to two days in advance. You can even chop the veggies and make the crema up to one day ahead, keeping them refrigerated until you're ready to serve.
Get Ree's Veggie Fajitas recipe.
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Instead of just serving pickles on the side, incorporate the crunchy condiment into a dish of its own! This tangy dish is ideal for making ahead, as the pasta salad will absorb some of the dressing as it sits overnight. Before serving, let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes, then refresh it with some pickle juice and fresh dill for good measure!
Get the Dill Pickle Pasta Salad recipe.
Beef Kebab Marinade
Planning a big Father's Day bash? Juicy beef kebabs are a perfect make-ahead option that makes entertaining a breeze! Marinate and assemble the skewers the night before, and all you'll need to do on the day is fire up the grill.
Get the Beef Kebab Marinade recipe.
Cowboy Beans
Try this hearty twist on barbecue beans that’s sure to satisfy the cowboy in your life! The mix of beans, bacon, beef, and spices only deepen in flavor over time should you choose to make it ahead.
Get the Cowboy Beans recipe.
Ranch Slaw
Whether you're planning to test your grill skills or work your magic inside the kitchen, you'll need a side of crunchy slaw! Featuring a creamy homemade dressing, this take on the classic cookout side was made for the ranch-loving dad.
Get the Ranch Slaw recipe.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
Throw the ultimate Father's Day fiesta starring Ree's easy slow-cooker chicken tacos! Let the handy kitchen appliance do the heavy lifting as the chicken breasts simmer in a spicy, savory tomato sauce, locking in their juiciness. After a few hours of effortless cooking (the beauty of slow cooker meals!), they're tender and ready to be sliced and piled into warm flour tortillas for tacos!
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos recipe.
Freezer Door Margaritas
Give Dad (and yourself) a break from cocktail duty by stashing a batch of margaritas in your freezer door! When it's time to celebrate, give the bottle a quick shake, salt the rims, pour into glasses, and sip without the stress.
Get the Freezer Door Margaritas recipe.
Shrimp Salad Rolls
A summer celebration like Father's Day calls for seafood! This refreshing shrimp salad can be made up to 12 hours in advance, so when dinnertime rolls around, all you have to do is toast your buns and assemble!
Get Ree's Shrimp Salad Rolls recipe.
BLT Pasta Salad
Making a BLT ahead of time may sound like a soggy mess, but in pasta salad form, it's anything but! To make it ahead of time, mix up the tomatoes, onions, herbs, parmesan, pasta, and creamy ranch dressing in an airtight container. When you're ready to serve, just toss in the bacon and lettuce for maximum crunchiness.
Get the BLT Pasta Salad recipe.
Cowboy Caviar
Kick-off Dad's special dinner with this colorful dip! Bursting with bold flavors, the mix of black-eyed peas, black beans, bell pepper, onion, tomato, and jalapeño can be prepped up to two days in advance. Just before serving, give it a fresh lift with a generous sprinkle of chopped cilantro.
Get the Cowboy Caviar recipe.
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