21 Father’s Day Grill Recipes

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Don’t limit yourself to buying Dad something for his BBQ collection; fire up the burners and grill him something special as well.

From beef and pork to lamb, chicken, and seafood, you’ll find a great selection of recipes that we think definitely show Dad the love.

Father’s Day grill recipes

1. Smoked Beef Tenderloin

We’ll hit the ground running with this fabulous cut of beef tenderloin.

It looks impressive all trimmed and tied. It has a mild, subtle flavor, enhanced by a little smoke. And you couldn’t ask for a more tender, juicy cut.

Keep the sides simple, but a little creamed horseradish certainly wouldn’t go amiss.

Recipe: Smoked Beef Tenderloin

2. Grilled Steak Kebabs

steak kebobs

If you’re looking for an ‘all in one’ meal, this one fits the brief. Beautiful chunks of marinated steak skewered between fresh veges.

Tailor your skewers to suit Dad’s preferences. Is he a filet mignon lover (he has expensive taste!)? Does he like mushrooms and zucchini with his steak? This is your time to shine and show Dad that you do know what he loves.

Recipe: Grilled Steak Kebabs

3. Smoked Pellet Grill Brisket

This old classic never goes out of style. It’s smokey and tender, with a nice crusty bark, bursting with the flavors of seasoning and spices.

Not many Dads would turn their noses up at an 11lb packer brisket to honor their day. The effort you put into smoking this beauty will keep on giving. Dad could be eating leftover brisket recipes for 13 days!

Recipe: Smoked Pellet Grill Brisket

4. Grilled Brisket Burgers

This isn’t just any old burger. We’ve ground up all those brisket trimmings we’ve been stashing away, and it turns out they make a burger that’s bursting with beefy flavor and is very tender and juicy.

P.S. Maybe don’t let Dad know you used leftovers for his special BBQ dinner.

Recipe: Grilled Brisket Burgers

5. Grilled Garlic Parmesan Steak Bites

Did you blow the budget on the gift and now can’t afford ribeye or tenderloin? Still want beef on the grill? Sirloin tips are a great, inexpensive option.

Lean, tender, and flavorful, even before you brush them with silky garlic and parmesan butter sauce. 

Recipe: Grilled Garlic Parmesan Steak Bites

6. Grilled Ribeye Cap

If Dad’s a steak kinda guy, you can’t go past the holy grail of steak, ribeye cap.

It has excellent marbling, is super tender, and is about as juicy as steak gets. Every mouthful has that rich, beefy flavor we’re here for.

Follow our reverse sear method over hot coals and serve Dad the best steak of his life.

Recipe: Grilled Ribeye Cap

7. Prime Rib Roast

Go big or go home with this perfect medium-rare smoked prime rib roast.

Seasoned with our homemade prime rib rub, smoked for a few hours, and finished off with a ripping hot sear.

This is a great option if multiple dads are in attendance.

Recipe: Prime Rib Roast

8. Hot Dogs

If you can’t remember which hot dog is Dad’s favorite, may we suggest a hot dog bar?

This is a great option if you have all the family coming over for a feed. Lay out all the condiments and let everyone build their own dog.

We’ve listed all the ingredients you’ll need for seven variations, from the classic to chili cheese and smoked BBQ.

Recipe: 7 Hot Dog Recipes

9. 3-2-1 Smoked Pork Ribs

Close-up of 3-2-1 smoked pork ribs on a cutting board, featuring a sticky glaze and smoke ring, with juicy meat pulling away from the bone.

Who doesn’t love ribs, and if you’re after fall-off-the-bone ribs, this low-and-slow recipe is for you. It’s sticky, sweet, and perfectly cooked without too much overthinking.

It’s a great recipe for beginner pitmasters or if you’re cooking for a crowd. Smoke for three hours, wrap and smoke for two hours, unwrap, smoke, and glaze for one hour. Follow those simple rules, and we’ll guarantee you’ll have perfect ribs every time.

Recipe: 321 Smoked Pork Ribs

10. Smoked Pork Crown Roast

smoked pork crown roast

Get fancy with your next rack of pork with our smoked pork crown roast. This will impress Dad, not to mention everyone else.

While it might look intimidating, we assure you it’s not. We’ll show you how to trim, cut, and tie your rack of pork, so you too, can have this stunning centrepiece on your Father’s Day table.

Recipe: Smoked Pork Crown Roast

11. Gochujang BBQ Ribs

Gochujang BBQ ribs

If you’re after something slightly different from traditional BBQ flavors, gochujang ribs couldn’t be more perfect.

They are sticky, sweet, spicy, and packed with umami. Serve with a nice cold beer.

Recipe: Gochujang BBQ Ribs

12. Smoked Rack of Lamb with Pistachio Crust

Well, these look a little fancy! But don’t you want to just grab one and tear into it?

These savory lamb cutlets have a nice, tender interior and a crumbly pistachio crumb on the outside. There’s lots of flavor in every bite. 

Let Dad exert his primal instinct. Serve him a platter of these little beauties so he can gnaw to his heart’s content.

Recipe: Smoked Rack of Lamb with Pistachio Crust

13. Grilled Lamb Chops with Mint Chimichurri

Another tempting handheld option.

These lamb chops are a little thicker than the ones from a rack, so we use the reverse sear method, as smoking and then searing will give the best result.

This recipe features a mint chimichurri. While not traditional, it does marry well with the lamb and puts a new spin on a classic condiment. 

Recipe: Grilled Lamb Chops with Mint Chimichurri

14. Smoked Orange and Herb Roast Chicken

If you’re unsure if Dad’s a leg or breast man, this roast chicken has you covered.

The cavity has been stuffed with an orange and a bunch of herbs. The outside has been covered generously with our SPG seasoning. Once in the smoker, it’s basted every thirty minutes to achieve a lovely crispy skin.

Another great option if you’re feeding a crowd, throw two chickens in the smoker.

Recipe: Smoked Orange and Herb Roast Chicken

15. Smoked Fried Wings with Honey Garlic Sauce

Get the best of both worlds with these extremely juicy, crispy-skinned wings.

First, we smoke them, then we fry them, and then we coat them in a sweet, spicy honey garlic sauce.

Get in there with your hands and serve with a pile of wet wipes on the side.

Recipe: Smoked Fried Wings with Honey Garlic Sauce

16. Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Chili Lime Butter

What could be better than lightly charred chicken and veg on a stick seasoned with fajita seasoning?

We’ve threaded chicken, our favorite veg, onto skewers and then grilled them until the chicken gets a nice char.

Recipe: Fajita Chicken Skewers

17. Easy Smoked Turkey Breast Texas Style

texas smoked turkey breast on wood chopping board

Keep it uncomplicated this Father’s Day with our easy smoked turkey breast.

A simple seasoning and mesquite wood smoke ensure you’ll have the most flavorful turkey breast.

Pair it with some of our Best BBQ sides, and don’t forget the BBQ sauce for the perfect celebration meal.

Recipe: Easy Smoked Turkey Breast Texas Style

18. White Fish Tacos with Pineapple Jalapeño Slaw

If Tex-Mex is the theme, these fish tacos should fit in nicely.

We’ve used cod, but any meaty, firm-textured fish would work. The slaw is a fruity, spicy combination of cabbage, roasted jalapeños, and pineapple with a fresh red wine vinaigrette.

Recipe: White Fish Tacos with Pineapple Jalapeño Slaw

19. Grilled Oysters with Savory Butter

Oysters feel like a celebration kind of food, so what better reason do you have than to serve them up on Dad’s Day with a glass of bubbles?

While many people prefer their oysters raw, this is a really nice cooked option: buttery oysters in the shell, with a hint of garlic and onion and a whiff of parmesan cheese.

Recipe: Grilled Oysters with Savory Butter

20. Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon

For the health-conscious Dad or for the Dad who loves seafood, this grilled salmon is a must.

These salmon fillets are fresh and zesty and pretty quick and easy to whip up. Serve them with grilled asparagus on the side and a chilled glass of buttery chardonnay.

Recipe: Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon

21. Smoked Crab Legs with Honey Garlic Butter

Get messy with these smoked crab legs.

Even if you can’t cook, you’ll be all good with these crab legs because they are typically boiled or steamed when you buy them. You’ll only need to heat them in your smoker, which adds a little extra flavor, and baste them with butter, garlic, and honey sauce.

Serve the remaining sauce on the side for dipping, and give Dad a break if he has butter dripping off his chin.

Recipe: Smoked Crab Legs with Honey Garlic Butter

Wrapping it up

Now that you’ve sorted out your Father’s Day menu, what about gifts? We’ve got a guide with a bunch of great Father’s Day gift ideas for dads who love to barbecue.

21 Father’s Day Grill Recipes

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Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation only. If you’re worried you could always add a side of kale.

Author: Joe Clements
Fired up the smoker or grill for this one?We would love to hear how it turned out! Drop a comment and rate this recipe.

About Your Pitmaster

Joe Clements is the founder and editor-in-chief of Smoked BBQ Source, a leading barbecue resource that has helped tens of millions master grilling and smoking. Growing up in a vegetarian household, his love for barbecue was unexpected. Determined to master the craft, he launched Smoked BBQ Source in 2016 to document his journey from amateur to pitmaster.

Joe leads a team of expert barbecue creators and oversees the largest collection of in-depth grill reviews and a library of tested, foolproof recipes. Whether he’s firing up a pellet grill or charcoal kettle, he’s passionate about making barbecue approachable and enjoyable for all.

See more posts by Joe

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