50 Dad-Approved Recipes (Just In Time for Father’s Day)

Favorite Barbecued Chicken

What better place to find a fantastic barbecue chicken than Texas, and that’s where this one is from—it’s my father-in-law’s own recipe. We’ve served it at many family reunions and think it’s the best! —Bobbie Morgan, Woodstock, Georgia

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Oat & Coconut Icebox Cookies

This recipe was passed down through my family from Grandma Irene and is a favorite of my dad and cousin Dennis. It's a true cookie lover's cookie: crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside and perfectly dunkable. —Lori Rowe, Tigerton, Wisconsin

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Teriyaki Beef Roast

My father and I created this pot roast with a hint of Japanese flair. It will make your taste buds dance! try this for family or company. —Mary Flurkey, Golden, Colorado

You can’t go wrong with beef roast. Find more Father’s Day dinner ideas.

Hummingbird Cake

This impressive hummingbird cake is my dad’s favorite, so I always make it for his birthday. It makes a memorable dessert for any celebration and is lovely with a summer meal. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey

Sweet and Hot Chicken with Dill Pickle Sauce

This is my low-carb version of Nashville hot chicken. We try to cut carbs as much as possible, so the fried breaded version and the sandwich version of this dish were out. Instead, I make a baked rendition with the same delicious flavors. This is also amazing made with chicken tenders and served in wraps. —Fay A. Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas

Apple Kolaches

A fellow home cook shared this recipe for a sweet, fruit-filled pastry. My son, who isn’t a dessert fan, was disappointed when he came home to find his dad had polished off the last kolache in the batch. —Ann Johnson, Evansville, Indiana

The Best Chili

My dad and father-in-law are the gurus in our chili-loving clan. But after my honeymoon to New Mexico, where I was inspired by the fresh and fragrant chile peppers at the Santa Fe farmers market, I felt it was time to introduce them to my spicy, meaty version with a touch of masa harina, dubbed the best chili recipe. —Sarah Farmer, Taste of Home Culinary Director

Grilled Herb Potatoes

Every year my father and I plant a garden together. After an especially great growing season, we had plenty of produce to eat! We like to use fresh herbs from our garden but dry is just as tasty in this dish. —Bernadette Bennett, Waco, Texas

Peaches & Cream Jelly Roll

Cake rolls make a lovely presentation for a party, and they are simple to cut into even slices. My father taught me how to make them, and sometimes we get together and make them for family and friends. —Malena Coleman, Rockville, Indiana

Slow-Cooker Memphis-Style Ribs

After my dad and I had dinner at the legendary Rendezvous Restaurant in Memphis, I was inspired to create a slow-cooked version of tasty dry-rub Memphis ribs. Smoked paprika in the rub mimics the flavor that the ribs would get from being grilled over hot coals. —Matthew Hass, Ellison Bay, Wisconsin

Cherry Chocolate Chunk Cookies

These rich, fudgy cookies are chewy and studded with tangy dried cherries. It’s a good thing the recipe makes only a small batch, because we eat them all in one night! —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

Dad’s Cola Burgers

Before you hand out the drinks, save a little soda to make these delectable burgers. Cola—used in the meat mixture and brushed on during cooking—really sparks the flavor and takes this favorite to a whole new level. —Emily Nelson, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Thyme & Basil Roast Pork

Dad’s favorite roast pork was rubbed with cinnamon, thyme, basil and lemon. He loved thick slices and wanted only a salad to finish off the meal. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario

Caramel Apple Strudel

My father, who was born and raised in Vienna, Austria, would tell us stories about how his mother covered all the kitchen counters with dough whenever she made apple strudel. This recipe is a modern, delicious way to carry on part of my family's heritage. —Sarah Haengel, Bowie, Maryland

Scalloped Corn

This comforting casserole features sunny corn kernels tucked into a creamy custard. My mom got this recipe and many other excellent ones from her mother. By the time this crowd-pleasing corn dish left the table, my father, sister, brothers and I would have almost scraped it clean. —Sandy Jenkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin

Buffalo Chicken Sliders

I got the idea for these Buffalo chicken sliders from my mom and dad, who'd made a similar version for a family get-together. It's a versatile recipe, and I sometimes use several different styles of Buffalo sauce and let guests mix and match their favorites. —Christina Addison, Blanchester, Ohio

Smoked Pork Butt

Low and slow is the best way to go when cooking pork butt, and it happens perfectly in a smoker. This has very little hands-on time, but you will need to plan for a long cook time. The fantastic thing is the meat freezes very well so you can make it ahead of time and have it ready to go. —James Schend, Pleasane Prairie, Wisconsin

Bourbon Barbecue Chicken Tacos

I wanted to try a different take on taco night and decided on a barbecue theme. Even my father enjoyed this meal, and he doesn’t usually care for tacos. —LaDale Hymer, Cleveland, Oklahoma

Pumpkin Ice Cream Sandwiches

My grandfather loves these pumpkin-flavored treats. They remind him of a cookie his mother made. They’re fun to eat no matter what your age. —Amber Wahl, Acampo, California

Greek Salad

The heart of a Greek salad recipe is in the olives, feta, cucumbers and tomatoes. Dress it with olive oil and vinegar, then add more olives and cheese. —Arge Salvatori, Little Ferry, New Jersey

Meatball Sliders

These meatball sliders are a fun way to serve meatballs at your party without using a slow cooker. Made on mini Hawaiian rolls, they have a hint of sweetness to balance out all the wonderful Italian seasonings. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Lady Baltimore Cake

I first made this cake for my fathers' birthday and now it is the only cake that he requests. This cake has complex flavors and is very unique. —Cleo Gonske, Redding, California

Rosemary Lamb Chops

My father loves lamb, so I make this rosemary lamb chop recipe whenever he visits. It's the perfect main course for holidays or get-togethers. —Kristina Mitchell, Clearwater, Florida

Icebox Cookies

This cookie recipe from my 91-year-old grandmother was my grandfather's favorite. She still makes them and sends us home with the dough so that we can make more whenever we want, I love to make a fresh batch when company drops in. —Chris Paulsen, Glendale, Arizona

Beef Short Ribs in Burgundy Sauce

As an Army general, my stepdad got this beef short ribs recipe from his aide, who said it was his mother's best Sunday meal. It’s a mouthwatering family favorite. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida

Dad's Creamed Peas & Pearl Onions

While I was growing up, it was our family tradition to make creamed peas with pearl onions for every Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. My dad was not a happy camper if he didn't see this dish on the table. It was his favorite! I made it for my own family while our kids were growing up, and now my daughter makes this dish for her family. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Smash Burgers

A Smash burger is exactly what you think it is; balls of ground beef smashed onto a hot griddle. You’ll want to smash them pretty thin so they cook quickly, but it also gets you those crispy, browned edges while still keeping the interior nice and juicy. Now is not the time to cut calories or skimp on salt: Go for ground chuck that is at least 80/20. If you can find a blend with ground brisket or short rib, all the better. The best burger comes with being liberal with kosher salt—it is beef’s best friend. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin

Big John’s Chili-Rubbed Ribs

When my family thinks of summer grilling, it’s ribs all the way. Our Asian-inspired recipe is a welcome change from the usual barbecue-sauce versions. —Ginger Sullivan, Cutler Bay, Florida

Bourbon and Cornflakes Ice Cream

Humphry Slocombe, a small San Francisco chain, serves scoops of Secret Breakfast—a rich and boozy vanilla-based ice cream. Even (and especially) if the shop isn’t in your corner of the country, consider giving the recipe a try! —Andrea Potischman, Menlo Park, California

Chorizo & Grits Breakfast Bowls

While growing up, I bonded with my dad over chorizo and eggs. My fresh approach combines them with grits and black beans for this chorizo breakfast bowl. You can even add a spoonful of pico de gallo. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California

Grandpa's Cookies

My grandpa, a widower, raised his three sons on his own and did all the cooking and lots of baking. I can still picture him making these tasty cookies. —Karen Baker, Dover, Ohio

Dad's Famous Stuffies

The third of July is almost as important as July Fourth in my family. We make these stuffed clams on the third every year, and it's an event in and of itself! —Karen Barros, Bristol, Rhode Island

Toffee Apple Cinnamon Buns

This recipe was my dad’s favorite growing up. He would sit and watch his mom sprinkle the dough with sweet filling, carefully roll it up and cut it into rounds. The anticipation waiting for them to come out of the oven was almost more than he could bear. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota

Buffalo Chicken Crunch Wraps

My daughter-in-law loves Buffalo chicken, so I came up with this easy-to-make crunch wrap using all the same flavors and grilled it in a panini press. In less than 30 minutes, you’ll have a hot, crunchy pocket of spicy, cheesy chicken ready for a quick weeknight dinner or weekend lunch. The wraps are fantastic served with extra blue cheese dressing or sour cream for dipping. We also enjoy them served with fresh veggies, like shredded lettuce or sliced cucumbers. —Theresa Ravencraft, Marysville, Ohio

Tater Taco Casserole

Our family lives and works on a ranch. I like to fix this nicely seasoned taco Tater Tot casserole ahead of time and freeze it for later use. It’s good with a tossed salad or nacho chips and dip. —Ronna Lewis, Plains, Kansas

Banana Bars with Orange Frosting

I’ve been making these banana bars with orange frosting for years. They’re always a hit at family get-togethers and parties. The secret to tasty banana desserts is the ripeness of the bananas. The riper, the better. —Mary Sturgis, Hingham, Massachusetts

BBQ Meat Loaf Minis

Kids can have fun helping to prepare these mini meat loaves in muffin cups. For extra spice, we sometimes add 2 teaspoons chili powder and 1 cup of salsa. —Linda Call, Falun, Kansas

Glazed Spatchcocked Chicken

A few pantry items, such as mustard and preserves, inspired this recipe. And since then it has been the successful centerpiece for both small weeknight meals and big parties. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin

Bread Pudding with Nutmeg

I always make this bread pudding recipe for my dad on his birthday and on holidays. He says it tastes exactly like the bread pudding with nutmeg he enjoyed as a child. —Donna Powell, Montgomery City, Missouri

Lemon Chiffon Cake

This moist, airy lemon chiffon cake was my dad's favorite. Mom revamped the original recipe to include lemons. I'm not much of a baker, but whenever I make this dessert my family is thrilled! —Trisha Kammers, Clarkston, Washington

Dad's Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes

My dad makes blueberry pancakes for us every Saturday without fail. The combination of oats, cornmeal and buttermilk in the batter gives the pancakes heartiness we can't resist. —Gabrielle Short, Pleasant Hill, Iowa

Chocolate Pizza

“People who love chocolate will enjoy this delightfully sweet confection,” says Janet Smith of Sunnyvale, California.

Swedish Doughnuts

One day, my father got a hankering for doughnuts and asked me to make him some. I ended up trying these. Dad—and everyone else—loved the results. They come out so golden and plump. —Lisa Bates, Dunham, Quebec

Chardonnay Pork Chops

I began perfecting these juicy chops when I moved to another state and missed my step-dad's best pork recipe. His dish inspired my version with wine sauce. —Joleen Thompson, Farmington, Minnesota

Contest-Winning Chocolate Mint Cookies

My dad sandwiches mint patties between two tender chocolate cookies to create these chewy treats. The blend of chocolate and mint is a big hit at our house. Best of all, these cookies are easy and fun to make. —Christina Burbage, Spartanburg, South Carolina

Peanut Pretzel Toffee Bark

My toffee has been a traditional must-make treat for my family and friends for over 40 years. My Dad taught me to make great fudge from scratch but my toffee was his favorite candy and each time I make it, I think of him. —Barbara Estabrook, Rhinelander, Wisconsin

Eggs & Chorizo Wraps

My husband grew up in Southern California and loves chorizo. We use the spicy sausage in these chorizo and egg wraps that our children call Daddy's Eggs.—April Nissen, Yankton, South Dakota

Cherry Chocolate Chunk Cookies

These rich, fudgy cookies are chewy and studded with tangy dried cherries. It’s a good thing the recipe makes only a small batch, because we eat them all in one night! —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

Grilled Onion & Skirt Steak Tacos

My grandparents came from Mexico, and I grew up watching my grandmother and mother in the kitchen. This steak marinated in beer and lime juice honors their passion for cooking. —Adan Franco, Milwaukee, Wisconsin