In this roundup, you’ll find everything from the best grill recipes and dinner ideas to sweet treats to celebrate with Dad this Father’s Day! Yes, we even included the famous Franklin BBQ baby back ribs and restaurant-quality ramen recipes for you to choose from.
Looking ahead to Father’s Day, we know that the dads in our lives deserve our equal appreciation. The occasion presents us with the perfect opportunity to show him our love and to tell him how much we care.
To help you find the best ways to celebrate, we’ve put together our best Father’s Day recipes that will make his day. On the menu: fall-apart smoked ribs, savory wings, better-than-restaurant ramen, potato salad, and easy fruit cake to choose from. Whatever you decide to make, we promise he’ll be impressed!
Appetizers
Chicken Karaage
These bite-size fried chicken are exceptionally flavorful, juicy, and ultra-crispy, making them a winning recipe for a special occasion like this.
Fresh Spring Rolls with Yakiniku
For lighter fare, make these fresh spring rolls filled with juicy Japanese BBQ meat and crunchy vegetables. They are incredibly refreshing and packed with flavors, and Dad will love them!
Spicy Edamame with Garlicky Miso Sauce
If your dad is big on snacks and loves spicy food, you can never go wrong with this fiery edamame sautéed with chili paste, garlic, and miso. They are so good with beer—perfect for your BBQ party!
Agedashi Tofu
Kick off the Father’s Day festivities with crispy, deep-fried tofu served in a flavorful umami sauce. Deep-frying is required, but the process is easier than you think.
Sake Steamed Clams
Japanese sake-steamed clams made in 10 minutes with just 5 ingredients! A favorite of izakaya, this seafood fare exudes a fun casual vibe when enjoyed with chilled beer. Expect minimal fuss and maximum flavors!
Salads
Japanese Potato Salad
Got a dad who loves his potatoes? This Japanese potato salad will be his ultimate comfort food.
Salad with Japanese Sesame Dressing
Make a big bowl of simple salad and pair it with this creamy, nutty, and versatile Japanese Sesame Dressing. Any leftovers can be used as a dipping sauce for your grilled vegetables!
A Million-Dollar Japanese Onion Dressing
Savory, sweet, zingy, and packed with amazing flavors, this onion dressing will get the non-salad-eater dads to change their minds. Use the dressing on a simple salad, and make more for your grilled meat dishes or seafood!
Mains
Traeger Baby Back Ribs Inspired by Franklin BBQ
Inspired by the famous Franklin BBQ joint in Austin, Texas, these smoked baby back ribs are rubbed with a simple dry mix, smoked until fall-apart tender, then basted with a sensational BBQ sauce. Once your dad tries it, he would probably request it for every Father’s Day.
Teba Shio (Salted Chicken Wings)
With only three ingredients, these Japanese salted chicken wings (teba shio) are oven-broiled until juicy and crisp golden perfection. They are so good and unbelievably easy to make.
Yakitori (Japanese Grilled Chicken and Scallion Skewers)
These bite-sized chicken and scallion skewers are hard to resist! It’s great for grilling outdoors or under the broiler. Serve them with a spread of finger foods like pickled cucumbersgrilled shishito peppers, edamame, or temaki hand-roll sushi. Of course, cold beer like Sapporo or sake would make the celebration even more memorable.
Instant Pot Sticky Asian Ribs
Do you prefer something fuss-free that can be prepped ahead? You will have to make these Instant Pot Sticky Asian Ribs. Slathered with caramelized glaze, they’d be fall-off-the-bone deliciousness in less than 90 minutes! Once you get the ribs inside the cooker, it’s pretty hands-free, so you can focus on having a good conversation or just lounging with Dad.
Bulgogi (Korean Grilled Beef)
This classic dish is easily every dad’s favorite! You can make it on a BBQ grill or stovetop griddle. Serve the caramelized meat alongside steamed rice and kimchi, and you’ll have the best meal together!
Japanese Hamburger Steak
Served with a red wine reduction sauce, this Japanese Hamburger Steak (Hambagu) is big on flavors. The meat is juicy and melts in your mouth. It‘s perfect to make in a hot frying pan either in the kitchen or on the grill!
Grilled Kurobuta Pork Chops with Miso Sauce
Juicy, moist, and perfectly grilled, these Kurobuta pork chops with miso sauce are out of this world. The miso sauce is lightly infused with a secret ingredient for a spicy, citrusy kick. When served with steamed rice, you’d get the most flavorful pork chops for Father’s Day dinner.
Teppanyaki
If you don’t have outdoor grills, take it inside and throw a Teppanyaki (鉄板焼き) party for Dad. This method works with thinly sliced meat, seafood, and plenty of fresh vegetables. It’s a fun and enjoyable way to bring the family together on this occasion.
Instant Pot Honey Spare Ribs
If homey food is what your dad prefers, then I’d recommend these honey spare ribs. The ribs are literally fall-off-the-bone tender and so easy to make with your pressure cooker.
Better-than-Restaurants Authentic Ramen
You’ll earn Dad’s biggest approval by making him a hot bowl of ramen from scratch! From miso ramen to tantanmen to shoyu ramen, there are plenty of recipes to choose from.
Temaki (Hand Roll Sushi)
Prefer not to spend too much on the grill or stove? Then have a Temaki Sushi party! The only thing you need to cook is the sushi rice; the rest of the ingredients involve cutting and can be done in advance. Everyone in the family will have fun rolling the nori sheets around sushi rice and their favorite fillings!
Desserts
Basque Burnt Cheesecake
Creamy on the inside and caramelized on the outside, this Basque Burnt Cheesecake is easier than it looks to make at home. Baked at a high temperature, the cheesecake’s iconic rich dark top is a showstopper!
Matcha Ice Cream
Earthy, sweet Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream is the perfect treat on a hot day, and all you need are 4 simple ingredients! This homemade recipe will bring the authentic flavors of Japan right to the celebration.
Easy Fruit Cake
Need a dessert that is fast to make and requires only simple pantry ingredients? Then this fruit cake will do the job. You can use plums, peaches, apricots, figs, and berries to enjoy this cake all-year round.
Coffee Jelly
This chilled jelly has just 4 ingredients. Top it with fresh whipped cream and sweetened condensed milk for a touch of silky richness.
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