A Father’s Day cookout should feel like the easy part of the week, not a marathon over a hot grill. These are the backyard staples that earn their spot: big-flavor mains, sides that don’t quit, and a few sweet finishers to send everyone home happy. Pick a couple of showpieces, fill in with the easy stuff, and let the grill do most of the talking.
Contents
- 1) Smoked Beef Brisket
- 2) Baby Back Ribs
- 3) Pulled Pork
- 4) Classic Backyard Burgers
- 5) Grilled BBQ Chicken
- 6) Beer Can Chicken
- 7) Grilled Ribeye Steaks
- 8) Bratwurst and Sausages
- 9) Grilled Chicken Wings
- 10) Smoked Tri-Tip
- 11) Grilled Hot Dogs
- 12) Carne Asada
- 13) Grilled Shrimp
- 14) Cedar Plank Salmon
- 15) Grilled Chicken Kebabs
- 16) Smoked Turkey Legs
- 17) Grilled Steak Tips
- 18) Grilled Corn on the Cob
- 19) Smoked Mac and Cheese
- 20) Classic Coleslaw
- 21) Baked Beans
- 22) Grilled Potato Wedges
- 23) Watermelon Feta Salad
- 24) Grilled Asparagus
- 25) Loaded Potato Salad
- 26) Grilled Peppers and Onions
- 27) Cornbread
- 28) Pasta Salad
- 29) Grilled Pineapple
- 30) Grilled Peaches
- 31) S’mores
1) Smoked Beef Brisket
Brisket is the ultimate flex of the BBQ world: low, slow, and absolutely worth the patience. Rub it with salt and pepper, smoke it for hours until it’s tender enough to pull apart, then let it rest before slicing against the grain. It’s a project, sure, but it’s the kind dad will brag about for weeks. Slice it thick and watch it vanish.
2) Baby Back Ribs
Ribs are practically required at a Father’s Day cookout, and they’re easier than they look. Rub them with spices, cook low and slow until the meat pulls back from the bone, then glaze and finish over direct heat for a sticky crust. The goal is tender, not falling-apart mush, so keep an eye on them near the end. Stack them up and hand out the napkins.
3) Pulled Pork
Pulled pork is the workhorse of any big cookout: make a lot, feed everyone, win the day. Season a pork shoulder, smoke or roast it low and slow until it shreds easily, then toss with a splash of sauce. Pile it on buns with slaw or serve it straight for the low-carb crowd. It holds well, so it’s perfect when guests show up at their own pace.
4) Classic Backyard Burgers
You can’t have a cookout without burgers, and there’s no need to overthink them. Form loose patties, season generously, and grill over high heat for that char, melting cheese on at the end. Toast the buns on the grill while you’re at it—it’s a small move with a big payoff. Set out the toppings and let everyone build their own.
5) Grilled BBQ Chicken
BBQ chicken is a cookout classic, but the trick is sauce timing. Grill the chicken most of the way first, then brush on sauce in the last few minutes so it caramelizes instead of burning. Thighs and drumsticks stay juicier than breasts and are easy to grab and eat. It’s affordable, crowd-friendly, and basically foolproof once you nail the timing.
6) Beer Can Chicken
Beer can chicken is a fun, hands-off way to get juicy meat and crispy skin off the grill. Prop a seasoned bird upright over a can so it steams from the inside while it roasts. It looks impressive and frees you up to flip burgers or just stand around looking like a grill master. Carve it up and it feeds a crew without much effort.
7) Grilled Ribeye Steaks
If dad’s a steak guy, a few ribeyes on the grill is the move. Salt them well, let them come to room temp, and sear hot for that crusty exterior and juicy center. Rest them before slicing so the juices stay where they belong. A little flaky salt and garlic butter at the end takes them over the top.
8) Bratwurst and Sausages
Brats and sausages are the easy MVP of any grill setup—minimal prep, maximum payoff. Grill them over medium heat so they cook through without splitting, and simmer them in beer and onions first if you want them extra juicy. Serve on buns with mustard, kraut, or grilled peppers. They’re the kind of thing that keeps people fed while the bigger stuff finishes.
9) Grilled Chicken Wings
Wings on the grill get crispy skin without the deep fryer mess. Toss them in a little oil and seasoning, grill over medium heat until crispy, then sauce them at the very end. Set out a few sauces—buffalo, BBQ, garlic parmesan—so everyone finds a favorite. They’re great for grazing while the main events cook.
10) Smoked Tri-Tip
Tri-tip is a west-coast favorite that’s leaner than brisket but still packed with beefy flavor. Rub it, smoke or grill it to a nice medium-rare, then slice thin against the grain. It cooks faster than brisket, so it’s a great option if you want that smoky payoff without the all-day commitment. Pile the slices on a board and let people help themselves.
11) Grilled Hot Dogs
Hot dogs aren’t fancy, but a cookout without them feels incomplete. Grill them until they’ve got a little char and snap, and toast the buns while you’re there. Set out a topping bar—chili, cheese, onions, relish—and suddenly the humble dog feels like a build-your-own treat. They’re cheap, fast, and a guaranteed hit with the kids.
12) Carne Asada
Carne asada brings bold flavor and turns the grill into the center of the party. Marinate skirt or flank steak in lime, garlic, and spices, then grill hot and slice thin against the grain. Set out tortillas, onions, cilantro, and salsa for tacos, or serve it over rice for bowls. It’s smoky, citrusy, and exactly the kind of thing dad will go back for.
13) Grilled Shrimp
Shrimp cook in just a couple minutes, making skewers a quick win between the heavier proteins. Toss peeled shrimp with garlic, oil, and a little chili, thread them up, and grill just until pink. A squeeze of lemon at the end keeps them bright. They’re a lighter option that feels a little special on a meaty spread.
14) Cedar Plank Salmon
For a lighter main that still gets that smoky treatment, cedar plank salmon is hard to beat. Soak the plank, season the fish with lemon and herbs, and let it cook gently on the grill. The wood adds subtle smoke and keeps the salmon from sticking. It’s a nice balance for the crowd that wants something off the grill that isn’t red meat.
15) Grilled Chicken Kebabs
Kebabs are colorful, fun, and let you sneak veggies onto the grill alongside the protein. Thread marinated chicken with peppers, onions, and zucchini so everything cooks together. Grill until the chicken’s done and the veggies are charred at the edges. Serve with rice or a yogurt dip and you’ve got a balanced plate on a stick.
16) Smoked Turkey Legs
Smoked turkey legs bring big state-fair energy to the backyard. Brine or rub them, then smoke low and slow until the meat is tender and the skin is bronzed. They’re huge, dramatic, and basically built for dads who like a little spectacle with dinner. Hand one over and watch the grin show up.
17) Grilled Steak Tips
Steak tips are a marinated, bite-sized take on grilling that’s easy to share. Soak them in a savory marinade, then grill hot and fast so they char outside and stay juicy inside. They cook quickly and don’t require carving, which makes serving simple. Pile them on a platter and let people grab a few at a time.
18) Grilled Corn on the Cob
Corn on the grill is summer in one bite, and it barely takes any effort. Grill it until you get those charred freckles, then hit it with butter, lime, and a little chili powder. You can leave the husks on for steaming or pull them back for more char. It’s a cheap, easy side that always disappears first.
19) Smoked Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese gets a serious glow-up when it spends time in the smoker. Make a creamy cheese sauce, fold in cooked pasta, then smoke it until the top sets and picks up that smoky edge. It’s rich, comforting, and exactly the kind of indulgent side a cookout calls for. Make a big pan—this one goes fast.
20) Classic Coleslaw
Coleslaw is the crunchy, cooling counterpoint to all that smoky meat. Toss shredded cabbage and carrots in a tangy dressing and let it chill so the flavors meld. It does double duty as a side and a burger or pulled-pork topping. Keep it on the lighter side with a vinegar-forward dressing if the rest of the spread is heavy.
21) Baked Beans
Baked beans are a cookout staple that pairs with basically everything off the grill. Simmer them with onions, a little mustard, and just enough sweetness to balance the smoke. Lean on spices instead of a ton of sugar and they stay flavorful without being cloying. They’re hearty, familiar, and make great leftovers.
22) Grilled Potato Wedges
Potato wedges on the grill get crispy edges and a little smoky flavor you can’t fake in the oven. Parboil them first so the insides go fluffy, then toss with oil and seasoning and grill until golden. Serve with a yogurt-based dip and they’re a crowd favorite. They’re a nice change of pace from the usual chips.
23) Watermelon Feta Salad
This is the cooldown move on a hot Father’s Day: juicy watermelon, salty feta, and fresh mint. A splash of lime or balsamic ties it together, but it’s strong as-is. Serve it ice-cold and even the skeptics will quietly come back for more. It’s refreshing, light, and a nice break from all the rich stuff.
24) Grilled Asparagus
Asparagus cooks fast, so it’s perfect for tossing on while the mains rest. A little oil, salt, and high heat gives you tender spears with charred tips. Finish with lemon and a little parmesan to make it feel like more effort than it was. Keep the spears bundled so they don’t slip through the grates.
25) Loaded Potato Salad
Potato salad is a cookout requirement, and loading it up makes it a star. Fold tender potatoes with a tangy dressing, then add bacon, scallions, and a little cheddar. Use Greek yogurt in place of some of the mayo to lighten it without losing the creaminess. Make it ahead so it’s chilled and ready when the meat comes off.
26) Grilled Peppers and Onions
This is the makes-everything-better side—pile it on burgers, brats, tacos, or eat it straight. The grill brings out the natural sweetness and adds a little char. Cook a big batch because the leftovers are great on eggs or sandwiches the next day. It’s an easy way to get more veggies onto a meat-heavy table.
27) Cornbread
Cornbread is the cozy, slightly sweet side that rounds out a plate of smoky BBQ. Bake it until golden with a crisp edge and a tender middle, and brush a little honey butter on top if you’re feeling generous. It’s great for soaking up extra sauce and bean juice. Cut it into squares and it’ll go faster than you expect.
28) Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is the make-ahead side that feeds a crowd and travels well. Toss cooked pasta with crunchy veggies and a light vinaigrette so it stays bright instead of heavy. Whole-grain pasta adds a little more staying power if you want it. It holds up in the fridge, so it’s a smart one to knock out the night before.
29) Grilled Pineapple
Grilling pineapple turns it into a caramelized, dessert-adjacent treat without much added sugar. A little cinnamon is all it needs, and the char brings out the sweetness. Serve it on its own or with a scoop of vanilla for an easy finish. It also plays nice next to the savory stuff if you want it earlier in the meal.
30) Grilled Peaches
Peaches get soft and jammy on the grill, and they’re almost impossible to mess up. Halve them, grill cut-side down until caramelized, then top with a scoop of Greek yogurt or ice cream. It’s a simple dessert that feels a little fancy for almost no effort. Perfect for ending a cookout on a sweet, light note.
31) S’mores
No cookout finishes better than s’mores, and they turn dessert into an activity. Set out graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows and let everyone roast their own over the grill or a fire pit. It’s interactive, nostalgic, and a guaranteed hit with kids and dads alike. Keep extra marshmallows handy—there are always seconds.
