Jun 11, 2025
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20 Make-Ahead Father’s Day Dinners for a Relaxed Celebration

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1

Chili Dogs

make ahead fathers day dinner ideas chili dogs
Stacy Allen

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.

SHOP SKILLETS

2

Dr Pepper BBQ Chicken

make ahead fathers day dinner ideas dr pepper bbq chicken
C.W. Newell

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.

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3

Cheeseburger Bowls

make ahead fathers day dinner ideas cheeseburger bowls
C.W. Newell

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.

4

Bow Tie Pasta Salad

make ahead fathers day dinner ideas bow tie pasta salad
Will Dickey

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.

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5

Grilled Veggie Skewers

make ahead fathers day dinner ideas grilled veggie skewers
C.W. Newell

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.

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6

Braised Beef Brisket

make ahead fathers day dinner ideas braised beef brisket
Ralph Smith

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.

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7

Southern Potato Salad

make ahead fathers day dinner ideas southern potato salad
Will Dickey

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.

8

Broccoli Slaw

make ahead fathers day dinner ideas broccoli slaw
Caitlin Bensel

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.

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9

Cowboy Casserole

make ahead fathers day dinner ideas cowboy casserole
Hector Manuel Sanchez

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.

10

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

make ahead fathers day dinner ideas slow cooker bbq chicken
Will Dickey

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.

SHOP SLOW COOKERS

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11

Veggie Fajitas

make ahead fathers day dinner ideas veggie fajitas
C.W. Newell

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.

12

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

make ahead fathers day dinner ideas dill pickle pasta salad
Caitlin Bensel

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.

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13

Beef Kebab Marinade

make ahead fathers day dinner ideas beef kebab marinade
Caitlin Bensel

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.

14

Cowboy Beans

make ahead fathers day dinner ideas cowboy beans
Caitlin Bensel

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.

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15

Ranch Slaw

make ahead fathers day dinner ideas ranch slaw
David Malosh

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.

SHOP SERVING BOWLS

16

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

make ahead fathers day dinner ideas slow cooker chicken tacos
Stacy Allen

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.

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17

Freezer Door Margaritas

make ahead fathers day dinner ideas freezer door margaritas
C.W. Newell

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.

18

Shrimp Salad Rolls

make ahead fathers day dinner ideas shrimp salad rolls
Antonis Achilleos

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.

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19

BLT Pasta Salad

make ahead fathers day dinner ideas blt pasta salad
Will Dickey

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.

20

Cowboy Caviar

make ahead fathers day dinner ideas cowboy caviar
Caitlin Bensel

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.

SHOP MIXING BOWLS

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