50 Cheap Recipes For Father’s Day

What’s the best way to celebrate your father, grandfather, husband or other special dad in your life on Father’s Day? By making something delicious that he’ll love! Here are 50 cheap recipes for Father’s Day.

When you think of foods dads love, what comes to mind?

Grilling, BBQ, meat, seafood, potatoes, appetizers, beer, and a good dessert – this is what I think of.

Obviously, every dad is going to like something different. But if you’re looking for something delicious to cook him for Father’s Day, you’ll find some great recipe inspiration here!

Since Father’s Day falls at the beginning of summer, these recipes are also ideal for all kinds of summer grill-outs and get-togethers.

Appetizer Recipes

Make him one homemade appetizer – or plan on preparing several of these on an appetizer buffet:

• Baked jalapeño poppers with bacon
• Dill pickle queso with tortilla chips
• Pulled pork nachos
• Crispy baked potato skins
• Chicken-fried potatoes
• Chislic (deep-fried seasoned beef bites)
• Cheeseburger sliders
• Homemade egg rolls
• Millionaire bacon
• Bourbon-sriracha chicken wings
• Deep-fried cheese curds

Main Courses For Father’s Day

Make him a nice lunch or dinner. Here are some cheap recipe ideas:

• Cajun rice and shrimp skillet
• Deep dish pizza
• Tortilla pizzas
• Slow cooker chicken drumsticks
• Slow cooker chicken marsala
• Sheet pan fajitas
• Nacho burgers
• Cheeseburger frachos
• Spicy sriracha noodles
• Loaded baked potatoes

Grilling

As any Father’s Day ad will show you, dads and grilling go hand in hand. Here are some cost-conscious grilling recipes that dad (and the whole fam) will probably enjoy:

• Grilled hamburgers: Serve with plenty of toppings and sauces like this all-purpose dipping sauce
• BBQ chicken kebabs
• Grilled pork chops
• Grilled brats
• Grilled vegetable and ring bologna kebabs
• Crispy grilled chicken drumsticks
• BBQ sweet corn
• Grilled sweet potato wedges
• Smoked barbacoa
• Grilled banana s’mores
• Set up a hot dog bar with lots of different toppings and sauces

Affordable Sides

These side dish recipes go well with grilled meats, seafood, and sandwiches.

• Potato salad
• Pasta salad
• Hawaiian macaroni salad
• Mexican street corn salad
• Mac and cheese
• Garlic mashed potatoes
• Baked beans (doctored up, using canned beans)
• Baked beans (homemade)

Breakfast On A Budget

Get up early and make a homemade breakfast for your dad. If that sounds too ambitious, you can find a recipe that can be prepped the night before.

• Cinnamon rolls
• Jiffy cornbread waffles
• Coconut pancakes with banana creme fraiche
• Eggs and sausage gravy (low-carb)
• Copycat Waffle House hash browns
• Cheesy breakfast potatoes
• Breakfast tacos

Cheap Desserts For All Skill Levels

Surprise your dad with a homemade dessert and he will not be disappointed. Here are some fun dessert recipes for a variety of skill levels:

• DIY s’mores bar
• 10-minute s’mores dip + graham crackers
• Beer ice cream floats
• Blueberry pie
• Whiskey brownies

How To Celebrate Father’s Day Without Spending Much Money

You truly don’t have to spend a lot of money to celebrate holidays like Father’s Day. Whether you choose to cook or not, here are some things to keep in mind if you want to save money:

1. Choose affordable recipes: Such as one of the 50+ listed above. If you don’t find a recipe you like, above, consider making something your dad will love that incorporates affordable grocery staples like eggs, frozen fruits or vegetables, ground beef or turkey, rice, pasta, bananas or in-season produce. These foods serve as the building blocks of all sorts of cheap recipes.
2. Do a free activity: Go for a walk, hike or bike ride; Watch his favorite movie on streaming; Go to a free museum; Do something else outdoors that he’ll enjoy
3. Make him a homemade card: This is a sweet idea for young kids who want to do something nice for their dads or grandfathers on Father’s Day
4. Lend a helping hand: Pitch in and help him with a project or chore such as gardening, yard work, dishes, cooking, cleaning, etc.

So here is your list of 50 cheap Father’s Day recipes for all skill levels. You don’t have to be a master cook to make him something great he’ll love to eat!