Dad’s Favorites: 30 Dad-Approved Recipes

Ready to make Dad the happiest guy at the table? These meaty, hearty recipes are guaranteed to be a hit! Start with a classic Caesar cocktail, fire up the smoker for some incredible brisket, and maybe even throw in some jerk shrimp for good measure! Whether it’s Father’s Day, a backyard BBQ, or just a Tuesday night, these dad-approved recipes are sure to earn you a big ol’ hug from Dad (and everyone else!).

Smoked Brisket Sandwich

Enjoy a hearty smoked brisket sandwich with homemade pickled red onions and other toppings for a special dinner. Learn how to make this amazing treat that pairs well with various side dishes.
Recipe here: Smoked Brisket Sandwich

Beef Stewed with Mushrooms, Red Wine and Bacon

Boeuf bourguignon is one of the best French recipes with beef. This flavourful beef recipe combines the meat with red wine and herbs for an exquisite dish. This dish is sometimes called beef burgundy, because the traditional wine used is from France’s Burgundy region.
Get the Recipe: Beef Stewed with Mushrooms, Red Wine and Bacon

Smoked Tomahawk Steaks

Indulge in a rich and meaty smoked tomahawk steak, perfect for any special occasion and sure to satisfy any beef lover’s cravings. This reverse-seared cowboy steak recipe is easy to make with just a bone-in ribeye steak, seasonings, and your smoker.
Recipe here: Smoked Tomahawk Steaks

Smoked Cuban Mojo Pulled Pork

Make perfect Cuban roast pork with this smoked Cuban mojo pulled pork recipe. This dish is perfect for cooking on a Traeger grill or pellet smoker, featuring exciting flavours like garlic, lime, sherry, oregano, and marjoram.
Recipe here: Smoked Cuban Mojo Pulled Pork

Butter Tarts

Indulge in a Canadian classic with homemade butter tarts. With a sweet, vanilla-scented filling and flaky pastry shell filled with nuts and raisins, this recipe is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Get the Recipe: Butter Tarts

Italian Rice Salad – Insalata di Riso

This colourful, flavourful Italian rice salad is perfect for a picnic, potluck, summer BBQ, or as a versatile side dish for a simple lunch or dinner. Every mouthful of this Mediterranean brown rice salad is bursting with fresh ingredients such as tasty salad vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Italian Rice Salad – Insalata di Riso

Grilled Italian Sausage Sandwiches

tasty, filling lunch or dinner meal these Grilled Italian Sausage Sandwiches are a family hit, require minimal ingredients, and are super easy to whip up.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Italian Sausage Sandwiches

Herb Marinated Grilled Pork Chop Recipe

This Herb Marinated Grilled Pork Chop Recipe is a moist and delicious marinade for pork (and chicken!) consisting of herbs, honey and whole grain mustard.
Get the Recipe: Herb Marinated Grilled Pork Chop Recipe

Turkey Burger

Juicy turkey burger piled with caramelized onions, melted brie cheese, tangy sun-dried tomato mayo, crisp bacon, and peppery arugula make for the BEST turkey burger I’ve ever had. Sandwich it all between a pretzel bun, and prepare for the best turkey burger of your life
Get the Recipe: Turkey Burger

Sous Vide Cajun Turkey Breast

This Sous Vide Cajun Turkey Breast is hands down the juiciest turkey breast you will ever make! The turkey breast is coated in cajun spices, butter, and fresh herbs, then cooked with the precision cooker until moist and flavorful. It is perfect for slicing thin for sandwiches, or thick for your holiday main course!
Get the Recipe: Sous Vide Cajun Turkey Breast

Bacon Jalapeño Cheese Pigs in a Blanket

These air fryer bacon jalapeño cheese pigs in a blanket are a quick and delicious finger food or appetizer, made with Pillsbury pizza dough, bratwurst, cheese, and jalapeños. They’re perfect for game day or entertaining guests.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Jalapeño Cheese Pigs in a Blanket

One Pot Chicken and Rice

For a quick and easy weeknight dinner, consider this baked chicken and rice casserole with Brussels sprouts and bacon, a hearty and filling one pot meal that’s sure to please the whole family. Perfect for cooler months, this tasty recipe is a great way to use simple ingredients like chicken and rice in a flavorful way.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Chicken and Rice

Confetti Squares

These peanut butter butterscotch confetti squares are the perfect no bake treat for any occasion. With colorful mini marshmallows and butterscotch chips, they’re sure to be a hit at your next party or potluck! This Canadian classic bar is always a favorite.
Get the Recipe: Confetti Squares

Smoked Brats in Beer

Indulge in a delicious meal by smoking bratwurst in beer using your Traeger grill or pellet smoker and serving it alongside your favorite sides, mustard, and buns. With just six ingredients needed, this brats-on-smoker recipe is easy to make and perfect for any occasion!
Recipe here: Smoked Brats in Beer

Italian Beef

You won’t be able to resist making slow cooker Italian beef again and again once you try it. This hearty and filling dish is perfect on toasted rolls or hoagie buns and the slow cooked beef is incredibly tender and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Italian Beef

Bloody Mary Deviled Eggs

Loaded deviled eggs such as these Bloody Mary eggs are always a welcome part of the BBQ, cookout, or picnic table. They’re also a handy snack at any time since you can make these unique gourmet deviled eggs ahead.
Get the Recipe: Bloody Mary Deviled Eggs

Loaded Poutine

Indulge in Canada’s most beloved dish, the delicious poutine, perfect for satisfying any comfort food cravings. Smothered with cheese curds, bacon, and gravy, this tasty dish is a must-try for fry lovers.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Poutine

Homemade Beaver Tail

Indulge in a classic Canadian dessert with this delicious beaver tail recipe, perfect for any occasion from movie nights to Canada Day parties. These mini donut-like treats, shaped like a beaver’s tail and coated in cinnamon sugar, are a must-try for anyone looking to experience the flavors of Canada.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Beaver Tail

Chicken Braised in Red Wine

This dish features braised chicken in red wine with vegetables and fresh herbs. Paired with creamy mashed potatoes, this slow-braised chicken is always a crowd-pleaser and perfect for a delicious dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Braised in Red Wine

Italian Tuna White Bean Salad

Simple ingredients combine to make this Tuscan classic. Juicy fresh tuna pairs with beans for a Tuscan tuna white bean salad everyone will enjoy. It makes a tasty meal, whatever the season.
Get the Recipe: Italian Tuna White Bean Salad

Honey Garlic BBQ Smoked Pulled Chicken

This honey garlic BBQ smoked pulled chicken recipe is perfect for outdoor cooking and features a garlicky pickle brine, sweet mustard, chili, garlic/onion rub, and a honey garlic sauce. Smoked to perfection, it’s a must-try dish!
Recipe here: Honey Garlic BBQ Smoked Pulled Chicken

Stovetop Dutch Oven Beef Stew Without Wine

Making my hearty beef stew recipe without wine is easy on the stovetop. Made with tender beef chuck roast and veggies in a rich, saucy stew.
Get the Recipe: Stovetop Dutch Oven Beef Stew Without Wine

Smoked Caribbean Jerk Spiced Shrimp

This smoked Caribbean jerk spiced shrimp recipe is a must-try. The sweet and spicy flavour of the shrimp pairs perfectly with all kinds of sides and will become a summer favourite.
Recipe here: Smoked Caribbean Jerk Spiced Shrimp

Antipasto Skewers

Impress your guests with easy-to-make antipasto skewers, perfect for any occasion! Made with classic Italian flavors, these crowd-pleasing bites are ideal for parties, picnics, and more.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Skewers

Smoked Potato Salad with Bacon

This recipe for smoked potato salad with bacon combines the smoky flavors of potatoes and hard-boiled eggs, making it an ideal dish for summer gatherings and barbecues that will surely impress your guests. Go ahead and add this to your list of the best summer side dish recipes!
Get the Recipe: Smoked Potato Salad with Bacon

Smoked Gouda Bacon Cheddar Cheese Dip

Smoked gouda bacon cheddar cheese dip pairs beautifully with pretzels. So if you’re looking for the best pretzel cheese sauce recipe, look no further. This cheese dipping sauce is made with smoked gouda, cheddar and cream cheese, along with other flavourful ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Gouda Bacon Cheddar Cheese Dip

Hot Italian Sliders

Spice up your next gathering with hot Italian sliders – the perfect appetizer for tailgating or backyard picnics! Made with slider rolls, deli meats, and cheeses, these mini sandwiches are a crowd-pleaser. Don’t forget the marinara dipping sauce for an extra kick of flavor!
Get the Recipe: Hot Italian Sliders

Lobster Roll

Indulge in the taste of the Atlantic with this flavor-packed lobster roll recipe, perfect for seafood lovers. The combination of lobster tail meat with garlic, shallot, hot pepper, dill, and lemon creates a mouthwatering filling that’s best served in a buttery or split-top hot dog bun.
Get the Recipe: Lobster Roll

Caesar Cocktail

Discover Canada’s national drink – the classic Canadian Caesar, a flavor-packed cocktail perfect for Canada Day celebrations. Made with clamato juice, lime juice, and a blend of spices, this drink is a must-try, especially when paired with other famous Canadian dishes like poutine.
Get the Recipe: Caesar Cocktail

Zesty Tex Mex Chicken Pasta Salad

Try this Tex Mex chicken pasta salad that combines the best of all worlds – a southwest pasta salad with chicken. Bursting with color and flavor, this salad is perfect for a BBQ or as a flavorful side dish option. You will agree this one of the best summer side dish recipes!
Get the Recipe: Zesty Tex Mex Chicken Pasta Salad