Food
Celebrate Father’s Day with the Ultimate BBQ Feast
Updated on June 17, 2026
Grilling season is officially here! Fire up the barbecue this Father’s Day weekend and enjoy a feast of smoky proteins and fresh sides. The key to a great barbecue is an array of textures and flavours, and these recipes deliver on all fronts. Explore our favourite summertime dishes below, perfect for Father’s Day and beyond.
Grind-Your-Own-Beef Burgers
You’ll really taste the difference homemade makes with these all-beef burgers. Balsamic onions are a perfect match to the rich patty.
Recipe: Grind-Your-Own-Beef Burgers
Steak with Garlic, Lemon and Herb Butter
Géraldine Leverd says this recipe is a summer favourite for outdoor dining. The citrusy butter and grilled romaine bring a refreshing twist to the steak.
Recipe: Steak with Garlic, Lemon and Herb Butter
Maple-dijon Chicken Thighs with Snap Pea Salsa
Andrea Buckett’s hint-of-maple chicken thighs are sweet and salty. Marinate the chicken while you chop up the salsa topping so the dish comes together quickly.
Recipe: Maple-dijon Chicken Thighs with Snap Pea Salsa
Whole Sweet Potatoes with Pasilla Chili Oil and Cotija Cheese
Chef Cory Vitiello walks us through this potato dish inspired by Toronto restaurant Quetzal: grilled sweet potatoes topped with cilantro, scallions and cheese.
Recipe: Whole Sweet Potatoes with Pasilla Chili Oil and Cotija Cheese
Bacon-wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
Cream cheese balances out the spice in this bite-size, crowd-pleasing appetizer. A thin layer of homemade barbecue sauce is brushed on at the end for a touch of sweetness.
Recipe: Bacon-wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
Little India Masala Corn
This is not your average corn on the cob. It’s brushed with butter and seasoned with lime covered in masala — an unexpected but delicious pairing!
Recipe: Little India Masala Corn
Pineapple Plank Salmon
You’ve probably heard of cedar plank salmon, but how about pineapple plank salmon? This salmon dish is a unique rendition on the classic, cooked on a ‘plank’ of the fresh yellow fruit for a pop of flavour.
Recipe: Pineapple Plank Salmon
Herby Olive Grilled Salmon
If pineapple salmon isn’t your thing, try this bright and briny alternative. “The richness of the fish is perfectly balanced by the lemon and olives,” says culinary influencer and model Maryah Ananda.
Twice-cooked Ribs
These tangy ribs start in the oven to get tender and are finished on the grill for a crisp exterior. Reserve extra sauce for dunking at the end.
Cornbread with Sage and Maple Brown Butter Glaze
Cherry Street Barbecue’s Lawrence La Pianta share the ultimate barbecue side dish: homemade cornbread with a herbaceous glaze. The cornbread is best served warm so be sure to heat it up before serving.
Recipe: Cornbread with Sage and Maple Brown Butter Glaze
Steak Fajitas with Chimichurri Avocados
Another Andrea Buckett favourite, these steak fajitas are sizzling with heat. If you want to kick things up a notch, keep the jalapeno’s seeds and white pith intact.
Recipe: Steak Fajitas with Chimichurri Avocados
All-Green Slaw
You can’t have a barbecue without a crisp, refreshing salad. With hearty napa cabbage as the base, other flavours — blue cheese, lemon and basil — can shine. You can also use this slaw on burgers or sandwiches.
Fresh Corn and Peach Skillet Cake
Who knew you could bake a cake on the grill! Cory Vitiello shares his fabulous corn and peach cake, served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Recipe: Fresh Corn and Peach Skillet Cake