25 Father's Day Recipes on the Lighter Side

Updated: Jul 1, 2020 · By Dara
This post may contain affiliate links. · 8 Comments

It's time to spoil that special man with a fantastic Father's Day meal! These 25 Father's Day recipes, all on the lighter side, include breakfast, main dish, side dish and dessert ideas.

If you're looking for some new Father's Day recipes, for brunch or dinner, I have you covered. But don't relegate these recipes to one day of the year - they're fantastic for barbecues and brunches throughout the year. While these recipes may be on the lighter side, they're definitely not lacking in flavor!

When I look at both my dad and my husband, I appreciate the qualities that make them such great fathers. If I had the opportunity, I would spend the majority of Father's Day cooking for both of them. All of their favorite Father's Day dinner ideas or brunch recipes...breakfast burritos, flank steak, breakfast potatoes. To nourish them, to spoil them and to thank them for everything, both big and little, that I appreciate about each of them, but am not always able to express.

How do you truly thank someone for listening to the same whimsical childhood stories over and over again, for encouraging dreams and ambitions, both attainable and far-fetched, and for being the one to wrap you and your children in their arms and tell you everything is going to be okay when gray skies roll through?

For me, that "thank you" is through good food.

Father's Day Recipes:

Below are 20 of my favorite Father's Day recipes. I divided the recipes into four sections. Click on the category below to skip directly to those recipes.

Breakfast Recipes
Main Dishes
Side Dishes
Desserts

If you make any of these recipes, I'd love to see them on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and tag @cookincanuck, and I'll be sure to find your photos.

Breakfast Recipes

Quesadilla, but in wedges, filled with egg, avocado and spinach on a white plate.

Egg & Avocado Breakfast Quesadilla

Kick off your day with an Egg and Avocado Breakfast Quesadilla. High in protein and filled with flavor!

My kids can eat their weight in these Healthy Banana Pancakes. Fluffy and full of flavor, they’re great for breakfast or dinner! 152 calories and 3 Weight Watchers SP | Easy | Pancake Recipe | Fluffy | Whole Wheat | Simple #bananapancakes #wholewheatpancakes #healthypancakes #brunchrecipes #healthybreakfastideas #smartpoints #weightwatchers

Healthy Banana Pancakes Recipe

My kids can eat their weight in these Healthy Banana Pancakes. Fluffy and full of flavor, they’re great for breakfast or dinner! 152 calories and 3 Weight Watchers SP

This English muffin breakfast sandwich is what egg lovers' dreams are made of – a little sweet, a little savory and a lot of flavor! 255 calories and 6 Weight Watchers SP | Recipes | Healthy | Easy | Homemade | Ideas | Egg | Pepper Jelly | Best #breakfastsandwich #eggsandwich #healthybreakfast #easybreakfastrecipes #weightwatchers #smartpoints

English Muffin Breakfast Sandwich Recipe with Pepper Jelly

This English muffin breakfast sandwich is what egg lovers’ dream are made of – a little sweet, a little savory and a lot of flavor!

Turkey breakfast sausage patties on a white plate.

Homemade Turkey Breakfast Sausage Patties

Homemade Turkey Breakfast Sausage Patties are a breeze to make and beat any store-bought brand by a mile! Double or triple the recipe and freeze the rest.

Sweet Potato Hash Recipe with Creamy California Avocado Sauce

This sweet potato hash pops with color and flavor, thanks to a creamy avocado sauce.

Main Dishes

Lean Grilled Hamburger Sliders Recipe with Hot Sauce Slaw

Kick up your next barbecue or your Father's Day menu with these amazing lean hamburger sliders that are topped with a hot sauce slaw.

My favorite summertime grilling food - Grilled Shrimp Kabobs! These simple skewers take less than 20 minutes to make. Perfect for appetizers or dinner. 161 calories and 1 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP #shrimp #kabobs #grilled #healthy

Greek Grilled Shrimp Kabobs with Tomatoes

My favorite summertime grilling food - Grilled Shrimp Kabobs! These simple skewers take less than 20 minutes to make. Perfect for appetizers or dinner.

Chicken kabobs with bell peppers and onions, resting on a baking sheet.

Grilled Smoked Paprika Chicken Kabobs

One of my favorite grilling recipes! These Smoked Paprika Chicken Kabobs are marinated in a spiced yogurt sauce, which makes them incredibly tender and delicious.

This easy grilled salmon recipe in foil, with basil pesto and sautéed peppers and shallots, requires virtually no clean-up. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and entertaining! 254 calories and 1 Weight Watchers SP | BBQ | Baked | Healthy | Keto | Recipes | Packets | With Vegetables | On Grill #salmonrecipes #grilledsalmon #foilpackets #healthygrillingrecipes #ketorecipes #smartpoints

Easy Grilled Pesto Salmon in Foil Recipe

This easy grilled salmon recipe in foil, with basil pesto and sautéed peppers and shallots, requires virtually no clean-up. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and entertaining! 254 calories and 1 Weight Watchers SP

Grilled chicken drumsticks, sprinkled with parsley on a white plate.

Grilled Chicken Drumsticks with Maple Dijon & Chili Sauce

Take your backyard barbecue from good to great with these tender and tasty Grilled Chicken Drumsticks with a savory-sweet Maple Dijon Chili Sauce. Plus, they’re healthier than most drumstick recipes out there! 297 calories and 3 Weight Watchers SP

Steamed clams, sausage and red pepper in a white bowl.

Steamed Clams with Italian Sausage

Steamed clams are fantastic for sharing as an appetizer. Serve with some toasted baguette pieces to dunk in the broth and scoop up the Italian sausage.

Dollop some creamy avocado sauce on top of these Korean BBQ Lettuce Wraps and serve them up as appetizers or entrees. Easy and delicious! 113 calories and 3 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

Korean BBQ Lettuce Wraps with Avocado Sauce

Dollop some creamy avocado sauce on top of these Korean BBQ Lettuce Wraps and serve them up as appetizers or entrees. Easy and delicious! 113 calories and 3 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

Side Dishes

Grilled Potatoes with Rosemary and Smoked Paprika are the ultimate summertime side dish! Wrap everything in a foil packet and through it on the grill. 99 calories and 3 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP #vegan

Grilled Potatoes Recipe with Rosemary & Smoked Paprika

This is the side dish recipe to beat all side dishes. Grilled potatoes in foil are golden brown and tender, and steeped in the flavors of grilled onions, garlic, rosemary and smoked paprika.

There is nothing better than the simple fresh flavors of grilled vegetables. These ones are drizzled with a garlic balsamic dressing and will be the hit of your bbq! 145 calories and 3 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

Balsamic Grilled Vegetables

There is nothing better than the simple fresh flavors of grilled vegetables. These ones are drizzled with a garlic balsamic dressing and will be the hit of your bbq!

Rice salad with vegetables in a blue bowl.

Greek Rice Salad

The perfect potluck salad! This easy rice salad recipe has all of the flavors of your favorite Greek salad.

Sweet corn on the cob is made even better with a dollop of pesto butter. The perfect summertime side dish recipe! 118 calories and 2 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

Pesto Butter Corn on the Cob

Sweet corn on the cob is made even better with a dollop of pesto butter. The perfect summertime side dish recipe!

Roasted mushrooms, cut in quarters, in white bowl. Topped with parsley.

Roasted Mushrooms with Rosemary & Garlic Recipe

These easy roasted mushrooms with rosemary and garlic are fantastic on their own, but would also make the perfect mix-in for salads or pasta dishes. 89 calories and 2 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

One of the best salads I have eaten in a long time! This sweet and savory Cantaloupe Goat Cheese Salad is topped off with a lime mint dressing. 174 calories and 3 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

Cantaloupe Goat Cheese Salad with Lime Mint Dressing

One of the best salads I've eaten in a long time! This sweet and savory Cantaloupe Goat Cheese Salad is topped off with a lime mint dressing. 174 calories and 3 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

Sweet potato slices and cilantro vinaigrette on baking sheet.

Grilled Sweet Potatoes with Cilantro Vinaigrette

One taste of these grilled sweet potatoes with cilantro vinaigrette will convince you to make this your go-to summer or fall side dish recipe.

Black bean and corn salad with avocado in a glass jar.

Black Bean and Corn Salad Recipe

10 minute recipe! Once you taste this fresh and flavorful Black Bean and Corn Salad, you'll want to serve it at every summertime barbecue and take it to every potluck and picnic.

Have you ever made a slaw with snap peas? Bursting with flavor and color, this Hoisin Snap Pea & Red Cabbage Slaw is fantastic on its own or piled on sliders or tacos. 85 calories and 2 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP. #weightwatchers #slaw #healthy

Hoisin Snap Pea & Red Cabbage Slaw

Have you ever made a slaw with snap peas? Bursting with flavor and color, this Hoisin Snap Pea & Red Cabbage Slaw is fantastic on its own or piled on sliders or tacos.

Desserts

Raspberry Swirl Frozen Yogurt Pie Recipe

This raspberry frozen yogurt pie is packed with all of the flavors of summer, with a fraction of the guilt. It's a great make-ahead dessert!

Red, orange, purple and yellow frozen otters pop on a baking sheet.

Homemade Ice Pops Recipe

Keep these healthy homemade ice pops on hand all summer long! Five ingredients or less, featuring sweet, fresh fruit. 27 calories and 0 Weight Watchers SP

Grilled pineapple is a fantastic way to curb your sweet tooth without breaking the calorie bank. Serve these honey lime-brushed kabobs with ice cream or grilled shrimp and chicken. 72 calories and 2 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP #pineapple #grilled #fruit #recipe

Grilled Pineapple Kabobs with Honey & Lime

Grilled pineapple is a fantastic way to curb your sweet tooth without breaking the calorie bank. Serve these honey lime-brushed kabobs with ice cream or grilled shrimp and chicken. 72 calories and 2 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

Chocolate Chunk Avocado Ice Cream…Your family will never guess that avocado is what makes this ice cream so creamy! Healthy fats and natural sweeteners. 202 calories and 6 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

Chocolate Chunk Avocado Ice Cream Recipe

Who knew that this chocolate avocado ice cream could be so creamy without a drop of regular milk or cream? No granulated sugar, either.

Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

More Round-Ups

Comments

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Rose | The Clean Dish

June 22, 2015 at 5:36 pm

This is a terrific round up! Not just for father's day 🙂 Chipotle Guacamole Eggs Benedict are calling my name... YUM!! I hope you had a fantastic weekend!!

Reply
Angie | Big Bear's Wife

June 19, 2015 at 9:37 am

Happy Father's Day (a little early) to your husband and dad! hugs!! Love those Grilled Sweet Potatoes and Chicken Drumsticks!

Reply
Martha @ A Family Feast

June 19, 2015 at 5:54 am

You are always a great resource for healthier options Dara! Great collection and Happy Father's Day to your hubby and Dad!

Reply
Sam

June 19, 2015 at 3:14 am

I love all the recipes here because my dad these almost all the ingredients. I hope I can make my dad happy this coming father's day with some very special meal I am going to prepare. Thank you so much for this. This is such a huge help!

Reply
Ginny McMeans

June 18, 2015 at 10:19 pm

I spy lots of delicious meals to serve to some wonderful people.

Reply
Megan {Country Cleaver}

June 18, 2015 at 7:42 pm

These are all great ideas, I have to add some into my regular meal rotation, especially those sweet potatoes!

Reply
Lauren Kelly Nutrition

June 18, 2015 at 6:53 pm

I agree, the best way to thank Dad is with food! These all look delicious!

Reply
The Food Hunter

June 18, 2015 at 4:31 pm

I love that they are all healthy!!

Reply