Father's Day is just around the corner, and if you haven’t gotten the father figure in your life a gift yet, don’t fret! We know that the fastest way to someone's heart is through the stomach, so we’re sharing our top 15 gift ideas to keep that special person full (literally and figuratively). You’ll find everything from our favorite cookbooks to top equipment picks to our best Father's Day recipes.
Cookbooks, Kitchen Equipment, and Recipes for Father's Day
Published June 12, 2023.
5 Father's Day Cookbook Recommendations
If your dad has every cooking accessory on the market, gift him the resources he'll need to put those tools to work. Our selection of cookbooks will set him up for success by boosting his cooking skills and knowledge. (Make it even more personal with a note from you in the front of the book—it doesn’t get more thoughtful than that!)
The Outdoor Cook
Is your dad the kind who likes to cook outside? Then this is the book for him. The Outdoor Cook is packed with recipes for grills, smokers, fire pits, pizza ovens, and more.
The Outdoor Cook
Go way beyond burgers and basic proteins to become your best outdoor cooking self. Cover fire setups and heat levels, plus read reviews of outdoor cooking equipment and all the invaluable tips ATK has learned from more than 25 years of outdoor cooking experience.The Ultimate Burger
Is your dad into burgers? Does he grind his own meat or get really particular about the type of bun to use? You'll want to order this book for him right away. He'll find recipes for grilled burgers, indoor burgers, plant-based burgers, and toppings galore. In addition to recipes, The Ultimate Burger is chock-full of everything you ever wanted to know (and then some) to craft the perfect burger.
The Ultimate Burger
The ultimate burger is what you want it to be. And The Ultimate Burger shows you how to get there with recipes for must-have classics and go-for-broke specialties, plus DIY condiments, sides, boozy milkshakes, and more.Everyday Bread
Is the smell of freshly baked bread always filling your dad's kitchen? Or has he ever lamented about wanting to bake more bread at home? Everyday Bread is the answer. After learning seven core recipes, he'll be able to make endlessly customizable breads. And with our guidance on timing and tips for pausing during the process, he'll be able to do it on his own timeframe.
Everyday Bread
Introducing the only cookbook to make homemade bread baking convenient by letting you choose what to do and when. Learn seven core failproof recipes that offer pauses in prep and baking tasks, and then manipulate the dough into different shapes and flavors with ease for a practically endless array of breads.Modern Bistro
Maybe your dad is a Francophile. If so, Modern Bistro is the way to go. With this book in hand, he'll be able to prepare more than 180 failproof bistro favorites, including French onion soup, bouillabaisse, and crème brûlée. Add a bottle of his favorite French wine and this might just be his favorite gift. (And you might just get invited to a French bistro dinner.)
Modern Bistro
Researched and developed by our team of test cooks, Modern Bistro is an ode to the comforting, classic and soul-satisfying cuisine of French Bistros. Over 180 failproof bistro recipes complete with variations bring this celebrated style of cuisine in your own home.Cooking with My Dad, the Chef
Looking for an activity that dads and kids can do together? Cooking is always a great idea. And armed with Cooking with My Dad, the Chef, a collaboration between America's Test Kitchen kid tester Verveine Oringer and her dad, James Beard Award–winning chef Ken Oringer, dads everywhere will be inspired to whip up breakfasts, dinners, and more with their kids.
Cooking with My Dad, the Chef
Get 70+ kid-tested, kid-approved (and gluten-free!) recipes for young chefs from James Beard Award–winning chef Ken Oringer and his daughter Verveine.5 Must-Have Pieces of Cooking Equipment for Father's Day
Your dad might be the kind of guy who expresses to you every year that he doesn’t want anything for Father’s Day. That’s a fib and even more of a reason why he deserves something special. Here are our top five equipment picks for the humble dad who loves to cook.
Instant-Read Thermometer
If Dad cooks and bakes a lot, a thermometer is a must—and a digital one will be fast and accurate. We've done thorough testing over the years, and the ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE is the best we've tested yet! It takes only 1 second to register temperature and has an easy-to-read rotating screen with a backlight. If you want to get Dad the best, look no further.
The Best Instant-Read Thermometers
We've recommended a Thermapen for more than a decade, but there's new competition. Is it still the best digital food and meat thermometer?Gas Grill
Looking for a big-ticket group gift? We tested gas grills priced under $500 and imagine that any dad who likes to grill outdoors would be thrilled to receive the winner: the Weber Spirit II E-310 Gas Grill. It heats evenly from front to back, has a side table for food prep, and can easily be rolled on its two large wheels. (And if Dad prefers charcoal, you can find our winning charcoal grill here.)
The Best Gas Grills Under $500
It doesn’t matter how powerful a grill is. If it can’t distribute and hold the heat where you want it, your food will suffer.Meat Cleaver
Since you're here looking for kitchen-related gifts for your dad, chances are he already has a great chef's knife (if not, check out our favorites here), so why not level up and get him a meat cleaver? Our favorite is the Japanese-made Masui AUS8 Stainless Meat Cleaver 180mm. It is our go-to for handling small butchering tasks like getting through raw chicken.
The Best Meat Cleavers
Traditional meat cleavers are built like medieval weapons. Could we find one fit for modern life?Car Camping Stove
Want to help your dad up his camping cuisine game? How about a car camping stove? Car camping stoves are meant to be transported to your campsite in a car, hence the name. They're versatile, allowing you to slow-simmer foods like stews and quickly cook foods like pancakes. For dads who like to camp and cook, we recommend the Camp Chef Mountain Series Everest High Pressure Two-Burner Stove.
Car Camping Stoves
Wilderness cooking doesn’t have to be all instant noodles and oatmeal from a packet; a camp stove lets you have all the cooking comforts of home wherever you are—that is, if you buy the right one.French Press Coffee Maker
Does your dad strive to make the best cup of coffee? Give him a little help with a French press coffee maker. Our winning French press, the Bodum Columbia French Press Coffee Maker produces full-bodied, rounded, nutty coffee. It's simple to use and keeps coffee hot, so Dad can really savor that first cup without worrying about the second cooling off.
French Press Coffee Makers
French press coffee makers are not only elegant, but they also can potentially deliver a thicker, more full-bodied cup of coffee.5 Recipes for to Make for Father's Day
Nothing shows Dad your love and appreciation better than a home-cooked meal. If you decide to go with one of the cookbooks or equipment recommendations above, consider pairing it with one of these recipes.
Grilled Mojo Chicken
We love vibrant flavors, and this dish has plenty! The citrus, garlic, fresh herbs, and jalapeños in the mojo sauce will definitely impress the dad you make it for.
Grilled Mojo Chicken
Tart and garlicky mojo is a cornerstone of Cuban American cookery. But what's the best way to infuse grilled chicken with its bright flavor?Grilled Thick-Cut Porterhouse Steaks
If you know your dad loves steak, why not treat him to a porterhouse (a steak that includes the strip and tenderloin in one)? Watch the video below to learn how to treat this cut right, creating two zones on your grill so you get crusty exteriors and juicy interiors.
Chipotle Mushroom and Cauliflower Tacos
We know not all dads crave steaks. If you know a dad who's a vegetarian or just trying to eat less meat, then these tacos fit the bill. They're filled with smoky roasted mushrooms and browned cauliflower florets. Some chipotle chile adds heat and depth while a topping of crisp red cabbage and pickled onion adds freshness and crunch.
Chipotle Mushroom and Cauliflower Tacos
Warm, smoky roasted mushrooms and cauliflower; cool crema; and crunchy cabbage combine for an irresistible vegetarian taco.Brunch Burgers
Is your dad more of a brunch guy, or does he love a really good burger? This recipe is the answer for both. Our Brunch Burgers start with ground beef and sausage patties. They get topped with cheddar cheese, fried eggs, and bacon. And to really drive home the breakfast notes, the buns are slathered with a maple-chipotle mayo.
Brunch Burgers
The perfect burgers for early Sunday morning, late Saturday night, and any time in between.Spaghetti with Clams
For seafood- and pasta-loving dads, there's always Spaghetti with Clams. This bowl of silky pasta that gets tons of flavor from shellfish broth, white wine, and anchovies and is studded with tender clams makes for an elegant Father's Day dinner.
Spaghetti with Clams
We show you how to prepare silky shellfish pasta that sings with the briny, clean flavor of the sea.No matter which recipe you choose, be sure to give your dad, or the person you think of as a dad in your life, the chance to put his feet up for the day and just enjoy the wonderful meal you've made.