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Looking for recipes every dad will love this Father’s Day? Whether your dad is a meat lover, a seafood enthusiast, or a man who enjoys bold Caribbean flavours, this guide delivers 12 mouth-watering meals that are guaranteed to make him smile.
Each recipe is selected for its taste, simplicity, and appeal to fathers who appreciate a hearty, satisfying dish. All are suitable for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and can be made with ingredients found easily in Trinidad and Tobago or across the Caribbean.
Why Father’s Day meals matter
Food is more than just sustenance—it’s a way to say thank you. A well-prepared meal shows care, effort, and thoughtfulness. On Father’s Day, skip the overpriced gifts and pamper him with food made from the heart. Whether he’s into grilling, comfort food, or tropical twists, these recipes speak his language.
Let’s get into 12 Father’s Day recipes every dad will love, from island favourites to international classics, all with a Caribbean flair.
1. Steak and Garlic Mash with Peppercorn Sauce
This classic is the ultimate Dad pleaser. Use a ribeye or sirloin cut, seasoned with salt, black pepper, and garlic. Sear it until medium-rare or to his preference. Pair with creamy mashed potatoes infused with roasted garlic and pour a rich peppercorn sauce over the top.
Why it works: Dads love a good steak. The garlic mash and creamy sauce take it to the next level.
Tip: Let the steak rest for 10 minutes before slicing to lock in juices.
Steak and Garlic Mash with Peppercorn Sauce recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 ribeye or sirloin steaks
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp oil for searing
- 6 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 4 cloves roasted garlic
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup milk or cream
Peppercorn Sauce:
- 1 tbsp black peppercorns, crushed
- 1/2 cup beef stock
- 1/2 cup cream
- 1 tbsp brandy (optional)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
Instructions:
- Season steaks with salt, pepper, and minced garlic. Let sit for 30 minutes.
- Boil potatoes until tender. Drain and mash with roasted garlic, butter, and milk. Season to taste.
- Heat oil in a skillet and sear steaks 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Rest for 10 minutes.
- In the same pan, toast peppercorns, add stock, reduce by half. Stir in cream, mustard, and brandy.
- Serve steak over garlic mash with a drizzle of peppercorn sauce.
2. Spicy BBQ Jerk Chicken Thighs
Bring the grill to life with boneless chicken thighs marinated overnight in a jerk seasoning made with scotch bonnet, thyme, allspice, and ginger. Grill until charred and smokey.
Why it works: It’s bold, flavourful, and fiery—perfect for a dad who loves heat.
Serving suggestion: Add a side of grilled corn with lime butter and coleslaw.
Spicy BBQ Jerk Chicken Thighs recipe
Ingredients:
- 6 boneless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp jerk seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
Instructions:
- Mix jerk seasoning, garlic, sugar, lime juice, and soy sauce. Marinate chicken overnight.
- Preheat grill or oven to 200°C (400°F). Grill or roast chicken for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway.
- Serve with grilled corn and coleslaw.
3. Fried Bake and Saltfish Buljol
For a Trini breakfast that screams home and comfort, this combo is unmatched. Fluffy fried bake with saltfish buljol—salted cod, tomato, onion, pepper, and lime juice—is simple but unforgettable.
Why it works: It’s nostalgic, affordable, and delicious.
Tip: Fry bake in shallow oil and drain on paper towels to keep it light.
Fried Bake and Saltfish Buljol recipe
Fried Bake ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup water
- Oil for frying
Buljol ingredients:
- 1/2 lb saltfish (salted cod), soaked and flaked
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 hot pepper, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
Instructions:
- Mix flour, baking powder, salt and add water gradually to form a soft dough. Rest 30 minutes.
- Divide and roll into small discs. Fry in shallow oil until golden. Drain on paper towels.
- Combine buljol ingredients. Taste and adjust lime, pepper, and salt. Serve with bake.
4. Macaroni Pie with Stew Chicken
A Sunday lunch essential that doubles as a Father’s Day classic. Use cheddar cheese, evaporated milk, and fresh herbs for the pie. Pair with brown stew chicken made with onions, garlic, tomatoes, and browning.
Why it works: It’s filling, full of flavour, and every bite feels like a hug.
Bonus: Add callaloo and a cucumber salad for a complete Trini plate.
Macaroni Pie with Stew Chicken recipe
Macaroni Pie ingredients:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 cups grated cheddar
- 1 tin evaporated milk
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 tsp mustard
- Salt, black pepper, paprika to taste
Stew Chicken ingredients:
- 1 kg chicken pieces
- 2 tbsp green seasoning
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions:
- Boil macaroni until al dente. Mix with cheese, milk, eggs, mustard, and seasonings. Bake at 180°C for 30 minutes.
- Season chicken. In a pot, caramelise sugar, add chicken, and brown. Add tomato, onion, garlic. Simmer until cooked.
- Serve together with optional sides like callaloo or cucumber salad.
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5. Smoked Turkey Neck Soup
Rich, smoky, and loaded with ground provision—this soup is perfect for the dad who enjoys a hearty bowl. Use green fig, dasheen, sweet potato, and carrots.
Why it works: It’s comforting and packed with protein and vegetables.
Flavour boost: Add pimento peppers and shadow beni for that true Caribbean taste.
Smoked Turkey Neck Soup recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 lb smoked turkey necks
- 1 green fig (banana), chopped
- 1 dasheen, cubed
- 1 sweet potato, cubed
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 pimento peppers
- Thyme, shadon beni, salt to taste
Instructions:
- In a large pot, boil turkey necks until tender (about 1 hour).
- Add provision, onion, garlic, peppers, herbs. Simmer until vegetables are soft.
- Adjust seasoning and serve hot.
6. Lamb Gyros with Garlic Sauce
Thin slices of seasoned lamb wrapped in warm pita with lettuce, tomatoes, and a homemade garlic yoghurt sauce.
Why it works: It’s savoury, juicy, and handheld—perfect for Father’s Day lunch.
Short-cut: Use a pressure cooker to soften the lamb faster.
Lamb Gyros with Garlic Sauce recipe
Ingredients:
- 500g lamb shoulder or leg, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 pita breads
- Sliced tomato and lettuce
Garlic Sauce:
- 1/2 cup plain yoghurt
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Marinate lamb with spices and cook in a skillet or pressure cooker until tender.
- Combine sauce ingredients.
- Fill pita with lamb, lettuce, tomato, and garlic sauce.
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