By Lisa Esile, MS Last Updated:
Want to show Dad—or the father figure in your life—how much you appreciate him? We’re here to help, with this specially curated collection of Father’s Day recipes for the perfect plant-based dinner. Think hearty appetizers, pizza, burgers, mac and cheese, grilled veggies, rustic salads, comforting desserts, and more. Get out the grill, fire up the oven, and create lasting memories with your special dude this Father’s Day.
This hearty cross between a wrap and a taco will keep Dad smiling for hours. Grab your favorite oil-free whole wheat pita bread, add a slather of creamy hummus, then top with smoky roasted cauliflower and potatoes. Sumac powder adds tang flavor to the roasted veggies, while cumin and paprika add a savory flavor. Garnish with lemony tahini dressing, sliced japaleños, crunchy red cabbage, and aromatic cilantro.
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Looking for something different to throw on the grill this Father’s Day? We’ve got you covered with these chili-lime-infused sweet potato steaks. A bright and smoky corn salsa featuring grilled onion and jalapeño, black beans, avocado, cilantro, and lime juice boosts the flavor and perfectly complements the sweet, earthiness of the sweet potato steaks. To spice things up, add a little hot sauce. Shares a fan, “The flavors of this recipe are outstanding. My son took a few bites and said, ‘You should make this again.’”
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These crowd-pleasing savory tarts get off to a good start with a quick and easy homemade whole wheat crust. What knocks these out of the stratosphere is the veggie filling featuring gooey thyme-scented caramelized onions, sweet butternut squash, mild-flavored cauliflower, and umami-rich shiitake mushrooms. With just seven ingredients, these are surprisingly simple to make and are a fun recipe for eager kids to help with. Notes a fan, “Although this recipe was time-consuming, the results were worth it.”
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The natural earthiness of lentils make them an ideal nacho topping. For a tasty meal, serve over a bed of baked corn tortilla chips and top with a creamy vegan potato cheese sauce, pico de gallo, scallions, and cilantro.
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Yes, you can have your onion rings and be whole-food, plant-based too! These crispy-on-the-outside and tender-on-the-inside onion rings from Kiki Nelson are breaded with a simple mix of salt, onion powder, and bread crumbs. These can be baked in an oven or an air-fryer. Note: To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and rice or gluten-free oat flour, instead of whole wheat flour.
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What says “dude food” better than a cheeseburger? This plant-based version approaches things from a different perspective by serving the hearty veggie patty open-faced on a grilled bun and piled high with tangy veggies and a potato-based cheese sauce. Dig in!
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Vibrant purple potato croquettes add color and heft to this earthy kale, white bean, and cherry tomato salad. The potato croquettes are made by pressing boiled purple potatoes through a ricer to make them light and airy, while onion, garlic, and Dijon mustard bump up the flavor. Drizzle a savory homemade dressing over the lot, and you’re ready to go. Note: Leftover croquettes taste great with homemade ketchup or vegan ranch!
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Swiss chard, beans, and tomato always work well together. But when you bake them up with barbecue flavorings and a homemade cornbread crust—now you’ve got baked-bean bliss.
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These tasty baked tortilla chips contain no added oil and are just as irresistable as their high-fat cousins. Serve with Green Pea Guacamole or one of these tasty hummus recipes.
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This savory Korean-inspired waffle recipe is the perfect meal to impress your Pops. The fluffy batter is infused with scallions and acorn squash then topped with a mountain of smoky tempeh, tender veggies, and a scrumptious spicy BBQ sauce.
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Treat your dad to a delicious dinner and whip up this saucy mushroom stroganoff. The savory gravy is infused with fresh herbs and poured over hearty plant-based meatballs made from quinoa, beans, mushrooms, and bread crumbs. Tender pasta catches all the flavors in this dish, which your family won’t soon forget.
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Give Dad the delicious gift of fresh-baked bread this Father’s Day. Studded with onion, garlic, and jalapeño, this mouthwatering naan tastes incredible on its own or with a warming bowl of curry.
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Grilled in their husks, ears of corn stay moist without getting too smoky. And the chipotle-lime juice rub is better than butter. We probably don’t need to say this, but be sure to make plenty.
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Turn the classic steak-and-potatoes meal into a veg-forward feast with this delectable sweet potato dish. The tender orange spuds are loaded with meaty jackfruit and smoky lentils so each bite feels like a backyard BBQ. Pickled onions and sliced cucumber make for an irresistibly fresh finish.
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Transform portobello mushrooms into tantalizing burgers for a Father’s Day recipe that won’t disappoint. The savory mushroom caps are paired with juicy tomato slices, fresh spinach, and a creamy tarragon sauce that’s reminiscent of Thousand Island dressing. Add some baked french fries on the side for the perfect dad-appreciation dinner!
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Your dude will flip over these crispy-on-the-outside, creamy-on-the-inside potato “cheese” sticks. The recipe has two main steps: First, make the cheese sticks and freeze overnight. Then, roll in breadcrumbs and bake. They’re worth it!
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Kick off the meal with these handsome sweet-potato stuffed jalapeños. The combination of the sweet filling paired with the tender, spicy jalapeño skin is divine.
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These savory tacos con papas (aka tacos with potatoes) are perfect for enjoying with your pops! Stuffed with smoky, seasoned mushrooms, chickpeas, and potatoes, this scrumptious meal will surely stick to his ribs. Plus, creating a colorful topping bar is a great way to infuse meal time with extra fun.
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Seasoned with lemon juice, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder, these crispy baked potato rounds will go fast. Note: The red pepper dip is made by mixing jarred roasted red peppers with store-bought hummus. If you can’t find an oil-free store-bought hummus, this easy homemade hummus will work, too.
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One of our highest-rated recipes to date, these scrumptious carrot dogs are bound to impress the father figure in your life. Carrots are marinated in flavor-packed sauce for several hours before being tossed on the grill and into a bun topped with all your favorite fixings. One happy reviewer raves: “My mind was blown away by these!”
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This delicious and visually stunning vegan pie will blow everyone away. A cinnamon-scented oat-walnut crust keeps the whole thing grounded, while the sweet, creamy, no-bake sweet potato filling melts in your mouth. Top with a zesty three-ingredient blueberry sauce. Shares a fan, “I made this for an Easter gathering, and it was a HUGE hit! It’s so beautiful and so delicious… Everyone at the party was so impressed!!!”
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Perfect for a hearty breakfast or a satisfying afternoon snack, this plant-based twist on the Welsh rarebit utilizes the power of umami-rich mushrooms and cheesy nutritional yeast to replicate the classic flavors. Chewy English muffins make these tasty treats easy to hold so your dad can enjoy a slice on-the-go.
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Get creative with veggie steaks this Father’s Day. It’s really easy and fun to do. Just cut ¾- to 1-inch-thick rounds of your favorite veggie, season with your choice of spices, and cook on the grill or in the oven.
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Made with canned chickpeas, these crispy air-fried falafels taste amazing in this Greek salad grain bowl, which also features bulgur wheat and a creamy cashew-garlic sauce.
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This vegan Father’s Day recipe will easily become an annual tradition. Jackfruit and farro soak up a homemade BBQ sauce that’s perfectly paired with a crunchy broccoli slaw. The flavors are absolutely out-of-this-world delicious, and you’ll definitely want to keep extra napkins on hand for this delightfully messy meal!
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The intensity of roasted mushrooms and cherry tomatoes give this comfort-food classic an appealing boost of flavor, while the oat-based vegan queso is so cheesy that it’s hard to believe it’s dairy-free.
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With densely chopped veggies, hearty beans, two grains, and a richly flavored peanut-ginger dressing, this colorful coleslaw will hit the spot.
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Present this eye-catching plate of pasta to your dad on Father’s Day and watch his face light up! Lentil “meatballs” are packed full of Italian herbs and nestled in a bed of tender spaghetti and luscious tomato sauce. Top everything with fresh basil leaves for restaurant-worthy presentation.
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Have these crispy snacks ready to go as you work on the main course so Dad can munch before the main meal is served. Polenta is formed into sticks and coated in crunchy breadcrumbs to create irresistible finger food. Dunk each stick in a homemade vegan ranch dip, and you’re all set!
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Packed with crisp, colorful veggies and a delicious homemade peanut sauce, this scrumptious stir-fry is so much better than takeout!
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This is a great recipe for children to help with. Seasoned with lime juice and chili powder, these vegan patties, made with black beans and oats, taste amazing. Serve on whole grain buns or in lettuce wraps with tomato, red onion, and your favorite ketchup or dressing.
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Dad deserves the best on his special day, so make him a batch of these fancy meatballs! Formed out of beans and rice, these loaded snacks are full of flavorful herbs and spices that make it impossible to eat just one. Top each ball with marinara sauce and cheesy cashew crumble to score extra points from the man who helped shape you into the person you are today.
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Filled with a well-seasoned bean and corn mix and topped with a creamy vegan cheese sauce (made with some of the scooped out potato flesh), these potato skins are a real crowd-pleaser. Serve them as a hearty appetizer, or as a main, alongside a salad.
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Cheesy, spicy, and packed full of hearty ingredients, these chili cheese fries are the perfect Father’s Day recipe for the foodie in your life. Steak-cut potatoes are baked to crispy perfection then doused in a homemade kidney bean chili. The potato-based cheese sauce is thick, creamy, and the perfect way to top off this decadent dish.
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For a memorable meal, grab your favorite whole wheat pizza crust (or this gluten-free cornmeal pizza crust) and pile on sweet and spicy toppings including barbecue-flavored cauliflower, fresh pineapple, and a cumin-infused white bean mash.
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Even if your father isn’t a fan of veggies, he’ll love these simple spicy Brussels sprouts. Each bud is sliced in half and roasted in a tantalizing mixture of cumin, coriander, garlic, and turmeric. The chickpea flour helps them get nice and crispy in the oven so the end result is ideal for snacking on before you serve the main course.
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In this four-tier stack of deliciousness, corn tortillas and enchilada sauce layer up with cashew cheese, black beans, mashed potato, Swiss chard, and mushrooms. This is a great special-occasion dish, bursting with flavor and wow-factor.
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Naturally sweetened with applesauce and maple syrup, this moist, richly flavored, polenta cake is as festive as it is satisfying. For best results, serve warm with a simple cherry compote.
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If your dad has a sweet tooth, make these delightful desserts to remind him of a childhood classic. Fluffy strawberry cream is sandwiched between two moist chocolate cookies and rolled in dried strawberry flakes for an extra berry burst. Bon appétit!
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Watch as Dad takes his first bite of this mouthwatering fruit cobbler. Sweet peaches, tart cranberries, and an oat crust come together with our Vanilla Bean Ice Cream to create an extra special dessert.
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Cherries and coconut flakes add extra oomph to these fudgy brownies, which are the perfect way to close out your Father’s Day celebrations. We bet that dad will never guess the secret ingredient that makes these treats so rich: black beans! Whip up a batch of these chocolaty squares for a healthy treat that tastes positively sinful.
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Add chocolate chips to this creamy banana-based cherry ice cream, or leave it plain: It’s great either way. This is one ice cream Dad can eat freely.
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What dad doesn’t love a good donut? This chocolate-orange recipe features a light and cakey batter that’s packed full of powerful flavor. A zesty orange sauce takes the place of a traditional glaze, and chocolate shavings are the perfect replacement for sprinkles.
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End Father’s Day on a sweet and light note with this heavenly frozen treat, which is made with just three ingredients. Juicy blueberries and cooling mint are blended with frozen bananas for a frosty ice cream–like texture that balances out a heavy meal. One reader raves: “Delicious, refreshing, and packed with the best antioxidants!”
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Lisa Esile is an author, illustrator, blogger, vegetable gardener, and whole-food enthusiast with a special fondness for potatoes. She has a master’s degree in human nutrition and is passionate about showing people how to live happier, healthier lives. She is the author of Reach Your Big Calm and the co-author of Whose Mind Is It Anyway? Find her on Facebook.
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Comments (7)
Just been diagnosed with diabetes and love these recipes.
Guess im going to be busy.
Thank you so much, I am so looking forward to trying these dishes along with all the others I have.
It means so much to me to have people like you that share so much!
Thanks again.
Wooohoooo i love it. Thank you so much for doing this for the community.
These are really wonderful recipes when your struggling like I do to stay true to true health. I am very grateful. Thank you!
Wow! My hubby would love all of these … at the same table even! Big smiles. Thank you for compiling this awesome spread and sharing. Happy Father’s Day to all.
I make these things for my mountain biker husband to keep him alive and feeling alive. He loves these recipes and would eat like this on his own. I assure you eating this way is not male or female, it’s plain smart! For so many reasons.
What a WOW!! selection of recipes!!! Great job!!