Planning dad the best Father’s Day BBQ is simple; all you’ve got to do is spend quality time with him, make really good tasting BBQ, and laugh a little extra hard at all the inevitable dad jokes he’ll think of. While we can’t help you prepare for all the bad dad jokes, we can help you make really good tasting barbeque. And if this is your first time grilling, we’ll give you extra grilling tips that you can show off on the grill so dad can sit back and chill.

Dry Rub Seasoning Adds Amazing Flavor to Barbequed Meats

Dry rub is a combination of salt, spices, and sugar that’s generously applied and rubbed onto meat before it’s grilled. It adds a great base flavor for any cut of meat, creates a satisfying texture by forming a crust, and it pairs well with barbeque sauce. Homemade dry rub seasoning also makes a great gift, so we recommend doubling the batch. Use half for the Father’s Day BBQ and store the other half in a mason jar as a gift for dad.

The Original Blend

• 1/2 Cup Paprika
• 1/4 Cup Kosher or Sea Salt
• 1/4 Cup Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• 1/4 Cup Packed Dark Brown Sugar
• 1/4 Cup Chili Powder
• 3 Tablespoons Cumin Powder
• 2 Tablespoons Coriander Powder
• 1 Tablespoon Cayenne Pepper Powder

Garlic Herb Blend

• 1/2 Cup Paprika
• 1/4 Cup Kosher or Sea Salt
• 1/4 Cup Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• 1/4 Cup Packed Dark Brown Sugar
• 2 Tablespoons Ground Rosemary
• 2 Tablespoons Dried Basil
• 2 Tablespoons Dried Thyme
• 2 Tablespoons Granulated Garlic
• 1 Tablespoon Onion Powder
• 1 Teaspoon Dried Mustard

Twice as Spicy Blend

• 1/2 Cup Paprika
• 1/4 Cup Kosher or Sea Salt
• 1/4 Cup Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• 1/4 Cup Packed Dark Brown Sugar
• 2 Tablespoons Granulated Garlic
• 1 Tablespoon Onion Powder
• 2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
• 2 Tablespoons Ancho Chili Powder
• 1 Tablespoon Cayenne Pepper Powder
• 1 Teaspoon Dried Mustard

If you’re a bit short on time, picking up a pre-mixed dry rub is a good alternative. We like this woodfire garlic one from Kinder’s Seasoning and this all purpose rub from Famous Dave’s.

It’s Not a Barbeque Without BBQ Sauce

BBQ sauce adds that final touch to barbequed meats, taking it’s flavor to the next level. Adding the sauce a few minutes before the meat finishes cooking allows it bind onto the meat and caramelize, creating an irresistible texture. We recommend reserving half of the barbeque sauce to serve it alongside your Father’s Day BBQ.

Original BBQ Sauce

• 2/3 Cup Ketchup
• 1/3 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1/4 Cup Packed Dark Brown Sugar
• 2 Teaspoons Smoked Paprika
• 1 Teaspoon Dry Mustard
• 1 Teaspoon Kosher or Sea Salt
• 1 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Whisk all ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes.

Tangy Citrus BBQ Sauce

• 1 Cup Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice
• 1 Freshly Squeezed Lime
• 2 Cups Ketchup
• 1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1/4 Cup Packed Dark Brown Sugar
• 2 Tablespoons Honey
• 1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika
• 1 Teaspoon Chili Powder
• 1 Teaspoon Kosher or Sea Salt
• 1 Teaspoon Mustard Powder
• 1 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

In a blender, add all the ingredients and puree until smooth. Place the sauce in a saucepan, bring to a simmer over medium heat, and cook for 5 minutes or if you like the sauce thicker continue cooking until sauce reduces to desired consistency.

Don’t have the time to make BBQ sauce from scratch? You can never go wrong with Stubb’s original BBQ Sauce or this spicy Devil’s Spit Sauce from Famous Dave’s.

BBQ Grilling Tips

Take over the grilling so dad can sit back and relax for his Father’s Day BBQ. Grilling can be intimidating if it’s your first time, so here are a few tips so you can show off to dad. For best safety practices, we always recommend following your grill’s instructional manual.

Grilling Basics

• Make sure the grill is clean and clear of any debris. Clean the grates of any grime, a steel brush is best for cast iron or steel grates. Also, make sure you remove any debris that may have fallen through.
• Season your grill with a high-heat and neutral cooking oil before you turn it on. Our preferred method is to spray the grates with a thin layer of cooking oil and wiping away any excess. This helps your grates form a non-stick outer layer.
• Preheat! Allow the grill optimal time to heat up, just like an oven.
• BBQ sauce is the last step. BBQ sauce can burn easily and stick to the grates, add it about 5 minutes before the meat is ready to allow it to caramelize but not burn.

How To Perfectly Grill Different Types of Meat

If it’s your first time grilling for dad, it can be quite intimidating – especially if he’s the grilling master! To ensure you’re cooking to safe temperatures we recommend using a meat thermometer. Learn more about safe cooking temperatures in our “Is It Safe? Cooking Meat To The Right Temperature” blog post.

• Steaks – Cook over high and direct heat (over the flames). About 9 to 12 minutes of cooking time depending on the thickness of the cut.
• Chicken – Cook over medium and indirect heat (away from the flames). About 25 minutes depending on the thickness of the cut.
• Burgers – Cook over medium and direct heat (over the flames). About 8 to 12 minutes depending on the thickness of the patty.
• Sausage – Cook over medium and indirect heat (away from the flames). About 25 minutes depending on the thickness.

Now that you’ve got all the info you need to throw dad an amazing Father’s Day BBQ get out there, grab your tongs, and get ready to impress him! Just don’t forget to pre-heat the grill before you do.

Need Father’s Day gift recommendations? Check out our How to Shop for Father’s Day at Stater Bros. Markets blog post.