Father's Day is June 21. If you're hosting, you probably don't need a complicated menu — you need food that's actually good, doesn't require a specialty grocery run, and comes together while the grill heats up.
These five recipes do that. Each one leans on pantry staples, works well for a backyard cookout, and takes under 30 minutes. A couple don't need heat at all.
1. Build-Your-Own Hummus Board
Time: 10 minutes | Serves: 6–8 as an appetizer
This is the easiest thing on the list, and it's usually the first thing to disappear. The Instant Hummus Mix handles the base — just add water and stir — and the toppings are whatever you have on hand.
What you need:
- 1 packet Instant Original Hummus Mix
- Cold water, good olive oil, smoked paprika
- Pita, crackers, or cut vegetables for dipping
- Optional: sliced olives, dried roasted chickpeas, sun-dried tomatoes, a pinch of cumin
How to make it: Mix the hummus with water per the packet. Spread onto a wide shallow bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, dust with smoked paprika, add toppings. The hummus takes about three minutes. The rest is assembly.
2. Grilled Corn and Pepper Relish
Time: 15 minutes | Serves: 4–6 as a side
This works as a salsa, a taco topping, a side salad, or a condiment for grilled chicken or fish. If you don't have fresh corn, freeze-dried corn rehydrated in lime juice works well.
What you need:
- 1 cup freeze-dried corn, rehydrated — or 2 ears fresh corn, grilled and cut off the cob
- 1/2 cup dried bell peppers, rehydrated — or 1 fresh bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 red onion finely diced, juice of 2 limes, 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, black pepper, optional pinch of cayenne, fresh cilantro if you have it
How to make it: Rehydrate corn and peppers in warm water for 10 minutes, drain. Combine everything, toss with lime juice and olive oil, season to taste. Let sit five minutes before serving.
3. Five-Minute Hummus Wraps
Time: 5 minutes | Serves: as many as you need
A light lunch before the main cookout, a kid-friendly option, or a fast side to round out the spread.
What you need:
- Flour tortillas or flatbread
- 1 packet Instant Hummus Mix
- Sliced cucumber or whatever fresh vegetables you have
- Optional: sliced avocado, shredded lettuce, hot sauce
How to make it: Mix the hummus. Spread a thick layer on a tortilla, add vegetables, roll tight and cut on the diagonal.
4. Dehydrated Veggie Foil Packets
Time: 20 minutes | Serves: 4
Foil packets cook on the same grill as everything else and there's nothing to clean up. Dehydrated vegetables rehydrate directly in the packet from their own steam.
What you need:
- 1 cup mixed dehydrated vegetables (bell peppers, onion, zucchini, corn)
- 2 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder
- Optional: butter, fresh thyme, red pepper flakes
How to make it: Divide sliced potatoes onto four large pieces of foil. Add a handful of dehydrated vegetables — no pre-soaking needed. Drizzle with olive oil, season, fold into sealed packets. Grill medium-high 18–20 minutes, flipping once.
5. Freeze-Dried Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits
Time: 5 minutes | Serves: 4–6
Fast enough to throw together after dinner while everyone's still outside. Freeze-dried fruit stays crisp in the yogurt instead of going soggy.
What you need:
- Plain or vanilla Greek yogurt
- Freeze-dried strawberries or blueberries
- Granola and honey
How to make it: Spoon yogurt into cups. Scatter freeze-dried fruit on top, add granola and honey. Serve immediately — the fruit holds its crunch for about 10 minutes. Keep toppings separate if making ahead.
Putting it all together
The hummus board and wraps are no-cook — ready while the grill heats up. The corn relish and foil packets go out at the same time. Parfaits close the meal without turning on the oven.
If you want to stock up, our Instant Hummus Mix, freeze-dried vegetables, and freeze-dried fruit are all pantry-ready for exactly this kind of cooking.