Father's Day food and entertaining on a budget in Australia

Father's Day is a popular time to cook something special

Father's Day falls on the first Sunday of September in Australia, making this week the natural time to plan a celebratory meal. The instinct is often to buy premium cuts of steak or seafood, which can significantly increase the weekly grocery bill. With a bit of planning, it is straightforward to put on a genuinely good meal without paying restaurant prices at the supermarket.

Steak: comparing cuts before you buy this week

If steak is the plan, checking prices across retailers before committing to a cut is worth doing. A few things to compare:

Eye fillet vs scotch fillet vs sirloin. Eye fillet is the most expensive cut and the most tender. Scotch fillet and sirloin are less expensive, equally flavoursome when cooked correctly, and often on promotion. The week before Father's Day is a common time for supermarkets to run promotions on beef — check the current weekly specials at Woolworths and Coles before deciding.

Supermarket vs butcher. For a special occasion steak, a quality butcher often offers better provenance information and the ability to specify exact thickness. See our butcher vs supermarket guide for a fuller comparison. If you are buying from a supermarket, check whether there is a half-price promotion on your preferred cut this week — Father's Day timing often coincides with targeted specials.

Portion size. A 250–300 g raw steak per person is generous for most adults. Buying slightly less than you think you need — and adding a substantial side — typically costs less and results in less food waste.

BBQ options beyond steak

A Father's Day BBQ does not have to centre on expensive cuts. Some alternatives that work well and cost less:

• Whole butterflied lamb leg: Often less expensive per kilo than individual steaks, feeds a group, and is forgiving to cook on a BBQ or in the oven.
• Chicken thighs marinated overnight: Cheap per kilo, full of flavour, and much more difficult to overcook than breast.
• Pork ribs or shoulder: Slow-cooked or smoked, these cuts are significantly cheaper than premium beef and often more impressive at a table.
• Whole fish: Depending on what is in season and available, a whole fish on the BBQ can be a genuinely special and affordable option.

Sides that impress without the cost

Salads with good ingredients, roasted vegetables in season, homemade coleslaw and fresh bread from the bakery section cost very little and round out a meal well. Spring produce is coming into good quality and better prices right now — see our spring produce guide for what is worth buying this week.

Checking prices before the weekend shop

For meat and produce, run a search on TrolleyChecker on the proteins you are considering to see which chain is currently more competitive. Confirm at the retailer's own app or in store before making the trip, as stock on popular cuts can move quickly in the week before Father's Day.