Valentine’s Day Recipes for a Date Night In

Valentine’s Day is a great day to spend with your favorite people. Whether it is family, friends, or just yourself, Valentine’s Day is a popular day for dinner reservations at a restaurant out on the town.

The problem with Valentine’s Day is everyone is thinking the exact same thing. Instead, skip the overcrowded, overpriced restaurants for a cozy night in with your valentine. Maybe you are cooking for just one, two, or a larger group, these Valentine’s Day recipes are Cupid-approved.

Valentine’s Day Recipes

Beef Wellington

If you want to go all out and pull out all of the stops for Valentine’s Day, try your hand at a homemade Beef Wellington. This classic English dish is made from beef tenderloin, pate, and duxelles. It is then wrapped in a puff pastry and baked to golden perfection.

What are duxelles you ask? Great question! It is a mix of sautéed mushrooms mixed with garlic, onions, parsley, and shallots. It is often used as a sauce or stuffing.

Beef Wellington can also be served with a brown sauce and is a dish that is sure to impress your Valentine’s Day date. Need some help? Check out a chef who is known for his Beef Wellington, Gordon Ramsay, and his recipe you can recreate at home.

Charcuterie Board

This dish is a great idea if you are hosting a larger gathering or group for Galentine’s Day or Valentine’s Day – a handcrafted charcuterie board. All you need is a variety of some of your favorite snacks like cheeses, crackers, and meats. You can even include handfuls of dried or fresh fruit, nuts, and veggies.

Keep it simple with this guide on what foods fit best on homemade charcuterie boards and grazing boards. If you are not sure where to begin your building, review this step-by-step guide on how to put together a charcuterie board.

If you want to do something a little different, create a butter board or a dessert board covered in artisan chocolate and paired with a good bottle of wine.

Grilled Steak

A grilled steak is another classic meat that is great for any occasion, but especially Valentine’s Day. T-bone steaks are a great go-to as well as other cuts like a tender melt-in-your-mouth filet mignon cut. You can also cook steak for a small or large group with a fun recipe like these Chimichurri Sirloin Steak Kabobs. However, if you want to give your valentine a smooch, maybe skip the garlic-based chimichurri sauce.

Pasta Anything

If you are new to cooking or have some slight trepidation about making a homemade meal for your valentine, stick to anything pasta. It is super simple and almost everyone loves a good pasta dish. Whether it is a basic recipe for spaghetti and meatballs, a crispy chicken parmesan, or a creamy carbonara, pasta is a great idea for a Valentine’s Day dish. Plus, pasta mixes well with any type of meat including beef, chicken, or seafood like scallops or shrimp.

Seared Scallops

Speaking of seared scallops, sauteed scallops are a great appetizer or entree for your Valentine’s Day dinner. Seared scallops with a spoonful of pesto sauce on a toasted slice of baguette bread are great nosh for Valentine’s Day guests or add some seared scallops to a big bowl of homemade risotto for a light yet filling Valentine’s Day dinner.

Lobster Tails

Are you feeling like some seafood or surf and turf? Elevate your at-home date night with a restaurant staple that usually pops up on menus as a Valentine’s Day special – lobster tails and steak. This is also a great option if you cannot decide between lobster or steak. Why make one when you can make both?

Wild Caught Salmon

If you want a super healthy and light dinner dish, stick to dishes like wild-caught salmon. Serve it over a bed of steamed asparagus, broccoli, or spinach with a side of brown rice, wild rice, or white rice. You can even top it off with a savory or sweet glaze and a pinch or two of crunchy sesame seeds. Bon appetit!

Need some more Valentine’s Day recipe ideas? Check out these recipes. If you are looking for some simple Valentine’s Day swaps to elevate your recipes, take a look at these ideas. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

Thank you, Ashley, for this insightful article filled with delicious and healthy recipes that will leave us feeling the love this Valentine’s Day — without the worries of a ruined gut flora! We’re excited to try some of these dishes and can’t wait to share them with others. Be sure to visit our US Wellness Meats Discover Blog for even more inspiration and tasty ideas!