5 Valentine’s Day Dinner Recipes You Can Easily Make At Home

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. And what better way to show someone you love them than with a home cooked meal? If you’re looking for easy Valentine’s Day dinner recipes, you’ve come to the right place.

Beginner-Friendly Valentine’s Day Dinner Recipes

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. And, unless you made reservations far in advance, you’re most likely not going to get a slot last minute. Most restaurants during this time are fully booked, but you don’t have to let that ruin your night. Even if you don’t have a lot of experience in the kitchen, there are some simple meals you can prepare that can still wow your date.

Here are the best Valentine’s Day dinner recipes for a romantic night in.

1. Filet Mignon

For easy yet impressive Valentine’s Day recipes for dinner, this filet mignon should be your go-to.

Ingredients:

• 4 (6 oz) filet mignons
• 4 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp rosemary, roughly chopped
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper, freshly ground

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Season the steaks with salt and pepper on both sides.
2. In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once it’s near-smoking, put in the steak. Sear one side of the steak for about 5 minutes. Flip the steak and then add the rosemary and butter. Using a spoon, baste the steak with melted butter. Do this for another 3 to 5 minutes.
3. Place the skillet in the oven and cook until medium or according to your liking. Measure the temperature every couple of minutes.
4. Once done, remove the skillet from the oven. Transfer the steak to a warm plate and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

2. Red Wine Braised Short Ribs

Looking for an amorous Valentines dinner? Try this recipe for braised short ribs.

Ingredients:

• 6 lbs beef short ribs, bone-in
• 2 onions, skinned and halved
• 2 heads garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
• 1 tube (4.5 oz) double-concentrated tomato paste
• 1 bottle (750 ml) red wine
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 sprigs thyme
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, crushed
• Kosher salt

Directions:

1. Place a rack in the oven about 5 inches from the top. Set the broiler to high.
2. In a baking sheet, arrange the short ribs in a single layer. Season evenly with salt. Broil the short ribs for 15 to 20 minutes, turning once midway through. Set the ribs aside. Turn oven to 300°F.
3. Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high. Place the onion halves in the pot, cut the sides down. Add the garlic. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add tomato paste and mix well. Turn heat to high. Add the wine, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Bring it to a boil before turning the heat down and letting it simmer until the steam stops smelling like alcohol. This will take about 8 to 10 minutes.
4. Add the short ribs to the pot and pour enough water to cover the ribs. Bring it to a boil again.
5. Once boiling, transfer the pot to the oven. Let it cook for 2 to 2.5 hours until the beef is tender. Remove the pot from the oven and let it cool to room temperature. Chill overnight.
6. An hour or two before serving, take the pot from the fridge and remove the fat from the top. Discard. Reheat the braised short ribs over medium-low heat until the red wine broth liquefies.
7. Using a slotted spoon, scoop the short ribs and transfer to a sheet pan. Let the remaining liquid braise over medium-high heat until it reduces and thickens slightly (about 10 to 15 minutes).
8. Once the ribs are cool enough, remove the meat from the bones. Discard the bones and cartilage.
9. Add the meat chunks back into the pot and remove them from the heat. Serve warm.

3. Lobster Wellington

When it comes to Valentine dinner ideas, you can never go wrong with lobster.

Ingredients:

• 4 (8 oz) raw lobster tails in the shell, thawed if frozen
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 package (10 oz) frozen spinach, thawed, squeezed dry, and chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• Zest of 1/2 lemon (about 1 tsp), plus wedges for serving
• 1 package (4 oz) mixed mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
• 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 1 large egg, beaten
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper, freshly ground

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place a wire rack on a baking sheet and set aside.
2. Boil a small pot of water. Turn off the heat and add the lobster tails. Cover the pot and let the shells sit for about 4 minutes.
3. Using kitchen shears, cut the shells off to separate them from the lobster meat. Stick a wooden skewer through each tail, lengthwise. Set aside.
4. Melt 4 tbsp of butter. Add the spinach, lemon zest, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
5. In a medium skillet, melt the remaining butter over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until the mushrooms soften and brown.
6. Roll out one sheet of puff pastry. Spread half of the spinach mixture before adding a layer of the mushroom mixture on top. Cut the sheet in half. Repeat with the other sheet of puff pastry.
7. Roll a lobster tail into each rectangular sheet. Transfer the rolls to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the rolled pastries with a beaten egg.
8. Bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the skewers and slice each roll before serving with a side of lemon wedges.

4. Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon

As far as Valentine Day dinner menus go, this salmon dish won’t disappoint.

Ingredients:

• 4 (6 oz) salmon fillets
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper, freshly ground

Directions:

1. Combine honey, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and soy sauce in a bowl.
2. Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. When it’s near-smoking, place the salmon in the skillet with the skin side up. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Cook the salmon for about 6 minutes. Once golden, flip the salmon and add the remaining olive oil.
4. Add garlic and cook for about a minute. Pour in the honey and soy sauce mixture. Add the lemon slices. Let the sauce cook until it reduces by a third. Using a spoon, baste the salmon with the sauce.
5. Serve with sliced lemon.

5. White Wine Coq Au Vin

If you’re craving Valentine’s dinner recipes that use chicken, this delicious coq au vin is the obvious choice.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole (3.5 to 4 lbs) chicken, cut into pieces
• 4 oz pancetta, cut into half-inch pieces
• 1 lb cremini mushrooms, quartered
• 1 bottle (750 ml) dry white wine
• 2 leeks, halved and sliced
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 6 sprigs thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/4 cup fresh tarragon, chopped
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tsp olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper, freshly ground

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook until browned. Transfer the cooked pancetta to a plate lined with a paper towel.
3. Season all the chicken pieces with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place the chicken pieces in the pot, skin side down. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to a plate.
4. Turn the heat to medium-high. Add the mushrooms and cook until browned.
5. Lower the heat to medium-low. Add the leeks, garlic, and onions. Cook until light golden brown. Add the flour and cook for another minute. Pour in the white wine gradually, making sure to stir constantly. Pour in the stock and add the thyme, bay leaves, and mustard. Bring the pot to a simmer.
6. Place the chicken (skin side up) and cooked pancetta back into the pot. Transfer the pot to the oven and let it cook for 1 to 1.5 hours or until the chicken is fork-tender. Remove the bay leaves and thyme. Top with chopped tarragon.

A Dinner to Remember

There’s no denying that February is a time for romance. Let these easy and delicious Valentine’s Day dinner recipes give you a night you won’t soon forget.

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