Valentine's Day Dinner Ideas (2024)

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Fill the table with love with these easy and tasty Valentine’s Day Dinner ideas. All are romantic, and some family-friendly, too. I promise you can make these meals if you’re a seasoned cook or just starting your home cooking journey!

Valentine's Day Dinner Ideas (1)

Table of Contents

Make it a lovely Valentines Day meal with…

Make your home cooked Valentine’s Day meal extra special with the right accessories….

You can shop my Valentine’s Day decor and food recommendations.

1. Tri tip in oven

Tri-tip is an ideal Valentine’s Day meal for beginners to home cooking because it’s forgiving to cook.

It’s a delicious and impressive choice for a romantic dinner, but can easily feed 3-4 people if you’re cooking a Vday meal for a family.

How To Cook Tri Tip In Oven Perfectly

2. Smoked turkey breast

Smoked turkey breast is an excellent Valentine’s Day meal for a few people and thanks to the forgiving nature of smoker cooking, it is a delectable, but also a low-maintenance dish – because who wants to stress on Vday?

Smoked Turkey Breast Without Brine (Traeger Pellet Grill Demo)

3. T bone steak in oven

Cooking a T-bone steak in the oven is remarkably easy for beginners, but it will give all those steak dinner vibes that bring the romance for your evening…

T Bone Steaks In The Oven

4. Homemade pizza

Have fun cooking with the family… get the kids in the kitchen to make this Valentine’s Day homemade pizza with store bought dough…

See how to make heart shaped pizza

You can shape the pizza into a heart and make it on a baking sheet – or try this pizza stone recipe.

Making Pizza At Home with Store Bought Dough

5. Creamy steak sauce

This peppercorn sauce recipe is perfect for making any Valentine’s Day steak dinner taste even more delicious…

Creamy Peppercorn Sauce Recipe For Steak and Beef

6. Smoked chicken breast

Smoking chicken breast is an ideal Valentine’s Day recipe you can make in the Traeger. Turn the chicken into comfort food like smoked enchiladas, and it will make your evening super cozy.

Easy Smoked Chicken Breast

7. Sirloin steak in oven

Oven Baked Sirloin Steak

8. Cranberry BBQ sauce

Homemade BBQ sauce is easy to make, but the effort of making it from scratch is always appreciated… which is why it makes a great Valentine’s Day recipe.

Make it a day ahead then serve it for dinner with frozen crockpot meatballs, or to dip chicken thighs or chicken wings in.

Honey Cranberry BBQ Sauce

9. Sous vide frozen steak

Sous vide is one of the cooking methods that my husband and I came together to enjoy learning about at the beginning of our relationship.

For us, it all started when his boss gifted us a sous vide machine for our wedding… and after I got really into it, I wrote the Home Chef’s Sous Vide Cookbook which is on Amazon and Barnes and Nobles, amongst others.

You can easily make steak for Valentine’s Day by freezing it ahead of time, then sous vide cooking it from frozen before it’s time to eat.

Cook Frozen Steak in a Sous Vide Bath

Try this sous vide ribeye or sous vide filet mignon

10. Homemade hamburger patties

How To Make Ground Beef Patties For Burgers

11. Smoked pizza

Best Smoked Traeger Pizza (Smoking Pizza On Pellet Grill)

12. Fettuccine noodle recipe

Cooking can be so romantic… especially if you make this pasta dish with your significant other on Valentine’s Day…

Homemade Pasta Recipe (Fettuccine, Linguini, Spaghetti)

13. Pork belly burnt ends

Definitely the way to my husband’s heart any day of the year – but with Feb 14th coming up, keep it in mind – This is a tasty and special dish to smoke on the Traeger for Vday.

Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends

14. Blueberry turnovers

Make the blueberry compote from scratch (it’s easy – I swear), then spoon it into puff pastry for delicious, flaky homemade pastries for dessert or brunch on Valentine’s Day.

Easy Blueberry Turnovers Recipe With Puff Pastry

15. Smoked scallops

Smoked Scallops With Garlic Butter Sauce

16. Caramelized onions

Probably the least expensive thing you can add to a Valentine’s Day dinner is a generous, heaping pile of caramelized onions.

Pile it on top of steak… maybe with a sprinkle of blue cheese or parmesan cheese, or with a drizzle of balsamic reduction on top… mmm!

Caramelized Onions For Steak, Burgers, Sides

17. Smoked turkey

Feeding a crowd for a Valentine’s Day party? Make a tasty smoked whole turkey…

Smoked Turkey Recipe – Whole Bird Traeger Pellet Grill Guide

See more BBQ menu items…

18. Spatchco*ck Smoked Turkey

Spatchco*ck Smoked Turkey

19. Bacon wrapped hot dogs

This is a great idea for serving kids…

Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs (Air Fryer, Oven, Grill)

20. BBQ ​​ribeye on the grill

If you want to grill something special for Valentine’s Day, ribeye steak is a great choice… drizzle on my peppercorn sauce or melt a chunk of compound butter on top to make it extra special.

How To Grill Ribeye Steaks

21. Pesto fettuccine

Italian food definitely brings the romance when it comes to cooking Valentine’s Day dinner at home…

Fettuccine Pesto Pasta Recipe (Fettuccine Al Pesto)

22. Smoked flank steak

Smoked Flank Steak

23. Smoked mac and cheese

Definitely the recipe that is the way to anyone’s heart…

Smoked Mac And Cheese

24. Cherry turnovers with pie crust

Cherry Pie Turnovers With Pie Crust

25. Butterfly drumsticks

BBQ Grilled Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks

26. Raspberry turnovers

Raspberry Turnovers – Easy Puff Pastry Recipe

27. Sous vide turkey breast

Sous Vide Turkey Breast with Crispy Skin

28. Sous vide porterhouse

Sous Vide Porterhouse Steak — SO Juicy!!

29. Chicken lime soup

Chicken Lime Soup

30. Smoked tomahawk steak

The perfect Vday dish for two!

Smoked Tomahawk Steak

31. Grilled shrimp

How To Grill Shrimp

32. Lasagna soup

Lasagna Soup

33. Labneh dip

Mmm… serve this as an appetizer with freshly toasted pita bread and veggies like cucumbers and carrot sticks…

Easy Labneh Dip Recipe With Garlic And Dill

34. Traeger rack of lamb

Smoked Rack of Lamb

35. Smoked meatballs

These are definitely unexpected, but you’ll be hooked once you find out how easy and delicious it is to smoke meatballs in sauce on the Traeger.

Smoker Meatballs (Italian Style Sauce)

36. Pepperoni pizza

Most people have no idea how easy it is to make pepperoni pizza at home that tastes as good, if not better than delivery.

Homemade pizza is easy when you have a few pointers to get started, like choosing the right ingredients, and stretching the dough in a way I will walk you through.

Homemade Pepperoni Pizza Recipe

37. Homemade meatballs with veggies

I have a method for making meatballs from scratch that are packed with veggies that everyone loves. They’re perfect to toss in the crock pot and cook all day so dinner is easy to put together.

Tasty Stove Top Meatballs with Vegetables

38. Ground beef stuffed shells

Cheesy Italian Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef Filling

39. Coulotte steak

This unique steak cut is great for two.

How To Cook Coulotte Steak (Best Recipe Grill OR Sear)

40. Beef back ribs

You’ll be loving these beef back ribs.

Beef Back Ribs (Oven Baked)

41. Mini loaf pan recipes

Aren’t these little dessert loafs cute? We eat them for brunch, dessert or a snack. Sometimes with the icing, other times just griddled in a cast iron pan with some butter.

You can change up the fruit to your liking – try diced apples, peaches, or plump blueberries.

Apple Bread Mini Loaves

42. Bacon wrapped asparagus

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

43. Whole roasted chicken

How To Roast A Whole Chicken

44. Crock pot chicken drumsticks

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

45. Angel hair pasta with chicken breast

Angel Hair Pasta with Chicken

46. Smoked cornish hens

Smoked Cornish Hens

47. Banana bread cake

Banana Bread Cake

48. Baby back ribs in oven

BBQ Baby Back Ribs In Oven

49. Smoked shrimp

Easy Smoked Shrimp

50. Blue cheese dressing

The joy in home cooking is in finding things you can cook that would be easy to buy… but taste better homemade…

Making your own blue cheese dressing requires just a few ingredients and will elevate any salad, sandwich, or appetizer like wings or even a simple veggie tray.

Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing

Shop my Valentine’s Day decor and food recommendations.

Valentine's Day Dinner Ideas (2)

Want to get better at home cooking?

Now it’s time to create a Valentine’s Day feast that’s not just delicious but filled with the love that makes every bite extraordinary. Happy cooking!

And don’t forget – I’m here to help you put together delicious meals, right at home. If you have any questions, drop them in the comments.

Chat soon!

– JennaNext, browse the Sip Bite Go recipe collection

Valentine's Day Dinner Ideas (2024)

FAQs

What is traditional Valentines Day dinner? ›

Italian dishes, like pasta, are also a classic Valentine's Day choice. From spaghetti carbonara to lasagna and rollatini, foods that hail from Italy are a fail-safe option for your February 14th date.

What is the most popular Valentine's Day dinner? ›

1. Steak with peppercorn sauce. Every Valentine's Day, steak is the overwhelming favourite of Good Food users. Thousands of you want to know how to cook the perfect steak (top tip: the secret is quick cooking and constant attention).

What is a popular food eaten on Valentine's Day? ›

Consumers' views on Valentine's Day foods
Valentine's Day + Love-Themed FoodsLove or Like %
Dates31%
Oysters29%
Truffles28%
Italian “Wedding” Soup27%
14 more rows

What is the most expensive Valentine's Day dinner? ›

Pitched at the world's growing class of ultra-rich 1 percenters is the most expensive Valentine's dinner ever: a $99,300 meal that will be prepared by a Michelin-starred chef at your home.

How to make a romantic dinner? ›

When planning a romantic dinner you should consider several factors: lighting, music, decor, and of course, the food and drinks. Candles and soft music are a great way to set the mood for romance. Select unscented candles or neutral-scented candles that won't interfere with the flavors of the food you intend to serve.

How do you host a Valentine's Day dinner? ›

How to Host a Valentine's Day Dinner
  1. Avoid abandoning your valentine too long between courses by choosing dishes you feel confident about. ...
  2. Set the scene for romance. ...
  3. Keep portions small and enjoy your meal at a leisurely pace to avoid feeling overstuffed on rich foods.

What time is best for dinner Valentines Day? ›

The busiest dinner hours fall between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. You can beat the crowds if you head to the restaurant early—plus your waiter will be fresher! Or, head out late, for a full dinner or maybe just a dessert.

What food does everyone love? ›

America's Favorite Foods: The 50 Most Popular Foods in America
  • Cheese quesadilla.
  • Sweet potato fries. ...
  • Hummus. ...
  • Pizza margherita. Mizina/Getty Images. ...
  • Chili. Janna Danilova/Getty Images. ...
  • Seaweed salad. Liudmila Chernetska/Getty Images. ...
  • Nachos. VeselovaElena/Getty Images. ...
  • Sesame chicken. VeselovaElena/Getty Images. ...
Mar 11, 2024

What meals do men love? ›

Manly Meals: 13 Tasty Recipes for Men
  • Grilled Skirt Steak with Charred Corn Salad. ...
  • 3-Napkin Baby Back Ribs. ...
  • "St. ...
  • Redeye Rubbed Burgers with Worcestershire-Glazed Onions. ...
  • Beer Brat Skewers with Spicy Slaw. ...
  • Hot Dogs with Beer-Braised Sauerkraut. ...
  • Fire-Grilled Steak with Salsa Verde. ...
  • Guy Fieri's Italian Nachos.
Jan 23, 2015

What is a love meal? ›

The Love Feast, or Agape Meal, is a Christian fellowship meal recalling the meals Jesus shared with disciples during his ministry and expressing the koinonia (community, sharing, fellowship) enjoyed by the family of Christ.

How to make Valentine's Day special on a budget? ›

Opt for Affordable Experiences: Consider celebrating Valentine's Day with affordable experiences rather than costly activities. Take a scenic nature walk, plan a picnic in the park, or have a cozy movie night at home.

What should I cook my girlfriend for dinner? ›

26 Date Night Recipes to Make Together
  • 01 of 27. Chicken Parmigiana. View Recipe. ...
  • 02 of 27. Marry-Me Chicken. View Recipe. ...
  • 03 of 27. Creamy Shrimp Scampi with Half-and-Half. ...
  • 04 of 27. Chicken Marsala. ...
  • 05 of 27. Beef Bourguignon I. ...
  • 06 of 27. Tuscan Flank Steak. ...
  • 07 of 27. Chef John's Coq au Vin. ...
  • 08 of 27. Date Night Blackened Salmon Pasta.
Jan 10, 2024

What should I make my crush for Valentine's Day? ›

Some beautiful ideas for making a Valentine's Day gift for your crush are giving a handwritten note with gifts for your crush such as flowers, gifting chocolates or cake, journals or mugs with romantic quotes on them, and taking out your crush for a date.

What are common Valentines Day traditions? ›

Celebrating Valentine's Day in the United States comes with multiple go-to practices. Offering a bouquet of red roses to your beloved. Purchasing a card with a heartfelt message. Sharing a candlelit meal with your partner.

What was the original Valentines Day tradition? ›

Possible ancient origins

In Ancient Rome, Lupercalia was observed February 13–15 on behalf of Pan and Juno, pagan gods of love, marriage and fertility. It was a rite connected to purification and health, and had only slight connection to fertility (as a part of health) and none to love.

What is the dress code for Valentine dinner? ›

Pink and Red are the most commonly worn colours on Valentine's Day. These also happen to be one of the best colour combinations for a statement outfit. Red signifies love and pink means gentleness. However, if you like both colours, you can opt for them both.

What is a traditional Valentine's Day arrangement? ›

Go for simple arrangements that feature only one main flower, and a secondary color / flower, and some fill. Classic would be roses (main) baby's breath (secondary) and leatherleaf fern (fill). Usually roses or carnations. And color matters, Red for love, pink for young love or like/crush, and yellow for friends.

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