8 Romantic Valentine’s Day Recipes

These romantic recipes for Valentine’s Day will let you turn out a restaurant-quality meal without going anywhere and at a fraction of the price, and you get to make exactly what you want. Who said being housebound is unromantic and boring?

If you’ve been with someone long enough, Valentine’s Day eventually loses some of that pulse-racing headiness of new love.

Well, at least that’s what I always thought…until this year. The One’s and my 30th VD together.

But, alas, it won’t be “together.” This will be our first Valentine’s Day apart. And not just apart but half a world away from each other. For all of February, he’ll be vacationing in Uruguay, an early retirement present to himself. So, while he’ll be basking in the hot summer sun, I’ll be freezing up here in Connecticut.

He hasn’t left yet, and I never knew you could ache for someone so much after three decades.

To lessen the distance, we’ve decided to WhatsApp every day and occasionally prop our phones in front of us and enjoy a meal together. That’s what I plan for us to do on Valentine’s Day.

Of course, we won’t be sharing the same meal–he’ll be feasting at some fabulous parrilla (pronounced puh-REE-zhuh), a restaurant specializing in grilled meats. Me? I’ll probably be chowing down on mac and cheese.

Daniel Krieger

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Hanky Panky Cocktail

This hanky panky cocktail recipe is similar to a martini, with a slightly sweet edge. Perfect for Valentine's Day or date night.

Recipe

Could there be a more appropriately named cocktail to enjoy on the most romantic day of the year than this seductive riff on a martini?

Jim Henkens

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Raw Oysters with Mignonette Sauce

These raw oysters with champagne vinegar mignonette are the perfect party food for any gathering. Mignotte, a mixture of vinegar and shallots, is the best, most sharply acidic friend freshly shucked oysters ever had.

Recipe

Even if you don’t believe in the aphrodisiac properties of oysters, this elegant appetizer is guaranteed to impress your date.

Christopher Hirsheimer

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Lobster Fra Diavolo

This lobster fra diavolo is made with spaghetti tossed in a spicy tomato sauce with lobster, white wine, and chile pepper. Easy, elegant, and so very impressive.

Recipe

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Love the lobster fra diavolo recipe! Delicious and tasty! Even my Chinese wok can barely hold all the lobster, seafood, and pasta!!! Love it!!!–Queenie

★★★★★

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Quentin Bacon

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Steak Frites

While hanger steak is just starting to gain a cult following here, it's always had a place on menus across Europe as an affordable, meaty, flavorful cut of beef. Served with a jumble of shallots, mushrooms, and fries, it's quick and tasty.

Recipe

What’s more romantic than a classic French bistro meal?

David Loftus

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Red Wine Onions

Red wine onions is a magic amalgam of caramelized onions, red wine, a bit of brown sugar, and chile pepper flakes cooked low and slow. So incredibly jammy and unforgettable.

Recipe

Finding a side dish that you can call “romantic” is a little tricky, but the sweet flavor and dark red hue of these slow-cooked onions will have you swooning.

Quentin Bacon

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Linzer Heart Cookies

These Linzer heart cookies are made with raspberry preserves sandwiched between cinnamon-scented hazelnut sugar cookies that are quite like shortbread. Perfect to gift or share on Valentine’s Day. Or, hell, any day.

Recipe

Cutting anything into the shape of a heart automatically makes it worthy of Valentine’s Day. These cookies are a delightful ending to your meal, but why stop there? Pancakes, waffles, pizza, and grilled cheese can all be made heart-shaped to impress your sweetie.

Molly Hauge

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Red Velvet Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting

These red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting are gonna change your notion of red velvet because rest assured, these are smoooooooth. Here’s how to make them.

Recipe

These aren’t your ordinary red velvet cupcakes. There’s a special ingredient that makes them perfect for Valentine’s Day. Or any day.

Ellen Silverman

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Spiced Chocolate Truffles

At last, spiced chocolate truffles made with dark chocolate that taste delectable, are easy to make, and—believe it!—nutrient dense. Our prayers have been answered.

Recipe

Valentine’s Day Food FAQs

Whether you are splurging on fancy ingredients to make a show-stopping meal or putting together the perfect dessert for your sweetheart, we’ve got a recipe for you. If you need more inspiration, check out our entire selection of Valentine’s Day recipes. And remember, when in doubt, bake a chocolate cake.