8 Swoon-Worthy Valentine's Day Recipes

Sure, Thanksgiving is an obvious food holiday, but real ones know that any day can be a food holiday. Flag Day shortcake? Groundhog Day pancakes? We’re here for it.

But Valentine’s Day is the real food holiday sleeper hit. It’s a moment to show love through cooking, whether you’re wooing a partner, spoiling your roommate or finally making dinner for someone who deserves it: yourself. From steakhouse-worthy mains to one-pan chocolate desserts to an espresso martini that never lets you down, these recipes are built to impress.

The vibe is thoughtful, not try-hard, with dishes that go all in and deliver maximum impact with minimal effort. (Because nothing kills the mood like a sink filled with dishes.) Cook what you love, pour what they like and let the night unfold.

French Onion Soup

This soup brings that romantic Parisian bistro glow home with a tangle of caramelized onions and a molten cheese cap that makes each spoonful swoon-worthy. Serve it with torn pieces of warm baguette, plenty of butter, a salad of bitter greens and a great steak.

Gin Martini

A perfect gin martini can be an entire Valentine’s Day celebration, no elaborate menu required. It’s even more special mixed in our new cocktail shaker, a beveled beauty that sets the tone for a simple-yet-luxurious evening. The pimento-stuffed olives are nonnegotiable, bringing a gentle burst of briny heat that rounds out the drink and gives it a little romance of its own.

Crispy Tofu Bowl with Orange-Tahini Dressing

If your lover eats vegan, skip the faux meat and make something vibrant that actually feels celebratory. Start with tofu cooked until crisp, then build the bowl with farro, ripe avocado and juicy orange segments. A handful of edible flowers makes it look like a centerpiece. (Pro tip: Lean into the moment by bringing a real bouquet to the table, too.) The orange-tahini dressing ties it all together with slightly sweet richness. Make a triple batch and bottle it as a bonus gift.

Brisket al Forno

Cooking one special meal is lovely, but making a whole brisket to carry your partner through days of great leftovers is a true gift. Nancy Silverton’s Brisket al Forno sets the tone for a memorable night, starting with a dry rub that sinks into the meat before a long, slow braise. The result is tender, fall-apart delicious and particularly suited to a side of potatoes au gratin.

Pan-Seared Ribeye with Smoky Chimichurri

A great steak is a Valentine’s Day classic for a reason. It feels celebratory, looks incredible on our steak plates and delivers that instant date-night energy. This marbled ribeye is topped with a chipotle-spiked chimichurri that brings a little smoke and plenty of herbaceous flavor into every bite. Shake up a pair of Manhattans to start, then serve the steak with duck-fat-roasted potatoes to go full steakhouse mode. End with a warm skillet chocolate chip cookie for a final flourish to set the tone for the rest of the night.

Peanut Butter Swirl Skillet Brownies a La Mode

These fudgy brownies are the gift that keeps on giving. After eating your fill on Valentine’s Day (paired with an espresso martini, perhaps), portion the rest into work-ready treats for the week. (And yes, it’s perfectly acceptable to make this to celebrate yourself, served with a single spoon, natch.)

Wild Mushroom Risotto

This ingenious risotto dials in the romance. It makes just two portions—ideal for Valentine’s day—and the streamlined steps mean you won’t be tethered to the stovetop all night. Pour a couple glasses of sparkling wine and put on a fire, whether it’s flickering in the fireplace or simply streamed on the TV.

Skillet Cinnamon Rolls

For the significant other who would choose brunch over dinner without hesitation, start the day with a pan of gooey cinnamon rolls crowned with a generous schmear of cream-cheese frosting. Deliver one warm roll straight to bed alongside a mug of coffee and you’ve already won the morning. Keep the celebration going with another brunch favorite like a rolled French omelette or a cozy polenta and egg casserole.

Feeling inspired? So are we. We’re starting to think that we should celebrate Valentine’s day more than just once a year.