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How to create a classic Valentine’s Day menu

Not sure what dishes to cook this Valentine's Day? Be inspired by our classic menu and ensure a special Valentine's dinner from start to finish.

Resist the temptation of a supermarket meal deal on 14 February and show your loved one you care by cooking a stylish supper that’s sure to impress. Follow this Valentine’s Day menu for classic recipe ideas and an easy shopping list.

For more inspiration, see our quick & easy Valentine’s menu and the 10 most popular Valentine’s Day dishes.

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We’ve put together a romantic menu to serve two people. Tuck into a salmon starter, succulent steak & chips main and a salted caramel & chocolate dessert. Make a pair of passion fruit martini cocktails, and enjoy!

The above shopping list is powered by Whisk. Please check your list thoroughly before purchasing. If the same items appear across different recipes, they won’t automatically combine in your list – you’ll need to do this manually. Please also check the products that have been selected via the Whisk algorithm, as you may prefer a different brand from that listed.

Classic Valentine’s Day recipes

You can prepare the starter and dessert a day or two ahead, if you like. The main and cocktails are quick and easy to make on Valentine’s Day itself.

Starter: sophisticated smoked salmon

smoked salmon & prawns with salad leaves on top

Start your Valentine’s night in with this five-star rated smoked salmon and prawn salad. You can make the horseradish cream and lime vinaigrette in advance, so it’s just a case of assembling and dressing the salad right before you serve it.

Main: Steak & chips for two

Every year, steak is the most popular Valentine’s Day recipe of choice for BBC Good Food users. Recreate the ultimate bistro classic with this recipe for perfectly cooked steak with a parsley butter and homemade chips. It only takes an hour to prepare and cook the entire dish – not that your date needs to know that.

Dessert: Salted caramel chocolate pots

Round off your romantic dinner with these salted caramel choc pots. The combination of sweet and salty flavours works perfectly, and the pots can be prepared up to 24 hours ahead.

Cocktail: Passion fruit martini

passion fruit martini cocktails on a board served with olives

This easy passion fruit martini is the perfect cocktail with which to begin or end your Valentine’s dinner. You can make your own sugar syrup by boiling equal quantities of sugar and water in a pan for about 5 mins until a syrupy consistency.

More Valentine’s dinner ideas:

More classic starters

Smoked salmon with horseradish crème fraîche & beetroot
Crab & citrus salad with Chardonnay dressing
Ultimate onion rings with bacon mayo
Prawn bruschetta with lemony fennel salad
Smoked salmon & avocado sushi

More romantic mains

Braised ox cheek Wellingtons with peppercorn gravy
Spiced lamb with lemon & herb quinoa
Onglet steak with red wine shallots
Duck legs braised with Seville oranges
Butter-roasted supreme of chicken with wild mushroom & potato gratin

More decadent desserts

Baked raspberry & lemon cheesecake
Little rose & almond cupcakes
Orange chocolate truffle cake
Sticky toffee tarts

See our Valentine’s Day collection for our highest-rated recipes.

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