Last Updated on February 25, 2020
Real talk: Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday this year, meaning most of us, while excited to channel our most romantic selves, will have to do so at the end of a busy work-week filled with errands, obligations, and appointments.
Maybe heading out to an expensive steakhouse after work doesn’t appeal this year; if that’s you, we’ve got some indulgent and decadent steak dinners that are easy to whip up at home for your loved one.
In fact, we’d argue some of these recipes are even better than steakhouse fare. We’re talking bacon-wrapped filet with buttermilk smashed potatoes and mushroom red wine sauce, or one-pan filet mignon with brown butter and sautéed veggies. You’ll get all the accouterments of a fancy steak dinner but within the comfort of your own kitchen.
Even if you’ve only got 30 minutes to whip up a special steak dinner, we’ve got recipes for you. Either way, have a happy Valentine’s Day!
Sous-Vide Top Sirloin with Za’atar Eggplant
Enjoy a steak dinner with Middle Eastern flair with this sous-vide top sirloin with Za’atar eggplant recipe.
Never had Za’atar? It’s a Middle Eastern spice that packs in quite a bit of flavor, with a blend of sesame seeds, sumac (which has a zesty, lemon-y and spicy flavor), and herbs like thyme and oregano.
Za’atar strikes twice in this recipe, both as a coating for the perfectly-cooked top sirloin and as a spice in the sautéed eggplant. You and your partner will also enjoy a meal of two sous-vide top sirloin steaks (which ensures evenly cooked, uber-tender meat) cooked with the show-stealing spice, sesame oil, olive oil, thyme, sesame seeds, and salt and black pepper.
On the side, you’ll love the bright flavors of sautéed eggplant with Za’atar, olive oil, ghee, onion, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper.
Chef Yankel’s One Pan Filet Mignon with Brown Butter and Sautéed Veggies
You’ll love Chef Yankel’s one-pan filet mignon with brown butter and sautéed veggies not just because it’s a decadent and rich steak dinner for two, but also because it’s deceptively easy to put together. The uber-delicious side of smashed carrots and shaved Brussel sprouts with peas doesn’t hurt, either.
While you may fear ruining an expensive cut like filet mignon, this simple recipe will guide you through it step-by-step.
You’ll want to start with room temperature filets. Preheat your oven, then heat a cast-iron skillet over high. Season your filets liberally with salt and pepper, then sear them quickly in some avocado oil. Add butter and rosemary to the pan, and spoon it quickly over your steak for 30 seconds.
Remove the filets from the pan and cook sliced carrots in the juices. Roast the carrots in the same pan in the oven for a bit, then add the filets to the top to finish them.
Once removed from the oven, smash the carrots. While the filets rest, cook up the rest of your veggies. Plate everything with a drizzle of brown butter. See? Easy.
Lemon Turmeric Marinated Flank Steak with Lentil and Beet Salad
In search of a quick meal that still tastes decadent and impressive? This lemon turmeric marinated flank steak with lentil and beet salad will wow your partner, guaranteed.
Flank steaks cook speedily, making them an excellent quick meal choice. The lentil and beet salad takes no time at all, so this meal comes together in 20 minutes flat.
The flank steak packs big flavor thanks to a shortcut: bottled lemon turmeric vinaigrette and marinade. The same bottle serves as the dressing for the lentil and beet salad.
To make this meal, you’ll have to marinate your flank steak overnight. When it’s time to cook, first roast up some cauliflower tossed with avocado oil, curry powder, salt, and pepper. Then, quickly sear your steak. Toss the cauliflower with cooked beets, cooked lentils, and the vinaigrette.
Finish the steak in the oven, and serve alongside the salad. It couldn’t be much simpler.
Seared Flat Iron Steak with Roasted Veggie Salad
This seared flat iron steak with roasted veggie salad is another impressive meal that cooks up quick. If you have 20 minutes, you have time to whip up this juicy steak and vibrant roasted veggie salad.
For your steaks, all you’ll need is clarified butter, whole butter, and some salt and pepper. The rich, meaty flavor shines through and is complemented well by the veggie salad and its vinaigrette.
For the salad, you’ll roast together cauliflower, butternut squash, and Portobello mushrooms. You’ll whip up a vinaigrette with orange juice, balsamic vinegar, whole grain mustard, shallot, garlic, orange zest, and olive oil. Toss the roasted veggies with some crisp bacon, salad greens, and pomegranate seeds, and drizzle the dressing all over.
Miso Denver Steak
Go Asian-inspired this Valentine’s Day with this miso Denver steak. You’ll love how the combination of umami, sweet, and savory cuts through the rich, juicy cut of Denver steak.
These steaks, unlike others on the list, require some time and effort, but the recipe is still fairly easy to follow. You’ll cook the Denver steaks with miso, mirin, rice wine, garlic, and ginger for eight hours in an immersion circulator bath.
You’ll also whip up a quick side of miso-glazed carrots, with some carrots, miso, orange juice, and orange zest. Serve it all together and delight in the flavor explosion.
Garlic-Crusted Ribeye with Smoky Hazelnut Scalloped Potatoes
Nothing could be more classic, comforting and romantic a dinner as a ribeye with potatoes, and this garlic-crusted ribeye with smoky hazelnut scalloped potatoes is just the recipe to get you started.
To start, you’ll make a quick paste from roasted garlic and ghee. You’ll sear your steaks, then rub them in garlic paste and bake them for nine minutes. That’s it.
To make the potatoes, you’ll need Yukon gold potatoes, hazelnut milk, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, pancetta, bacon, hazelnuts, and gluten-free flour. The potatoes come together in less than an hour and are the very definition of indulgent, so indulge with your sweetheart.
NY Strip with Almond Roasted Cauliflower
This NY strip with almond roasted cauliflower is the ultimate interplay of vibrant colors, rich flavors, and a variety of textures.
You’ll only need a handful of ingredients and less than a half-hour to whip this special meal up — perfect if your Valentine’s Day is a little more harried than you’d like.
All you have to do is sear your steaks quickly then baste them with butter, finishing them off in the oven. For the almond roasted cauliflower, you’ll combine cauliflower florets, Marcona almonds (they’re softer and sweeter than the California variety, but any will do in a pinch), curry powder, olive oil, and some salt and pepper.
A quick roast will bring out the deep, earthy flavors of the cauliflower and the spice of the curry powder, making for a super flavorful meal.
Bacon-Wrapped Filet with Buttermilk Smashed Potatoes and Mushroom Red Wine Sauce
Luxurious bacon-wrapped filet with buttermilk smashed potatoes and mushroom red wine sauce is the perfect meal for a special night in with your partner.
Nothing is quite as decadent as bacon-wrapped filet mignon, which adds texture and succulent flavor to a mild cut of meat. Accompanying the filets are smooth, silky multicolor mashed potatoes with a creamy red wine sauce ladled on top.
For the filets, you’ll need two filet mignons, butter, salt and pepper, and bacon. The potatoes come together with an assortment of multi-colored potatoes, buttermilk, butter, chives, salt, and pepper. You’ll also make a creamy pan sauce with assorted mushrooms, red wine, heavy cream, and pan drippings.
Put it all together, and you’re in for an indulgent meal meant to be shared with someone special.
