Sharing is caring!

Our Best Recipes for Valentine’s Day on the grill or smoker. Avoid the restaurants this year and dine in. Here are our top 26 Recipes for Valentines Day you can cook on your Smoker or Grill. 

I used to be one of the many Valentine’s Day haters. You know the ones. Those who harp on the day for being an overly corporate holiday. Hater’s gonna hate.

But since having kids I’ve realized that it doesn’t have to be about the Hallmark-ness of the holiday, or buying lots of chocolate (though there will likely be lots of chocolate consumed in my house), but instead teaching my kids to recognize and appreciate love.

We even highlight a 3-course meal ready to go at the bottom of this article.

I also get that kids shouldn’t show their love just one day a year, but be taught to show it everyday (we all should, and we’ve all been guilty of being terrible examples of this). But we need to start somewhere, right? This is a good day to help them recognize the love in their lives, in all of its forms, and to celebrate it.

And that’s what we’re going to do in our house. Make the food we love, make some cheesy-ass cards for each other, drink our favorite drinks, and indulge in the desserts we love the most (chocolate for me, vanilla for Sean, anything with sugar will please the kids).

One thing is certain, we won’t be going out to a restaurant to eat this year. 

Instead, we will be cooking something fun and festive that night, at home. And don’t forget to stock up on the best wines for Valentine’s Day. It’s a special night – and you should grab some special wines.

If you’re looking for some inspiration you can cook on your smoker or grill for this heart-shaped holiday, whether for a party of 2, or a family of 6, here are a few of our favorite recipes for Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day Appetizers

Classic Grilled Fondue

If you have the grill going for some main dishes, then why not add a grilled cheese fondue to the mix? We even grill up some sausage as one of the dipping ingredients. This classic fondue will make your taste buds sing.

Grilled Oysters

The perfect aphrodisiac to get your romantic dinner started! Grilled Oysters are insanely delicious, and are easy to make. Grilled Oyster Recipe

More Grilled Oysters

We’re inspired by New Orleans-style oysters with seasoned melted butter poured over grilled oysters. Then finish with shaved Parmesan cheese. Grilled Oysters with Seasoned Butter

Smoked Salmon Dip

Speaking of salmon, this dip is sure to impress as an appetizer for your fancy dinner. It’s one of our all time favorite appetizers, and for good reason. Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe

Smoked Salmon and Dungeness Crab Cakes

Another elegant starter for your romantic evening and a great reason to splurge on some true Dungeness crab. You guys, these are da bomb! Pair this with your favorite Chardonnay (I recommend one from Oregon! Yassss!). Smoked Salmon Dungeness Cakes Recipe

Grilled Bacon Wrapped Dates with Smoked Honey

Some dates for your Date? I couldn’t think of a better pairing! Stuffed with goat cheese and topped with a thyme smoked honey, this take on a classic will really wow your Honey. Grilled Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates Recipe

Main Dish Recipes for Valentine’s Day

Smoked Beef Short Rib Stew

Once upon a time I was a vegetarian. True story. This was THE cut of meat that taught me to appreciate and enjoy meat — my first beef short rib. It was life changing. While this recipe for Smoked Beef Short Rib Stew may or may not change your life, it will certainly please your palate. Pair this with a Rhone Style red. One of our favorite recipes for Valentine’s Day. Smoked Beef Short Rib Stew Recipe

Maple Chipotle Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon

This recipe has both the “wow” factor of its presentation, and also the elegance you want at a special dinner. My whole family LOVES this recipe! Try this with a semi-sweet Riesling or a New World Pinot Noir. Maple Chipotle Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon Recipe

Reverse Seared Smoked Rib Eyes

If there was one dish that would woo my husband over without fail, it’s these Reverse Seared Smoked Rib Eyes. He could eat this every day of the week if his cardiologist would approve (don’t get any ideas, Sean!). Reverse Seared Ribeye Steak Recipe

Grilled Garlic Chardonnay Shrimp

If you wanted to combine those Rib Eyes from above and do a little Surf and Turf action try these easy Grilled Garlic Chardonnay Shrimp. This is another good one for Chardonnay, especially if you use it for the garlic wine sauce. Grilled Garlic Shrimp Recipe

Grilled Lobster Tails

Or if you wanted something a little more show-stopping for a Surf and Turf option, you can’t go wrong with Grilled Lobster Tails! Grilled Lobster Tail Recipe

Grilled Filet Mignon

Pair that Lobster with a Filet Mignon and you’ve got the ultimate romantic dinner for two this Valentine’s Day! This one is topped with a decadent mushroom brown butter sauce that’s to die for. Grilled Filet Mignon Recipe

Smoked Coq au Vin

This classic French dish is a close second to winning my heart after the short rib stew. True love for this one! We take a classic dish and bump it up a few dozen notches. I’d stick with a red Burgundy (French Pinot Noir) for this, or go big with a Chateauneuf-du-Pape, from the Rhone Valley. Smoked Coq au Vin Recipe

Red Wine Marinated Smoked Tri Tip

This is a great one if you’re looking for something quick and easy. And as recipes for Valentine’s Day goes, this is all about easy. This Red Wine Marinated Smoked Tri Tip with Chimichurri Sauce is a fantastic option, and is incredibly flavorful. Between you and me I could eat this every day of the week! Smoked Tri Tip Recipe

Smoke Beef Short Ribs with a Red Wine Braise

Why yes, of course I put two short ribs on this list because to me, short ribs = true love. This one skips the stew and makes the short ribs the star of the meal. Vegetarians beware, this could turn you to the dark side. Smoked Beef Short Ribs Recipe

Smoked Lamb Chops

If you want something romantic and not into the beef or seafood, Lamb Chops are one of my all time faves! So full of incredible flavor. Pair this one with your favorite Pinot Noir! Smoked Lamb Chops Recipe

Valentine’s Dessert Recipes

Smoked Pot De Crème

Finish your night with these ridiculously tasty Smoked Pot de Crème. These can easily be made in advance the night before and they’ll be ready for you to eat on the day of your dinner. Everyone will love these. The ultimate chocolate dessert for smoked food lovers. Smoked Pot de Crème recipe

Gluten Free Skillet Brownie

Or if you’re craving a classic brownie, these are made to be dense and rich in chocolate. Top them with a chocolate drizzle and vanilla bean ice cream. We cook mostly gluten free in our house, but this recipe is very easy to sub the gluten free flour with regular all purpose flour (equal proportions). Skillet Brownie Recipe

Wine Infused Chocolate Truffles

Take some wine, like Pinot Noir, and add it to chocolate in this amazing (and easy) Chocolate Truffle recipe. We walk through some topping ideas too, like crushed smoked almonds. When you bite into these, it’s soft and delicious.

3-Course Valentine’s Day Dinner at Home

This post highlights a great multi-course meal. Make yourself a full-on elegant 3-course salmon dinner for two.

Side Dishes for Valentine’s Day

These side dishes would be great alongside most of these recipes.

• Perfect Roasted Potatoes
• Duck Fat Potatoes
• Prosecco Risotto
• Grilled Broccolini
• Grilled Beet Salad with Rosé Infused Cranberries and Smoked Bacon
• Smoked Sausage and Mushroom Risotto
• Grilled Acorn Squash Salad
• Grilled Brussels Sprouts

---

Valentine’s Day Wine Pairings

I’m all about the bubbles for Valentine’s Day.

It doesn’t have to be Champagne (though I never resist a glass of Champagne). This year I’m seeking out some DOCG Prosecco. This high quality designation for Prosecco is elegant, crisp, and much more affordable than Champagne. Otherwise look to each post for pairing ideas for a specific recipe.

Whether you celebrate or not, let us know if you try any of these recipes and feel free to rate them or tag us in your Instagram posts with the hashtag #vindulge. 

Cheers

---

---

About Vindulge

Mary (a certified sommelier and recipe developer) and Sean (backyard pitmaster) are co-authors of the critically acclaimed cookbook, Fire + Wine, and have been creating content for the IACP nominated website Vindulge since 2009. They live in Oregon on a farm just outside Portland.