5 simple recipes to try out on the grill for Valentine’s Day dinner

Whether you want to treat your significant other to a romantic Valentine’s dinner, or you’re hosting a Valentine’s Day event for a group of your closest friends, preparing a special meal that keeps with the theme adds to the celebration. 

Grilling is a great way to enhance the flavours of any type of dish as it creates a unique flavour profile that can’t be obtained by cooking over a stove or roasting in an oven.

Here are 5 recipes you can follow that don’t require the skills of an experienced grill master. Whip up these dishes this Valentine’s Day for a delectable and memorable meal. 

1. Grilled surf and turf 

The first thing that may come to your mind when you think of preparing a Valentine’s Day dinner is cooking up a fancy, restaurant-quality dish, but this grilled surf and turf is sure to be a big hit among whomever you choose to serve it to.

Start by picking a selection of fish and meat. Thick cuts of steak, lobster tails, prawns, large shrimp, and crab claws are ideal for grilled surf and turf. Make sure to marinade your ingredients in a spicy, Cajun-inspired seasoning before grilling them.

Once your grill is nice and hot, make sure to keep track of the cooking times as meat and seafood cook at different temperatures and times. Once the steak is cooked, make sure to let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. 

Seafood cooks quite fast so keep a close eye when it’s on the grill. Once the protein is cooked, you can proceed to serve it with a sweet and spicy sauce to complement the smoky flavours of the surf and turf. 

2. Grilled lamb chops 

Full of flavour and ideal to serve for a Valentine’s Day dinner, grilled lamb is probably one of the best and easiest meat dishes to make.

This is because it doesn’t require a very long time to marinate. Marinate the lamb chops in a citrus or herb seasoning for a couple of hours before cooking. 

Heat your grill to medium-high heat and cook the lamb for about 2-3 minutes on each side. 

Proceed to remove the lamb from the grill and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving it.

3. Grilled fillet mignon 

Looking for an elegant meal that’s simple to prepare? A grilled fillet mignon will be your go-to, even after Valentine’s Day is over.

Remember to generously rub both sides of the steaks with a dry rub that has a slight hint of spice to it for the right amount of flavour. 

Once the grill is heated, oil the grates with grapeseed or avocado oil and place the steaks on it. 

Cook the steaks on each side for 5-6 minutes and let them rest for 5 minutes and serve with creamy mashed potatoes. 

4. Grilled halloumi 

Include a vegetarian-friendly option by grilling up some halloumi. Although the flavours are delicate and mild, once grilled, you’ll be able to dig into a crispy exterior that surrounds a soft, melty interior.

Slice a block of halloumi into even slices and brush them with olive oil and a spicy dry rub. 

Oil your grill once it reaches medium heat and place the halloumi and cook it for about 3 minutes on each side. 

Serve the grilled halloumi with a spicy, tangy sauce to bring out the saltiness of the halloumi. 

5. Grilled herb-crusted salmon 

Elevate the delicate flavours of salmon by coating it in a flavourful, herby marinade that can be easily assembled with olive oil, lemon juice, and an Italian-inspired seasoning.

Coat the salmon in the marinade and leave it in the fridge for about 1 hour. 

Heat your grill to medium-high heat and grill the salmon for about 6 minutes on each side before serving it with a smoky sauce.

This dish would be ideal if the person you’re hosting is a pescatarian.

Make no mis-steaks with these delicious grilled dishes this Valentine’s Day

These simple dishes can be prepared in little to no time on the grill if you have all your ingredients prepped well ahead of time. 

Stock up on some delicious seasonings to elevate your grilling game this Valentine’s Day to prepare a tantalising dish.