The best recipe boxes and meal kits to save a fortune on Valentine's Day dinner
Expensive wine lists, stressed-out waiters and queues around the block… is it just us, or has Valentine’s Day turned into the most overrated night of the year?
Well if you can’t face forking out a fortune on an overpriced meal out, but still want to treat your better half to a nice meal, you’re in luck as there’s never been more choice when it comes to eating in.
From frozen beef Wellington to vegan steaks — and a sommelier doorstep service — these are the best dine-in options for Valentine’s Day 2025.
Gousto
Known for their meal boxes, this week’s offerings include red wine orzo with hot honey baked cheese, as well as a delicious-sounding sea bass risotto. With so many delicious options, and fool-proof recipe cards, your only problem will be deciding which one to go for. And the good news is, we have an exclusive discount code for you; simply enter LADB504020 at checkout to receive 50% off your first box, 40% off your second box and 20% off for two months. T&Cs apply.
COOK Valentine’s meal for two
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If you like the sound of preparing a fancy mean without the faff, may we suggest COOK - home of delicious frozen meals, simply pop in the oven and go. Their Valentine’s range, designed for two, includes some seriously tasty options from a beef Wellington to Scottish salmon with crab and lemon and slow-roasted belly of pork. Bon appétit!
M&S Dine in for two
Everyone knows M&S is the home of posh food and its Valentine’s Day offering might just be its fanciest yet with its starters alone sounding mouth-wateringly good (prawn and lobster thermidor gratin, anyone?) Mains include sirloin steaks, duck breasts and Wagyu beef pie, but there’s plenty of veggie options too with butternut squash Wellington a standout.
Decanteroo
This one’s for the wine enthusiasts. Known for its takeaway service, Deliveroo is now dipping its toe into the world of wine tasting by rolling out a budget-friendly tasting experience you can enjoy at your own dinner table. Dubbed ‘Decanteroo', the service will see trained sommeliers visiting customers in their own homes to help them match their chosen dinner to the best wine pairing (with a choice from Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference range). Register your interest via Eventbrite before tickets go live on the 13th to be in with a chance of experiencing the service on Valentine’s Day.
GRUBBY x Redefine Meat
Vegans will be seriously spoiled for choice this year as plant-based food box service Grubby has partnered with Redefine Meat to roll out its sellout Valentine’s steak, a ‘beef’ flank that’s usually only available in top UK restaurants. If you order it as part of the meal kit you can enjoy it paired with creamy dauphinoise potatoes, green beans and a tasty jus.
HECK chicken burgers
Sure, oysters and champagne are nice but for those with simpler palettes, we reckon you can’t go wrong with a humble burger. Heck have dropped these wallet-friendly chicken patties for the big day and they’re even heart-shaped — who said romance was dead?!
Unity Blott