30 Takeout Dishes You Can Make at Home

Sesame chicken

The Spruce

If you've ever been enjoying your favorite takeout snack and thought, "I can do this," then this recipe collection is for you. These are the dishes we reach for most often when we've got a craving for takeout, with one big difference: You can make these with ingredients found in your grocery store or even your own kitchen. Try a few on your friends and you'll realize how easy it can be to make a copycat favorite at home.

  • 01 of 30

    Make-at-home McRib

    Copycat Mcrib
    Copycat Mcrib. Grilled Cheese Social

    This addictive make-at-home McRib sandwich is just as tantalizing as the McDonald's original, except you can eat them whenever you want. Try it with pulled pork, chicken, tempeh, or even jackfruit to make your version really unique.

  • 02 of 30

    Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl

    chipotle chicken burrito bowl

    Leah Maroney 

    You don't have to get in the car to enjoy this awesome copycat Chipotle burrito bowl. A quick and easy marinade amps up the chicken's tenderness factor. Marinate it for one to four hours and grill it just before serving, for the best flavor. We've included a list of popular toppers so you can customize your bowl, just like you do at Chipotle.

  • 03 of 30

    Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole

    Hash Brown Casserole

     Leah Maroney

    If you've ever eaten at Cracker Barrel (and you've gotten there before it sells out!) you've probably had their famous hash brown casserole. Make it at home instead of toting home leftovers with this simple recipe. It freezes and reheats well, and tastes great with ham for a special Sunday brunch, so make a double batch.

  • 04 of 30

    Close-as-Possible KFC Chicken

    Fried chicken legs in a basket
    Jupiterimages/Stockbyte/Getty Images

    Legend has it, that the crispy coating for succulent KFC original fried chicken contains 11 herbs and spices, and so does ours! Even though the real recipe is kept under lock and key, this one tastes so much like it that you might not be able to tell the difference. Use a pressure fryer for that extra crispy skin.

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  • 05 of 30

    Homemade Taco Bell Crunch Wrap Supreme

    DIY Crunch Wrap Supreme
    DIY Taco Bell Crunch Wrap Supreme. Grilled Cheese Social

    No drive-thru is required for this homemade Taco Bell Crunch Wrap Supreme. It's quick, cheesy, spicy, savory, and cool all at once. And unlike the fast-food version, you can stuff this with whatever strikes your fancy. It's also easy to make vegetarian—just swap out the beef for jackfruit or black beans.

  • 06 of 30

    Copycat California Kitchen BBQ Chicken Pizza

    BBQ chicken pizza cut into wedges with more sauce on the side

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    This easy-to-make pizza recipe is a dead ringer for California Kitchen's BBQ chicken pizza. It starts with shredded barbecued chicken and is fleshed out with barbecue sauce, shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and red onions. A little cilantro adds just the right herby bite.

  • 07 of 30

    Copycat Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Sauce

    Copycat Buffalo Wild Wings garlic Parmesan sauce in a jar with basil, Parmesan, and lemon

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    All you need to supply are the wings for this copycat Buffalo Wild Wings garlic Parmesan sauce. The tangy, spicy mixture is made with mayonnaise, Italian seasonings, garlic, a generous pinch of spicy crushed red pepper, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

  • 08 of 30

    Copycat Shamrock Shake

    shamrock shake

     Leah Maroney

    When March comes around, we all start to crave a classic McDonald's shamrock shake. The cool, creamy, minty goodness hits the spot no matter what the weather is like outside. Sip this frosty green cup of comfort at home with this easy recipe that has just five ingredients.

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  • 09 of 30

    Olive Garden Lookalike Pasta with Tomatoes

    Fresh Tomato pasta
    Jon Edwards/Photolibrary/Getty Images

    This simple capellini Pomodoro dish tastes just like the Olive Garden favorite. Some people add a little balsamic vinegar to the simple tomato, olive oil, and parmesan blend for extra tang. Others sprinkle some red pepper flakes on top for spice. Either way, serve it with salad and unlimited breadsticks for that authentic experience.

  • 10 of 30

    Takeout Skillet Sesame Chicken

    Sesame chicken

    The Spruce

    Make your standard Chinese takeout order at home with this awesome sesame chicken. A little salty, a little sweet, and just the slightest bit nutty, this dish comes together in about 30 minutes. This skillet version is lower in fat than the typical deep-fried restaurant version, so you can have it all the time!

  • 11 of 30

    Copycat Chicken Gnocchi Soup

    Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

     The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

    If you have enjoyed Olive Garden's chicken gnocchi soup, you'll be delighted by how easy it is to make at home. This recipe cooks in 30 minutes and is filled with flavor. Shredded chicken breast, potato gnocchi, and spinach are the star ingredients of the creamy, delicious soup. Some say it even outshines the restaurant's version.

  • 12 of 30

    Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

    Pumpkin Spice Latte

     Anita Schecter

    Skip the Starbucks line and make the classic Pumpkin Spice Latte at home, whether it's autumn or spring. The original recipe, believe it or not, actually didn't include any pumpkin. This one does, and plenty of other warming spices too. Try it as written, then adjust the blend to make it your own.

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  • 13 of 30

    BLT Pizza

    BLT Pizza

    The Spruce Eats / Anita Schecter 

    Made popular by a few innovative pizza joints, BLT pizza is a fun twist, and it's easy to make at home. All you need is your favorite pizza dough, mozzarella cheese, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and crumbled bacon. The sauce is an herb-seasoned mayonnaise that's pretty delicious. The best part? Dinner is ready in less than 30 minutes and you don't have to leave the house.

  • 14 of 30

    Instant Pot Orange Chicken

    Instant Pot orange chicken with sesame seeds.
    Diana Rattray

    A perennial family favorite on the Chinese food take-out menu, orange chicken is a wonderful combination of sweet and tangy with a little spice. This Instant Pot recipe simplifies the preparation, eliminating the need for separate pans to fry the chicken pieces and simmer the sauce. Served over rice with a sprinkling of green onions and sesame seeds, it will look like take-out.

  • 15 of 30

    Homemade Red Lobster Cheese Garlic Biscuits

    Cheese Biscuits
    Patrick Heagney / Getty Images

    If you've ever snuck a couple of these flaky cheese garlic biscuits home in your purse after a visit to Red Lobster, we don't blame you. But you can leave your petty crimes behind by baking them in your own kitchen. With just five ingredients, they're simple and quick to make, too!

  • 16 of 30

    Copycat Steak N' Shake Frisco Melt

    Steak 'n Shake's Fresco Melt Copycat Sandwich Recipe
    Steak 'n Shake's Fresco Melt Copycat Sandwich Recipe. Grilled Cheese Social

    Whether you live near the popular burger chain or not, you can make the gooey, meaty goodness of a Steak N' Shake Frisco Melt at home. The secret is in the Frisco sauce, which you'll want to add to everything: this sandwich, every other sandwich you can think of. Serve this sandwich with a side of fries (and more sauce), and a creamy milkshake for a fast food experience, right in your own kitchen.

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  • 17 of 30

    Homemade Cinnabon Buns

    Leah Maroney 

    If you went to the mall and you didn't get a Cinnabon cinnamon roll, did you really go to the mall? Enjoy that sweet, spiced, super-soft bun anytime with this copycat recipe. For a fantastic make-ahead breakfast, whip up a pan of these rolls ahead of time, par-bake until they are puffed but not completely cooked, and freeze. Just pull them from the freezer and finish baking when you're ready to eat.

  • 18 of 30

    Just-Like-Outback Alice Springs Chicken

    alice springs chicken

     Leah Maroney

    Outback Steakhouse has made a name for itself with its Alice Springs Chicken, for good reason. You can make the honey mustard-flavored chicken at home for the family, without making a reservation or picking up a menu. Kids and parents alike will love the results. We also can't get enough of this copycat version of Outback Steakhouse bread!

  • 19 of 30

    Better-than-Takeout Indian Butter Chicken

    Instant Pot butter chicken in a dish with rice.
    Diana Rattray

    Save money and time with this homemade Indian butter chicken that's made in the Instant Pot. The buttery, slightly spiced chicken breast mixture is served with white rice to sop up that creamy, velvety sauce. A combination of spices like garam masala, ginger, cumin, and garlic gives it that signature flavor. And because it's made in the Instant Pot, it requires very little prep time.

  • 20 of 30

    At-Home Kung Pao Chicken

    Kung Pao Chicken
    TheCrimsonMonkey / Getty Images

    Spicy Szechuan Kung Pao Chicken tastes just as great at home as it does from a takeout container with this deep-fried chicken recipe. Gather all of your ingredients before you start because it comes together quickly once you get frying. Marinate the chicken for 30 minutes, for tender meat and deep flavor.

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  • 21 of 30

    Instant Pot Thai Chicken Curry

    Instant Pot thai chicken curry (red curry) with rice.
    Diana Rattray

    Thai curries are a popular dish on takeout menus and may seem intimidating to make at home. This Instant Pot recipe makes preparation simple and cooking time quick. All of the traditional flavors, including coconut milk, fish sauce, ginger, and lime and lemon juice, cook along with the chicken and vegetables to create a warming stew with a bit of spice. Perfect served over rice.

  • 22 of 30

    Homemade Doner Kebab

    Doner Kebab
    Doner Kebab.

    Anita Schecter

    The Doner kebab sandwich is the mother of all Middle Eastern shawarma, Mexican al pastor, and Greek gyro street food sandwiches. Made with shaved meat wrapped up in pita or flatbread with tomatoes, cucumber, yogurt sauce, and red onion, it's a great food to eat on the go. Making it at home can take some improvisation, but the results are well worth it.

  • 23 of 30

    Pull-Apart Mini Big Macs

    mini big mac sliders
    The Spruce

    Try these pull-apart miniature Big Mac sandwiches for the big game or any casual get-together. They've got all of the flavors you love from McDonald's with meaty beef, pickles, shredded lettuce, cheese, and onions, all on that sesame seed bun. Serve them alongside a big batch of shoestring French fries for a fast-food feast at home.

  • 24 of 30

    DIY Cronut

    Copycat Cronut
    Cronut. ccho

    You may remember the viral cronut pastry everyone was talking about a few years ago—they're half-donut, half-croissant, and all the way delicious. It might be hard to get your hands on the original, but you can keep them on your home rotation with this do-it-yourself method.

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  • 25 of 30

    Make-at-Home Teriyaki Chicken

    Teriyaki Chicken. Whitewish/E+/Getty Images

    If your go-to Japanese takeout order is teriyaki chicken, you'll love this at-home version. With only six ingredients and 30 minutes of prep time, you can have a delicious dinner on the table. That's not much longer than it would take for dinner to arrive! Add more or less ginger to adjust the heat-level to taste.

  • 26 of 30

    McDonald's Famous Special Sauce

    McDonald's Famous "Special Sauce" Recipe

    The Spruce

    You may not be able to replicate the Happy Meal toys, but you can make McDonald's "special sauce" right at home to give every burger that comes off your grill that Big Mac flavor. Don't be daunted by the list of ingredients; it's not difficult to make and it's delicious on grilled chicken, with fries, and a range of other sandwiches too.

  • 27 of 30

    Homemade Hosomaki Sushi

    Tekkamaki sushi roll recipe

    The Spruce

    In Japan, hosomaki sushi is a sushi roll made with sweet sushi rice and nori or seaweed. The thinner hosomaki are the simpler, smaller version that are perfect for practicing. Even complete beginners can have a tasty sushi party at home, without ever picking up the takeout menu.

  • 28 of 30

    Olive Garden Toscana Soup at Home

    On a chilly or blustery evening, all you need is a warm bowl of soup. But if you don't want to leave your house to get one, try this copycat recipe that's just like Olive Garden's Toscana. Sausage, bacon, potatoes, and greens make it hearty and delicious. Make a big batch and reheat it for lunch throughout the week.

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  • 29 of 30

    Copycat Orange Julius Smoothie

    Orange julius

    The Spruce

    There's just nothing like an Orange Julius—unless it's this easy copycat recipe you make at home! With just four ingredients and fewer calories than the original, you can slurp down that sweet frozen flavor whenever you want. This recipe makes one smoothie, but you can easily double or even triple it for a crowd.

  • 30 of 30

    At-Home Wonton Soup

    Chicken Wonton Soup

    Cultura-RM Exclusive-Brett Stevens

     

    That little container of wonton soup that comes with your Chinese takeout is some of the best comfort food around, but you don't have to pick up the phone to get some. Make your own at home with this delicious, takeout classic.