13 copycat recipes so good, you’ll fool your friends

Photo of author

| Published:

Craving the comfort of your favorite restaurant dishes but stuck at home? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up 13 incredible copycat recipes that are so spot-on, your friends will think you’ve secretly become a chef. Whether you’re looking for a cozy soup, a hearty main, or a quick stir-fry, these recipes are straightforward to make and bring the restaurant experience straight to your kitchen.

Sweet and sour tofu in a bowl with rice and chopsticks on the side.
Sweet & Sour Tofu. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Thai Red Curry Soup

Thai Red Curry Soup. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Dive into the rich flavors of Thai red curry soup, a dish that’s big on taste yet surprisingly easy to make. Ready in just 25 minutes, this soup is a great alternative to takeout, customizable to your preferences. With its authentic flavors, it’s a homemade creation that’s so good, it will fool your friends into thinking it’s professionally made.
Get the Recipe: Thai Red Curry Soup

Copycat Bang Bang Shrimp

Baked bang bang shrimp on a serving plate garnished with green onions and served with dipping sauce.
Copycat Bang Bang Shrimp. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Enjoy the famous flavors of Bang Bang shrimp right at home with this baked version. The shrimp retains its crispy, crunchy texture, complemented by a sensational sauce that mimics the restaurant favorite. Ideal for a delightful and lighter alternative to the classic, this dish is so convincingly similar, your friends will be amazed. Serve it up as a tantalizing appetizer or a main dish that’s sure to impress.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Bang Bang Shrimp

Kung Pao Shrimp

Kung Pao Shrimp. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Create a fantastic Kung Pao shrimp dish in your own kitchen. This recipe is not only a time and money saver but also packs a flavorful punch. Served over white rice with your favorite steamed vegetable, it’s a quick and delicious dinner solution, so convincing, your friends will think it’s from their favorite Chinese restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Shrimp

Honey Orange Sesame Chicken

Honey orange chicken with sesame seeds and green beans in a white bowl.
Honey Orange Sesame Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This honey orange sesame chicken offers a healthier and homemade twist on a takeout favorite. Quick to prepare, this dish features a sticky, sweet sauce that’s sure to impress. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a flavorful meal without the hassle of ordering out, and it’s so good, your friends will be asking for your secret.
Get the Recipe: Honey Orange Sesame Chicken

Sweet & Sour Tofu

Sweet and sour tofu in a bowl with rice and chopsticks on the side.
Sweet & Sour Tofu. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This sweet and sour tofu recipe is a game-changer for a quick and vegetarian-friendly meal. Ready in under 30 minutes, it features crispy tofu coated in a sticky sweet and sour sauce, mimicking the classic Chinese takeout dish. It’s a delicious and straightforward way to enjoy a favorite, so convincing, your friends will be amazed it’s homemade.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Sour Tofu

Honey Garlic Chicken

Honey garlic chicken in a bowl served over rice.
Honey Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Why order takeout when you can make this honey garlic chicken right in your slow cooker? It’s an easy recipe featuring a sticky, sweet, and addicting sauce that’s healthier than what you’d find at a Chinese takeout joint. With pineapple pieces adding a delightful twist, this dish is bound to become a family favorite, so good it will fool your friends into thinking it’s from a restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Chicken

Shrimp Lo Mein

Shrimp lo mein in a skillet with chopped green onions in a white bowl on the side.
Shrimp Lo Mein. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Bring the taste of your favorite Chinese restaurant home with this shrimp lo mein recipe. In just 20 minutes, you can enjoy juicy shrimp and vegetables tossed with Chinese egg noodles in a sauce that rivals any takeout. It’s an ideal choice for a quick and scrumptious dinner, so good your friends won’t believe it’s homemade. Dive into this delightful dish and skip the takeout queue.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Lo Mein

Tofu Fried Rice

Tofu Fried Rice. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Tofu fried rice is the perfect meal for bringing those takeout vibes to your dinner table in a healthier way. It’s easy to make and adaptable to any vegetables you have, offering a delicious and familiar flavor. This dish is so close to the real takeout experience, it will fool your friends, making it an excellent choice for a quick, tasty, and versatile dinner.
Get the Recipe: Tofu Fried Rice

Chinese Boneless Spare Ribs

Homemade Chinese spare ribs with broccoli and rice on a white plate.
Chinese Boneless Spare Ribs. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Recreate the takeout experience with these Chinese boneless spare ribs. They boast the same sticky sweetness, crispy edges, and iconic deep red color you love. This recipe shows you how to easily achieve that authentic takeout flavor, making a dish so convincing, your guests will think it’s the real deal. Perfect for a fun and flavorful dinner at home, these ribs promise to be a hit.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Boneless Spare Ribs

Copycat Panera Creamy Tomato Soup

Creamy tomato basil soup garnished with grated parmesan and fresh basil in a white bowl with a gold spoon.
Copycat Panera Creamy Tomato Soup. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Discover the comfort of homemade with this creamy tomato soup, inspired by Panera’s beloved recipe. It’s brimming with flavor, thanks to roasted garlic and fresh basil. This easy-to-make soup is perfect for a cozy night in, offering the same rich taste and creamy texture as the original, so good it will fool your friends. Enjoy a warm, comforting bowl and relish the flavors of a restaurant favorite in your own home.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panera Creamy Tomato Soup

Kung Pao Chickpeas

Kung pao chickpea dish in a bowl with rice and skillet off to the left.
Kung Pao Chickpeas. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Experience the joy of classic Kung Pao with a vegan twist in this chickpea recipe. The sauce perfectly recreates the bold flavors of the original, making this dish a superb plant-based alternative. It’s so close to the authentic taste, your friends will be astonished. Enjoy this vegan delight that’s easy to make and packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chickpeas

Shaved Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry

Beef and broccoli stir fry served with white rice on a white plate.
Shaved Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Whip up a quick and mouth-watering dinner with this shaved beef and broccoli stir fry. It features thinly sliced beef in a crave-worthy sauce that matches any takeout favorite. Ready in minutes, this dish is a perfect solution for busy evenings, offering flavors so authentic, your friends will think you ordered in. Enjoy a homemade meal that’s fast, flavorful, and sure to impress.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry

General Tso Shrimp

Homemade general tso shrimp with broccoli and rice in a bowl with chopsticks.
General Tso Shrimp. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This General Tso shrimp is your ticket to a fabulous home-cooked version of the Chinese takeout classic. In just 10 minutes, you can whip up this one-skillet wonder, complete with a sweet and slightly spicy sticky sauce that’s so good, you’ll fool your friends into thinking it’s the real deal. Quick, effortless, and a sure crowd-pleaser, it’s a perfect way to bring the flavors of your favorite restaurant into your kitchen.
Get the Recipe: General Tso Shrimp

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.