15 takeout staples transformed into home kitchen masterpieces

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This post is your guide to turning your favorite takeout dishes into home kitchen masterpieces. We’re talking about 15 iconic takeout dishes recreated with fresh, flavorful ingredients and simple techniques.

Top view of slow cooker chicken ramen in the Crock Pot.
Crock Pot Ramen. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Asian Spare Ribs

Two ribs on a tray with sesame seeds and sesame seeds.
Asian Spare Ribs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Enjoy delicious Asian-inspired cuisine with these slow-cooked Asian Spare Ribs. The ribs bask in a medley of aromatic spices and sauces, for a takeout staple that you can master at home with ease for a succulent, easy meal.
Get the Recipe: Asian Spare Ribs

Kung Pao Shrimp

A plate of stir-fried shrimp and vegetables with cashew nuts served over rice.
Kung Pao Shrimp. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Kung Pao Shrimp is a swift and savory dish that brings a takeout favorite to your dining table in under 20 minutes. This shrimp dish balances sweet, savory, and spicy notes, creating a vibrant meal that’s both wholesome and quick to make.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Shrimp

Mongolian Beef

Closeup of crispy beef in a bowl with green onions and sesame seeds.
Mongolian Beef. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Recreate the iconic taste of P.F. Chang’s with this Mongolian Beef recipe, a takeout classic that’s easily made crispy and coated in a sweet and savory sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes, this dish is a family-pleasing meal that’s simpler than you’d expect.
Get the Recipe: Mongolian Beef

Instant Pot Orange Chicken

Plate of orange chicken in a metal bowl from the top.
Instant Pot Orange Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Instant Pot Orange Chicken is a zesty, Asian-inspired dish that rivals Panda Express. In minutes, you can savor a meal bursting with flavor, turning a takeout staple into a homemade classic that’s both swift and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Orange Chicken

Air Fryer Spring Rolls

Closeup of crispy spring rolls cooked in air fryer.
Air Fryer Spring Rolls. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Make your own crispy Spring Rolls for a perfect appetizer or party treat. Easily prepared and ideal for pairing with your favorite dipping sauces, they’re a homemade nod to the beloved takeout snack.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Spring Rolls

Beijing Beef

Beijing beef in a slow cooker.
Beijing Beef. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

For those takeout cravings, choose a healthier, wallet-friendly Beijing Beef made in the slow cooker. This dish offers restaurant-quality taste with minimal hassle, ensuring a gourmet meal on busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Beijing Beef

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Eating sweet and sour chicken with chopsticks.
Sweet and Sour Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Make Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken and have Chinese takeout favorite at home! Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside with lots of pineapple flavor.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Chicken

Crock Pot Ramen

Top view of slow cooker chicken ramen in the Crock Pot.
Crock Pot Ramen. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Crock Pot Ramen takes the convenience of a beloved takeout staple to new heights. Simply toss in the ingredients and let them simmer, giving you a steaming bowl of flavorful ramen that’s as effortless as it is comforting.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Ramen

Air Fryer Crab Rangoon

Crab rangoon in the air fryer basket.
Air Fryer Crab Rangoon. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These homemade Crab Rangoon bites combine crab and cream cheese in a crispy dumpling, a takeout favorite that’s surprisingly straightforward to make at home. They serve as a delightful side dish that’s sure to impress.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Crab Rangoon

General Tso’s Chicken

General Tso's Chicken on a plate with broccoli and rice.
General Tso’s Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

With this General Tso’s Chicken recipe, you can whip up a takeout treasure in just 20 minutes. Crispy chicken bites doused in a sweet and tangy sauce make for a homemade dish that’s as quick as it is mouthwatering.
Get the Recipe: General Tso’s Chicken

Homemade Egg Rolls

Egg roll cut in half and dipped into sweet chili sauce.
Homemade Egg Rolls. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Homemade Egg Rolls are a crispy, pork and cabbage-filled wonder that you can make right in your own kitchen. These takeout classic favorites are easier to make than you might think, offering a taste that’s both familiar and freshly made.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Egg Rolls

Chicken Katsu

Air fryer chicken katsu topped with katsu sauce on a plate with rice and cucumbers.
Chicken Katsu. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Chicken Katsu recipe brings the crispiness of panko-coated cutlets to your table without the need for a takeout menu. Paired with a homemade Katsu sauce, it’s a meal that’s both quick to make and a surefire hit for any mealtime.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Katsu

Air Fryer Tofu

Fried tofu on a plate with one bitten into and a bowl of dipping sauce.
Air Fryer Tofu. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Tofu Nuggets, crisped to perfection, offer a quick and easy vegetarian option that brings the popular takeout texture and flavor into your own kitchen. Seasoned and ready in 15 minutes, these bites are a simple yet rewarding dish.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tofu

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken on wooden cutting board.
Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken is a flavorful escape from the ordinary, cooking chicken thighs to perfection in about 30 minutes. This dish allows you to enjoy a hot, homemade meal that brings a takeout favorite right to your home with minimal waiting.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Sweet and Sour Chicken Egg Rolls – Air Fryer Recipe

Chinese chicken egg rolls on a cutting board.
Sweet and Sour Chicken Egg Rolls – Air Fryer Recipe. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Sweet and Sour Chicken Egg Rolls are a homemade twist on a takeout classic. With sweet and sour chicken enveloped in an egg roll wrapper, this dish is a creative, homemade take that’s ready to serve up a fusion of flavors.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Chicken Egg Rolls – Air Fryer Recipe

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