Quick and Easy Takeout Recipes
Updated: 03/13/2025
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Making your favorite takeout dishes at home is easier than you might think. Trust me, I’ve been recreating takeout recipes for years, and not only do they taste just as good (if not better), but they also land on your plate quicker than waiting for delivery – that’s a win!
Skip the takeout and make your favorite dishes at home. I’ve gathered 25 of my best takeout recipes for you and your family to enjoy right in the comfort of your kitchen
What is your go-to takeout order? I can’t go past General Tso’s chicken or a good old burger and fries. But there are several reasons I prefer whipping these up at home:
- Budget: Takeout dinner can add up quickly. Making it yourself at home is good for your wallet.
- Faster: Many of these recipes take around 20-30 minutes to make, making them perfect for busy weeknights. It’s also quicker than most restaurants can deliver! You’ll have food on your table before the doorbell rings.
Rather than reaching for a takeout menu, try these takeout copycat recipes at home instead!
Appetizer takeout recipes
I LOVE ordering appies when I go out to eat, so you bet I’m all about recreating delicious bites at home. Before you dig into the main course, make some of these delicious appetizers to get you started.
Spring rolls are an absolute go-to when it comes to takeout appies, and these fresh spring rolls are a MUST – they’re like little pad Thai salad wraps. For a seasonal twist, promise me you’ll make these winter rolls! The flavors are inspired by banh mi, and they’re perfect for fall or winter.
For some bold and savory goodness, kick your meal off with these sticky Thai chicken wings. Oven baked to perfection and tossed in a sweet and savory glaze made with peanuts and Thai notes, they pack some serious flavor.
Or, if a sushi night is on the menu, start it off with a fresh spin – you can’t go wrong with these tzatziki avocado salmon rolls.
Asian-inspired takeout recipes
Is Asian cuisine your favorite type of takeout, too? I’m a bit obsessed with how the bold and diverse flavors perfectly balance sweet, umami, tang, and spicy notes. While the flavors might taste complex, recreating these takeout recipes at home is super simple.
Take this tangy lemon chicken, for example: in just 30 minutes, you can have a deliciously saucy dish that tastes indulgent.
Let’s talk about my go-to Asian takeout recipes. My usual call to my local restaurant would include an order of spicy kung pao chicken and General Tso’s chicken. Both have such a delicate balance of flavors. Using a crockpot for the general Tso’s chicken makes it such a breeze, too – it’s a low-effort Chinese takeout recipe!
I adore how many Asian dishes seamlessly incorporate fruit to naturally add citrusy or sweet flavors. This orange chicken, with its sweet and sticky glaze, is a perfect example. And my pineapple pork stir-fry uses pineapple’s tropical notes to sweeten the deal! It’s a perfect contrast to the savory pork.
Of course, noodles are a classic order, and these Thai chicken peanut noodles see ramen noodles get slathered with the most delicious, rich satay sauce. Speaking of noodles, if you love banh mi sandwiches, you’ll LOVE the twist on these banh mi noodle bowls – they’re so satisfying.
Indian takeout recipes
When I order Indian takeout, there are two things I ALWAYS get: butter chicken and palak paneer! I have spent YEARS perfecting the sauce of my easy butter chicken recipe – it takes just 30 minutes to make this rich and creamy curry, and it might just trick you into thinking it’s restaurant-made.
The creamy spinach curry of this palak paneer will have you sending compliments to the chef. Then you’ll remember the chef is you. (Don’t forget to rate yourself five stars)! Make some basmati rice or cauliflower rice to finish off the meal.
Shrimp and seafood takeout recipes
I absolutely LOVE eating salmon and shrimp! Salmon is, hands-down, my family’s favorite, but I also have a soft spot for shrimp. I spend two weeks every summer dropping prawn traps from my family’s boat, so cooking with shrimp brings back great memories.
If you’re craving a warming curry for dinner, make this cashew coconut salmon curry. It’s cozy and has bold Thai flavors and a broth the whole family will love.
Pull out the shrimp from your freezer to thaw them out, or grab fresh ones for these shrimp recipes. You only need 20 minutes, one pan, and ten ingredients to make this irresistible sticky sesame honey shrimp recipe. It’s the perfect blend of sweet and savory. Even faster yet, if you only have 15 minutes to whip up dinner and you want bright, zesty flavors, this creamy coconut lime shrimp is the perfect dish.
Vegetarian and Vegan takeout recipes
Don’t have any protein in the fridge or craving vegetarian takeout recipes? These are sure to hit the spot – whether you’re craving something crispy, creamy, or packed with veggies, there are lots of delicious meatless takeout recipes you can whip up at home.
For a meatless twist on classic Chinese takeout recipes, make this baked general Tso’s cauliflower. It has all the sweet and savory goodness but replaces the chicken with cauliflower that crisps up beautifully.
If you want to make your takeout recipe at home to keep things lighter, you’ll swoon over this cauliflower fried rice. It uses cauliflower rice instead of regular rice to pack in the veggies. Oh, plus it’s delicious! Or whip up this bang bang cauliflower – these delicious bites are breaded and baked until golden and then tossed in a homemade bang bang sauce.
If you’re looking for vegan comfort food, look no further. Everyone’s favorite Indian dish gets a makeover with this loaded vegan butter chicken – it uses tofu instead of chicken, and we even sneak a few peas in there for a boost. The butter chicken sauce is still creamy and rich despite being vegan, thanks to almond butter and coconut milk.
Bar food takeout favorites
Alright, now, for those of you who like to eat with your fingers! I’m talking about finger-lickin’ good ribs, burgers, pizza, and fries.
These salt and pepper wings are crispy and packed with flavor! Check out the post to learn about my secret ingredient to make them extra crispy and delicious. Enjoy them with these herbaceous dill French fries. With garlic and dill flavors making them a step above your regular old side of fries, you’ll love dipping them into the dill yogurt.
If a pizza night is on the cards, try my chorizo pizza for smoky, spicy flavors covered in melted cheese. It’s everything you want from a perfect pizza made right in your kitchen! Or, just make the pizza dough at home and let everyone pile on their favorite toppings; it makes for a fun and interactive night.
Finally, for my burger lovers. This guacamole burger is simple yet will totally satisfy your craving! Topped with creamy, zesty guacamole, it’s a deliciously messy and flavor-packed burger that’ll make you glad you didn’t order out.
