During the pandemic, my family and I were stuck at home, and the one thing we missed the most was going out for fast food. We tried our best to recreate some of our favorite meals at home, and it was actually a lot of fun. It gave us something to do and a sense of normalcy in a world that was anything but normal.
One thing we discovered is that making our own fast food meals was not only fun, but it was also a lot cheaper and healthier than going out to eat. We could control the quality of ingredients, use less oil, and cut out all the additives and preservatives that are often found in fast food. Plus, it gave us a chance to be creative and try new things.
This led me to create a roundup of take-out recipes that we could make at home. I included some classic favorites like McDonald’s Happy Meals for the kids, but also some more grown-up options like Panda Express Orange Chicken, Arby’s burgers, and even a Starbucks Frappuccino recipe.
My personal favorite recipe from this roundup is the Panda Express Orange Chicken. It’s so easy to make and tastes just like the real thing. The sweet and tangy orange sauce combined with the crispy chicken is the perfect combination. My kids, on the other hand, can’t get enough of the Arby’s burgers with a side of nerds slushie.
It’s amazing how easy it is to make your own take-out food at home
15 Fast Food Dupes to Make at Home
3. Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup
4. Panda Express Orange Chicken
10. Wendy’s Chili
11. Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Bites
13. In N Out Burger
Here’s a recipe for three popular copycat sauces:
Copycat Chick-Fil-A Sauce
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon barbecue sauce
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, yellow mustard, honey, barbecue sauce, lemon juice, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve with chicken nuggets, fries, or anything you like.
Copycat Chipotle Mayo
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons adobo sauce (from a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon lime juice
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, adobo sauce, garlic powder, lime juice, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve with burgers, sandwiches, or anything you like.
Copycat In-N-Out Sauce
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
2 teaspoons white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, white vinegar, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve with burgers, fries, or anything you like.
