15 Best Better-Than Takeout Recipes - Damn Delicious (2024)

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Post navigation Want to Save this Recipe for Later? Leave a Reply 16 comments Bee — March 20, 2019 @ 4:24 AM Reply Kung Pao Spaghetti are really delicious. It is one of the best foods I know. The thai peanut beef looks like so mouthwatering. Thanks for sharing this recipes with us. Blogtastic Food — May 21, 2017 @ 2:46 PM Reply All of these recipes look wonderful! certainly better than takeout 😉 Karen Robbins — May 21, 2017 @ 4:48 AM Reply All of these recipes sound delicious. Do you have a recipe for General Tsaos Chicken? It’s my husbands favorite and I would like to make it for him. Chungah — May 22, 2017 @ 11:11 AM Reply I do! 🙂https://damndelicious.net/2014/05/23/lighter-general-tsos-chicken/ Tamms — November 7, 2016 @ 8:57 AM Reply I love the “bang bang chicken!” Your lo mein was also an inspiration for my own version using round steak and Instant Pot pressure cooker (because there are very few recipes that can escape a “tweak” or two from me). I plan on trying them all as I’m currently on an Asian food kick 🙂 Christina Aleman — December 21, 2015 @ 10:21 AM Reply Nice blog and the recipes are really great too. Keep t up. Stephanie — July 22, 2015 @ 11:41 PM Reply I could not choose a favorite among these recipes – I am just so hungry now! Chinese takeout gets a bit expensive, especially when my favorite dish always involves shrimp. I found these amazing recipes at http://affimity.com/#/sharedPost/1/9773; I am so glad that I found it, too. I love Chinese takeout, but like I said, it is not cheap. I can’t wait to make this at home – thank for you translating these recipes from my favorite menu! Mila Furman — December 5, 2014 @ 9:40 PM Reply wow!!! These all look so incredible!!! And your pictures are just BOMB!!!! Would you ever consider doing a tutorial for how you take your pics? Chungah — December 6, 2014 @ 12:28 AM Reply Thank you for the kind words! As for the tutorial, I am in no way an expert so I actually don’t feel comfortable providing a tutorial at this time. I still have a lot to learn! 🙂 Wendy — October 11, 2014 @ 3:49 PM Reply Thank you so much for such delightful recipes, Chung ah. Each one I have tried has turned out perfectly (a miracle for me!) My family’s favourite so far is the Firecracker Chicken. lisa — October 9, 2014 @ 8:32 AM Reply You have the greatest food p*rn. Love your blog and the recipes that you share. Stephanie — October 8, 2014 @ 11:56 AM Reply Love the recipes and your blog! Keep it up! Laurel — October 8, 2014 @ 10:19 AM Reply I need to add a 16th– your Pineapple Fried Rice! My taller half and I can’t get enough. He’s not crazy about ham, so I usually cook two boneless pork chops then cube them up to add in for an awesome supper. We get at least 2 huge meals out of it–thanks for such a delicious recipe! Julie — April 17, 2016 @ 9:43 AM Reply I would love your recipe for pineapple fried rice! thanks Averie @ Averie Cooks — October 8, 2014 @ 3:25 AM Reply You have me wanting takeout! Nice job 🙂 Great roundup and reminders of all the amazing copycat and takeout recipes you have….wow! Jules @ WolfItDown — October 8, 2014 @ 12:52 AM Reply Mmm looks like you’ve pretty much got all kinds of take-out cravings covered here, it looks fantastic, and I have tried a few of them myself ^ ^ FAQs References

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The best, budget-friendly takeout recipes you can easily make right at home. So easy, these dishes are practically fool-proof!

15 Best Better-Than Takeout Recipes - Damn Delicious (1)

I need to start by making a confession. Picking 15 of my favorite take-out recipes took way longer than expected, about 43 minutes and 27 seconds. But who’s counting?

It was a tough decision because Ijust love them all. But choices had to be made and recipes were crossed off. So here are my absolute favorite takeout dishes you can easily make right in your own kitchen without breaking the bank.

1. PF Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps – Believe it or not, this comes together in just 20 minutes from start to finish.[GET THE RECIPE.]

2. Chinese Orange Chicken – I kid you not. This is the BEST orange chicken hands down. [GET THE RECIPE.]

3. Easy Lo Mein – Not only is this made in just 15 minutes but you can easily customize this recipe with your favorite veggies and meats. [GET THE RECIPE.]

4. Baked Cream Cheese Wontons – No one would ever believe that these crisp, creamy wontons are actually baked, not fried. [GET THE RECIPE.]

5.Firecracker Chicken – The most amazing combination of sweet and spicy flavors that no takeout place can beat. [GET THE RECIPE.]

6. Easy Beef and Broccoli – A takeout classic that the whole family will love. [GET THE RECIPE.]

7. Bang Bang Chicken – Amazingly crisp chicken bites drizzled with sweet chili mayo. So good, you may want to double or triple the recipe. [GET THE RECIPE.]

8. Sesame Chicken Potstickers – Easy to make andfreezer-friendly, perfect for those busy weeknights. [GET THE RECIPE.]

9. Panda Express Sweet Fire Chicken Copycat – Skip the Panda Express line and try this at home. You won’t be sorry. [GET THE RECIPE.]

10. CPK’s Kung Pao Spaghetti – This dish costs $15 for one serving at CPK. You can easily make this at home with less than $10 worth of ingredients to feed a family of 4. [GET THE RECIPE.]

11. Shrimp Fried Rice – With half the calories of the restaurant version, you will never want to order takeout ever again. [GET THE RECIPE.]

12. Chinese Chicken Salad– Restaurant-quality salad without skimping on the chicken. Or the crispy noodles on top. [GET THE RECIPE.]

13. Thai Peanut Beef – All you need is 10 minutes prep for this one. Plus, thispeanut sauce is to die for. [GET THE RECIPE.]

14.Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken – A healthier baked version. You save on time, money, and calories. [GET THE RECIPE.]

15. Panda Express Chow Mein Copycat –Tastes just like Panda Express except it takes just minutes to whip up and tastes a million times better. Done and done. [GET THE RECIPE.]

posted on October 7, 2014under round up
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16 comments
  1. Bee March 20, 2019 @ 4:24 AM Reply

    Kung Pao Spaghetti are really delicious. It is one of the best foods I know. The thai peanut beef looks like so mouthwatering. Thanks for sharing this recipes with us.

  2. Blogtastic Food May 21, 2017 @ 2:46 PM Reply

    All of these recipes look wonderful! certainly better than takeout 😉

  3. Karen Robbins May 21, 2017 @ 4:48 AM Reply

    All of these recipes sound delicious. Do you have a recipe for General Tsaos Chicken? It’s my husbands favorite and I would like to make it for him.

    • Chungah May 22, 2017 @ 11:11 AM Reply

      I do! 🙂

      https://damndelicious.net/2014/05/23/lighter-general-tsos-chicken/

  4. Tamms November 7, 2016 @ 8:57 AM Reply

    I love the “bang bang chicken!” Your lo mein was also an inspiration for my own version using round steak and Instant Pot pressure cooker (because there are very few recipes that can escape a “tweak” or two from me). I plan on trying them all as I’m currently on an Asian food kick 🙂

  5. Christina Aleman December 21, 2015 @ 10:21 AM Reply

    Nice blog and the recipes are really great too. Keep t up.

  6. Stephanie July 22, 2015 @ 11:41 PM Reply

    I could not choose a favorite among these recipes – I am just so hungry now! Chinese takeout gets a bit expensive, especially when my favorite dish always involves shrimp. I found these amazing recipes at http://affimity.com/#/sharedPost/1/9773; I am so glad that I found it, too. I love Chinese takeout, but like I said, it is not cheap. I can’t wait to make this at home – thank for you translating these recipes from my favorite menu!

  7. Mila Furman December 5, 2014 @ 9:40 PM Reply

    wow!!! These all look so incredible!!! And your pictures are just BOMB!!!! Would you ever consider doing a tutorial for how you take your pics?

    • Chungah December 6, 2014 @ 12:28 AM Reply

      Thank you for the kind words! As for the tutorial, I am in no way an expert so I actually don’t feel comfortable providing a tutorial at this time. I still have a lot to learn! 🙂

  8. Wendy October 11, 2014 @ 3:49 PM Reply

    Thank you so much for such delightful recipes, Chung ah. Each one I have tried has turned out perfectly (a miracle for me!) My family’s favourite so far is the Firecracker Chicken.

  9. lisa October 9, 2014 @ 8:32 AM Reply

    You have the greatest food p*rn. Love your blog and the recipes that you share.

  10. Stephanie October 8, 2014 @ 11:56 AM Reply

    Love the recipes and your blog! Keep it up!

  11. Laurel October 8, 2014 @ 10:19 AM Reply

    I need to add a 16th– your Pineapple Fried Rice! My taller half and I can’t get enough. He’s not crazy about ham, so I usually cook two boneless pork chops then cube them up to add in for an awesome supper. We get at least 2 huge meals out of it–thanks for such a delicious recipe!

    • Julie April 17, 2016 @ 9:43 AM Reply

      I would love your recipe for pineapple fried rice! thanks

  12. Averie @ Averie Cooks October 8, 2014 @ 3:25 AM Reply

    You have me wanting takeout! Nice job 🙂 Great roundup and reminders of all the amazing copycat and takeout recipes you have….wow!

  13. Jules @ WolfItDown October 8, 2014 @ 12:52 AM Reply

    Mmm looks like you’ve pretty much got all kinds of take-out cravings covered here, it looks fantastic, and I have tried a few of them myself ^ ^

15 Best Better-Than Takeout Recipes - Damn Delicious (2024)

FAQs

Is lo mein healthy for you? ›

Worst: Lo Mein

The noodles are made from white flour, which raises your blood sugar faster than fiber-rich whole grains. Plus, they're cooked with oil and soy sauce, so you get extra fat and sodium. Can't pass it up? Order the vegetable version, and only have half the order.

What is orange chicken based off of? ›

This dish may have originally come from the "tangerine chicken" dish from Hunan, China. In Chinese, this dish is known as "陳皮雞", literally "dried citrus peel chicken", referring to dried orange or tangerine peel. However, the taste and recipes of this dish differ due to cultural and geographical factors.

What is China's number one dish? ›

1. Kung Pao Chicken. There aren't many Chinese dishes that are more popular than Kung Pai Chicken. The classic dish originates from southwestern China, specifically Sichuan cuisine, and is associated with general Chinese food and cuisine.

What food do Chinese eat the most? ›

Rice and noodles are a very important part in the Chinese diet. Rice and noodles are equivalent to potato and pasta in the western diet. Handfuls of bite-sized meat and vegetables accompany the rice and noodles. Almost every meal uses rice.

What is the most unhealthy Chinese food dish? ›

Oftentimes, many of American-Chinese dishes are based on fried foods with heavy sauces high in fat, sodium and sugar.
  1. Crab Rangoon. Think about it. ...
  2. Barbeque Spare Ribs. ...
  3. Fried Egg Rolls. ...
  4. Fried Rice. ...
  5. Lo Mein. ...
  6. Chow Fun. ...
  7. Sweet and Sour Chicken. ...
  8. General Tso's Chicken.

What is the healthiest Chinese take away meal? ›

Chinese
  • Try to avoid: sweet and sour battered pork balls with special or egg fried rice, prawn toast, spring rolls.
  • Healthier options: crab and corn soup, steamed dumplings, steamed vegetables and plain boiled rice, steamed fish, chicken chop suey, Szechuan prawns.

Is fried rice unhealthy? ›

Fried rice is not a nutritionally balanced meal on its own, and you should enjoy it in moderation as part of a varied and balanced diet. Adding a variety of vegetables, lean protein sources, and whole grains can help to improve the nutritional value of fried rice.

Is General Tso's chicken healthy? ›

This dish is not advised for those attempting to limit sodium since it exceeds daily recommendations. Lastly, it is not recommended for diabetics or those on a heart-healthy diet due to its high sugar content of 62 grams per serving, which may contribute to elevated blood sugar and triglyceride levels.

Which is better for you, fried rice or lo mein? ›

So what's the healthier order, fried rice or lo mein? Short answer: lo mein. Yes, both dishes usually come slathered in sauce, but the rice offers the unfortunate double-whammy of being fried in oil first.

What is a good Chinese dish? ›

The 15 Most Popular Chinese Dishes, Tasty Chinese Food
  • Peking Roasted Duck. Beijing Roasted Duck. ...
  • Kung Pao Chicken. Kung Pao Chicken. ...
  • Sweet and Sour Pork. Sweet and Sour Pork. ...
  • Hot Pot. Hot Pot. ...
  • Dim Sum. Cantonese Dim Sum. ...
  • Dumplings. Dumplings. ...
  • Ma Po Tofu. Ma Po Tofu. ...
  • Char Siu. Cantonese Char Siu.

Is Panda Express unhealthy? ›

Not only is their food quick, convenient, and tasty, but Panda Express also offers a ton of healthier options that are lower in calories and fat than many other fast food places. However, even with their more healthful choices, you'll still find a handful of unhealthy orders on their menu as well.

What is kung bo? ›

Kung Pao chicken (Chinese: 宮保雞丁; pinyin: Gōngbǎo jīdīng; Wade–Giles: Kung1-pao3 chi1-ting1; Zhuyin Fuhao: ㄍㄨㄥ ㄅㄠˇ ㄐㄧ ㄉㄧㄥ), also transcribed Gong Bao or Kung Po, is a spicy, stir-fried Chinese dish made with cubes of chicken, peanuts, vegetables and chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns.

What are 8 Chinese foods? ›

These eight culinary cuisines are Anhui, Cantonese, Fujian, Hunan, Jiangsu, Shandong, Szechuan and Zhejiang.

What are the top 4 Chinese cuisines? ›

A number of different styles contribute to Chinese cuisine but perhaps the best known and most influential are Cantonese cuisine, Shandong cuisine, Jiangsu cuisine (specifically Huaiyang cuisine) and Sichuan cuisine.

What is the best Chinese meal to order? ›

The 15 Most Popular Chinese Dishes, Tasty Chinese Food
  • Beijing Roasted Duck.
  • Kung Pao Chicken.
  • Sweet and Sour Pork.
  • Hot Pot.
  • Cantonese Dim Sum.
  • Dumplings.
  • Ma Po Tofu.
  • Cantonese Char Siu.

What are the five major Chinese cuisines? ›

Each local cuisine has its own characteristics, but Chinese cuisine as a whole is divided into four major schools - Shandong, Sichuan, Huaiyang, and Guangdong (Cantonese). To these can be added four more: Hunan, Fujian, Anhui, and Zhejiang. Sometimes Beijing and Shanghai cuisine are also counted.

References

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