50 Copycat Restaurant Recipes (2024)

Looking for the best copycat recipes from your favorite restaurants? Ever tried to duplicate a restaurant recipe to no avail? I certainly have, and more than once, I’ve ended up with a true recipe disaster on my hands. Pulling off your own “secret sauce” is not simple, but somehow, these bloggers and chefs have managed to come up with the perfect combinations of ingredients to duplicate some of my favorites. Call me impressed. From my favorite crispy fried chicken at Chili’s, to Chipotle chicken burritos to yummy desserts from the Cheesecake factory, this list of recipe copycats is sure to wow you and your dinner guests.

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If you have a favorite food from a top restaurant or chain and want to try making it at home, you have to check out these 50 best copycat restaurant recipes. Quit spending money eating out and make food from your favorite restaurant chains at home. Save money, plus you get to eat as much as you want! After testing hundreds, the are our top picks of the best restaurant copycat recipes.

1. Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing

Dessert Now Dinner Later

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Unbelievable that I never knew how easy this one was to make at home. First on my list because I now always keep a bottle of my own homemade Olive Garden salad dressing in the fridge, this dressing recipe is simply divine. I love eating at the restaurant, too, but now I can add this to my favorite chicken salads and veggie combos at home. Try dipping carrot sticks in it for a most delicious snack idea. If you are looking for Olive Garden copycat recipes, this salad dressing copy cat is the most requested and most loved for a reason. Try some out today. We also have lots more cool salad dressing recipes here.

2. Lightened-Up KFC’s Fried Chicken Tenders

Pop Sugar

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KFC but better? How on earth could you do that? Well, this awesome fried chicken recipe has the perfect combination of seasonings and spices to taste like Kentucky Fried Chicken, but it has tons less fat in it, so it is better for you. This means you can eat it more often without feeling guilty, so I say better! For the best in KFC copycat recipe ideas, nothing tastes better than this healthy chicken tenders recipe. Tastes just like Colonel Sander’s version, but without all the fat. This is a perfect dish to try out with your picky eaters – every single one of my kids love this recipe.

3. CopyCat Texas Roadhouse Rolls with Cinnamon Honey Butter

Cindy Shopper

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Yum. Yum. Yum. I made these Texas Roadhouse Copycat Rolls for Christmas dinner and the memory still has me saying that and thinking about them. So delicious, these homemade rolls are incredibly awesome. It is not as hard to make homemade rolls as you might think, either. Check out the recipe and try some of these for dinner tonight. I promise you will not regret it. If you are looking for the most requested Texas Roadhouse copycat recipe, we think you absolutely must start with these homemade dinner rolls. Add honey butter to them when they come out of the oven, and it is heaven. Of all the copycat recipes I’ve tried, this one is probably my favorite. Everyone loves this homemade roll recipe, and it does taste just like the ones at Texas Roadhouse.

How to Make Cracker Barrel Fried Apples Recipe

4. Cracker Barrel Fried Apples Recipe

Budget Savvy Diva

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I don’t love everything on the Cracker Barrel menu, but their fried apple dessert is something I just can’t live without. Sometimes I have to wonder if I am glad I learned how to make this one at home. Apple, butter and cinnamon-y goodness does not get any better than this. However, for special occasions (like every weekend) I highly recommend this dessert recipe. One of the most loved Cracker Barrel copycat recipes around, these fried apples make an awesome dessert, but I have to admit sneaking into the kitchen and eating them for breakfast, too.

5. Krispy Kreme Glazed Doughnuts

Cooking Classy

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I love Krispy Kreme doughnuts so much and I only get to eat them once a year when I go visit my mom. Eating a hot fresh Krispy Kreme doughnut has been a requirement for every trip I make to see her for 15 years. When I saw this copycat recipe for a Krispy Kreme knockoff, I was skeptical, but when I tried it, the result was stellar. Plus, you get to eat as many as you want! A great Saturday morning breakfast idea to surprise your kids or out of town guests, these homemade doughnuts rock! When it comes to awesome restaurant menu duplicates, this doughnut recipe from Kristy Kreme is one of the best copycat recipe ideas we’ve tried.

6. Taco Bell Copycat Recipe – Quesarito

Buns In My Oven

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Taco Bell sauces and food have this distinctive flavor that is not easy to replicate. This is why, I think, that they now do well selling Taco Bell sauces and seasonings in my local grocery store. However, this copycat of the Taco Bell quesarito is really super. Not quite a quesadilla, not quite a burrito, but full of cheesy goodness and even better. If you want a fast food restaurant recipe that is sure to be good, or if you just have to have your daily quesarito, try this one.

7. Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa Recipe

Foodie With My Family

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Looking for Chipotle recipe copycats? Chipotle menu dupes are some of our favorites, and we love being able to make these dishes at home. No need to spend money at Chipotle or go out of your way to pick up barbacoa when you can make this at home. I served this at my work Christmas party last year, and it was a big hit. This barbacoa freezes well, too, so it is good to keep on hand when you want a quick meal to heat up in the microwave.

8. Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Recipe Crock Pot Copycat

Recipes That Crock

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One of my favorite copycat restaurant recipes, this crockpot version of my Olive Garden favorite soup is a hit with my family. Easy to make, it tastes just as the one I love to order when I eat out.

9. Chicken Crispers Chili’s Copycat

Spicy Southern Kitchen

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Baby back ribs may be some people’s favorite dish to order at Chili’s Bar and Grill, but mine would have to be the Chicken Crispers. There is just something about that batter on their fried chicken I can’t live without. Recently, I tested out this replica via a lookalike recipe and was surprised to find it tastes just like the original. I can now make one of my favorite restaurant dishes at home and so can you!

10. Pumpkin Spice Latte Starbucks Copycat Recipe

Addicted To Savings 4 U

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Oh, how much money I could have saved last year if I’d only had this Starbucks pumpkin spiced latte recipe. Oh well, at least I have it now. Try making this coffee drink for yourself and start enjoying PSL from Starbucks without paying $6 every time you want one.

11. Noodles & Company Pesto Cavatappi

Culinary Hill

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12. Cafe Rio Sweet Pork

La Creme de la Crumb

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13. Auntie Anne’s Snickerdoodles

Averie Cooks

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14. Panera Bread’s Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Averie Cooks

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15. The Homemade Secret to McDonald’s French Fries

Pop Sugar

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16. Royal Red Robin Burger Recipe

Blogchef.net

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17. Chipotle’s Chicken Burrito Bowl with Cilantro Lime Rice

Gimme Delicious

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18. Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

Go Go Gourmet

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19. Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls

Jo Cooks

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20. KFC’s Secret Cole Slaw Recipe

Trend Feed

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21. McDonald’s CopyCat Sweet Chili Chicken Wrap

I Wash You Dry

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22. Copycat Cracker Barrel Pancakes

mirlandraskitchen

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23. Make A Wendy’s Frosty At Home With Only 3 Ingredients

DIY Projects For Teens

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24. Cracker Barrel Biscuits Copycat Recipe

A Bountiful Kitchen

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25. Panda Express Chow Mein Copycat

Damn Delicious

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26. Panda Express Orange Chicken Copycat

KitchMe

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27. Copycat Cheesecake Factory Pineapple Upside-Down Cheesecake

This Silly Girls Life

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28. Outback Steakhouse Ranch Salad Dressing Recipe

Budget Savvy Diva

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29. Jamba Juice’s Caribbean Passion Passport Smoothie

Culinary Hill

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30. Starbucks’s Pumpkin Scones

Cooking Classy

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31. Chipotles Sofritas

Pinch of Yum

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32. Dunkin Donuts Chocolate Munchkins

Food 52

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33. Cheese Cake Factory Avocado Egg

Damn Delicious

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34. Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets

Damn Delicious

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35. Lightened-Up Bonefish Grill’s Bang Bang Shrimp

How Sweet Eats

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36. Copycat Chipotle Pico de Gallo

Frugal Coupon Living

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37. Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole

The Girl Who Ate Everything

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38. Outback Steakhouse Walkabout Soup

Copykat

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39. Alice Springs Chicken Copycat Recipe

Dinner Mom

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40. Red Lobster Tartar Sauce

Simplee Thrifty

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41. McDonald’s McFlurry

McDonalds At Home

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42. Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza

Clarks Condensed

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43. Chili’s Copycat Enchilada Soup

Lil Luna

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44. Lightened-Up Jack in the Box Tacos

Culinary Hill

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45. Starbucks Lemon Loaf

Lil Luna

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46. Chipotle Barbacoa Recipe

Foodie With Family

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47. Shake Shack Smoke Shack

howsweeteats

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48. Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits

food

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49. Orange Julius

handmadecharlotte

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50. Olive Garden’s Baked Parmesan Shrimp

homemadehooplah

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50 Copycat Restaurant Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the most guarded recipe in the world? ›

Kentucky Fried Chicken

KFC's fried chicken famously contains a blend of 11 herbs and spices, which are supposedly produced at two different plants and then combined at a third, so nobody can be in possession of the entire recipe, which is locked away in a vault.

How to develop recipes for a restaurant? ›

Tips to keep in mind when writing recipes:
  1. List ingredients in chronological order. ...
  2. Separate ingredients for major steps in a recipe. ...
  3. List steps in order, keeping instructions short and to the point. ...
  4. Give specifics about doneness. ...
  5. Include storage suggestions. ...
  6. Offer extra methods or substitutions (when tested).
Nov 19, 2020

What is the oldest recipe still in use? ›

Nettle Pudding

Originating in 6000 BCE, England; it is the oldest dish of the world that's rich in nutrients. Nettle pudding is made with stinging nettles (wild leafy plant), breadcrumbs, suet, onions, and other herbs and spices. This dish is steam cooked until it attains a mousse-like consistency.

What is Coca-Cola's secret formula? ›

The rediscovered recipe includes extract of coca leaves, caffeine, plenty of sugar (it specifies 30 unidentified units thought to be pounds), lime juice, vanilla and caramel. Into that syrup, the all-important 7x flavourings are added: alcohol and six oils – orange, lemon, nutmeg, coriander, neroli and cinnamon.

How do chefs create their own recipes? ›

Every chef has their own creative process and preferred method for documenting their ideas — ideas which eventually morph into recipes. This can range from notebooks, scrap paper and post-it notes, to note apps like Evernote and Apple Note, Google Docs and countless other ways.

Can I use someone else's recipe in my restaurant? ›

Similar to ideas, facts and history, there isn't copyright protection in recipes as mere lists of ingredients. This is clearly stated by the U.S. Copyright Office.

How to create a unique recipe? ›

Here's what I find useful:
  1. Try cooking techniques you've never tried before. Make them up if you have to!
  2. Try ingredients or genres of food you've never tried before. ...
  3. Eat at restaurants that inspire you. ...
  4. Try recreating recipes from chefs that inspire you. ...
  5. Cook with a friend.
Feb 18, 2021

What is the most difficult recipe in the world? ›

Widely used as the metric of a chef's ability, consommé is one of the most challenging dishes to cook. Despite its light and small yield, traditional consommé requires a large amount of meat; which is why it was long associated with society's upper classes who could afford such extravagance!

What is the hardest cooking recipe in the world? ›

  • Consommé Devilish dish: A clear soup made from meat, tomato, egg whites and stock, slowly simmered to bring impurities to the surface for skimming. ...
  • Turducken. ...
  • Béarnaise sauce. ...
  • Baked Alaska. ...
  • Croissants. ...
  • Soufflé ...
  • Macarons. ...
  • Beef wellington.
Jan 18, 2023

What is the hardest recipe ever? ›

Top 10 Most Difficult Dishes to Master
  • #10: Beef Wellington. Puff pastry presents enough of a challenge on its own, but wrapping it around beef tenderloin, duxelles and pâté is even more difficult. ...
  • #8: Soufflé ...
  • #7: Galantine. ...
  • #5: Macarons. ...
  • #4: Baked Alaska. ...
  • #3: Turducken. ...
  • #2: Croquembouche. ...
  • #1: Fugu.

What is the world's hardest dish to prepare? ›

But this stir-fried stone dish, known as “Suodiu” is making waves on the internet with several people trying out the delicacy. Dubbed the “world's hardest dish”, it is a traditional stir-fry featuring stones as the key ingredient.

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