15 Takeout-Style Meals That Taste Better Than What You’d Order

Takeout is convenient, but sometimes the homemade version wins. You get more of the good stuff, exactly as much sauce as you want, and no tiny container leaving you wondering where half your dinner went. These 15 takeout-style meals bring those craveable restaurant flavors home, with hearty portions and plenty of room to make each one your own. Your delivery app may start feeling a little neglected.

Shrimp Pad Thai with Peanut Sauce

Making your favorite noodle dish at home is super simple when you use everyday grocery store ingredients. This creamy, nutty shrimp meal beats any restaurant wait time and tastes fresher than anything in a takeout box.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Pad Thai with Peanut Sauce

Grilled Halloumi Burger

Keeping halloumi cheese in the fridge is my secret trick for nights when I want something better than fast food. Stacking crisp golden cheese, paprika aioli, pickles, and soft buns creates a veggie burger that rivals any restaurant menu.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Halloumi Burger

Easy Shrimp Mei Fun Recipe (Stir Fry Rice Noodles)

Tender shrimp and delicate rice noodles stir-fry together in minutes for a quick weeknight dinner. It gives you a popular Chinese noodle dish that tastes way fresher and cooks faster than waiting for a delivery driver.
Get the Recipe: Easy Shrimp Mei Fun Recipe (Stir Fry Rice Noodles)

Teriyaki Salmon Rice Bowl

Whenever I cook extra jasmine rice at the start of the week, I use it to make this easy salmon bowl. A homemade glaze wraps around flaky fish and fresh veggies for a fast dinner that leaves local sushi shops in the dust.
Get the Recipe: Teriyaki Salmon Rice Bowl

Air Fryer Falafel

Making falafel at home used to feel messy, but using the air fryer gives you that crispy outside without dealing with hot oil. It is an easy homemade alternative to takeout that satisfies every single craving.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Falafel

Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

Delivery fees add up so fast, which is why letting flank steak soak up a sweet garlic-ginger glaze in your slow cooker is a much smarter choice. You get tender, restaurant-style meat ready to spoon right over rice without leaving the house.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

General Tso Shrimp

You can skip the takeout menu entirely when you cook this quick seafood dish in a single skillet in just ten minutes. Coating the shrimp in that sticky, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce tastes just like your favorite Friday night order.
Get the Recipe: General Tso Shrimp

Chicken Shawarma Rice with White Sauce

Skip the food truck lines and bring those street-cart smells right into your home for a fraction of the cost. Seasoned chicken, turmeric rice, and a cool garlic yogurt sauce make this homemade meal taste way better than takeout.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Shawarma Rice with White Sauce

Peruvian Chicken with Green Sauce (Aji Verde)

You do not need fancy restaurant equipment to make incredible roasted chicken at home. A simple marinade gives you juicy meat, browned skin, and a creamy green sauce that tastes like it came straight from a specialty chicken shop.
Get the Recipe: Peruvian Chicken with Green Sauce (Aji Verde)

Teriyaki Chicken Fried Rice

You know that craving for delivery food on a Tuesday night? This teriyaki chicken fried rice beats any restaurant menu by tossing tender chicken, fluffy rice, and veggies in a sweet-savory sauce right in your own kitchen in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Teriyaki Chicken Fried Rice

Israel-style Chicken Shawarma Pita

Stuffing a soft pita pocket with warm spiced chicken, fries, pickles, and tahini makes dinner feel like a trip to a busy market stand. You get all those rich street-food flavors right at home without waiting for a delivery driver.
Get the Recipe: Israel-style Chicken Shawarma Pita

Kung Pao Chicken

Recreating your favorite Chinese restaurant dish at home is a breeze on a busy weeknight. Tender chicken, crunchy peanuts, and a salty-sweet sauce come together with a nice little kick that easily beats local delivery.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken

Singapore Noodles

Thin rice noodles tossed with curry powder, sliced pork, prawns, and veggies make for a fun stir-fry. This colorful homemade dish tastes just like your favorite weekend takeout spot right from your own stove.
Get the Recipe: Singapore Noodles

Vegetarian Gluten-Free Burrito

When the fridge looks a little empty, rolling black beans, rice, peppers, and salsa into a tortilla saves you from ordering expensive food. It is a hearty, homemade dinner that tastes so much better than a quick-service burrito joint.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Gluten-Free Burrito

10 Minute Ramen Noddle Stir Fry

On nights when you are too tired to cook, tossing quick veggies and noodles into a pan saves you from ordering expensive delivery. A spicy garlic ginger sauce turns basic ingredients into a homemade meal that tastes like your favorite noodle bar.
Get the Recipe: 10 Minute Ramen Noddle Stir Fry

One good homemade dinner and suddenly that delivery menu looks a little less exciting.