30 Copycat Signature Recipes From Your Favorite Restaurants (2024)

Home Recipes Cooking Style Comfort Food

From fast food favorites to casual restaurant staples, thesesecret recipes are sure to satisfy all your cravings.

1/29

Inspired by: KFC Original Recipe

If you've wanted to learn how to make crispy fried chicken, this is the recipe for you. Always a picnic favorite, this deep-fried chicken recipe is delicious either hot or cold. Kids call it my Kentucky Fried Chicken! —Jeanne Schnitzler, Lima, Montana

2/29

Inspired by: Olive Garden Breadsticks

These tender breadsticks fill the kitchen with a tempting aroma when they are baking, and they’re wonderful served warm. My family tells me I can’t make them too often. —Gaylene Anderson, Sandy, Utah

(Here’s how to make copycat Olive Garden breadsticks, step by step.)

3/29

Inspired by: McDonald's Shamrock Shake

Save a sleeve of Girl Scout cookies for this creamy milkshake that's fun for kids and adults, too. —Shauna Sever, San Francisco, California

4/29

Inspired by: Panda Express Orange Chicken

We enjoy these tangy nuggets so many ways—over noodles or rice, in sandwiches, even on top of lettuce and cabbage. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

5/29

Inspired by: In-N-Out Burger Spread

This creamy remoulade recipe is the perfect way to add some Louisiana spice to your favorite sandwiches, crab cakes and burgers. —Lauren Knoelke, Des Moines, Iowa

6/29

Inspired by: Starbucks Iced Lemon Pound Cake

My family always asks for this love-me-tender lemon loaf cake. Sometimes, I shake things up and make cupcakes with the batter. So awesome for brunch! —Lola Baxter, Winnebago, Minnesota

7/29

Inspired by: Ikea Cafe Swedish Meatballs

When my husband packs these saucy slow-cooked meatballs in his lunch, all his work buddies wish they had their own! It's comfort food at its easiest. — Christina Logan, Gun Barrel City, Texas

8/29

Inspired by: Little Caesar’s Pretzel Crust

In our house, we love pizza and pretzel bread! When Little Caesar’s came out with their pretzel crust pizza, we fell in love but also knew it was unrealistic to be buying it all the time. The next best thing was to make it ourselves, and it came out even better than the restaurant’s version! This thick-crusted copycat pizza is bound to blow your socks off! Hope you enjoy! —Mary Lou Timpson, Centennial Park, Arizona

Get Our Copycat Little Caesar’s Pretzel Crust Pizza Recipe

9/29

Inspired by: Culver's ButterBurger

It’s no secret that Wisconsinites love their dairy—so much that they sometimes top their burgers with a generous pat of butter. My recipe is a lot like the butter burgers you’ll find in popular restaurants all over the state. —Becky Carver, North Royalton, Ohio

10/29

Inspired by: Wendy's Chili

"This flavorful chili is still thick and hearty even though it makes a small batch," confirms Norma Grogg of St. Louis, Missouri. "I serve it with a salad of grapefruit and avocado slices."

11/29

Inspired by: McDonald's Chicken McNuggets

I like to make these golden chicken nuggets because they’re so quick and easy. My whole family loves them. The seasoning can also be used on chicken breast halves to make amazing sandwiches. —Annette Ellyson, Carolina, West Virginia

12/29

This delicious dish is the ultimate comfort food. A blend of five cheeses, it makes a beautiful entree or a special side. I served it at our Thanksgiving dinner, and it received rave reviews. —Connie L McDowell, Greenwood, Delaware

13/29

Inspired by: Portillo's Chocolate Cake

Years ago, I drove 4-1/2 hours to a cake contest, holding my entry on my lap the whole way. But it paid off. One bite and you'll see why this velvety beauty was named the best chocolate cake recipe and won first prize. —Sandra Johnson, Tioga, Pennsylvania

14/29

Inspired by: Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Here's our crack at the never-ending biscuits from Red Lobster. Made from scratch with lighter ingredients, they're just as cheesy and buttery as the original. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

15/29

Inspired by: Long John Silver's Hush Puppies

A fish dinner isn’t complete without a side of hush puppies, and my mom is well-known for this recipe. It's the best! —Mary McGuire, Graham, NC

16/29

Inspired by: Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana

I let my young son pick out seed packets and he chose kale, which grew like crazy. This hearty soup helped make good use of it and rivals the Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana. —Michelle Babbie, Malone, New York

17/29

Inspired by: Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte

Each sip of this spiced-just-right beverage from our very own baristas tastes like a piece of pumpkin pie! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

18/29

Inspired by: Waffle House Pecan Waffle

I like cooking with buttermilk. These golden buttermilk waffles are my husband's favorite breakfast, so we enjoy them often. They're as easy to prepare as regular waffles, but their unique taste makes them exceptional.

19/29

Inspired by: In-N-Out Cheeseburger

Go on a burger road trip in your own backyard. Grill the patties and load them sky-high with your favorite toppings. For instance, peanut butter and bacon make them southern style; coleslaw and tomatoes,
a northern version. —Susan Mahaney, New Hartford, New York. Looking for more copycat recipes? Try our favorite Popeye’s Mardi Gras mustard.

20/29

Inspired by: Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

My husband and I love this cheesy dish. It is proof that soup doesn't need to be made in big batches to be good. —Cheryl McRae, West Valley, Utah

Don’t forget to take a look at our collection ofthe best copycat recipes of 2022.

21/29

Inspired by: Cinnabon Classic Roll

I like to try different fun fillings in these soft rolls, and each one is packed with cinnamon flavor. They are definitely worth the overnight wait. —Chris O'Connell, San Antonio, Texas

22/29

Inspired by: PF Chang’s Lettuce Wraps

This is one of my go-to meals when I want a fun dinner. I love the spicy Asian flavors against the cool lettuce and the added crunch of peanuts and water chestnuts. —Brittany Allyn, Nashville, Tennessee

23/29

I tasted a similar soup at Olive Garden and wanted to see if I could re-create it myself at home. Here's the delicious result! It's wonderful on a chilly evening. —Jaclynn Robinson, Shingletown, California

24/29

Inspired by: Culver's Vanilla Custard

I think my most memorable summertime dessert for get-togethers has always been homemade ice cream. This recipe is so rich and creamy and is the perfect splurge on a hot summer afternoon. —Martha Self, Montgomery, Texas

25/29

Inspired by: Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets

I developed this recipe to copycat Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets. I knew I had a winner the first time I made them because the whole family fought over who got the last one! For a dipping sauce, combine barbecue sauce and Dijon mustard, then stir in honey to add some sweetness. —Jeni Pittard, Statham, Georgia

26/29

Inspired by: The Cheesecake Factory Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Cheesecake

I love both red velvet cake and cheesecake. So why not combine them into one stunning red velvet cheesecake recipe? It's best when served chilled, right out of the fridge. —Melissa Gaines, Knoxville, Tennessee

27/29

Inspired by: Texas Roadhouse Cinnamon Butter

This recipe is a simple yet special spread for breakfast bread and muffins. —Sue Seymour, Valatie, New York. Looking for more? Check out this Texas Roadhouse butter recipe.

28/29

Inspired by: Auntie Anne's Original Soft Pretzel

My husband and our friends and family love these soft, chewy pretzels. Let the bread machine mix the dough, then all you have to do is shape and bake these fun snacks. —Sherry Peterson, Fort Collins, Colorado

29/29

Inspired by: Smashburger Classic Smash

A Smash burger is exactly what you think it is; balls of ground beef smashed onto a hot griddle. You'll want to smash them pretty thin so they cook quickly, but it also gets you those crispy, browned edges while still keeping the interior nice and juicy. Now is not the time to cut calories or skimp on salt: Go for ground chuck that is at least 80/20. If you can find a blend with ground brisket or short rib, all the better. The best burger comes with being liberal with kosher salt—it is beef's best friend. —James Schend, Dairy Freed

Caroline has been with Taste of Home for the past seven years, working in both print and digital. After starting as an intern for the magazine and special interest publication teams, Caroline was hired as the third-ever digital editor for Taste of Home. Since then, she has researched, written and edited content on just about every topic the site covers, including cooking techniques, buzzy food news, gift guides and many, many recipe collections. Caroline also acts as the editorial lead for video, working with the Test Kitchen, videographers and social media team to produce videos from start to finish.When she’s not tip-tapping on a keyboard, Caroline is probably mixing up a killer cocktail, reading a dog-eared library book or cooking up a multi-course feast (sometimes all at once). Though she technically lives in Milwaukee, there is a 50/50 chance Caroline is in Chicago or southwest Michigan visiting her close-knit family.