Budget-Friendly Copycat Recipes to Satisfy Your Cravings (2024)

Estimated reading time: 32 minutes

Craving your favorite restaurant meals? Save money and make them at home with our collection of copycat recipes from Pinterest.

Copycat recipes are great to recreate, especially if you spend too much money on fast food, restaurants, and coffee shops.

Believe it or not, many copycat recipes are recreated by current and ex-employees of fast-food and dine-in restaurants across Canada and the United States.

They give us first-hand experience because they’ve made these recipes with some holding secrets that only staff and corporate might know.

Discover copycat recipes that make you feel like eating at a restaurant without breaking the bank.

Save money with our favorite copycat recipes from Pinterest, including keto and non-keto recipes.

As you may already know, we don’t eat out at restaurants often because of the high costs.

I enjoy making recipes from some of our favorite restaurants. It saves us money but makes us feel like we’re not missing out.

Today, you will find more of our favorite copycat recipes, which are regularly updated from Pinterest.

I’ve also included creations from our kitchen, both keto and non-keto recipes.

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Copycat Recipes Without The High Price Tag

One of the main reasons people eat out is convenience, either because of time barriers or lack of meal planning.

Eating out can drastically alter your monthly budget if you don’t know it already, especially if you spend more time at restaurants than grocery stores.

Media Marketing Works

How often have you seen an advert on the television or in a magazine for food and said, “I want to try that,” quite a few times?

I know because I do that quite often; the art of marketing does work.

Factor in the costs of tips and drinks for the meal, and you’ve just spent enough for a week’s worth of groceries for one meal.

Consider how much it costs to make a batch of your favorite muffins, subs, or take-out chili compared to a drive-thru.

What doesn’t work is the prices that keep us at home working on ways to create mouth-watering meals in our kitchen.

Grocery shopping for some people is just B.O.R.I.N.G., but I don’t know many people who shop to party.

Of course, it’s not the most exciting chore, but it should be the smartest when it affects your finances.

What Is A Copycat Recipe?

Well, it’s a recipe you love, but there is no recipe, or if there is, you aren’t going to get your hands on it because it’s a SECRET.

If you want your favorite foods at home to save money, you must determine the ingredients used in the original recipe.

Is it easier to eat out than make it? Yes and No

For the home cook, creating recipes might be a fun way to get creative in the kitchen.

Not everyone likes to cook, but sometimes it takes ‘effort’ to increase enthusiasm.

Too often, we depend on others for our meals, but I bet you’d have to figure it out yourself if you were alone.

Eating at restaurants comes into play for people who are alone and enjoy the atmosphere and conversation more than the savings.

Related: Eating out Vs. Eating in

Eating Out Influences

Anyone influenced by co-workers, family, or friends to frequent fast food and eat-in restaurants should ask themselves whether it impacts their financial goals.

The hardest thing to get out of your mouth might be no, but it must be if you’re running on credit card swipes for money.

It’s not until someone creates and uses a budget for more than a month do they see the damage eating out can cause.

Related: The costs of coffee and lunch between co-workers- Take-out vs. Homemade

Costs Of Eating Out Can Become A Debt Trap

I can’t tell you the last time we went to a restaurant apart from the UK, and it cost us a fortune.

The reason was that I wanted to treat my UK family to dinner as it’s so expensive back home.

With a family of 4 to feed, my sister has a tight grocery budget, so she makes copycat recipes at home.

After eating out, we went grocery shopping at Aldi’s to help offset the extra food costs of having us there.

KFC Potato Wedges

These delicious KFC Potato Wedges are lightly battered in a thin KFC chicken seasoning and double-fried until crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

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Milestone’s California Spring Salad

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A copycat recipe of Milestones’ California spring salad, including the dressing recipe and a link to the spicy glazed pecans.

In-N-Out Animal Style Burger

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Make your favorite restaurant burger at home with this Copycat In-N-Out Animal Style Burger. Easy, juicy, and flavorful double burger.

Copycat In and Out Burger Animal Style: In and Out Animal Burger is a must when we go to our favorite fast food burger restaurant.

This burger is loaded with caramelized onions, mustard, grilled…

Replica Swiss Chalet Sauce

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Chalet Sauce is a Canadian institution. This recipe is an accurate replica of Swiss Chalet sauce, suitable for chicken, fries, shots… etc!

Delicious Sweet Heat Salad From Swiss Chalet

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Simple Sweet Heat Salad – A little heat and a lot of sweetness!

This salad is vibrant, healthy, and delicious. It’s my version of the Sweet Heat Salad from Swiss Chalet.

Auntie Anne’s Copycat Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites

Cute little cinnamon sugar pretzel bites with a cream cheese dipping sauce that everyone will love!

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KFC Copycat Spicy Popcorn Chicken

These KFC-style spicy popcorn chicken bites will satisfy your KFC popcorn chicken cravings sitting at home!

These are very close to the real thing, super easy to make, and so much healthier!

Dip these little pieces of glory into sriracha mayo dip and enjoy the loud crunch!

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Copycat Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

These doughnuts are light, airy, and covered in a barely-there glaze, reminiscent of the famous Krispy Kreme doughnuts!

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McDonald’s Copycat Chicken Sandwich

No need to wait in the Golden Arches drive-thru. This classic chicken sandwich copycat recipe will give you your fast food fix right at home. Chances are, you’ll be loving it even more!

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Taco Bell Cinnamon Twists

This cinnamon twist recipe makes twists that taste just like the ones at Taco Bell without the drive-thru experience.

They’re crunchy and super light. Plus, the sugar/cinnamon mixture perfectly balances spice and sweetness. And they’re really easy to make.

Taco Bell Cinnamon Twists are delicious, sugary cinnamon snacks.

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Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

This deliciously creamy chicken gnocchi soup is the best way to end a cold day.

This comfort food soup is just like the one served at Olive Garden and tastes even better made from scratch at home!

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Crispy Burger King Copycat Chicken Nuggets

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These BK chicken nuggets are a delicious treat to enjoy from the comfort of your home.

This copycat recipe is quick and easy to make.

Enjoy this Burger King chicken nugget recipe in under 30 minutes.

Copycat Starbucks Cranberry Orange Scones

ThisStarbucks Cranberry Orange Scones Copycat Recipeis easy to make on your first try, and you’ll love the sweet orange glaze drizzled over thesebuttery scones.

They’reperfect for the holiday season!

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Classic Burger King Chicken Sandwich

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This recipe elevates the classic with high-quality ingredients and a touch of home-cooked care.

It offers a satisfying crunch, tender chicken, and a harmony of flavors that promise to bring your taste buds to life.

Whether you’re a fan of the original or looking to recreate a fast-food favorite with a gourmet twist, this recipe is a delightful venture into the world of homemade comfort food.

Joe’s Crab Shack Copycat Recipes – Great Balls Of Fire

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This is a Joe’s Crab Shack recipe guide to preparing your favorite dishes from the Joe’s Crab Shack menu at home. These copycat recipes are typically not …

Wendy’s Vanilla Frosty Recipe

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Wendy’s Vanilla Frosty (Copycat) is just as thick and creamy as the classic frozen treat made easily from home with just 5 ingredients.

Inspired By Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars

This deliciouscopycat Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Breadrecipe tastes just like the famous Cranberry Bliss Bars, only better!

It’s light and fluffy, with sweet cranberries and creamy white chocolate baked right in.

It’s just the right amount of sweetness, with a touch of tartness that only cranberries can bring to the table. Topped with homemade vanilla icing, it’s fabulous!

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Clone Of A Cinnabon

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You have got to try this Cinnabon recipe. The first time I made these rolls, I thought of how much money I could save by making my own!

Taco Bell Nacho Fries

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CopycatTaco Bell Nacho Friesrecipe is easy to make at home to enjoy whenever the craving strikes. It doesn’t get much better than crispy seasoned fries dipped in cheese sauce.

Copycat Taco Bell Chalupas

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These copycat Taco Bell chalupas are better than the fast food favorite and loaded with all your favorite taco toppings!

Using a homemade fried dough “boat” to house delicious taco meat, cheese, and lettuce, these chalupas will quickly become a family favorite.

Starbucks Lemon Loaf

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Our favourite is the Starbucks Lemon Loaf that went viral on Canadian Budget Binder.

Although eating out is excellent, doing it too often can lead to high grocery bills and higher eating-out expenses in your entertainment budget category.

Cheesecake Factory Honey Wheat Bread

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Suppose you have ever been to the Cheesecake Factory to eat and have scarfed down basket after basket of their delicious honey wheat bread.

In that case, you will be excited to hear about my newest recipe — Copycat Cheesecake Factory Honey Wheat Bread.

Chick-Fil-A Copycat Waffle Fries

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These copycat Chick-fil-A waffle fries will bring the food chain into your home!

Learn to make this easy recipe and have tasty, crispy Chick-fil-A fries anytime.

Burger King Whopper

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Will this Burger King Whopper recipe made in your backyard live up to the original?

No, you’ll probably make it better.

But check this recipe out and let us know what you think. If you do something differently, then let us know.

Easy Burger King Onion Ring Sauce

Make your own Burger King Zesty Sauce easily at home. This mayonnaise-based sauce is perfect to use as a dip or as a spread.

Copycat Recipes Are An Eating-Out Fix

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I realized that people who are mindful of their grocery budget or want to eat out but can’t still want to make copycat recipes.

They are saving money and getting the restaurant or fast-food cravings that used to cost a fortune.

Kudos to you because you’re the winner enjoying all the benefits of cooking foods you love but can do without the extra “convenience” expenses.

Why Choose Copycat Recipes?

To choose copycat recipes that pique your interest, you may consider the following;

  • I tried the product before but can’t or don’t want to keep buying it—for example, Tim Horton’s Chocolate Chip Muffin CopyCat version is the MOST popular recipe in my copycat section.
  • They look mouth-watering.
  • Copycat recipes are easy to follow.
  • Copycat ingredients are inexpensive in comparison to eating out.

Now that I’m looking at this list and other copycat recipes, I’m finding that people are recreating their favorite packaged foods at the grocery store—oreo cookies, Twinkies, Ding-Dongs, etc.

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I am forever adding new copycat recipes we’ve tried on Pinterest and those we haven’t.

Let us know your favourites in the comment section below.

Costco Muffins Recipe

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Homemade Nesquick Copycat Recipe

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British Cherry Bakewell Cheesecake Blondies

Popular Copycat Recipes On Canadian Budget Binder

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  • Dairy Queen Chocolate Dipped Bananas
  • Just Like Starbucks Lemon Loaf
  • Cherry Bakewell Cheesecake Blondies
  • Copycat Tim Hortons Chocolate Chip Muffins
  • Crispy Fresh Spring Rolls
  • Copycat Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
  • Homemade Old Elpaso Taco Seasoning
  • Copycat Twinkies
  • Milk Toffee
  • Nuts and Bolts Recipe Mix
  • Dundurn Castle Shortbread

Copycat Dundurn Castle Shortbread Cookies

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Most Popular Copycat Recipes From Restaurants

Most copycat recipes come from fast-food joints or eat-in casual restaurants that offer a specific sauce, appetizer, drink, or dessert.

  • Cheesecake Factory recipes in the USA are to die for, but the closest you’ll get is a copycat version or the real thing if you have a CF nearby.
  • Kentucky Fried Chicken, specifically the KFC secret recipe, KFC gravy, and Classic KFC Macaroni Salad, are trendy.
  • Tim Hortons recipes are popular, especially the muffins, donuts, soup, chilli, and bagels.
  • Red Lobster recipes– You can buy a box of pre-made Red Lobster biscuits at Costco or make them yourself.
  • Applebees recipes are all appetizers and meat-based, like their famous burgers.
  • Olive Garden is all about salads, sauces, and bread.
  • McDonald’s recipes- Did you see the new Big Mac sauce in a squeeze bottle at the grocery store?
  • Chinese restaurant food is famous among Canadians, especially in creating a healthier version.

Some of the best recipes come from inside information, which means you know someone who works at an establishment or works (ed) there yourself.

Most restaurants won’t give up the recipe or leave out ingredients to keep them away from the general public.

You might even try a recipe that comes SO CLOSE to the real thing; you consider it just that or better, but more so for your pocketbook than your taste buds.

Top Copycat Recipes On Pinterest

Below you will find the best copycat recipes on Pinterest sought after by people like you and me who want to stay home and save money.

Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Copycat Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls

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Try our CBB Cinnamon Apple Rolls and Keto Cinnamon Rolls and put them to the test.

Outback Secret Blooming Onion Sauce

I’ve never been to the Outback Steakhouse, but Mrs. CBB has and loves their blooming onion sauce.

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Cheese Biscuits Copycat Recipe Red Lobster

Red Lobster Cheese Biscuits

Copycat McDonald’s French Fries Recipe

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Texas Roadhouse Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe

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Cracker Barrel Copycat Hash Brown Casserole

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Kentucky Fried Chicken Secret Recipe

K.F.C. Secret Recipe

CopyCat KFC Roast Chicken Seasoning

KFC Roast Chicken Seasoning

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Mcdonald’s Big Mac Secret Sauce Recipe

Copycat McDonald’s BIG MAC Secret Sauce

Starbucks Petite Vanilla Bean Scones Recipe

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Disneyland Monte Cristo Sandwiches

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Breakfast Sauce From McDonald’s

CopyCat McDonald’s Breakfast Sauce

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Salad Dressing From The Olive Garden

Olive Garden Salad Dressing

Starbucks Double Fudge Brownies Recipe

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Panda Express Recipes

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15 Copycat Cheesecake Factory Recipes

I’ve never been to the Cheesecake Factory in Toronto, but I’ve heard nothing but good reviews.

Below are 15 Copycat Cheesecake Factory recipes that you can make at home.

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Raising Cane’s Chicken Tenders and Sauce

If you’re a fan of Raising Cane’s, here is a recipe for their chicken tenders and dipping sauce.

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KFC Coleslaw Copycat

KFC Coleslaw is a five-minute side dish you’ll enjoy all summer long with your favorite chicken and more! Tastes exactly like the original!

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Pancakes From The Popular IHOP

Try my ultra pillow-soft fluffy pancakes and put them to the test.

Orange Julius Recipe

Copycat Orange Julius

Popular Wendy’s Frosty Recipe

Wendy’s Frosty

Bread Recipe From Little Caesars

Little Caesars

Muffin Recipe From Costco

Costco Muffin Copycat Recipe

Wing Sauces From Buffalo Wild Wings

Buffalo Wild Wings Copycat Wing Sauces

Red Velvet Cheesecake From Cheesecake Factory

Cheesecake Factory Copycat Red Velvet Cheesecake

Pretzel Bites Recipe From Auntie Anne’s

Auntie Anne’s Copycat Pretzel Bites

Coleslaw Recipe From Kentucky Fried Chicken

K.F.C. Copycat Coleslaw Recipe

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Delicious Arby’s Sauce

Copycat Arby’s Sauce

Kentucky Fried Chicken Recipe #2

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Starbucks Lemon Poppyseed Loaf Recipe

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Copycat McDonald’s French Fries Recipe

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Subway Sweet Onion Sauce Recipe

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Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

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Outback Blooming Onion Sauce Recipe

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McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets Copycat Recipe

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Five Guys Burger

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Thin Mint Girl Guide Cookies Recipe

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10 Taco Bell Copycat Recipes

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Starbucks Banana Bread Recipe

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Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets Recipe

Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets

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Taco Bell Quesadilla Recipe

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Just Like Kraft Dinner Macaroni And Cheese Recipe

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Olive Garden Salad Recipe

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TGI Friday’s CopyCat Potato Skins Recipe

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KFC Gravy Recipe

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Costco Quinoa Salad Recipe

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Panera Autumn Squash Soup

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Cheesecake Factory Copy Cat KeyLime Cheesecake

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Classic co*cktails To Make At Home

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Ultimate Guide For Making Starbucks Drinks

I created a blog post specifically for Cheap CopyCat Starbucks Drinks, cold and hot brew.

Related: The Ultimate List of Cold Brew Recipes

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Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you found a new recipe at home.

Mr. CBB

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Budget-Friendly Copycat Recipes to Satisfy Your Cravings (2024)
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