16 Copycat Side Dishes So Flavorful, You’ll Skip the Drive-Thru
Craving your favorite restaurant sides but not the drive-thru line? These 16 copycat side dishes bring all those bold, crave-worthy flavors straight to your kitchen. From crispy, golden favorites to creamy classics, each recipe is designed to taste just like the real deal—maybe even better. Get ready to recreate the sides you love and make staying in the new going out.
Red Lobster Brussels Sprouts (Copycat Recipe)
Enjoy crispy brussels sprouts topped with a sweet soy-ginger glaze and crispy fried onions just like Red Lobster! This copycat Red Lobster Brussels Sprouts recipe is the best quick and easy side dish with a touch of restaurant quality! Enjoy this Red Lobster side dish right at home!
Nando’s Macho Peas Copycat
Make Nando’s Macho Peas right at home! This copycat recipe is made with whole and crushed peas, mint, parsley, and chili flakes. It’s the perfect way to add some flavor to your meal with a quick and tasty vegetable side dish. Plus, it’s ready in under 10 minutes with simple ingredients.
Old Fashioned Kidney Bean Salad
This super-easy Kidney Bean Salad is an updated riff on the beloved Bean Salad recipe served at the iconic Nick Anthe’s restaurant for more than 30 years. It’s uniquely delicious, but with no cooking and just a bit of quick chopping, it’s also ultra-fast. (Like, 7 minutes FAST!) And, since it uses just a few ingredients that are easy to keep on hand, it’s absolutely ideal for last-minute meal prep, or for cooking ahead for parties and potlucks!
Texas Roadhouse Green Beans with Crispy Bacon
Recreate savory Texas Roadhouse green beans at home with this easy copycat recipe! Featuring bacon, onion, and ham broth for a delicious side dish.
Chili’s Skillet Queso (Copycat Recipe)
This copycat Chili’s Skillet Queso recipe makes a warm melted cheese dip that’s perfect for chips, crackers, or your favorite vegetables. Make it right at home using simple ingredients like Velveeta cheese and no bean chili!
Thai Crunch Salad (CPK Copycat)
This Thai Crunch Salad recipe was inspired by the totally crave-worthy salad at California Pizza Kitchen. It’s loaded with chicken, crunchy veggies and topped with a Thai peanut salad dressing and crispy wonton strips.
Joanna Gaines Sweet Potato Casserole
Forget the main event, this copycat version of Joanna Gaines Sweet Potato Casserole is one of my favorite sides! Fluffy sweet potatoes topped with a crunchy cornflake topping studded with crunchy pecans and toasted marshmallows.
The Best Low Carb Coleslaw Recipe
Looking for the best coleslaw recipe? This low carb coleslaw recipe has a crunchy texture and has the perfect amount of dressing. Originally called Copycat Coleslaw recipe because it mimics the tastes you love from your favorite restaurants only made with healthier, real food ingredients.
Sweet & Sticky Copycat J Dawgs Hot Dog Sauce
Never overlook the humble hot dog again in favor of more “grown-up” fare with this sweet & sticky Copycat J Dawgs Hot Dog Sauce.
Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits
Crumbly, cheesy, garlicky – these homemade Red Lobster cheddar bay biscuits are the perfect side dish and shamefully easy to whip up.
Panera’s White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
Panera Bread’s popular Vermont White Cheddar Mac and Cheese is super easy to make, with a well-seasoned cheese sauce and fun pasta shells! A perfect lunch or dinner side dish that’s made in just 20 minutes.
House Salad (Outback Copycat)
This Outback Copycat House Salad with ranch dressing is top notch delicious! Make it just like the restaurant but at home in less than 30 minutes. A creamy homemade dressing with garlicky croutons makes the perfect side dish to any meal.
Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole (Copycat Recipe)
Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole – get your Cracker Barrel fix at home with this easy and delicious hashbrown casserole copycat recipe! This is one of my family’s favorite holiday recipes and is the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Dickey’s Potato Casserole
Dickey’s potato casserole is a popular item on the Dickey’s BBQ menu, so of course I want to share a copycat version of this delicious side dish. Creamy mashed potatoes, tons of cheese, and topped with crispy bacon!
KFC Coleslaw Recipe (Copycat)
This copycat KFC Coleslaw Recipe taste just like the fast casual restaurant. With less than 10 ingredients, it’s the easiest side dish recipe that we’ve been making in our family for years. We’ve cracked the code to the secret recipe and can’t wait to share.
Fajita Veggies (Chipotle Copycat)
These delicious fajita veggies are fantastic for your Taco Tuesday! Made with simple ingredients, this easy Chipotle copycat recipe is a no-fuss side for steak, chicken, seafood, and more!
