Let’s face it, we’ve all been there – relying a little too much on takeout. But what if I told you there are 21 super simple ways to break up with your delivery guy and start whipping up your own delicious meals at home? This isn’t about spending hours in the kitchen or needing fancy gadgets. It’s about easy, practical steps to make home cooking doable and fun, even on those busy weeknights.

Think of this as your friendly guide to getting back in the kitchen. We’re talking about quick meal ideas, smart shopping tricks, and some neat ways to organize your cooking space. Imagine the satisfaction of eating something you made yourself, and hey, it’s healthier and kinder on your wallet too. Ready to give your takeout habit the boot? Let’s dive into these 21 life-changing tips and get cooking!

Chicken Pakora

Who would have thought that Chicken Pakora could be made right at home? The best thing about this dish is that it carries all the incredible flavors that we love from Indian cuisine and offers us a satisfying alternative to fried takeout dishes. It’s definitely one to cook at home for a true taste of comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pakora

Crispy Beef

Have you ever considered making Crispy Beef at home? The gnarly, crispy beef tossed in a sweet honey and soy sauce is much more exciting and tasty than your usual beef takeout. Plus, it’s easy to make, and you’ll feel better knowing you prepared it in your own kitchen to your taste.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Beef

Thai Chicken Satay

Thai Chicken Satay is a lot easier to make at home than you might think. Grilled chicken skewers marinated in Thai spices and served with a sweet and tangy peanut sauce bring a perfect twist to the usual takeout meal. It’s a thrilling dish that everyone at the party will be talking about.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Satay

Lamb Kofta Kebabs

Lamb Kofta Kebabs are a perfect replacement for your usual gyro takeout. These delightful, aromatic lamb skewers pack a flavorsome punch – enough to convert anyone away from their usual takeout options. The mouthwatering zesty kebabs will definitely fill the void of a delightful Sunday barbeque.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Kofta Kebabs

Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos

Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos are a healthier and more delicious option than conventional greasy takeout. These crispy, golden-brown wonders are loaded with shredded chicken and cheese – offering a new style of comfort food that will make you forget all about ordering from a drive-thru especially when they pair so well with a movie night or party at home.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos

Thai Pumpkin Curry

Thai Pumpkin Curry is the ultimate delightful dish that will make you feel warm and cozy. This one-pot dish has a fusion of sweet and spicy flavors, decadently creamy from the coconut milk, making it the perfect alternative to your typical Thai takeout. Cook this up, and you’ll realize that takeout food doesn’t really stand a chance against a home-cooked meal.
Get the Recipe: Thai Pumpkin Curry

Fish Tacos

Fish Tacos are not just a seafood staple; they are a delight in every bite. Replacing your usual seafood takeout option with these easily adjustable, flavorful, tangy, and delicious fish tacos could become your new favorite self-made dish. They are light yet satisfying, providing a diverse mix of flavors that store-bought alternatives can’t match.
Get the Recipe: Fish Tacos

Mochiko Chicken

The Mochiko Chicken is a notable dish that should draw your attention away from tired takeout options. It will introduce you to the tantalizing flavors of Hawaii. Crispy on the outside, while tender and succulent on the inside, this flavorful Asian treat is definitely worth making at home.
Get the Recipe: Mochiko Chicken

Spicy Miso Ramen

Spicy Miso Ramen is more than just a hot bowl of noodles. It’s a delicious and savory meal you can easily prepare at home. This ramen recipe brings the authentic taste of Japanese street food right into your kitchen, making the thought of ordering a noodle soup dish from takeout distant and almost obsolete.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Miso Ramen

Chicken Curry Laksa

Imagine a thick and hearty curry soup with tender slices of chicken – sounds delicious, right? That’s Chicken Curry Laksa for you. This flavorful, aromatic soup is practically a meal on its own and stands tall as a steady favorite over takeout options. Once you take a spoonful, you’ll be asking yourself why you ever bothered with takeout!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Curry Laksa

Miso Glazed Salmon

Miso Glazed Salmon gives you an effortless opportunity to feed your fancy food cravings at home. The restaurant-quality dish brings a distinct and refined flair to your dinner, proving that takeout is not the only avenue to experience richly flavored meals. Usually, served over a bed of fluffy rice with a side of steamed vegetables, it effortlessly brings the fine dining experience right into your kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Miso Glazed Salmon

Harissa Chicken

Harissa Chicken infuses a new degree of excitement into the humble roast chicken. Taking your tastebuds on a tasty North African adventure, its unique flavor profile and relatively straightforward recipe offer a compelling reason for you not to look at the takeout menu anymore. A succulent, flavorsome dish is a great exploration of African cuisine.
Get the Recipe: Harissa Chicken

Kerala Fish Curry

Kerala Fish Curry profoundly captures and upholds the charm of Southern Indian cuisine. A richly flavored, hearty, and aromatic dish that will make you contemplate ordering seafood takeout less and less. The fragrant spices and delicate fish create an absolute delight, remembered long after the last bite.
Get the Recipe: Kerala Fish Curry

Shrimp Yakisoba

Shrimp Yakisoba is a delightful mouthful of hearty stir-fried noodles mixed with a flavorful medley of veggies and protein-packed shrimp. This flexible and tasty Japanese treat holds its own ground against any noodle takeout and leaves you with the satisfying feeling of dining out, right at home. The fact that it’s easily adjustable to taste makes the dish even more appealing.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Yakisoba

Chicken Hot and Sour Soup

Chicken Hot and Sour Soup is a dish that tops the classic chicken soup without even trying. It’s a heartwarming delicacy that can easily become your go-to homey dish, encouraging you to leave behind your old soup takeout option. The primal thrill of preparing and devouring the perfect, steaming bowl of soup simply cannot be beaten by pre-cooked options.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Hot and Sour Soup

Camarones al Mojo de Ajo

The Camarones al Mojo de Ajo is the perfect embodiment of how shrimp and garlic can intermingle to create a delectable experience precise enough to lure any fan of seafood takeout towards a home-cooked meal. The robust taste of this Mexican delight will not only satisfy your cravings but will impress your dinner guests too.
Get the Recipe: Camarones al Mojo de Ajo

Green Chili Chicken Soup

Green Chili Chicken Soup holds the potential to transform your view of soup dishes as a whole. Not just your run-of-the-mill chicken soup, the bold and enticing flavors of Mexico fuse together in this warm, comforting dish. With each spoonful embodying the essence of hearty homemade food, you’ll soon forget about boring soup takeout.
Get the Recipe: Green Chili Chicken Soup

Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Crema

If you’re not on the Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Crema wagon already, it’s high time you hop on. This dish is a testament that seafood can be fun and exciting outside the confines of the traditional fish and chips. The freshness and flavor explosion from the cilantro lime crema is a compelling reminder that occasionally, homemade meals can topple takeout.
Get the Recipe: Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Crema

Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings

Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings are a lesson in how simplicity can sometimes outshine complex, multi-flavored dishes. These oven-baked wings are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will take center stage at any get-together. Why should you go for takeout when you can tickle your tastebuds with homemade favorites?
Get the Recipe: Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings

Camarones a la Diabla

Camarones a la Diabla is a bold statement of flavors not for the faint-hearted. The fiery, spicy king prawns simmered to perfection are sure to tantalize your tastebuds prompting second servings, making you rethink your obsession for shrimp takeout.
Get the Recipe: Camarones a la Diabla

Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori Chicken is more than just chicken; it’s a well-marinated culinary delight that’s excellent for grilling. The flavors that seep into the chicken after hours of marinating in a yogurt-spice mix are unmatchable and are sure to give you a refreshing alternative to ordering chicken takeout.
Get the Recipe: Tandoori Chicken