Why Choose to Cook at Home Instead of Ordering Takeaway
Cooking at home can be a more rewarding and cost-effective choice compared to ordering takeaway. While takeaway is convenient, the long wait times and high delivery fees can make it less appealing. This weekend, instead of going for your usual Pad Thai or fish and chips, consider trying a fakeaway recipe. These recipes offer a more affordable option, use fewer processed ingredients, and often take less time than waiting for a delivery.
What is a Fakeaway Recipe?
The concept of fakeaway recipes originated on social media several years ago when families sought lower-cost alternatives to their favorite takeaway meals. The term “fakeaway” is a combination of “fake” and “takeaway,” referring to homemade dishes that mimic the flavors of popular takeaway meals.
There are 31 different fakeaway recipes available that are worth the effort in the kitchen. From noodles and stir-fries to homemade pizza, it’s time to put away the delivery apps and grab your apron.
Dumpling Laksa
Laksa is an ideal dish when you’re feeling under the weather – it warms you up from the inside out. This version simplifies the process by using dumplings for protein instead of cooking meat separately.
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Classic Fried Rice
Nothing beats a bowl of fried rice after a long day. Use up leftover white rice and any vegetables you have on hand, and add some egg for extra flavor. Our tip: make a double batch for lunch the next day.
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Beef and Black Bean Stir Fry
Beef and black bean stir fry is a staple in Australian-Chinese restaurants. This 30-minute dish can be made faster than any delivery service.
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Lamb Souvlaki
Souvlaki is perfect when you want minimal mess with maximum flavor. These skewers are easy to prepare and ideal for grilling on the barbecue.
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Chicken Satay Skewers
Satay is a top choice for a favorite takeaway meal. These skewers are simple to make, and nothing beats the taste of a thick peanut sauce with a fresh squeeze of lime.
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Easy Butter Chicken
Butter chicken is a comfort food that’s easy to make at home. Marinating the chicken is key, so allow extra time for it to soak up all those delicious flavors.
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Cheeseburger Loaded Fries
Loaded fries are a must for a pick-me-up dinner. These are loaded with the best parts of a cheeseburger, including briny slices of pickle.
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Hokkien Noodles
Prawn, chicken, and vegetables with Hokkien noodles are a match made in heaven. Make this fakeaway when you don’t feel like a more complicated dinner.
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Singapore Noodles
Singapore noodles are a classic in Australian households. This dish is quick to make, and if you don’t have a wok, you can use a fry pan instead. Turn up the heat and get started.
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Honey Soy Beef Stir Fry
Honey soy beef is a classic option at local Chinese restaurants. If you want juicy, tender pieces of beef with a sticky sauce and green vegetables, this is the ideal recipe. Serve with your favorite noodles or steamed rice for extra satisfaction.
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Chicken Schnitzel
Skip the pub feed and make your own schnitzel from scratch – it’s much easier than you think. With a crunchy slaw on the side, you’ll love this crispy chicken dinner.
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Lamb and Spinach Gozleme
Gozleme is the perfect choice for those who want dinner that’s just a little bit more elevated than a toastie. Cook up your lamb mince and spinach before toasting it with delicious cheese.
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Curry Puffs
Curry puffs are essential when ordering Indian takeaway. Clarissa Feildel’s version is spicy, aromatic, and good enough to eat on its own without anything else.
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Chicken Tikka
Chicken tikka with a side of raita is just what the doctor ordered on a cold winter’s night. Cook up this delicious dinner for friends and family – it’s guaranteed you’ll have no leftovers!
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Homemade Pizza
Homemade pizza is the perfect date night activity. This summer version involves making your own dough and choosing a delicious combination of toppings.
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Ramen Noodles with Spice Broth
A bowl of ramen is like a warm hug. Pair your noodles with a jammy boiled egg, spicy chilli sauce, and an umami broth for the most delicious dinner.
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Honey Soy Chicken Wings
Chicken wings are sometimes all you need to feel better after a long day at work. Instead of buying a box, make these honey-soy chicken wings yourself. They’re sticky, sweet, and full of flavor!
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Dump and Bake Dumplings
Dumplings taste better with a sauce to go with them. And, when you barely have to do anything to cook them! This dump-and-bake tray is ideal for a lazy night in. Throw in all your ingredients and pop it in the oven!
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Chicken Pad Thai
Chicken Pad Thai is everyone’s favorite. For family dinner, or when friends come around, impress them with your own homemade version. We promise it’s just as good as anything you could buy.
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Traditional Bolognese
Colin Fassnidge knows how to make a delicious traditional Bolognese, including a secret ingredient that’s commonly used in this dish in Italy. This dinner always tastes better when it’s made at home, with love!
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Fried Chicken and Chips
Fried chicken and chips are like an elevated chicken nuggets dinner. This crispy, crunchy dish is perfect for a night in with a movie.
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Aussie Beef Burgers
A burger at home is guaranteed to taste better than anything you would buy at a drive-thru. This recipe is Aussie through and through with beetroot and a special sauce.
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Sweet and Sour Pork
Sweet and sour pork is always on the table at Yum Cha. Put it on your own table with a big bowl of steamed rice and watch all your guests delight in their dinner.
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Beef Cheek Ragu
Ragu is one of those dishes that seems too hard to pull off at home, but it’s way simpler than you think! Make your sofritto (celery, onion, and carrot) and throw all the other ingredients in to be slow cooked!
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Teriyaki Chicken Bowls
‘Bowls’ have become a viral takeaway dish over the last couple of years. This chicken teriyaki version combines everyone’s favorite Japanese meat with fresh veggies, avocado, and sesame seeds on top.
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Pulled Pork Tacos
Tacos are great on Tuesday and every other day of the week. This pulled pork version is slow-cooked and wonderful. Make a big batch so you can have leftovers the next day.
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Southern Fried Chicken Burger
Fried chicken, but done a little bit healthier than fast food. Turn your homemade fried chicken into delicious burgers with slaw, brioche bun, and lots of mayo.
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Banh Mi
Banh Mi is a staple for Aussies at lunchtime. If you’re in the mood for chili and pate, but the Vietnamese bakeries are all closed, make an at-home version.
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Brown Rice Sushi
Sushi is quick and easy to buy on the way home, but it’s just as quick to make at home. All you need is some brown rice, nori, and tuna, and you’re sorted!
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Fish and Chips
Nothing says Friday night in like a heaping plate of fish and chips. This recipe skips all the oil and instead bakes the fish and chips together on a single tray. Less mess, and more taste!
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Salmon Poke Bowls
Poke bowls have secured themselves as a top takeaway dish in Australia. This crispy salmon bites poke bowl is filled with fresh flavors, including a mango salsa and subtle edamame beans.
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