21 Copycat Restaurant Sides Everyone Orders

By Stephanie Manley Updated 03/17/26

A lot of restaurant meals are remembered just as much for the sides as for the main dish, which is exactly why this theme works. People love recreating those familiar extras at home because they round out dinner and make an ordinary meal feel a little more complete. These recipes should feel recognizable, practical, and worth adding to the rotation. They also help readers build a full meal without relying on takeout or a special occasion. Good side dishes are not filler. They are often the part people talk about most when dinner is over.

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Panda Express Fried Rice Copycat

 Panda Express Fried Rice at Home
Panda Express Fried Rice Copycat. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Panda Express fried rice copycat combines rice, peas, carrots, eggs, and soy sauce for a simple homemade version of the takeout side.
Get the Recipe: Panda Express Fried Rice Copycat

Texas Roadhouse House Salad Copycat

Texas Roadhouse House Salad
Texas Roadhouse House Salad Copycat. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Texas Roadhouse House Salad copycat combines iceberg, romaine, cheddar, eggs, and tomatoes for a crisp restaurant-style side at home.
Get the Recipe: Texas Roadhouse House Salad Copycat

Taco Bell Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes Copycat

Taco Bell Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes
Taco Bell Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes Copycat. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Taco Bell Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes copycat layers crispy seasoned potatoes with nacho cheese sauce and sour cream for a familiar fast-food side.
Get the Recipe: Taco Bell Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes Copycat

Texas Roadhouse Green Beans Copycat

Texas Roadhouse Green Beans
Texas Roadhouse Green Beans Copycat. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Texas Roadhouse green beans copycat simmers green beans with bacon and onions for a savory side dish that tastes like the restaurant version.
Get the Recipe: Texas Roadhouse Green Beans Copycat

KFC Sweet Corn

Sweet corn in a white bowl
KFC Sweet Corn. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

This KFC Sweet Corn copycat recipe recreates the simple side dish made with tender sweet corn, butter, and salt for a quick and delicious restaurant-style side.
Get the Recipe: KFC Sweet Corn.

Dickey’s Baked Potato Casserole Copycat

Copycat Dickey’s Baked Potato Casserole
Dickey’s Baked Potato Casserole Copycat. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Dickey’s Baked Potato Casserole copycat mixes potatoes, bacon, cheese, and green onions into a creamy side dish with loaded flavor.
Get the Recipe: Dickey’s Baked Potato Casserole Copycat

KFC Mac and Cheese Copycat

KFC Mac and Cheese Recipe
KFC Mac and Cheese Copycat. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

KFC mac and cheese copycat coats tender macaroni in a smooth creamy cheese sauce for an easy side dish inspired by the restaurant favorite.
Get the Recipe: KFC Mac and Cheese Copycat

Panera Mac and Cheese Copycat

Panera Mac and Cheese
Panera Mac and Cheese Copycat. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Panera Mac and Cheese copycat blends white American cheese, white cheddar, and Dijon into a rich sauce that coats every bite of pasta.
Get the Recipe: Panera Mac and Cheese Copycat

Popeyes Cajun Rice Copycat

Popeyes Cajun Rice
Popeyes Cajun Rice Copycat. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Popeyes Cajun Rice copycat cooks rice with ground beef, bell pepper, green onions, and Creole seasoning for a deeply savory side dish.
Get the Recipe: Popeyes Cajun Rice Copycat

Cracker Barrel Fried Apples Copycat

Cracker Barrel Fried Apples
Cracker Barrel Fried Apples Copycat. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Cracker Barrel Fried Apples copycat simmers apple slices in buttery cinnamon sauce until soft and caramelized for a sweet side or dessert.
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Fried Apples Copycat

Panda Express Super Greens Copycat

cabbage, broccoli, and kale stir fry on a plate
Panda Express Super Greens Copycat. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Tender broccoli, kale, and cabbage sautéed in a light garlic sauce recreate the healthy Panda Express Super Greens side dish ready in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Panda Express Super Greens Copycat

KFC Green Beans Copycat

KFC Green Beans
KFC Green Beans Copycat. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

KFC green beans copycat cooks tender green beans with onions and simple seasoning for an easy side dish with familiar flavor.
Get the Recipe: KFC Green Beans Copycat

Chili’s Roasted Street Corn Copycat

corn with mayo, cotija cheese, and cilantro
Chili’s Roasted Street Corn Copycat. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Roasted corn coated in seasoned butter, creamy mayo, cotija cheese, and cilantro recreates the bold Chili’s roasted street corn side dish.
Get the Recipe: Chili’s Roasted Street Corn Copycat

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat

Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing
Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Olive Garden salad dressing copycat whisks pantry ingredients into a tangy, creamy dressing that brings restaurant flavor to homemade salads.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat

Panera Greek Salad Copycat

Panera Greek Salad
Panera Greek Salad Copycat. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Panera Greek Salad copycat combines feta, kalamata olives, pepperoncini, and greens with Dijon vinaigrette for a fresh restaurant-style salad.
Get the Recipe: Panera Greek Salad Copycat

Bojangles Biscuits Copycat

Bojangles Biscuits Easy Copycat Recipe
Bojangles Biscuits Copycat. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Bojangles biscuits copycat uses a few simple ingredients to bake fluffy, buttery Southern biscuits with the familiar restaurant texture.
Get the Recipe: Bojangles Biscuits Copycat

Captain D’s Coleslaw Copycat

Copycat Captain D’s Coleslaw
Captain D’s Coleslaw Copycat. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Captain D’s coleslaw copycat mixes cabbage with a creamy dressing for a quick, simple side dish that matches the restaurant favorite.
Get the Recipe: Captain D’s Coleslaw Copycat

Texas Roadhouse Rolls Copycat

Texas Roadhouse Rolls
Texas Roadhouse Rolls Copycat. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Texas Roadhouse rolls copycat bakes soft, fluffy yeast rolls with a light buttery finish for the steakhouse bread basket at home.
Get the Recipe: Texas Roadhouse Rolls Copycat

Popeyes Red Beans and Rice Copycat

a bowl of red beans and rice
Popeyes Red Beans and Rice Copycat. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Creamy red beans simmered with Cajun spices and smoky ham hock are served over tender rice to recreate the classic Popeyes side dish.
Get the Recipe: Popeyes Red Beans and Rice Copycat

Chick-fil-A Carrot Raisin Salad Copycat

carrot raisin salad
Chick-fil-A Carrot Raisin Salad Copycat. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Shredded carrots, raisins, and pineapple tossed in a creamy dressing recreate the sweet and crunchy Chick-fil-A carrot raisin salad.
Get the Recipe: Chick-fil-A Carrot Raisin Salad Copycat

Guadalajara Spanish Rice Copycat

spanish rice in a bowl
Guadalajara Spanish Rice Copycat. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Fluffy rice cooked with tomatoes, peppers, and seasonings recreates the savory Guadalajara restaurant Spanish rice served as a classic Mexican side.
Get the Recipe: Guadalajara Spanish Rice Copycat

More Ideas

REVEALED Olive Garden Copycat Recipes

yes, you CAN make it at home! I’ll show you how.

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