Tough Recipes vs. Quick Preps
Let's face it: some meals are best left to the professionals. Whether it's because they require precise techniques or they're simply too messy to make at home. On the other hand, many foods that people frequently order as takeout are actually incredibly simple to prepare and often taste better when you do it yourself. So let's look at 10 foods you'll want to spend your hard-earned money ordering and 10 you can easily make yourself!
1. Tamales
Making tamales is an art, but it's a labor-intensive process. First, you have to prepare the masa, then comes the filling. Wrapping the tamales in banana leaves or corn husks and steaming them for hours is where patience truly gets tested, so it's much easier to order them.
2. Sushi
Sourcing sushi-grade fish is a challenge on its own, as grocery store seafood often isn't fresh enough for raw consumption. Even with the right ingredients and tools, achieving the delicate flavors and textures found in restaurant-quality sushi takes practice.
Riccardo Bergamini on Unsplash
3. Macarons
While macarons may seem like a fun weekend project, most bakers find that the frustration outweighs the reward. These delicate, airy cookies require precise measurements, perfect folding technique, and just the right oven temperature. A single mistake like overmixing or underbaking can cause them to crack or turn into a sticky mess.
4. Beignets
Beignets are light, puffy, and covered in powdered sugar. The dough requires kneading and proofing, but the real challenge is deep-frying. Then there's the aftermath of cleaning up oil splatters and dealing with the lingering fried smell in your kitchen.
5. Consomme
Many seasoned chefs struggle with preparing the right consomme. It looks like a simple, clear broth, but it's a delicate and time-consuming process. Clarifying the broth involves creating a "raft" of egg whites, ground meat, and vegetables to trap impurities as it simmers. Otherwise, you'll have cloudy, unappetizing soup.
6. Lo Mein
It’s not a basic noodle dish. Achieving the perfect balance of chewy noodles, flavorful sauce, and crisp-tender vegetables requires high heat and fast cooking. Most home stovetops can’t replicate the intense wok heat that gives restaurant lo mein its signature smoky, slightly charred flavor.
Wheeler Cowperthwaite on Wikimedia
7. Peking Duck
First, you need to air-dry the duck, coat it with a glaze, and roast it to achieve perfectly crispy skin for a tasty Peking duck. Traditional methods even require inflating the skin. At home, achieving that signature crunch and juicy interior is nearly impossible without professional equipment.
8. Dumplings
Making dumplings from scratch is a time-consuming, multi-step process. First, there’s rolling out the dough to the right thickness. Then, you need to fill and fold each dumpling properly so they don’t burst while cooking. Whether you’re steaming, pan-frying, or boiling them, getting the texture right is another challenge.
9. Croissants
The process of making croissants takes at least two days, which is why even experienced bakers often choose to buy them from a professional pastry shop. The dough must be laminated, and layers of butter must be folded and chilled multiple times to create that signature flakiness.
10. Deep Dish Pizza
Chicago-style deep-dish pizza isn’t your typical oven pizza. It requires a thick, buttery crust, layers of cheese and toppings, and a slow bake to cook everything evenly. Making the dough alone takes hours, plus the layers of ingredients need to be assembled carefully so the cheese doesn’t burn before the crust is fully cooked.
Now, let's take a look at foods you shouldn't order because they're really easy and affordable to prepare at home.
1. Deli Sandwiches
Ordering a deli sandwich feels like the easiest lunch option. But here's the thing: making a sandwich at home is just as fast, and you have complete control over the ingredients. Fresh bread, quality deli meats, crisp lettuce, and the exact amount of condiments you like—all at a fraction of the price.
2. Steak
All you need is a hot pan, some butter, and a little patience to have the best steak. However, most people don't want to risk ruining an expensive cut of meat at home, so they order it as a takeout. By the time it arrives, the juices have soaked into the container.
José Ignacio Pompé on Unsplash
3. Fried Chicken
There's nothing like the crunch of freshly fried chicken, which is why so many people turn to takeout for it. However, making fried chicken is easy, and you'll have it hot, crispy, and seasoned exactly how you like it.
4. Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese is pure comfort food, and it's tempting to order one from a diner or sandwich shop when you're craving something warm and cheesy. But think about what you're paying for—bread, butter, and cheese, three things you probably already have in your kitchen.
Pixzolo Photography on Unsplash
5. Mac and Cheese
Unless you're getting a gourmet version with fancy cheeses, you're probably overpaying for mac and cheese that's incredibly easy to cook at home. Boxed mac and cheese is done in minutes, and homemade versions with real cheese, butter, and milk are just as simple.
6. Pancakes
Ordering pancakes from a diner seems convenient, but making them at home is a straightforward process. You can buy a pancake mix that only requires water, and you can even prepare it from scratch to control the portion size, toppings, and thickness.
7. Salad
Restaurants charge a premium for what is essentially a mix of lettuce, veggies, and dressing. At home, you can throw together a fresh salad in minutes, using higher-quality ingredients and your favorite toppings. Plus, pre-washed bagged salads make the process even easier.
8. Garlic Bread
Garlic bread is often ordered with pizza or pasta, but making it at home is incredibly easy. Spread butter and minced garlic (or garlic powder) on a slice of bread, toast it in the oven for a few minutes, and you're done.
9. Rice Bowls
Ordering a rice bowl from a takeout spot seems like a convenient choice, but cooking rice at home is foolproof. Add some sauteed veggies, a protein of your choice, and sauce, and you've got the same thing for much cheaper.
10. Veggie Stir-Fry
If you're looking for a healthy option, you might order a veggie stir-fry, but you can easily make it at home. Toss your vegetables in a pan with a little oil, garlic, spices, and soy sauce. You'll have a fresh, hot dish in minutes.
