Category: Copycat Recipes

Copycat Buffalo Wild Wings Thai Curry Wings

Visit my other site, For The Wing, for all things chicken-wing!

The first time I tried the Thai Curry Wings at Buffalo Wild Wings I was blown away. It was in West Chester, Ohio, and I remember it like it was yesterday because I absolutely loved the combination of coconut, curry and just a bit of heat. I could’ve just licked the sauce off the wings, but then we were in a public place and that would’ve been awkward. Ever since I’ve been looking for a version of BW3’s sauce, and here it is. The perfect copycat Buffalo Wild Wings Thai Curry wings. Now I can lick the sauce off the wings in the privacy of my own home!

Copycat Buffalo Wild Wings Thai Curry Wings

I could not find Thai chile peppers in our supermarket, so I had to go to plan B. I picked up a few packages of dried cayenne peppers, reconstituted them, and chopped them up. It was a great save. These Copycat Buffalo Wild Wings Thai Curry wings came out fantastic.

I found the Shan chicken white karahi mix in the Pakistani section of our international supermarket. If you can’t find it nearby you can always order it online.

I store my homemade sauces in squeeze bottles. If refrigerated, I set them out thirty minutes to an hour before using so they come to room temperature. You don’t want to put cold sauce on hot food!
Kitchen Bottle Condiment Set 3 Hole Dispenser Lid Plastic Squeeze for Sauce Mustard Ketchup 12 oz. / 340 ML.
Kitchen Bottle Condiment Set 3 Hole Dispenser Lid Plastic Squeeze for Sauce Mustard Ketchup 12 oz. / 340 ML.

Also try my copycats of BW3s spicy garlic, Mango Habanero and Parmesan garlic wings.

Copycat Buffalo Wild Wings Thai Curry Wings
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5 from 2 votes

Copycat Buffalo Wild Wings Thai Curry Wings

You might end up with leftover sauce. That’s a good thing.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword Asian wings
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 45 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 372kcal
Author Inspired by a recipe from Healthy Thai Recipes

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Wing Sauce

Instructions

For the sauce (start cooking when you start the wings)

  • Mince the peppers and then pound in a mortar and pestle or grind into a paste using the side of a knife blade. You want the peppers to form a paste.
  • Place the peppers and remaining ingredients into a saucepan over medium heat.
  • Stir until the ingredients are combined.
  • Reduce heat to a simmer and continue simmering, stirring occasionally, while the wings are cooking. You want the sauce to thicken slightly.

Notes

NOTE: I could not find Thai peppers at our grocery store. You can substitute jalapenos or serranos for more heat. Preferably you want to use a red pepper. I bought dried cayenne peppers, which I then reconstituted in hot water for 1 hour. I then removed the seeds and minced the peppers into a paste.

Nutrition

Calories: 372kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 765mg | Potassium: 321mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 301IU | Vitamin C: 39mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Buffalo Wild Wings Milder Variety Bundle: Parmesan Garlic, Medium, Honey BBQ, Asian Zing: 12 Ounces Each
Buffalo Wild Wings Milder Variety Bundle: Parmesan Garlic, Medium, Honey BBQ, Asian Zing: 12 Ounces Each

Copycat Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper

I admit that back in my bachelor gotta-make-something-for-dinner-but-I-can’t-cook days I went through my share of boxes of Hamburger Helper. Easy to make and hearty, any flavor of Hamburger Helper would do. That’s why I just had to make this copycat version of the classic cheeseburger mix. Just as easy as the stuff out of the box and darn tasty too! Now I can make this copycat Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper without being a bachelor!

Copycat Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper

It Doesn’t Have To Be Kid-Friendly

You can easily modify this recipe and make your own. Add jalapenos or a dash or two of cayenne pepper for a little kick. Swap Monterey Jack cheese for the cheddar. Use ground turkey instead of ground beef and add a pinch or two of dried sage. Your copycat cheeseburger Hamburger Helper doesn’t have to be exactly like the stuff out of the box, but it’s ok if it is!

Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline Vegetable Slicer with 3 Interchangeable Blades, Easy to Clean Rotary Grater Slicer for Fruit, Vegetables, Nuts
Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline Vegetable Slicer with 3 Interchangeable Blades, Easy to Clean Rotary Grater Slicer for Fruit, Vegetables, Nuts

Also try my copycat of the not-so-cheesy classic Hamburger helper.

This recipe is based on a recipe from KitchMe.

Copycat Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper
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3.75 from 4 votes

Copycat Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper

I admit that back in my bachelor gotta-make-something-for-dinner-but-I-can’t-cook days I went through my share of boxes of Hamburger Helper. Easy to make and hearty, any flavor would do. That’s why I just had to make this copycat version of the classic cheeseburger mix. Just as easy as the stuff out of the box and darn tasty too!
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword copycat, Hamburger helper
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 688kcal
Author Inspired by KitchMe

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Crumble the ground beef into a large skillet over medium high heat and cook until done. Drain off any excess fat.
  • Stir in the all but the cheese and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until the pasta is tender.
  • Stir in the cheese until melted.
  • Remove from heat, uncover and let rest 5 minutes before serving topped with additional cheese.

Notes

It’s not copycat, but I also like to make this dish using pepper jack cheese.

Nutrition

Calories: 688kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 889mg | Potassium: 631mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 558IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 376mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbooks Boxed Set: The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, The Unofficial Disney Parks EPCOT Cookbook, The Unofficial ... Cookbook (Unofficial Cookbook Gift Series)
The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbooks Boxed Set: The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, The Unofficial Disney Parks EPCOT Cookbook, The Unofficial … Cookbook (Unofficial Cookbook Gift Series)

Copycat Applebee’s Classic Patty Melt

My wife requested that I make patty melts for dinner. So, I made patty melts for dinner. But not just my usual patty melts. No, it was time to bring out the big guns – a copycat of Applebee’s Classic Patty Melt. This is what a patty melt should be. Griddled patties, sautéed onions, a delicious sauce and of course, cheese. And thick bread. You have to have thick bread or you’ll end up with sandwich sadness. No one wants to have their patty melt fall apart when they take a bite. Man, how many times have I ordered a sandwich in a restaurant only to have it fall apart after a few bites? That’s when I had to adopt my ‘never put it down’ policy. I don’t need that policy with these!

Copycat Applebees Classic Patty Melt

The Sauce Sets This Sandwich Apart

The sauce for a copycat Applebee’s classic patty melt is best with a clove of roasted garlic mixed in. I roasted an entire head of garlic ahead of time. I squeezed out one clove for this recipe and saved the rest for something else. It really makes this Applebee’s Classic Patty Melt better than the rest, so don’t skip the effort.

Weber Original Burger Press, Black
Weber Original Burger Press, Black

Also check out my copycats of Steak’n Shakes Frisco Melt and Applebee’s Clubhouse grill.

Copycat Applebee's Classic Patty Melt
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5 from 1 vote

Copycat Applebee’s Classic Patty Melt

This is what a patty melt should be. Griddled patties, sautéed onions, a delicious sauce and of course, cheese. And thick bread. You have to have thick bread or you’ll end up with sandwich sadness.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword burgers, copycat
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 2 servings
Calories 5722kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Fire up a grill or heat a skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Season the burger with salt, pepper and garlic powder and cook until done.
  • Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat and add the onion. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder and sauté until softened.
  • Combine the mayo, garlic and mustard and slather on one side of each slice of bread.
  • Melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the bread slices, mayonnaise mix side up, and swirl around to coat in the butter.
  • Add one slice of Swiss to two of the bread slices, and one slice of cheddar to the other.
  • Assemble sandwich by placing cooked patties on top of the two bread slices with Swiss, add the onions and then the top bread slices.

Notes

If you can’t find thick-cut Italian bread you can substitute Texas toast.

Nutrition

Calories: 5722kcal | Carbohydrates: 488g | Protein: 93g | Fat: 379g | Saturated Fat: 201g | Trans Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 124mg | Sodium: 3860mg | Potassium: 2245mg | Fiber: 33g | Sugar: 289g | Vitamin A: 1169IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 559mg | Iron: 20mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbooks Boxed Set: The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, The Unofficial Disney Parks EPCOT Cookbook, The Unofficial ... Cookbook (Unofficial Cookbook Gift Series)
The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbooks Boxed Set: The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, The Unofficial Disney Parks EPCOT Cookbook, The Unofficial … Cookbook (Unofficial Cookbook Gift Series)

Copycat Church’s Fried Chicken Using the Vortex

I could make (and eat) ‘fried’ chicken using my Vortex BBQ all day long. It has never let me down. It has never been anything but easy. This copycat of Church’s fried chicken using the Vortex was no exception. Incredibly crunchy skin. Unbelievably moist and flavorful meat. And as easy as coating it, grilling it, eating it. Done.

Copycat Church's Fried Chicken Using the Vortex

Easy. And Fantastic.

There are no tricks or special handshakes that you need to know to get fried chicken right using the Vortex. And although a lot of sites say to rotate the lid every 15 minutes while cooking, I’ve not found that it makes a difference. I don’t over-crowd my grill and I make sure I have a super-hot fire. If you’ve found that rotating the lid is a requirement, let me know but so far, I’ve not had anything but success just keeping the lid right where it is. I also do not flip my chicken while it is cooking. Doing so will result in ‘batter loss’, a bad thing. Just keep it right where it is.

VORTEX (IN)DIRECT HEAT for Charcoal Grills, Medium Size - For Weber Kettle 22 26.75 WSM Smokey Mountain XL Kamado XL Big Green Egg
VORTEX (IN)DIRECT HEAT for Charcoal Grills, Medium Size – For Weber Kettle 22 26.75 WSM Smokey Mountain XL Kamado XL Big Green Egg

Also try my insanely-awesome proper pub fried chicken, another fantastic recipe for deliciously crispy tasty chicken cooked using the Vortex. You can also use off-the-shelf fried chicken coating to make spectacular chicken on the Vortex. Check out my Kentucky Kernel chicken too!

Copycat Church's Fried Chicken Using the Vortex
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3.67 from 3 votes

Copycat Church’s Fried Chicken Using the Vortex

This copycat of Church’s fried chicken was no exception. Incredibly crunchy skin. Unbelievably moist and flavorful meat. And as easy as coating it, grilling it, eating it. Done.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword fried chicken, Vortex
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4 servings
Calories 373kcal
Author Inspired by a recipe from Just A Pinch

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 8 pieces chicken I prefer bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

For the dry mixture

For the wet mixture

  • 2 eggs
  • ¼ cup cold water

For a crispier coating

Instructions

  • Fire up your grill with the Vortex BBQ. Let the coals get good and hot.
  • Combine all of the dry mixture ingredients in a pie plate.
  • In another pie plate, whisk together the eggs and water.
  • Working in batches, dip the chicken into the wet mixture, then into the dry mixture.
  • One more time, dip the chicken into the wet mixture and then the dry mixture.
  • Transfer chicken to your grill grate around the Vortex and cook until done, about 45 minutes.
  • Lightly brush the chicken with oil the last 5 minutes of cooking to get a crispier skin.

Notes

You can use any cuts of chicken that you prefer, but I have found that bone-in, skin-on thighs produce the best results time after time!

Nutrition

Calories: 373kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 84mg | Sodium: 2963mg | Potassium: 184mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 202IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Genuine Medium BBQ Vortex GIFT PACK for wsm Kettle 22 26.75 Big Green Egg kamado - 3 PC
Genuine Medium BBQ Vortex GIFT PACK for wsm Kettle 22 26.75 Big Green Egg kamado – 3 PC

Slow Cooker Copycat Snapple Tea

It’s summer. That means iced tea for me, and in particular, Snapple tea. This slow cooker copycat of the fantastic bottled version hits the spot on a hot day for sure. Just toss a few ingredients into your slow cooker and in a few hours you get great tasting tea. I prefer peach- or lemon-flavored tea, but you can use any flavor you’d like. No matter which flavors you make, you’ll love this slow cooker copycat Snapple tea. You do want to use a good, tasty, quality bagged tea in this recipe. You want that clean tea flavor. Not cloudy, yucky, el cheapo tea. Spend a little extra on the tea and be happy.

Slow Cooker Copycat Snapple Tea

Go Low Carb, Low Cal

For lower calorie, lower carb slow cooker copycat Snapple tea use artificial sweetener and any one of the sugar-free fruit flavors of Torani syrup. I’ve found that some syrup flavors can be hard to find locally. Thankfully, shipping isn’t bad so I ordered a few bottles online. You don’t have to worry about the syrups expiring either, so don’t be afraid to order a few and get to trying several different flavors in your teas. Heck you could even mix them. I guess!

Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)
Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)

Also try my no-carb sherbet pops!

Slow Cooker Copycat Snapple Tea
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4 from 2 votes

Slow Cooker Copycat Snapple Tea

This slow cooker copycat of the fantastic bottled version hits the spot on a hot day for sure.
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Keyword copycat, crockpot, slow cooker, tea
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 5 minutes
Servings 3 quarts
Calories 307kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a slow cooker.
  • Cook on low 3 hours.
  • Serve cold or over ice.

Notes

Best when used within a day or two.

Nutrition

Calories: 307kcal | Carbohydrates: 79g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 114mg | Potassium: 22mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 67g | Vitamin A: 17IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count

Copycat Firehouse Subs Battalion Chief Sub

I’ve never been to Firehouse Subs. So, I can’t really say for sure that this is a 100% copycat of Firehouse Subs Battalion Chief sub (then again, I don’t see it on the menu any more). But I can say I thought this was a fantastic sandwich and if the rest of the menu at Firehouse Sub’s is anything like this, I need to get on over there and make up for lost time.

Copycat Firehouse Subs Battalion Chief Sub

Great Bite After Bite

Cheese, horseradish, roast beef and lettuce all on a nice toasted roll. Oh, and the surprise? Crunchy fried onions. Oh yeah.

I’m not as big a fan of horseradish as my wife is, even though it does go very, very well with roast beef. But, since finding The Mustard Man’s Simply Horsey mustard, I’ve become a bigger and bigger fan. Simply Horsey combines just the right amount of horseradish with creamy mustard and bit of mayonnaise. It has the perfect consistency for topping this copycat Firehouse Subs Battalion Chief sub.

I almost always use Blue Plate mayonnaise in the dishes I make. I think it is the best around. If you can’t find it locally you can pick it up online for a fair price.

Blue Plate Real Mayonnaise, Homestyle Mayo For Chicken Salad to Deviled Eggs, 30 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Blue Plate Real Mayonnaise, Homestyle Mayo For Chicken Salad to Deviled Eggs, 30 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)

Also checkout my copycat of one of my all-time favorite restaurant sandwiches, Firehouse Sub’s Hook and Ladder, Subway’s Italian BMT, and my copycat of Quizno’s Italian Sub and of course, my copycat Jersey Mike’s sub too!

Copycat Firehouse Subs Battalion Chief Sub
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5 from 1 vote

Copycat Firehouse Subs Battalion Chief Sub

 I thought this was a fantastic sandwich and if the rest of the menu at Firehouse Subs is anything like this, I need to get on over there and make up for lost time.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword sandwich, submarine
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 2906kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 French rolls or baguettes
  • ¼ cup spicy horseradish mayonnaise if you can't find any, just mix a little prepared horseradish with mayonnaise and a dash of hot sauce
  • ¼ cup French-fried onions
  • ½ pound deli roast beef sliced thin
  • 4 sharp cheddar cheese sliced
  • 4 leaves green leaf lettuce

Instructions

  • Warm the bread as desired.
  • Spread each bread half with the horseradish mayonnaise.
  • Sprinkle the bottom piece of bread with the fried onions (the mayonnaise will help the onions stick to the bread)
  • Add the remaining ingredients and serve.

Notes

Also great using any sandwich meat you love!

Nutrition

Calories: 2906kcal | Carbohydrates: 240g | Protein: 62g | Fat: 189g | Saturated Fat: 93g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 3636mg | Potassium: 1308mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 140g | Vitamin A: 38IU | Vitamin C: 51mg | Calcium: 334mg | Iron: 12mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbooks Boxed Set: The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, The Unofficial Disney Parks EPCOT Cookbook, The Unofficial ... Cookbook (Unofficial Cookbook Gift Series)
The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbooks Boxed Set: The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, The Unofficial Disney Parks EPCOT Cookbook, The Unofficial … Cookbook (Unofficial Cookbook Gift Series)

Copycat McDonald’s Cheddar Melt

“Bring it back!” “Bring it back!” That’s what a lot of folks are saying when they think about McDonald’s Cheddar Melt, which first came out around 2000, but it wasn’t available for long. But, so far, no luck. That’s when you have to step up and make it at home. And hey, to be honest.. it’s even better than I remember!

The real winning flavor on these McDonald’s Cheddar Melts is the onion and teriyaki mixture. It compliments the meaty burger and creamy cheddar sauce perfectly. I grilled my burgers because, well, that’s what I do, but you can also cook the burgers in the same pan that you cook the onions.

McDonald's Cheddar Melt

The Perfect Toppings

The cheese and onions are also perfect on hot dogs, so don’t be afraid to double or even triple the recipe. And hey, a dash or two of hot sauce isn’t a bad idea either. But don’t go crazy with it. You definitely do not want to hide the wonderful flavor of the toppings on these McDonald’s Cheddar Melts. Heck, you could just eat the cheese and onion with a spoon!

Weber Original Burger Press, Black
Weber Original Burger Press, Black

After enjoying a McDonald’s Cheddar Melt try a homemade Arch Deluxe. It’s crazy good too! If you’re in a hurry you’ll still have time to make a quick fix copycat McDonald’s Chicken Sandwich.

McDonald's Cheddar Melt
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4 from 3 votes

McDonald’s Cheddar Melt

“Bring it back!” “Bring it back!” That’s what a lot of folks are saying when they think about McDonald’s Cheddar Melt, which first came out around 2000, but it wasn’t available for long. But, so far, no luck. That’s when you have to step up and make it at home
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword burgers, copycat
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 762kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Delish

Equipment

Ingredients

For the cheese sauce

For the onions

For the burgers

For the teriyaki sauce

Instructions

For the cheese sauce

  • Melt the butter over medium heat in a saucepan.
  • Whisk in the flour until combined. Cook for 1-3 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Whisk in the milk and continue whisking for 3 minutes to thicken.
  • Stir in the cheese and season with salt and pepper.
  • Reduce heat to low until ready to use.

For the onions

  • Add oil to a medium skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the onion and saute until tender.
  • Stir in the teriyaki sauce.
  • Reduce heat to low until ready to use.

For the burger

  • Season burgers well with salt and pepper. Fire up your grill for direct and indirect cooking. Optionally, you can cook the burgers in the same skillet as you cook the onions.
  • Grill burgers to desired doneness.
  • Toast buns if desired.
  • Assemble burgers by placing patties on buns. Top with cheese sauce and onion mixture.

For the teriyaki sauce.(makes more than you’ll need for the burgers)

  • Place 3/4 cup water, ginger, garlic powder, brown sugar, and honey in a saucepan over medium heat.
  • In a small cup or bowl combine 1/4 cup of water and the cornstarch. Whisk the mixture into the saucepan.
  • Heat until sauce is the desired thickness, about 3 minutes. If too thick whisk in a bit more water.

Notes

These burgers are more than worth the effort.

Nutrition

Calories: 762kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 121mg | Sodium: 1678mg | Potassium: 623mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 695IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 417mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbooks Boxed Set: The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, The Unofficial Disney Parks EPCOT Cookbook, The Unofficial ... Cookbook (Unofficial Cookbook Gift Series)
The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbooks Boxed Set: The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, The Unofficial Disney Parks EPCOT Cookbook, The Unofficial … Cookbook (Unofficial Cookbook Gift Series)

Copycat Jimmy John’s Avocado Sandwich Spread

Sometimes you just need a little reminder to step outside of your box of usual sandwich spreads and use something you might not think of. This copycat of the avocado sandwich spread from Jimmy John’s is essentially guacamole with a few twists thrown in. It’s fantastic on a sandwich and for that matter, equally as great as a dip for tortilla chips. That’s why I doubled the recipe. Sandwiches and chips. Lunch is done.

Copycat Jimmy John's Avocado Sandwich Spread

A Little Heat Never Hurts

Every sandwich needs a little spiciness in my opinion. Which is why I was happy that this copycat Jimmy John’s avocado sandwich spread includes a jalapeno. Now, granted, it’s a small jalapeno so you’re not going to get overwhelming heat. But you don’t want that kick to be front-and-center. Just there, in the back. Noticed but not overwhelming. This spread is excellent on my copycat of Jason’s Deli California Club sandwich.

Nice-n-Creamy

Use your food processor (or blender) to get the spread to the consistency you want. You aren’t making chunky guacamole, so I would say keep going until it’s creamy smooth. It’s up to you. You do want it to be spreadable. Once it’s creamy you can’t go back and un-creamy it, so stop every few seconds or so and test it.

Cuisinart DFP-14BCWNY Food Processor Custom, 14 Cup, White
Cuisinart DFP-14BCWNY Food Processor Custom, 14 Cup, White

Also try my spicy avocado salad dressing.

Copycat Jimmy John's Avocado Sandwich Spread
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4 from 5 votes

Copycat Jimmy John’s Avocado Sandwich Spread

This copycat of the avocado sandwich spread from Jimmy John’s is essentially guacamole with a few twists thrown in. 
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword avocado, sandwich, sauce
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 178kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 small jalapeno pepper seeded, chopped
  • 1 medium white onion chopped
  • 1 clove garlic chopped
  • 1 Roma tomato chopped
  • 2 medium avocados peeled, pitted, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • ¾ teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon dry mustard

Instructions

  • Place the jalapeno, onion, garlic and tomato into a blender or food processor. Process until smooth.
  • Place avocado into a large bowl. Drizzle with the lime juice and smash with the back of a fork. Transfer to the blender.
  • Add the salt and mustard to the blender and pulse until the mixture reaches the desired thickness.
  • Slather on bread for sandwiches. If you do have any extra spread it makes for a great chip dip!

Notes

Stir well before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 445mg | Potassium: 581mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 316IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbooks Boxed Set: The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, The Unofficial Disney Parks EPCOT Cookbook, The Unofficial ... Cookbook (Unofficial Cookbook Gift Series)
The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbooks Boxed Set: The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, The Unofficial Disney Parks EPCOT Cookbook, The Unofficial … Cookbook (Unofficial Cookbook Gift Series)

Copycat Long John Silver’s Hush Puppies

Making copycat Long John Silver’s hush puppies was the crowning moment in my efforts to duplicate my childhood memories of eating at the fast food restaurant. I made the fish. I made the fries. And I made the chicken planks. And now, I’ve made the hush puppies. They have the perfect texture and the perfect corn flavor. What fantastic hush puppies they are! Get out the ketchup because it’s time for some hush puppy dunkin’! I grinned from ear-to-ear while I devoured these, each bite reminding me of days gone by years ago!

Copycat Long John Silver's Hush Puppies

Why Are They Called ‘Hush Puppies’?

People often tell that the origin of the name ‘hush puppies’ can be traced back to hunters and fishermen who would toss the fried cornmeal to their dogs to stop them from barking. I recommend the article The Real History of Hushpuppies by Robert Moss over on Serious Eats.

If I’m cooking for a crowd, I’ll break out my big deep fryer. But, if it’s just the two of us, I’ll fire up my Fry Daddy fryer. It’s the perfect size for both of us. It fries everything perfectly. And as an added bonus, it doesn’t use a lot of oil, which saves me money.

I get out my big deep fryer when it’s time to fry a large batch of food. It comes to temperature quickly and it maintains that temperature perfectly. It has a built-in oil filter and storage unit so I can re-use the oil several times.

T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel
T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel

This copycat of Long John Silver’s hush puppies is flat-out fantastic. For something a little different you’ll also love my okra hush puppies!

Copycat Long John Silver's Hush Puppies
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5 from 1 vote

Copycat Long John Silver’s Hush Puppies

 I made the fish. I made the fries. And I made the chicken planks. And now, I’ve made the hush puppies. They have the perfect texture and the perfect corn flavor. 
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword copycat, deep-fried, hush puppies
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 88kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a small bowl whisk together the milk and egg.
  • In a large bowl combine the remaining ingredients except for the oil.
  • Whisk in the milk and egg mixture. You want the batter to be somewhat thick. If too thin add more cornmeal.
  • Heat a few inches of oil to 375 F in a deep fryer or Dutch oven.
  • Working on batches, drop batter into the hot oil. I used a 1/2 tablespoon measuring spoon. If you want smaller hush puppies use a teaspoon measuring spoon.
  • Fry until golden brown, flipping after the bottom is brown.
  • Remove to a paper towel-lined plate or cooling rack.

Notes

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce (ketchup!).

Nutrition

Calories: 88kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 474mg | Potassium: 75mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 56IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbooks Boxed Set: The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, The Unofficial Disney Parks EPCOT Cookbook, The Unofficial ... Cookbook (Unofficial Cookbook Gift Series)
The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbooks Boxed Set: The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, The Unofficial Disney Parks EPCOT Cookbook, The Unofficial … Cookbook (Unofficial Cookbook Gift Series)

Copycat Royal Red Robin Burger

I’ve been in a sort of burger ‘rut’ lately, making your standard griddle burgers. Now, they are great, and I will keep making them, but I decided I’d better up my game a bit. So I made a copycat of the Royal Red Robin burger, which I’ve had a few times at Red Robin and have always enjoyed. This copycat is spot-on. It’s a pretty standard burger, but topped with a fried egg. A fried egg can make all the difference in the world to a burger. As does mayonnaise. I wish I’d known that a long, long time ago.

Copycat Royal Red Robin Burger

The Perfect Burger?

Red Robin has a lot of great burgers. For a limited time, years ago, they offered the Mount Vesuvius Burger, which is crazy good and crazy big.  But for a simple, flavor-packed burger, the Royal Red Robin burger is the way to go. Just try to not bust your egg like I did when I made my copycat Royal Red Robin Burger! Practice, practice, practice!

Weber Original Burger Press, Black
Weber Original Burger Press, Black

For something totally different, top your Royal Red Robin Burger with ketchup leather instead of just a few squirts of the red stuff from a bottle.

Also try my copycat of Red Robin’s Haystack burger.

Copycat Royal Red Robin Burger
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5 from 1 vote

Copycat Royal Red Robin Burger

I’ve been in a sort of burger ‘rut’ lately, making your standard griddle burgers. Now, they are great, and I will keep making them, but I decided I’d better up my game a bit.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword burgers, copycat
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 801kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Red Robin At Home

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Divide beef into 4 equally sized patties. Season with salt and pepper and cook as desired. I prefer mine cooked over high heat on a griddle so they get a bit of a crust to them.
  • Place cheese on bun bottoms.
  • Add the burger, egg, ketchup, bacon halves, tomato, and lettuce.
  • Slather top bun with mayonnaise and serve.

Notes

Serve with plenty of napkins!

Nutrition

Calories: 801kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 54g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Trans Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 327mg | Sodium: 1101mg | Potassium: 922mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1660IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 581mg | Iron: 6mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbooks Boxed Set: The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, The Unofficial Disney Parks EPCOT Cookbook, The Unofficial ... Cookbook (Unofficial Cookbook Gift Series)
The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbooks Boxed Set: The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, The Unofficial Disney Parks EPCOT Cookbook, The Unofficial … Cookbook (Unofficial Cookbook Gift Series)