I spend way too much money at Trader Joe’s. Like, embarrassing amounts. My wife once found 11 bags of the Cauliflower Gnocchi in our freezer because I kept panic-buying them “in case they discontinue it.”
That’s basically how this whole thing started.
A few years ago, I moved from Austin to a small town in Colorado. Beautiful place. Mountains everywhere. One problem: the nearest Trader Joe’s was over an hour away, and my beloved Panera Bread was even further.
So I started trying to make the stuff I missed. The Trader Joe’s Lobster Bisque Pasta. The Chick-fil-A sauce. That Cracker Barrel hashbrown casserole my mom orders every single time. Some of my early attempts were terrible (my first Potsticker Soup looked like dishwater), but I kept going.
Turns out, most of these recipes are not that complicated once you figure out what actually makes them taste the way they do. A lot of it comes down to one or two ingredients you wouldn’t expect.
I started writing down what worked. Then I started sharing it. And now here we are.
What This Site Is About
The Copycat Cook is exactly what it sounds like. We take popular recipes from places like Trader Joe’s, Panera Bread, Cracker Barrel, Chick-fil-A, and other spots people love, and we figure out how to make them at home.
Every recipe on this site is tested in a regular home kitchen. No restaurant equipment. No weird specialty ingredients you can only find online. Just normal stuff from your grocery store.
We focus on getting the taste right. That’s it. If it doesn’t taste close to the original, it doesn’t go on the site.
Why Copycat Recipes?
Here’s the thing. These restaurants and stores figured out exactly what people want to eat. The flavors are dialed in. The recipes are crowd-pleasers. Nobody argues about whether Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken is good. It just is.
But you can’t always get to the store. The restaurant might be packed. Or maybe you just want to make a bigger batch for your family without spending $47 on takeout.
That’s where we come in. Same flavors, your kitchen, your schedule.
[H2] A Quick Note About Brands
We are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Trader Joe’s, Panera Bread, Chick-fil-A, Cracker Barrel, or any other restaurant or brand mentioned on this site. All brand names and trademarks are property of their respective owners. Our recipes are original, independently developed home versions inspired by popular menu items.
We actually encourage you to visit these places and support them. We’re just here for the nights when you don’t feel like leaving the couch.
Get In Touch
Got a recipe you want us to crack? Found a mistake? Just want to say hi?
Email: hello@thecopycatcook.com
We read every email. If you send us a recipe request, there’s a good chance we’ll actually make it. The weirder, the better.
You can also find us on Pinterest where we share new recipes every week.