The Restaurant Daily Dish by CopyKat.com
Each day, we will walk you through how to make one of your favorite restaurant dishes at home. We go over the recipe, the ingredients that you need, and the special techniques that are required to help you produce the recipe as it is served in your favorite restaurant.
Episodes

Monday May 26, 2025
Monday May 26, 2025
Craving Bonefish Grill's famous Bang Bang Shrimp but tired of the $15 price tag? Join Stephanie Manley as she reveals the secret to making this crispy, saucy favorite at home for just $8! In this episode of The Daily Dish, you'll discover the air fryer technique that creates restaurant-perfect results without the mess of deep frying. Learn how to customize the heat level, make it gluten-free, and create that addictive three-ingredient Bang Bang sauce that'll have your family begging for more. Perfect for busy home cooks who want to save money while serving restaurant-quality meals. Plus, get insider tips on meal prep, scaling for parties, and why Kewpie mayo makes all the difference. Ready in just 15 minutes - because great food shouldn't take all day!
Recipe mentioned
https://copykat.com/air-fryer-bang-bang-shrimp

Sunday May 25, 2025
Sunday May 25, 2025
Obsessed with Teriyaki Madness but tired of spending $15 for a chicken bowl? Join Stephanie Manley as she reveals the secret to making their famous chicken teriyaki at home for just $6! In this episode of The Daily Dish, discover the game-changing technique of using one base mixture for both marinade and finishing sauce, plus why pineapple juice is the secret weapon that makes this teriyaki so incredibly tender and flavorful. Perfect for busy families who want restaurant-quality meals without the restaurant prices. Learn how to customize the sweetness level, make it gluten-free, and use the extra sauce for multiple meals throughout the week. This recipe serves 4-6 people and the sauce keeps for 2 weeks - talk about meal prep magic! Plus get insider tips on proper grilling technique and why chicken thighs beat breasts every time.
Recipe mentioned
https://copykat.com/teriyaki-madness-chicken-teriyaki-copycat-recipe/

Thursday May 22, 2025
Thursday May 22, 2025
Recreate Panda Express's most underrated menu item in your own kitchen with this budget-friendly copycat recipe. Learn the secrets to perfectly tender chicken thighs, meaty mushrooms, and crisp-tender zucchini all enveloped in a silky, savory sauce that rivals the restaurant version. This easy-to-follow recipe uses simple supermarket ingredients but delivers authentic restaurant flavor for half the price. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or feeding the whole family on a budget, this Mushroom Chicken recipe might just become your new go-to alternative to takeout. Plus, get pro tips for storing leftovers and creative variations to keep this versatile dish in your regular dinner rotation.
Recipe mentioned:
https://copykat.com/panda-express-mushroom-chicken/

Wednesday May 21, 2025
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Discover the secrets to recreating Popeyes' famous Blackened Chicken Tenders with this budget-friendly copycat recipe. Learn the simple brining technique that guarantees juicy tenders every time, mix up your own customizable Cajun spice blend, and transform one cooking session into multiple meals. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or impressing weekend guests—these blackened tenders bring authentic Louisiana flavor to your kitchen for a fraction of the restaurant price. Plus, get valuable tips for ingredient substitutions and storage that make this recipe work for any dietary preference or household size.
Recipes mentioned:
https://copykat.com/popeyes-blackened-chicken-tenders/
https://copykat.com/popeyes-cajun-rice/
https://copykat.com/popeyes-red-beans-and-rice/

Sunday May 18, 2025
Sunday May 18, 2025
📝 Episode Summary:
In this episode of The Daily Dish, Stephanie shares her hearty, satisfying copycat version of Wendy’s iconic chili. Discover why this slow-simmered favorite has stood the test of time and how you can make a big, budget-friendly batch at home using pantry staples. Whether you're meal prepping, feeding a crowd, or freezing extras for later, this chili delivers flavor and comfort in every spoonful.
🍲 What You'll Learn in This Episode:
The story behind Wendy’s classic chili and why it’s a comfort food staple
How to make it with common ingredients from your pantry
Cooking options for stovetop and slow cooker
Customization ideas to suit your taste, spice level, and dietary needs
Storage and reheating tips to make the most of your leftovers
📋 Featured Recipe:
Wendy’s Chili Copycat Recipe on CopyKat.com

Saturday May 17, 2025
Saturday May 17, 2025
📝 Episode Summary:In this episode of The Daily Dish, Stephanie shares the story behind CopyKat.com’s most iconic recipe—Olive Garden’s Alfredo Sauce. Discover how a special meal in rural Texas sparked a journey of recreating restaurant favorites at home. You'll get step-by-step instructions, tips for achieving that signature creamy texture, and ideas for customizing the dish to suit your taste or dietary needs.
Whether you're cooking for a weeknight dinner or recreating a restaurant-style spread, this 20-minute Alfredo sauce will become your go-to.
👩🍳 What You'll Learn in This Episode:
The story behind Stephanie’s first copycat recipe
The key to getting Alfredo sauce thick and creamy without flour
Ingredient swaps and add-ons for different tastes and budgets
Reheating, storing, and serving tips
How to use this as a dip—just like Olive Garden does
📎 Links & Resources Mentioned:
Get the Full Recipe on CopyKat.com
CopyKat’s Olive Garden Recipe Collection
Olive Garden Salad & Dressing

Friday May 16, 2025
Friday May 16, 2025
Discover how to make Popeyes' famous buttermilk biscuits at home with just THREE ingredients and 20 minutes! Host Stephanie Manley reveals the two crucial secrets that transform ordinary biscuits into buttery, flaky perfection that rivals (or even surpasses) the restaurant version. Perfect for budget-conscious home cooks, these biscuits cost just pennies to make compared to over $1 each at Popeyes. Plus, learn multiple ways to serve them beyond the traditional fried chicken pairing, simple storage tricks, and how to adapt them for dietary restrictions. This episode delivers exactly what CopyKat.com podcast listeners love - restaurant-quality results with practical, money-saving shortcuts.
Recipes mentioned:
https://copykat.com/popeyes-biscuits/
https://copykat.com/cracker-barrel-southern-fried-chicken/

Thursday May 15, 2025
Thursday May 15, 2025
Discover the closely-guarded secret behind Popeyes' most craveable condiment - Blackened Ranch sauce! In this episode, Stephanie Manley breaks down how to recreate this smoky, creamy, slightly spicy sauce that's nearly impossible to find in stores. Learn the perfect blend of herbs and spices that transforms ordinary ranch into a flavor sensation, plus get creative serving suggestions that go way beyond dipping chicken. Perfect for budget-conscious home cooks, this recipe costs just $1.25 to make (versus $3.99 for the store version) and uses pantry staples you likely already have. Whether you're meal prepping for the week or looking to elevate simple ingredients into something special, this versatile sauce will become your new kitchen secret weapon. Plus, learn how to customize it for dietary restrictions and store it properly for maximum flavor and freshness.
Recipe mentioned:
https://copykat.com/copycat-popeyes-blackened-ranch/

Thursday May 01, 2025
Thursday May 01, 2025
Stephanie finally puts an end to the great Taco Bell Cinnamon Twists debate by revealing the authentic secret ingredient that makes these crispy-sweet treats possible. Forget everything you thought you knew about these beloved fast food desserts! In this episode, learn where to find the special Mexican wheat pasta that transforms like magic when fried, how to achieve perfect results every time, and ways to adapt this recipe for dietary restrictions. This budget-friendly copycat recipe costs pennies to make at home and brings all the crispy, cinnamon-sugar goodness without the drive-thru line!
Recipe mentioned:
https://copykat.com/taco-bell-cinnamon-twists/

Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
In this episode, Stephanie reveals how to recreate Cheddar's beloved Bourbon Glazed Salmon right in your own kitchen, without a grill! Learn the secrets to that perfect sweet-tangy bourbon glaze, how to achieve restaurant-worthy searing at home, and clever ways to customize this dish for special diets. You'll save money while treating your family to a dish that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen – when it actually comes together in under 30 minutes! Plus, get tips for perfect reheating to enjoy your leftovers without drying them out.
Recipes mentioned
https://copykat.com/cheddars-bourbon-glazed-salmon/
https://copykat.com/garlic-green-beans/