16 Authentic Chinese Recipes Better Than Your Favorite Takeout

If you’re like me, you probably love Chinese takeout but sometimes crave a healthier or more personalized version. The good news is you can make these dishes at home, and they can turn out even better than your favorite takeout. From sweet and tangy Orange Chicken to savory Mongolian Beef, these recipes are packed with flavor and surprisingly easy to prepare. Plus, cooking at home lets you control the ingredients, so you know exactly what’s going into your meal.

Orange Chicken

Orange Chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish known for its sweet and tangy flavor. The key ingredients include boneless chicken breast, orange juice, soy sauce, sugar, and rice vinegar. Start by coating the chicken in cornstarch and frying until golden brown. Next, simmer the sauce ingredients together until thickened, and toss the fried chicken in the sauce until well-coated. The result is a crispy, flavorful dish with a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. It pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables.

Mongolian Beef

Mongolian Beef is a savory and slightly sweet dish featuring tender strips of beef. The main ingredients are flank steak, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. First, the beef is sliced thin and marinated in a soy sauce mixture, then quickly stir-fried with garlic and ginger. A sauce made from soy sauce and brown sugar is added and simmered until it thickens. This dish is known for its rich umami flavor and tender beef, making it a favorite among Chinese cuisine enthusiasts. Serve it over steamed rice for a satisfying meal.

Homemade Egg Rolls

Homemade Egg Rolls are a delightful appetizer that’s better than any takeout version. The filling typically includes ground pork, shredded cabbage, carrots, and garlic. Start by cooking the pork and vegetables together until tender, then wrap the mixture in egg roll wrappers. Fry the rolls until they are golden brown and crispy. These egg rolls are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, offering a satisfying crunch with each bite. They are best served with sweet and sour sauce or soy sauce for dipping.

Sesame Chicken

Sesame Chicken is a beloved dish known for its sweet and savory sauce. The key ingredients are chicken breast, honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sesame seeds. The chicken is coated in cornstarch and fried until crispy, then tossed in a sauce made from honey, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and garnish with green onions. This dish is sweet, nutty, and full of flavor, making it a perfect weeknight meal. It’s great served over white or fried rice.

Chicken Lo Mein

Chicken Lo Mein is a versatile noodle dish packed with flavor. The main ingredients include egg noodles, chicken breast, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a mix of vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, and snow peas. The chicken is stir-fried with the vegetables, then combined with the cooked noodles and sauces. This dish is savory, slightly sweet, and has a delightful mix of textures from the vegetables and noodles. It’s a quick and easy meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

Chinese Black Pepper Beef

Chinese Black Pepper Beef is a flavorful and spicy dish featuring tender beef strips. The ingredients include flank steak, black pepper, soy sauce, garlic, and onions. The beef is marinated and quickly stir-fried with garlic and onions. A sauce made from soy sauce and ground black pepper is added, creating a rich and slightly spicy flavor profile. The beef is tender and juicy, making this dish a hit. Serve it with steamed rice to soak up the delicious sauce.

Sweet and Sour Pork

Sweet and Sour Pork is a classic dish with a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. The main ingredients are pork loin, bell peppers, pineapple, vinegar, and sugar. The pork is battered and fried until crispy, then tossed with sautéed bell peppers and pineapple chunks. A sauce made from vinegar and sugar is added, creating a delightful contrast of flavors. This dish is colorful, flavorful, and always a crowd-pleaser. It pairs well with steamed rice or fried rice.

Kung Pao Shrimp

Kung Pao Shrimp is a spicy and savory dish featuring succulent shrimp. The ingredients include shrimp, peanuts, bell peppers, soy sauce, and Sichuan peppercorns. The shrimp are stir-fried with bell peppers and peanuts, then coated in a spicy soy sauce mixture. This dish is known for its bold flavors and a slight numbing sensation from the Sichuan peppercorns. It’s a flavorful and satisfying meal that pairs well with steamed rice.

Honey Walnut Shrimp

Honey Walnut Shrimp is a delicious and indulgent dish featuring crispy shrimp and candied walnuts. The ingredients include shrimp, honey, mayonnaise, and walnuts. The shrimp are coated in a light batter and fried until crispy, then tossed in a sweet honey mayonnaise sauce. Candied walnuts are added for a delightful crunch. This dish is sweet, creamy, and has a wonderful texture from the shrimp and walnuts. It’s best served with steamed rice.

Hot and Sour Soup

Hot and Sour Soup is a comforting and flavorful soup known for its balanced flavors. The ingredients include tofu, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, vinegar, and white pepper. The soup is simmered with these ingredients and thickened with cornstarch, then finished with a touch of vinegar and white pepper for a hot and sour taste. It’s a warming and satisfying soup that’s perfect for any time of the year. Serve it as an appetizer or a light meal.

Egg Fried Rice

Egg Fried Rice is a simple yet delicious dish made with rice, eggs, and vegetables. The ingredients include cooked rice, eggs, peas, carrots, and soy sauce. The rice is stir-fried with scrambled eggs and vegetables, then seasoned with soy sauce. This dish is savory, slightly salty, and has a wonderful mix of textures. It’s a great way to use up leftover rice and can be served as a main dish or a side.

Lemon Chicken

Lemon Chicken is a bright and flavorful dish featuring crispy chicken in a tangy lemon sauce. The ingredients include chicken breast, lemon juice, sugar, and cornstarch. The chicken is battered and fried until crispy, then coated in a sauce made from lemon juice and sugar. This dish is light, tangy, and slightly sweet, making it a refreshing meal. Serve it with steamed rice and a side of vegetables.

Chinese Cashew Chicken

Chinese Cashew Chicken is a savory dish featuring tender chicken and crunchy cashews. The ingredients include chicken breast, cashews, soy sauce, and garlic. The chicken is stir-fried with garlic, then combined with cashews and a savory soy sauce mixture. This dish is rich in flavor and has a wonderful mix of textures from the tender chicken and crunchy cashews. It’s best served over steamed rice.

Beef and Broccoli

Beef and Broccoli is a classic dish known for its savory sauce and tender beef. The ingredients include flank steak, broccoli, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. The beef is sliced thin and stir-fried with garlic and ginger, then combined with steamed broccoli and a savory soy sauce mixture. This dish is flavorful and nutritious, making it a great weeknight meal. Serve it over steamed rice or noodles.

Moo Goo Gai Pan

Moo Goo Gai Pan is a light and healthy dish featuring chicken and mushrooms. The ingredients include chicken breast, mushrooms, snow peas, and a light soy sauce. The chicken is stir-fried with mushrooms and snow peas, then tossed in a light soy sauce mixture. This dish is mild in flavor and has a wonderful mix of textures from the vegetables and chicken. It’s a great option for a light and nutritious meal.

General Tso’s Chicken

General Tso’s Chicken is a healthier take on the classic dish. The ingredients include chicken breast, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a touch of honey. The chicken is lightly coated in cornstarch and baked instead of fried, then tossed in a savory and slightly sweet sauce. This dish retains all the flavor of the traditional version but with fewer calories. Serve it with steamed rice and a side of vegetables.

This article originally appeared on RetailShout

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