15 Flavorful Asian Recipes That Are Better Than Takeout
When you get a craving for a certain type of food, there really is no changing your mind, and there is something so satisfying about Asian cuisine, isn't there? But oftentimes if you turn to takeout, you're getting Americanized versions of classic dishes that are high in calories and sodium and any and all nutrition is gone. That's why making your own Asian recipes right at home is the perfect solution.
We rounded up 15 of our favorite Asian-inspired dishes so you can get to cooking in a smarter, yet still delicious way, right in your own kitchen. From fried rice to lo mein to the beloved entrée that is beef and broccoli, there's a good chance that once you master cooking up these meals, you'll toss those takeout menus for good. Trust us, these recipes are that good!
Check out the 15 best Asian recipes that are better than takeout.
Kung Pao Chicken
There's nothing like whipping up a stir-fry for dinner: it's quick—so you'll get to eating a lot sooner—and can be so tasty, especially when you're in control of the flavors. A real kung pao dish has a kick, loaded with dried chiles, so in this recipe, we honor that by bringing all the heat.
Get our recipe for Kung Pao Chicken.
Sesame Noodles With Chicken
Sometimes, a box of fettuccine is just what you're in the mood for, and they work perfectly in an Asian-inspired meal. With this dish, the key is to think of it as a salad, with the noodles serving as your "lettuce" base. Next, add in some protein (aka the chicken), tons of vegetables, and toss it all in a light yet flavorful dressing.
Get our recipe for Sesame Noodles With Chicken.
Chinese Chicken Salad
This salad was actually popularized by chef Wolfgang Puck at his restaurant back in the 1980s, and today, it's truly a staple, offered everywhere from four-star eateries to fast-food joints, too. Our version is much lighter than ones you'll find dining out though, because we made sure not to go too heavy on the dressing or fried noodles.
Get our recipe for a Chinese Chicken Salad.
Chili-Mango Chicken Stir-Fry
This dish is all about upgrading a basic stir-fry with the classic spicy and sweet flavor combination. The heat comes from the chili sauce and the sweet from mango chunks. Along with healthier oils such as sesame and peanut versions and a generous serving of sugar snap peas, this dish will leave you perfectly satisfied without feeling overstuffed.
Get our recipe for a Chili-Mango Chicken Stir-Fry.
Chicken Meatballs
The inspiration for these chicken meatballs comes from the street-corner grills you'll find in Vietnam and Thailand. With plenty of flavors—like ginger, lemongrass, garlic, and jalapeño peppers—combined with the char of a grill, and served with steamed rice, cucumbers, and big lettuce leaves to wrap everything up burrito-style, your taste buds are going to be so happy.
Get our recipe for Chicken Meatballs.
Beef With Broccoli
Beef and broccoli is a staple on tons of Chinese-American takeout menus, but our version ditches the heavy brown sauce, extra oil, and sodium you've come to recognize when you order the meal. Instead, we focus on going heavy on the lean meat and fresh broccoli and take a lighter approach with the sauce.
Get our recipe for Beef With Broccoli.
Beef Noodle Soup
Asian cuisine has mastered the art of making a truly delectable, filling soup, and in our slow-cooker-friendly recipe, we combine rich ginger and soy-spiked broth with chunks of beef, noodles, and fresh bok choy. Yep, this soup is worthy of being a full-on meal.
Get our recipe for Beef Noodle Soup.
Spicy Thai Chicken With Basil
This recipe is inspired by the Thai dish called gai pad grapow, which gets all its mouthwatering goodness from chiles, garlic, and fresh herbs. So not only are you going to be treated to truly yummy flavors that come with a kick, but they all happen to be ridiculously healthy for you, too, and known to boost metabolism.
Get our recipe for Spicy Thai Chicken With Basil.
Thai Chicken Curry
Thai curry does an amazing job of bringing together ginger, lemongrass, chiles, and coconut milk in one dish that pairs perfectly with chicken and veggies. It's salty, sour, bitter, and hot, all at the same time, making for a magical combination you can only get from Southeast Asian cuisine.
Get our recipe for Thai Chicken Curry.
Teriyaki Pork Chops With Sautéed Apples
Yes, we know what you're thinking: this is a remake of the old Homer Simpson go-to of pork chops and applesauce. But we bet Homer never had a chop quite like this that's soaked in a sweet, garlicky teriyaki marinade. Paired with apples that have been sautéed with ginger and Chinese spices, these teriyaki pork chops are truly a game-changer. Plus, it's super easy to cook up, whether you're looking for a quick dinner idea or want to try out a dish that'll impress your dinner guests!
Get our recipe for Teriyaki Pork Chops With Sautéed Apples.
Shrimp Lo Mein
The key to this lo mein is that we make sure it's packed with veggies, shrimp, and plenty of classic flavors found in Asian cuisine, while remaining light on the noodles and oil. It's much different, but it'll taste even better than a takeout version.
Get our recipe for Shrimp Lo Mein.
Vegetable Fried Rice
Yes, fried rice can be healthy, too! Again, what you need to keep in mind is that lowering the amount of rice and upping the add-ins is key. So between a generous mixture of vegetables and the addition of a single, just-cooked egg on top, you're in for a rice dish that satisfies your takeout cravings right from your own kitchen.
Get our recipe for Vegetable Fried Rice.
Chicken Fried Rice
As you're already aware, fried rice—even with the presence of protein and vegetables—can get highly caloric very quickly, leaving you with a dish that has little to no true nutritional value. Our recipe, though, is a different take on fried rice, adding in a ton of fresh vegetables, having considerably less rice, and just a bit of oil for crisping it all up.
Get our recipe for Chicken Fried Rice.
Chicken Potstickers
These Chinese dumplings tend to always be the healthiest option on the appetizer section of the menu, but they're ready in just 10 minutes at home, so why not try making them in your own kitchen? In our version, we make sure to add another boost of nutrition to the dish, thanks to the mushrooms and snap peas.
Get our recipe for Chicken Potstickers.
Roasted Chicken Wings in an Asian Marinade
Who said wings need to always get the Buffalo sauce treatment? In this much healthier recipe, the chicken is soaked in an Asian marinade, then roasted in the oven until they're perfectly crisp, instead of being drowned in oil in a deep fryer. Low-calorie flavor-bursting wings are always a good idea to us!
Get our recipe for Roasted Chicken Wings in an Asian Marinade.
