29 Copycat Recipes to Make Your Favorite Restaurant Salads at Home (2024)

Home Recipes Salads

Sick of paying for overpriced salads? Make all of your restaurant favorites at home! We'll show you how.

1/29

Inspired by: Panera Bread’s Strawberry Poppyseed Salad

My family is always happy to see this fruit and veggie salad on the table. If strawberries aren’t available, substitute mandarin oranges and dried cranberries. —Irene Keller, Kalamazoo, Michigan

2/29

Inspired by: Wendy’s Apple Pomegranate Salad

My grandparents grew pomegranates, pecans and walnuts and would send us some each year. Some of my best memories are the days I used to spend with my grandmother learning how to cook with her. Whenever I make this, it's like having lunch with my grandmother again. —Wendy Ball, Battle Creek, Michigan

3/29

Inspired by: Chili’s Santa Fe Chicken Salad

We use this super-duper chicken across several meals, including it in tacos, sandwiches, omelets and enchiladas. My little guys love helping to measure the seasonings. —Karie Houghton, Lynnwood, Washington

4/29

Inspired by: Panera Bread’s Green Goddess Cobb Salad with Chicken

I'm a huge fan of taking classic dishes and adding some flair to them. I also like to change up heavier dishes, like the classic Cobb salad. I've replaced typical chicken with crunchy falafel that's just as satisfying. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California

5/29

Inspired By: Cheesecake Factory’s Beets With Goat Cheese Salad

Beets, oranges and spinach sprinkled with goat cheese make a scrumptious new blend for a mixed green salad. The combination may seem unlikely, but I guarantee it will become a favorite. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

6/29

Inspired by: Chipotle’s Steak Salad

This salad just explodes with flavors. It's easy and quick to prepare, tastes delicious, and is a healthy dinner all on one plate. —Tiffany Martinez, Aliso Viejo, California

7/29

Inspired by: McAlister’s Deli Harvest Chicken Salad

These sandwiches are easy to pull together when you need something fun and taste-worthy in a flash. I make them often for occasions like brunches, church youth meetings and impromptu family gatherings. —Cheryl Sigler, Louisville, Ohio

8/29

Inspired by: Texas Roadhouse’s Roadhouse House Salad

We love this wonderful bacon salad that tastes like a piled-high BLT without the time or effort. You can make it hours ahead and keep it in the fridge till serving time. —Denise Thurman, Columbia, Missouri

9/29

Inspired by: Culver’s Cole Slaw

For me, this is the best coleslaw recipe because a package of shredded cabbage and carrots really cuts down on prep time. This coleslaw recipe is great for potlucks or to serve to your family on a busy weeknight. —Renee Endress, Galva, Illinois

10/29

Inspired by: Rock Bottom’s Classic Wedge Salad

A wedge salad gets the creamy treatment when topped with blue cheese dressing. Keep the dressing as a topper, or make it a dip for Buffalo wings. —Jenn Smith, East Providence, Rhode Island

11/29

Inspired by: Chick-fil-A’s Cobb Salad

This "skinny" version of Cobb salad has all the taste and creaminess with half the fat and calories. You can skip the coleslaw mix and do all lettuce, but I like the crunch you get with cabbage. —Taylor Kiser, Brandon, Florida

12/29

Inspired By: Olive Garden’s Famous House Salad

Meat lovers won't be able to resist my antipasto-inspired salad that eats like a meal. Just add bread and dipping oil. —Melissa Jelinek, Apple Valley, Minnesota

13/29

Inspired by: Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad

I love their crunchy, citrusy salad so much that once I made my husband drive an hour to the nearest Applebee's restaurant just so I could eat it! It was time to come up with my own version. I'm completely happy with the results—and my husband is, too! Find more of my recipes at my blog, mandysrecipeboxblog.com. —Mandy Bird, Holbrook, Idaho

14/29

Inspired by: Taco Bell’s Fiesta Taco Salad

I found this recipe in an old school cookbook, and I've taken it to many potlucks since then. The layers look so pretty in a glass bowl. —Sandy Fynaardt, New Sharon, Iowa

15/29

This salad is my standard—I always make sure I have the ingredients on hand so I can whip up this easy salad anytime. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

16/29

Inspired by: P.F. Chang’s Asian Caesar Salad with Salmon

This salmon Caesar salad was invented out of a need to serve my family a balanced meal when time was limited. Even my young son loves it! —Ann Bagdonas of Antioch, California

17/29

Inspired by: Applebee’s Southwestern Steak Salad

Pasta salad loaded with steak, peppers and onions makes both my boyfriend and me happy. Plus, it’s versatile! We serve it hot, room temperature or cold. —Yvonne Starlin, Westmoreland, Tennessee

18/29

Inspired by: Bojangle’s Roasted Chicken Bites Salad

Delicious, and even better—quick! This buffalo chicken salad is a summer staple at our house. Sometimes we cook the chicken on the grill, then sprinkle the hot sauce over it with the dressing, because you've gotta have that kick! —Cori Cooper, Flagstaff, Arizona

19/29

Inspired by: Portillo’s Greek Pasta Side Salad

For a light meal, we toss rotini pasta with cucumber, zucchini and sweet peppers. Make this cucumber pasta salad into a main dish by adding grilled chicken. —Christine Schenher, Exeter, California

20/29

Inspired by: Texas Roadhouse’s Roadhouse Grilled Chicken Salad

When my husband first found out he had diabetes, I was challenged to start cooking old family favorites in new, healthy ways that he would love just as much. This was the first one that made him say, "I can eat like this all the time!" Shiitake and oyster are some of my favorite mushrooms to use. —Lynne Keast, Monte Sereno, California

21/29

Inspired By: Cheesecake Factory’s Cobb Salad

Made on the fly by Hollywood restaurateur Bob Cobb in 1937, the Cobb salad is a world-famous American dish. Here's a fresh take, with all the original appeal and an extra special presentation. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

22/29

Inspired by: McAlister’s Deli Chef Salad

For much of the year, I can use my garden's produce when I make this cool salad. In spring, the salad mix and radishes come from my crop. In summer, I use the tomatoes, cabbage and carrots. What a good feeling! —Evelyn Gubernath, Bucyrus, Ohio

23/29

Inspired by: Wendy’s Taco Salad

In spring we look for something light and refreshing on the menu after the heavier comfort food of winter; this salad is a great solution. —Muriel Bertrand, Shoreview, Minnesota

24/29

Inspired by: Panera Bread’s Fuji Apple Salad with Chicken

My favorite memory of eating this dish was when my mom made it for lunch on weekends when we were home from school and could have something other than "brown bag" lunches. Happy memories of childhood and late summer days just make this salad extra special. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

25/29

Inspired by: Hard Rock Cafe’s California Style Cobb Salad

I turned barbecue chicken into a major salad with romaine, carrots, sweet peppers and avocados. That’s how I got my family to eat more veggies. —Camille Beckstrand, Layton, Utah

26/29

Inspired by: Applebee’s Chicken Caesar Salad

My Caesar with grilled chicken is a healthier alternative to heavy meat and potatoes dishes. After grilling the kabobs, we serve them family style. —Melissa Adams, Tooele, Utah

27/29

Inspired by: Chipotle’s Carnitas Salad

This knockout shredded pork makes a healthy, delicious and hearty salad with black beans, corn, cotija cheese and plenty of fresh greens. —Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma

28/29

Inspired by: Texas Roadhouse’s Steakhouse Filet Salad

My husband loves blue cheese and I like a hearty salad that eats like a meal, so I put the two things together to make this steak salad recipe. The sweet-tartness of dried cranberries pairs deliciously with the cheese, creamy avocado and balsamic vinegar. It's irresistible! —Marla Clark, Albuquerque, New Mexico

29/29

Inspired by: Culver’s Garden Fresco with Grilled Chicken Salad

As Senior Shopping Editor, Katie connects Taste of Home readers with the best gifts, deals and home products on the market. An avid foodie and a holiday enthusiast, Katie is an expert at cultivating meaningful moments.When she’s out of the office, you’ll find her exploring Wisconsin, trying out new vegetarian recipes and watching Christmas movies.