25 Easy Diabetic-Friendly Copycat Recipes to Make at Home (2024)

Home Recipes Cooking Style

These diabetic-friendly copycat recipes let you indulge guilt-free! You'll find delicious, dietitian-approved recipes for your favorite items from restaurants and takeout joints.

1/24

Inspired by: Wendy’s Chili

This hearty slow cooker chili can cook for up to 10 hours on low in the slow cooker. It’s so good to come home to its wonderful aroma after a long day away. —Sue Call, Beech Grove, Indiana

Get Our Recipe: Slow-Cooked Chili

2/24

Inspired by: Chipotle Barbacoa

I love this beef barbacoa because the meat is fall-apart tender and the sauce is smoky, slightly spicy and so flavorful. It’s an amazing alternative to ground beef tacos or even pulled pork carnitas. For a low-carb option, skip the tortillas and pile high in a bowl with lettuce, cheese and other toppings. —Holly Sander, Lake Mary, Florida

3/24

Inspired by: McDonald's Chicken McNuggets

I like to make these golden chicken nuggets because they’re so quick and easy. My whole family loves them. The seasoning can also be used on chicken breast halves to make amazing sandwiches. —Annette Ellyson, Carolina, West Virginia

4/24

Inspired by: PF Chang's House-Made Chicken Egg Rolls

These egg rolls are low in fat but the crispiness from baking will fool you into thinking they were fried! —Barbara Lierman, Lyons, Nebraska

5/24

Inspired by: Starbucks Iced Lemon Pound Cake

For this lovely golden cake, I use fat-free yogurt to trim the calories. It's a comforting dessert for days when it's warm enough to dine outside. —Lauren Gilmore, Pennington, New Jersey

6/24

Inspired by: Maggiano's Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes

Ready-to-go crabmeat makes these delicate patties easier than other crab cake recipes. You can also form the crab mixture into four thick patties instead of eight crab cakes. —Charlene Spelock, Apollo, Pennsylvania

7/24

Inspired by: The Cheesecake Factory Cashew Chicken

There are lots of recipes for cashew chicken, but my family thinks this one stands alone. We love the flavor from the fresh ginger and the crunch of the cashews. Another plus is it's easy to prepare. —Oma Rollison, El Cajon, California

8/24

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel Grilled Pork Chop

My mom gave me the recipe for these savory chops with a sweet and tangy marinade. The apple juice and Dijon mustard complement the pork nicely. With a vegetable and some rice or pasta, you have a meal. —Babette Watterson, Atglen, Pennsylvania. Looking for more? Try this copycat of Cracker Barrel’s meatloaf recipe.

9/24

Inspired by: Kentucky Fried Chicken Original Recipe

This fabulous recipe uses Greek yogurt to create an amazing marinade that makes the chicken incredibly moist. No one will guess that it's been lightened up and not even fried! — Kim Wallace, Dennison, Ohio

10/24

Inspired By: Olive Garden Lasagna Classico

If you have never tried tofu before, go for it with this recipe. The tofu blends in with all the other ingredients, adding protein without the fat and calories of ground beef. —Mary Lou Moeller, Wooster, Ohio

11/24

Inspired by: Panera Bread Lemon, Chicken and Orzo Soup

Years ago, I fell hard for a lemony Greek soup at Panera Bread. It was just a special back then, but I re-created it at home so we could eat it whenever a craving hit! —Kristin Cherry, Bothell, Washington

12/24

Inspired by: The Cheesecake Factory Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake

You’ll fall in love with this sweet treat. Each silky slice is topped with juicy raspberries. Yes, you can have cheesecake without breaking the calorie budget. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen. Learn how to make the copycat of The Cheesecake Factory’s chocolate mousse cheesecake.

13/24

Inspired by: California Pizza Kitchen Mexican Street Corn

My mother-in-law came up with this corn skillet dish one night for dinner. Everyone who tries it absolutely loves it! —Chandy Ward, Aumsville, Oregon

14/24

Inspired by: Wendy’s Berry Burst Chicken Salad

Bright berries and creamy goat cheese make this one a winner! —Wendy Ball, Battle Creek, Michigan

15/24

Inspired by: PF Chang’s Lettuce Wraps

This recipe is as tasty as the lettuce wraps found in national restaurants, but it's healthier! — Linda Rowley, Richardson, Texas

16/24

Inspired by: Red Lobster New England Clam Chowder

I ran across this recipe in one of my antique cookbooks. It's a timeless classic I like to prepare for friends and family throughout the year, but especially during the holidays. —Betty Ann Morgan, Upper Marlboro, Maryland

17/24

Inspired by: Pizza Hut Cheese Sticks

These grain-free, cheesy cauliflower breadsticks are made with vegetables instead of flour. Serve them with your favorite marinara sauce.—Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado

18/24

Inspired by: Chipotle Guacamole and Chips

I always judge a Tex-Mex restaurant by its guacamole. And although it's simple to prepare, it can go wrong oh, so easily. I've spent many years perfecting mine, to the point where I think it's better than most restaurants. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

19/24

Inspired by: Denny’s Slow-Cooked Pot Roast

I love pot roast for a couple of reasons. First, it's delicious. Second, it's easy! I can't describe the feeling of walking into my house after work and smelling this dish that's been simmering all day. There's nothing better than this easy pot roast slow-cooker recipe. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin

20/24

Inspired by: McAlister’s Deli Harvest Chicken Salad

When the weather sizzles, get your chill on with a cool chicken salad. Mine uses grapes, pecans and celery for that signature crunch. —Sarah Smiley, Bangor, Maine

21/24

Inspired By: Olive Garden Tilapia Piccata

We aren’t big fish eaters, but a friend made this for us, and we couldn’t believe how wonderful it was! Now we eat it regularly. I love making it for guests because it’s simple, looks lovely and tastes restaurant-worthy. —Beth Cooper, Columbus, Ohio

22/24

Inspired by: Chili’s Steak Fajitas

Zesty salsa and tender strips of meat make these air-fryer steak fajitas extra special. —Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah

23/24

You'll want to slip this recipe into the front of your last-minute guests file. Pasta and mixed greens nicely complement the tender, citrusy shellfish. —Margaret E. Lowenberg, Kingman, Arizona

24/24

Inspired by: The Cheesecake Factory Spicy Tortilla Soup

My wife created this recipe as a healthy way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers. It’s a nice alternative to the typical fare, and it’s so easy. Our family looks forward to this soup every year. —Matthew Szyndler, Maumee, Ohio. Don’t forget to check out our collection of healthy copycat recipes.

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.