How to Safely Enjoy Takeout During Coronavirus
Updated: Mar. 29, 2023
You don't have to give up your weekly Netflix and pizza tradition! Just take these steps to nix germs when enjoying carryout food.
Confession: The only thing getting me through these weeks of quarantine, homeschool and constant uncertainty is our Friday night tradition of Netflix and carryout. When I stopped to consider if enjoying our favorite healthy fast food every week was a safe choice for our family, I was afraid of the answer. Sure, I can handle the ramifications of a global pandemic but if you’re telling me I have to do that without our weekly deep-dish pizza, I might lose it. Fortunately, it seems there are safe ways to enjoy takeout during this time. (Speaking of, this serving tray is perfect for preventing person-to-person contact when sharing a pizza.)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is currently no evidence to suggest that we can contract COVID-19 from food. While the virus can live on surfaces like countertops and food wrappers, the food itself should be safe to eat. Experts at the World Health Organization (WHO) believe that the novel coronavirus cannot withstand normal cooking temperatures. This means that cooking food at home or buying hot carryout food should not put you at risk for the virus.
Now that we know our food is safe, let’s take measures to reduce our contact with the containers and other people to keep everyone safer.
Choose No-Contact Pickup or Delivery
Whether you’re picking up your dinner or having it delivered, ask your local restaurant about the option of a no-contact transfer. This keeps both you and the restaurant workers safer by minimizing the chance for physical contact.
Wash Your Hands
Washing your hands is the No. 1 public health recommendation for a reason. Simple soap and water should be enough to kill any coronavirus germs on your hands, so start the preparation process with a thorough wash. This will hopefully prevent any germs you picked up throughout the day from getting you sick.
Transfer to Clean Plates
Rather than eating your meal from the original container, transfer the food to your own dishes. This is also a great practice when preparing meal delivery service dishes, as well. Then, make sure to wash your hands again before you eat.
Microwave Until Steaming
Because it seems coronavirus cannot withstand heat, microwave your carryout food until steaming. Then wash your hands again and relax!
And as delicious as they are, this isn’t the season for carryout California sushi rolls or cold sandwiches. Experts don’t know of any COVID-19 cases coming from food, but choosing hot dishes over cold is an extra precaution to keep you and your family safer.
Our Best Restaurant Copycats to Cook at Home
Inspired by: The Cheesecake Factory Original CheesecakeThis easy cheesecake recipe has been a family favorite for almost 20 years. It's fluffy, delicate and absolutely delicious. I've shared it at many gatherings over the years and have even started baking it for our friends instead of Christmas cookies. —Esther Wappner, Mansfield, Ohio
Inspired by: Noodles & Company Wisconsin Mac & CheeseI like to serve this mac & cheese with a salad and crusty bread. It's a satisfying meal that feels upscale, but will fit just about any budget. And because the Gorgonzola is so mild in this dish, even the kiddos will go for it. —Charlotte Giltner, Mesa, Arizona
Inspired by: McDonald's Chicken McNuggetsMy 3-year-old went through a chicken-nuggets-and-french-fries-only stage, so I made these golden nuggets for him. Even the grown-ups like them! —Amanda Livesay, Mobile, Alabama
Inspired by: Red Lobster Cheddar Bay BiscuitsMy biscuits won the prize for best quick bread at my county fair. One of the judges liked them so much, she asked for the recipe! These buttery, savory biscuits go with just about anything. —Gloria Jarrett, Loveland, Ohio
Inspired by: Dunkin' Iced Coffee with Mocha Flavor SwirlWhen my sister introduced me to iced coffee, I wasn’t sure I’d like it. Not only did I love it, but I decided to start making my own iced coffee recipe. This easy version is a refreshing alternative to hot coffee. —Jenny Reece, Lowry, Minnesota
Inspired by: Country Kitchen Farm SkilletI added a little color and flavor to this country scrambled eggs recipe by adding some green pepper, onion and red potatoes. —Joyce Platfoot, Wapakoneta, Ohio
Inspired by: Bakers Square Custard PieThis recipe came from the best cook in West Virginia—my mother! I just added a little to her ingredients. I'm a widow, and my grown children live in another state. So mostly I make my custard pie for church and club functions. It's the most different pie of all the ones in my collection.
Inspired by: Country Kitchen Old Fashioned Apple CrispI live in apple country, and making a delicious apple crisp is one way to use the fruit. This treat doesn’t take a lot of time to assemble. —Gertrude Bartnick, Portage, Wisconsin
Inspired by: SONIC Corn DogOne of the best parts of the many fairs and festivals in Indiana is the corn dogs! My family loves corn dogs, so I fix them fairly often at home. —Sally Denney, Warsaw, Indiana
Inspired by: Red Lobster New England Clam ChowderI 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
Inspired by: Dunkin' Glazed DonutThe light coffee flavor in these tasty sugar-glazed doughnuts makes them a perfect start to the morning...on Christmas Day or any day. You'll find that the recipe is a delectable way to use up leftover potatoes. —Pat Siebenaler, Random Lake, Wisconsin
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel Roast BeefEveryone loves slices of this fork-tender roast beef with its savory gravy. The well-seasoned roast is Mom's specialty. People always ask about the secret ingredients. Now you have the delicious recipe for our favorite meat dish! —Linda Gaido, New Brighton, Pennsylvania
Inspired by: Chili's Chicken FajitasThis chicken fajitas recipe is definitely on my weeknight dinner rotation. The marinated chicken in these popular wraps is mouthwatering. The fajitas go together in a snap and always get raves! —Julie Sterchi, Campbellsville, Kentucky
Inspired by: Rock Bottom Ball Park PretzelsMy husband and our friends and family love these soft, chewy pretzels. Let the bread machine mix the dough, then all you have to do is shape and bake these fun snacks. —Sherry Peterson, Fort Collins, Colorado
Inspired by: Panera Bear ClawThis bear claw pastry recipe is absolutely melt-in-your-mouth delicious! It's impossible to resist the delicate dough, rich almond filling and pretty fanned tops sprinkled with sugar and almonds. I made yummy treats like this when I worked in a bakery years ago. —Aneta Kish, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Inspired by: Boston Market Mac & CheeseOur stovetop macaroni and cheese is extra special, thanks to the buttery crumb topping. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Inspired by: Maggiano's Jumbo Lump Crab CakesReady-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
Inspired by: Culver's Vanilla CustardI think my most memorable summertime dessert for get-togethers has always been homemade ice cream. This recipe is so rich and creamy and is the perfect splurge on a hot summer afternoon. —Martha Self, Montgomery, Texas
Inspired by: The Cheesecake Factory Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake CheesecakeI said I’d take dessert to a holiday party so I tried this recipe. I’m sure you’ll agree it tastes as luscious as it looks! —Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
Inspired by: Texas Roadhouse Fried CatfishThis well-seasoned fish nets me compliments from family and friends whenever I serves it. The fish is moist and flakey, the coating crisp, crunchy and flecked with paprika. —Jim Gales, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Inspired by: McCalister's Deli Harvest Chicken SaladThese 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
Inspired by: California Pizza Kitchen The Original BBQ Chicken PizzaSo fast and so easy with refrigerated pizza crust, these saucy, smoky pizzas make quick fans with their rustic, hot-off-the-grill flavor. They're perfect for impromptu cookouts and summer dinners on the patio. —Alicia Trevithick, Temecula, California
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel Chicken n’ DumplinsUsing precooked chicken and ready-made biscuits, this hearty dish is comfort food made simple. It's the perfect way to warm up on chilly nights. —Lakeya Astwood, Schenectady, New York
Inspired by: Culver's Butterburger “The Original”It’s no secret that Wisconsinites love their dairy—so much that they sometimes top their burgers with a generous pat of butter.
My recipe is a lot like the butter burgers you’ll find in popular restaurants all over the state. —Becky Carver, North Royalton, Ohio
Inspired by: PF Chang’s Lettuce WrapsThis recipe is as tasty as the lettuce wraps found in national restaurants, but it's healthier! — Linda Rowley, Richardson, Texas
Inspired by: Olive Garden Eggplant ParmigianaBecause my recipe calls for baking the eggplant instead of frying it, it’s much healthier than other parmesans! The prep time is a little longer than for some recipes, but the Italian flavors and rustic elegance are well worth it. —Laci Hooten, McKinney, Texas
Inspired by: Einstein Bros. Bagels Asiago BagelDiscover a cheesy alternative to the usual sweet bread brunch offerings. There's no need to stop by a bakery when you can make this asiago bagel recipe at home. —Tami Kuehl, Loup City, Nebraska
Inspired by: Bakers Square French Silk PieChocolate makes the world go round! We have a family that loves chocolate pies, and this version with a splash of brandy is smooth as silk and oh, so special. —Kathy Hewitt, Cranston, Rhode Island
Inspired by: Starbucks Iced Lemon Pound CakeMy family always asks for this love-me-tender lemon loaf cake. Sometimes, I shake things up and make cupcakes with the batter. So awesome for brunch! —Lola Baxter, Winnebago, Minnesota
Inspired by: Panda Express Cream Cheese RangoonWhen I'm dining out, crab rangoons are one of my go-to dishes. I decided to create a better-for-you version at home. —Emily Higgins, Wingdale, New York
Inspired by: Starbucks Salted Caramel MochaYou can easily indulge in a coffeehouse-quality drink at home anytime. With whipped cream and a butterscotch drizzle, this mocha treat will perk up even the sleepiest person at the table. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Inspired by: Portillo's Italian Beef SandwichI have fond memories of my mother in the kitchen preparing her amazing beef dip sandwiches. They always made our house smell like an Old World Italian restaurant. And as good as the aroma was, somehow the taste was even better! Set out a jar of giardiniera for spooning on top. —Kira Vosk, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Inspired by: McDonald's Shamrock ShakeSave a sleeve of Girl Scout cookies for this creamy milkshake that's fun for kids and adults, too. —Shauna Sever, San Francisco, California
Inspired by: Maggiano's Shrimp ScampiA touch more lemon helped me trim the calories in our favorite shrimp scampi recipe. For those who want to indulge, pass around the Parmesan. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
Inspired by: Applebee's Oriental Chicken SaladI 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
Inspired by: Dairy Queen S’mores Blizzard TreatWhen cabin fever hits, we whip up a beverage that tastes like s’mores. Oven-toasted marshmallows and a blender make it happen. —Sarah McKenna, Centennial, Colorado
Inspired by: Panera Mac & CheeseMy mac and cheese is simple and has lots of flavor from the cheeses and ground chipotle chile. I use conchiglie pasta because its shape allows more melted cheese to pool inside. Yum! —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Inspired by: Waffle House Regular WaffleThese melt-in-your-mouth waffles are so tender that you can skip butter and syrup, but why would you want to? —James Schend, Dairy Freed
Inspired by: California Pizza Kitchen Roasted Artichoke + Spinach PizzaWhen I have garlic oil in my pantry, I swap it for regular olive oil. The garlic adds a little something without being overpowering. —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon
Originally Published: May 08, 2020
