Outback Steakhouse Bloomin Onion

Name: Outback Steakhouse Bloomin Onion
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1/3 cup cornstarch; 2 teaspoons minced garlic; 1 teaspoon salt; 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (divided use); 2 tablespoons paprika (divided use); 2 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper (divided use); 12 ounces beer; 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 4 Vidalia onions or other large sweet onions; Bloomin’ Onion Sauce or Creamy Chili Sauce (to serve)

November 26, 2023 by Stephanie Manley 37 Comments

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The Outback Steakhouse Blooming Onion is a treat the restaurant has been serving up since it opened. You can make this appetizer menu item just like they do, and you don’t need any fancy tools to prepare this Bloomin Onion.

Copycat Outback Steakhouse bloomin onion and dipping sauce.

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Outback Steakhouse Blooming Onion

I think this is one of my first copycat recipes. I can remember the first time I tried this popular appetizer, the bloomin onion. An onion is sliced so that it opens up, some might even say it “blooms”.

The petals are battered, and the onion is deep-fried, and then this creation is served with a wonderful sauce. I know you will be blown away, just like I was the first time I tried this creation.

What Makes The Outback Steakhouse Blooming Onion So Good

You can impress anyone by serving this bloomin’ onion, whether for close family or a large party! Not only does this bloomin’ onion have a fascinating and mouthwatering look, but it tastes even better than it looks!

Of course, the onion flavor is prominent, but you can also taste hints of paprika, garlic, and cayenne. It is the perfect appetizer to awaken your taste buds! The bloom sauce with a touch of horseradish has the ideal flavor to pair with the onion.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Once you make this blooming onion Outback Steakhouse recipe, you will wonder why it took so long to try.

Although it might seem intimidating because of its elegant presentation, it’s quite simple. With this recipe, you can indulge in one of your favorite Outback Steakhouse menu items without stepping outside your home!

Ingredients

Click on the recipe card to get the full instructions and quantities you will need for this recipe.

What you’ll need for making a blooming onion:

Cornstarch
Minced garlic
Salt
All-purpose flour
Paprika
Pepper
Beer
Garlic powder
Cayenne pepper
Vidalia onions or other large sweet onions
Oil for frying
Bloomin Onion Sauce for serving

Copycat Outback bloomin onion recipe ingredients.

Ingredient Notes

A large sweet onion will give the perfect flavor. Use a Vidalia or 1015 onion.

My preference for cooking oil is peanut oil, followed by vegetable oil. Any liquid oil will do, but peanut makes the onion crispier.

How to Prepare a Bloomin Onion

Preparing this onion isn’t too difficult. You’ll make a seasoned beer batter and flour mixture, cut and batter the onion, then deep fry it. Here are the step-by-step instructions:

Whisk cornstarch, minced garlic, flour, paprika, and pepper until well blended.
Add the beer and mix well until the batter is well combined.

Combine flour with garlic powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, and pepper in a separate bowl. Mix until well blended.
Peel the onions and place the root side on the cutting board. Use a sharp knife to slice the first 3/4 inches off the top of the onion. Then you will make 10 to 12 verticle cuts, but don’t go all of the way to the root.
Separate the onion petals slightly, but do not do this too much or you will destroy the onion.

Collage of making seasoned flour and cutting an onion to make a bloomin onion.

Dip the onions into the bowl of flour and shake off the excess flour.
Dip the onions into the batter and separate the petals to ensure they are thoroughly coated.
Then dip the onion into the seasoned flour again.

Collage of battering a sliced onion to make a bloomin onion.

Heat the oil in a deep fryer until the oil temperature is 375 to 400°F. Place the onion in the fryer basket and deep-fry for 1½ minutes on one side. Flip the onion and fry for 1½ minutes, until golden brown.
Lift the fried onion out of the hot oil with a wire skimmer or large slotted spoon and drain it on paper towels.

Collage of deep frying a blooming onion.

Place the onion on a plate and serve it hot with Bloomin Onion Sauce.

Copycat Outback bloomin onion and a bowl of dipping sauce.

Recipe Tips

You may want to make sure your cutting board has a damp cloth under it so it doesn’t move.

If desired, you can cut out the center of the fried blooming onion and put a small cup of dipping sauce in it.

If you feel cutting the blooming onion is too much, try cutting it into petals, strings, or onion rings.

What To Serve With The Outback Blooming Onion

Be sure to serve it with plenty of blooming onion sauce! If you want other sauce ideas, pair it with honey BBQ sauce, ranch, sriracha, honey mustard, ketchup, and more. The crispy onion tastes amazing with virtually any sauce you can think of.

To use it as part of a meal, you can always serve it with Outback Steakhouse Mac and Cheese or Outback Steakhouse Queensland Chicken and Shrimp Pasta. It tastes fantastic with pasta because the crispy onion offsets the tender noodles and creamy sauce.

How To Store The Outback Steakhouse Onion

Keep the bloomin’ in an airtight container to retain its freshness until you plan to reheat it. Although it will last 4-5 days, the sooner you use it, the better.

What is the best way to Heal the leftover Bloomin Onion?

The best way to reheat the bloomin onion appetizer is to use the oven or air fryer. Unfortunately, with the microwave, the onion loses all of its crispiness (which is the best part!).

Heat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and bake it for approximately 10 minutes. If your onion is already a dark golden color, you might want to wrap it with foil so it doesn’t burn loosely.

You can set your air fryer to the same temperature and keep in mind it heats much faster this way, and it will take about half the time.

Dipping a blooming onion petal into sauce.

Love Outback Steakhouse? Try these recipes

Tasty Onion Rings and Petals Recipes

Be sure to check out more copycat appetizers and game day food recipes.