Recreate Outback Steakhouse’s most famous appetizer in your kitchen with this Blooming Onion recipe. This impressive-looking dish features a large sweet onion specially cut to “bloom,” then coated in a seasoned beer batter and deep-fried to crispy perfection. Despite its restaurant-worthy presentation, this showstopping appetizer requires no special equipment and comes together with just 15 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking time. Perfect for game days, parties, or whenever you crave that signature Outback flavor without leaving home, this recipe promises to be a surprisingly simple crowd-pleaser.
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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 need for this recipe.
For the Onion:
- Sweet onion – Provides the foundation with its mild, sweet flavor
- All-purpose flour – Creates the crispy exterior coating
- Cornstarch – Helps achieve a lighter, crispier texture
- Paprika – Adds color and mild pepper flavor
- Garlic powder – Contributes savory depth without burning during frying
- Cayenne pepper – Delivers subtle heat throughout the coating
- Black pepper – Adds complexity and enhances other spices
- Salt – Balances and enhances all flavors
- Minced garlic – Provides fresh garlic flavor in the batter
- Beer – Creates a light, airy texture and adds flavor depth
- Peanut or vegetable oil – Essential for deep frying to proper crispness
For Serving:
- Blooming Onion Sauce – The essential spicy, creamy dipping companion
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Place the onion on a plate and serve it hot with Bloomin Onion 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! For 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.
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.
Storage and Reheating
- Store sauce separately in the refrigerator for up to a week
- While best enjoyed fresh, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days
- Never microwave leftovers, as this will make them soggy
- Reheat in a 400°F oven for 10 minutes until crispy again
- For best results, place on a wire rack over a baking sheet when reheating
Outback Steakhouse Bloomin Onion
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
Instructions
- To make the batter, combine the cornstarch, minced garlic, and salt with 1 1/2 cups of flour, 2 teaspoons of paprika, and 2 teaspoons of ground black pepper. Mix well. Add the beer and mix to combine.
- To make the seasoned flour, combine the garlic powder and cayenne pepper with 2 cups of flour, 4 teaspoons of paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper. Mix well.
- Cut about 3/4 inch off the top of the onions and peel them. Cut each onion into 12 to 16 vertical wedges, but do not cut through the bottom root end. Remove about 1 inch of petals from the center of the onion. You may want to separate the onion petals slightly, but do not do this too much or you will destroy the onion.
- Dip the onions into the seasoned flour and shake off the excess. Dip the onions into the batter, separating the petals to ensure they are thoroughly coated. Then dip the onions into the seasoned flour again.
- Heat the oil in a deep fryer to 375°F to 400°F. Gently place the onions into the fryer basket and deep-fry for 1 1/2 minutes on each side. Remove the onions from the fryer and drain on paper towels.
- To serve, place the onion upright in a shallow bowl and remove the center core with a circular cutter or apple corer. Serve hot with Bloomin’ Onion Sauce or Creamy Chili Sauce.
Nutrition
Love Outback Steakhouse? Try these recipes
- Tiger Dill Sauce
- Salted Baked Potato
- Alice Spring Chicken
- Creamy Onion Soup
- Mac and Cheese with Penne
- Aussie Cheese Fries
- Walhalla Pasta
- Green Beans Steamed
- Caesar Salad Dressing
Tasty Onion Rings and Petals Recipes
Be sure to check out more copycat appetizers and game day food recipes.
Wow, this recipe looks amazing! I love Outback Steakhouse’s Bloomin Onion, but I’ve never attempted to make it at home before. Can’t wait to give it a try and enjoy a delicious homemade version! 🍴👌