Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
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.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Table of Contents
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 onionsor other large sweet onions
- Oil for frying
- Bloomin Onion Saucefor serving
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! 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.
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
- Red Robin Onion Ring Tower
- Sonic Drive In Onion Rings
- Chili’s Awesome Blossom Onion Petals
Be sure to check out more copycat appetizers and game day food recipes.
Outback Steakhouse Bloomin Onion
You can make some magic in your kitchen when you make this blooming onion at home.
4.98 from 39 votes
Print Pin Rate Add to Collection
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Outback Steakhouse Recipes
Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 600kcal
Author: Stephanie Manley
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
Calories: 600kcal | Carbohydrates: 125g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 617mg | Potassium: 633mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 1580IU | Vitamin C: 16.3mg | Calcium: 98mg | Iron: 6.8mg