Outback Steakhouse’s famous bloomin’ onion appetizer is a popular item on the menu, but a common question for vegans and vegetarians is: can I eat it? In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the ingredients in an outback bloomin’ onion and determine if it’s suitable for a vegan or vegetarian diet.
What is an Outback Bloomin’ Onion?
An Outback bloomin’ onion is a large onion that is sliced vertically, coated in a seasoned batter, and deep fried until golden brown. The onion “petals” open up to resemble a flower bloom, hence the name. It’s typically served as an appetizer with a creamy dipping sauce like ranch or spicy signature sauce on the side for dunking.
Here are some key facts about Outback’s bloomin’ onion:
- Each onion is hand-cut and made fresh to order
- An individual bloomin’ onion contains approximately 1,550 calories and 122 grams of fat
- The standard serving size is 12 onion petals or 1/6th of the whole onion
- It takes 3 pounds of onions to make one bloomin’ onion
The signature batter coating and dipping sauce are what give this appetizer its signature flavor. But are these components vegan?
Outback Bloomin’ Onion Batter Ingredients
The exact recipe for Outback’s bloomin’ onion batter coating is proprietary, but according to the company, the main ingredients are:
- Flour
- Cornstarch
- Spices
- Dried parsley
- Paprika
- Salt
- Pepper
Based on this ingredient list, the batter does not contain any obvious animal products like eggs, milk, or meat ingredients. The flour is likely all-purpose wheat flour. This means the batter itself can be considered vegan.
Outback Bloomin’ Onion Dipping Sauces
Outback offers three dipping sauce choices with a bloomin’ onion:
- Ranch dressing – made with buttermilk, eggs, and cheese
- Spicy signature sauce – contains mayonnaise made with eggs
- Aussie Cheese sauce – contains cheese and milk ingredients
Unfortunately, all three of Outback’s dipping sauces contain non-vegan ingredients like dairy, eggs, or cheese. So these sauces would need to be avoided by someone following a vegan diet.
Can You Order a Vegan Bloomin’ Onion at Outback?
Based on an examination of the ingredients, a standard Outback bloomin’ onion is not vegan as served due to the dipping sauces. However, there are some ways you may be able to order a veganized version:
- Request your bloomin’ onion served without any dipping sauce
- Ask for a side of oil & vinegar instead of ranch or Aussie cheese sauce
- Bring your own vegan ranch dressing or sauce to the restaurant
- Order the onion petals as a salad instead of an appetizer
Outback’s menu and kitchen procedures may vary by location, so your safest bet is to speak directly to your server or a manager about preparing a vegan version. With some modifications, it may be possible to enjoy this tasty appetizer while upholding your vegan diet.
Nutrition Info for Vegan Outback Bloomin’ Onion
Here is the nutrition information for a vegan Outback bloomin’ onion based on a standard serving of 12 onion petals (1/6th onion) without any dipping sauce:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 258 |
| Total Fat | 14g |
| Saturated Fat | 2.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 474mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 28g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 2g |
| Protein | 3g |
As you can see, while still high in fat and calories, eliminating the dairy-based dipping sauce significantly improves the nutrition profile of this appetizer. The onion petals on their own contain no cholesterol or saturated fat and provide a small amount of fiber, making it a better fit for a vegan eating pattern.
Vegan Outback Bloomin’ Onion Copycat Recipe
If you want to recreate Outback’s famous appetizer at home with a completely vegan recipe, this bloomin’ onion copycat is a great option:
Ingredients
- 1 large yellow onion
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1⁄4 cup cornstarch
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1⁄2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup soda water
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Slice off the top and bottom of the onion so it sits flat. Make vertical slices from top to bottom every 1⁄2 inch, cutting up to 1 inch from the bottom root.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Slowly whisk in soda water until a smooth, thick batter forms.
- Separate onion slices and dip them in the batter, coating completely.
- In a large pot or deep fryer, heat 2-3 inches of oil to 350°F.
- Working in batches, fry battered onions for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
- Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Serve warm with your favorite vegan ranch or dipping sauce.
This vegan recipe uses a simple batter of flour, starch, and seasonings fried up for a crispy, full-flavored bloom. Enjoy as a fun appetizer for your next vegan get-together!
Other Vegan Options at Outback Steakhouse
If you want to enjoy a meal at Outback but stick to vegan options, there are a few dishes you can request with modifications:
- Aussie Fries – Ask for no cheese sauce
- House Salad – Request no cheese, bacon, or ranch dressing
- Kookaburra Wings – Order with hot sauce instead of butter sauce
- Fresh steamed veggies as a side item
- Baked potato plain or with salsa, veggies, or olive oil instead of butter and cheese
Most locations offer a few plant-based protein options too like a black bean burger or Impossible burger patty that you can sub for any steak or beef burger. With some creative ordering, you should be able to enjoy a tasty Outback meal that aligns with a vegan diet.
In Conclusion
Outback’s signature bloomin’ onion appetizer is not strictly vegan due to the dipping sauces containing animal products like eggs, dairy, and cheese. However, the fried onion itself may be vegan if ordered and served without any sauce. Creating a vegan version at home is also very possible by using a basic batter and frying up your own onion bloom. Outback Steakhouse does offer some other veganizable options so you can still enjoy their popular entrees and sides while maintaining a vegan lifestyle.