Outback Steakhouse is a popular steakhouse chain with over 1,000 locations across the United States and in over 20 other countries. The restaurant is known for serving authentic Australian cuisine like steaks, ribs, and bloomin’ onions along with classic American fare. One popular appetizer option on their menu is fried mushrooms, which prompts the question: does Outback Steakhouse have fried mushrooms? The simple answer is yes, fried mushrooms are available as an appetizer choice at Outback Steakhouse.
More About Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse first opened in 1988 in Tampa, Florida by founders Bob Basham, Chris T. Sullivan, Trudy Cooper and Tim Gannon. The founders came up with the idea for an Australian-themed steakhouse after a trip to Australia left them inspired by the country’s culture and cuisine. They partnered with a restaurant management company called OSI and opened the first Outback in March of 1988. It was an immediate success.
By the end of 1995, there were over 100 Outback Steakhouse locations across the United States. The chain expanded rapidly through franchising and partnerships. In 1994, Outback entered into an agreement to operate Carrabba’s Italian Grill. Today, Outback Steakhouse is owned and operated by Bloomin’ Brands, which also owns other chains like Carrabba’s, Bonefish Grill, and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse.
With its Australian bushman theme,Outback Steakhouse aims to provide an inviting, lively atmosphere where people can enjoy a fun dining experience. The restaurants feature decor inspired by the Australian Outback, with woodsy elements and references to Australian culture. Popular menu items are intended to reflect the cuisine of the Land Down Under. These include steaks like the Victoria’s Filet and the Ranelagh Sirloin, Parmesan Chicken, Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie, and of course, Bloomin’ Onions, which are the chain’s signature appetizer.
Outback Steakhouse Appetizer Options
Outback Steakhouse serves several appetizer choices that are ideal for sharing before an entree. Some of the most popular picks include:
- Aussie Cheese Fries – hot fries loaded with melted cheese, crumbled bacon and chopped green onions.
- Bloomin’ Onion – a whole onion sliced open like a flower, breaded and deep fried golden brown.
- Alice Springs Chicken Quesadilla – grilled chicken, sauteed mushrooms, bacon, tomatoes, and Monterey Jack cheese in a tortilla.
- Gold Coast Coconut Shrimp – coconut-crusted shrimp lightly fried and served with a spicy orange marmalade.
These appetizers provide a taste of some different flavors before diving into a steak or burger. The Aussie Cheese Fries and Bloomin’ Onion are signature items, while the quesadilla and coconut shrimp offer lighter options.
Fried Mushrooms at Outback
In addition to their Australian-inspired appetizers, Outback Steakhouse offers an American classic: fried mushrooms. The fried mushrooms appetizer features button mushrooms coated in batter and fried until golden brown and crispy.
At Outback Steakhouse, an order of fried mushrooms includes about half a pound of mushrooms. They are served hot and crispy alongside the restaurant’s house-made ranch dressing for dipping. The ranch pairs nicely with the fried mushrooms to balance the richness.
Fried mushrooms make a nice shareable starter for the table. They provide a tasty snack alongside beers or cocktails, especially if some guests are waiting on steak entrees to be cooked to order. Fried mushrooms are great for picking at as everyone settles in and decides what they want to order for dinner.
Nutrition Info for Fried Mushrooms
Here are the nutrition facts for Outback Steakhouse’s fried mushrooms:
- Serving Size: 113g
- Calories: 470
- Fat: 32g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Protein: 8g
As is common with fried appetizers, the calorie, fat, and carb counts are on the higher side. The coating and frying process adds calories and fat. The protein amounts are moderate thanks to the mushrooms themselves.
Those looking for a lighter appetizer may want to opt for steamed veggies or a grilled chicken quesadilla rather than the fried mushrooms. However, fried mushrooms make a tasty indulgent treat every now and then, especially when splitting with the table.
How Are the Fried Mushrooms Prepared?
To maintain consistency across locations, Outback Steakhouse provides training and recipes for preparing menu items. Here is an overview of how the fried mushrooms are prepared:
Ingredients:
- Button mushrooms
- Seasoned all-purpose flour
- Beer batter
- Canola oil for frying
Steps for Preparation:
- Rinse and dry fresh button mushrooms thoroughly. Remove any tough stems.
- Toss mushrooms in seasoned flour to lightly coat.
- Dip floured mushrooms into beer batter to coat completely.
- Fry breaded mushrooms in batches at 350°F in canola oil until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels and season immediately with salt.
- Serve fried mushrooms hot with ranch dressing on the side.
The combination of seasoned flour and crispy beer batter helps create a light coating on the outside of the mushrooms that gets fried up hot and crunchy. Frying at the proper temperature ensures the coating gets crispy while the mushrooms inside cook through. Tossing them in salt right after cooking adds an extra dash of flavor.
Variations Between Locations
While the training and recipes help keep preparations consistent, there can be some small variations between different Outback Steakhouse locations.
Some factors that can lead to slight differences include:
- Minor tweaks in recipes between regions.
- Availability of ingredients from food distributors.
- Differences in fryers and cooking equipment.
- Preferences and habits of local kitchen staff.
For example, one restaurant may fry their mushrooms in peanut oil rather than canola oil based on the preferences of that kitchen’s chef. Or the beer batter recipe may use slightly different proportions of ingredients depending on regionally available brews.
So while the fried mushrooms at one Outback may taste slightly different than another, the overall preparation method remains the same across all locations. The mushrooms are breaded in seasoned flour and fried until crispy and golden.
When Are Fried Mushrooms Available?
Fried mushrooms are available as an appetizer choice any time Outback Steakhouse is open. They can be ordered as a starter for dinner or lunch entrees.
Some Outback Steakhouse locations also offer a more limited menu during weekend brunch hours. The brunch menu typically has selections like steak and eggs or breakfast cocktails. Fried mushrooms are not usually available during brunch.
Otherwise, guests can enjoy fried mushrooms when dining at Outback for any regular meal:
- Lunch hours: 11:00am to 4:00pm
- Dinner hours: 4:00pm to close (around 10:00 or 11:00pm)
So if you’re craving fried mushrooms, be sure to visit during regular lunch or dinner rather than weekend brunch. Outback Steakhouse serves them fresh and hot throughout the day and evening along with their famous steaks and other menu favorites.
Price of Fried Mushrooms at Outback
Outback Steakhouse’s appetizers range in price from around $7 to $13 based on the portion size and ingredients. Here is the typical pricing for fried mushrooms:
- Lunch: $7.99
- Dinner: $8.99
The fried mushrooms appetizer is one of the lower priced options. By comparison, the chain’s popular Bloomin’ Onion starts at $10.99.
The lunchtime price is about a dollar less than dinner. However, the portion size remains the same. So lunch is a great time to take advantage of the lower priced apps!
Of course, prices can vary a bit by location. Some restaurants may have small differences in pricing based on factors like cost of living in that area. Check with your local Outback Steakhouse for their exact pricing.
Dining Discounts and Deals
While fried mushrooms are already reasonably priced, there are sometimes ways to save on Outback appetizers:
- Happy Hour: Locations with bars often offer discounts on appetizers during happy hour – usually around $2 to $3 off.
- Email Club: Joining the Outback e-club provides access to exclusive discounts sent via email.
- Birthday Discount: Sign up for Outback’s birthday rewards to get a free appetizer during your birthday month.
Taking advantage of these specials, deals, and loyalty programs can help you enjoy discounted or even free fried mushrooms!
Taste and Reviews
Fried mushrooms have been a staple at Outback Steakhouse for decades. The appetizer remains popular for its tasty execution of a classic bar snack. Here are some reviews of the fried mushrooms at Outback:
- “The mushrooms were hot, juicy, and tender inside with a perfectly crispy outside.”
- “You get a good amount of mushrooms, so it’s great for sharing.”
- “They have a nice beer batter flavor.”
- “The ranch pairs nicely for dipping instead of boring old ketchup.”
- “Always a good choice when I’m grabbing a drink at the bar and want something to munch on.”
Most reviews praise the appetizer for its crispy coated mushrooms that provide a great crunch along with a tender, juicy bite. The flavor of the batter and the creamy ranch dip get positive mentions as well. Fried mushrooms are regarded as a tasty way to kick off a meal in a fun, casual environment.
A few critical reviews mention the mushrooms had a slimy or soft texture instead of a crispy crunch. This likely results from mushrooms that sat for a period after frying instead of being served immediately while hot and crispy. But the majority of experiences highlight freshly fried mushrooms that live up to the appetizer’s reputation.
Pairing with Drinks
The pub-inspired vibe of Outback Steakhouse makes it a great spot for enjoying beers, cocktails, or wine alongside appetizers like fried mushrooms.
Here are some recommended drinks to pair with fried mushrooms:
Beer
The crisp, bubbly taste of beer makes an ideal match for fried foods. Some good beer styles to try with fried mushrooms include:
- Pale Ale
- Wheat Beer
- Lager
- Pilsner
Go for a refreshing lager like Stella Artois or a wheat beer like Blue Moon. The light malty taste complements the crunch and flavor of the fried mushrooms.
Cocktails
Cocktails like Bloody Marys and Margaritas pair especially well with appetizers at Outback. The acidic tomato flavor of a Bloody Mary balances the richness of the mushrooms. A Margarita adds a touch of sweetness and citrus.
Wine
When it comes to wine, sweeter white varieties pair better with fried foods. Good options include:
- Riesling
- Moscato
- White Zinfandel
The touch of sweetness helps cut through the saltiness of the fried coating on the mushrooms.
No matter what you sip, enjoying some drinks with Outback’s fried mushrooms makes for a tasty start to your meal!
Fried Mushroom Recipe
While nothing tastes quite as good as eating fried mushrooms fresh from the Outback Steakhouse kitchen, you can come close to recreating the appetizer at home with this recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1⁄2 pound button mushrooms, cleaned with stems removed
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 egg
- 1⁄2 cup beer or club soda
- Oil for frying (canola, vegetable, peanut, etc)
Directions:
- Mix together flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a bowl.
- Beat egg in a separate small bowl. Pour beer or club soda into another bowl.
- Toss mushrooms in flour mixture to lightly coat.
- Dip floured mushrooms in egg wash, then toss in beer/club soda to coat again.
- Heat 1-2 inches of oil in a pot or pan to 350°F.
- Fry mushrooms in batches for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towel lined plate and sprinkle with salt.
- Serve mushrooms immediately while hot and crispy.
Tips:
- This recipe works best with a deep fryer, but you can pan fry in a pot with higher sides.
- Make sure oil reaches proper frying temperature. Use a thermometer if possible.
- Fry just a few mushrooms at a time to prevent overcrowding.
- Toss fried mushrooms in salt right away to really bring out the flavors.
With the right technique and ingredients, you can create tasty fried mushrooms at home similar to the Outback Steakhouse version. Enjoy them on your own or with family and friends for a fun appetizer!
Conclusion
Fried mushrooms remain a popular choice for an appetizer at Outback Steakhouse locations across the country. The button mushrooms are breaded in a light seasoned flour and beer batter coating, then fried hot and crispy. Fried mushrooms pair great with beers, cocktails, or wines, making them an ideal way to kick off a fun dinner out.
While the preparation may vary slightly between locations, overall you can expect a tasty plate of golden fried mushrooms served up hot alongside creamy ranch dressing for dipping. Fried mushrooms are available as an appetizer choice any time during regular lunch and dinner hours. Just avoid weekend brunch menus, when they are typically not offered.
Stopping into your local Outback Steakhouse for some fried mushrooms is an accessible way to enjoy this bar food classic before diving into your steak entree. Or try cooking up your own batch at home using a similar frying method and tasty coating recipe. Either way, fried mushrooms remain a delicious option for appetizer lovers.