Outback Steakhouse’s three cheese steak dip is a popular appetizer option at the restaurant chain. It features a blend of cream cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, cheddar cheese, and slices of tender steak. The dip is served warm with crispy chips or bread for dipping.
Outback’s three cheese steak dip provides a rich, cheesy flavor with the savoriness of steak. It makes for the ultimate indulgent starter before your entree. While you can find some copycat recipes online, Outback Steakhouse keeps their official recipe a secret. However, we can still break down the key ingredients that likely go into this fan-favorite dip.
Main Ingredients
The main components of Outback’s three cheese steak dip are:
- Cream cheese – Provides a rich, creamy base
- Monterey Jack cheese – Delivers gooey texture and mild flavor
- Cheddar cheese – Adds sharpness and deeper cheese notes
- Sliced steak – Provides savory, meaty chunks
By combining a blend of cream cheese and cheeses like Monterey Jack and cheddar, it creates a smooth, indulgent cheese dip consistency. The addition of steak gives the dip heartiness.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is the primary ingredient in Outback’s dip that provides a rich, creamy base. Cream cheese has a soft, spreadable texture that creates a smooth, luxurious mouthfeel when blended with other dip ingredients.
Standard full-fat cream cheese is likely used. Low-fat or non-fat varieties would compromise the opulent texture. Philadelphia cream cheese is a popular brand used in cooking and baking that Outback may incorporate.
Monterey Jack Cheese
Monterey Jack is a semi-soft cheese with a slightly tangy flavor profile. When melted, it becomes oozey and stretchy. This likely gives Outback’s three cheese dip that ideal gooey cheese dip texture.
Monterey Jack also has a relatively mild flavor that blends well with other cheeses like cheddar. This prevents any one cheese from overpowering the dip.
Cheddar Cheese
To add sharper, deeper cheese flavors, cheddar cheese balances out the Monterey Jack’s mildness. Cheddar provides a tangy, nutty cheese flavor andboosts the overall cheesiness of the dip.
A good melting cheese like sharp cheddar ensures the dip will have an ultra creamy, smooth texture when heated.
Steak
Thinly sliced pieces of tender steak are what set Outback’s dip apart from just an ordinary cheese dip. The steak provides a hearty, savory contrast to the rich creaminess of the cheese.
The steak is likely a cut like sirloin that is flavorful yet tender enough to slice thinly for the dip. Seared steak slices mixed throughout the hot dip add delicious bites of beefy flavor.
Seasonings
To bring all the flavors together, Outback Seasons their three cheese steak dip with additional ingredients like:
- Worcestershire Sauce – Provides savory umami flavor
- Minced Garlic – Adds aromatic flavor
- Salt & Pepper – For seasoning
- Onion Powder – Extra savory flavor
Ingredients like Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and onion powder add layers of savory umami taste. Salt and pepper season throughout for flavor.
Some key seasoning combinations likely give the dip its signature flavor profile that guests love. Even mixing in something as simple as Worcestershire really boosts the savoriness.
Cooking Method
To put together the three cheese steak dip, Outback likely:
- Browns sliced steak seasoned with salt and pepper
- Combines cream cheese, Monterey Jack, and cheddar in a mixing bowl
- Folds in Worcestershire sauce, garlic, onion powder, and any other seasonings
- Gently mixes in the cooked steak strips
- Places dip in a baking dish and heats until warm, bubbly, and blended
Browning the steak locks in flavor and ensures it’s cooked through before mixing it with the cheese base.
Heating it all together results in a rich, gooey, steak-studded cheese dip that is irresistibly dippable! The dip can be kept warm throughout the day for serving.
Nutrition Information
As a hearty appetizer with cheese, steak, and creamy ingredients, Outback’s three cheese steak dip is an indulgent, higher calorie menu option.
Here is the nutrition info for a 1 cup serving (about 8 ounces) of Outback’s three cheese steak dip according to the restaurant’s online nutrition guide:
| Calories | 930 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 71g |
| Saturated Fat | 39g |
| Cholesterol | 175mg |
| Sodium | 1,570mg |
| Carbs | 12g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sugar | 3g |
| Protein | 36g |
As you can see, the dip is high in fat, cholesterol, and sodium given the cheeses, cream, and steak. It offers substantial protein as well.
Those looking for a lighter appetizer may prefer options like Outback’s shrimp cocktail or ahi tuna sashimi. However, the three cheese steak dip is a popular menu item for a reason – it’s a delicious, hearty dip perfect for sharing!
Prices
Outback Steakhouse’s three cheese steak dip is one of their pricier appetizer options. Here are the typical prices:
- A la carte: $13.99
- As part of an appetizer combo: $15.99
The dip is served with warm bread and tortilla chips for dipping. Ordering it as part of an appetizer sampler usually offers the best value if you want to try several starters.
Outback’s prices may vary a bit by location. The dip is one of their signature appetizers, so sometimes it costs a dollar or two more than similar menu items.
Copycat Recipes
To recreate Outback’s popular cheese steak dip at home, there are some tasty copycat recipes to try. They allow you to enjoy this restaurant favorite any time.
Here are two top-rated copycat three cheese steak dip recipes:
Copycat Recipe #1
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 lb sirloin steak, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- Sear seasoned steak slices in a skillet over high heat until browned and cooked through. Let cool and roughly chop.
- Mix together cream cheese, Monterey Jack, cheddar, and mayo until smooth.
- Stir in cooked steak, garlic, Worcestershire, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Transfer to small baking dish. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes until hot and bubbly.
- Serve with chips, bread, or crackers.
Copycat Recipe #2
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1.5 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 lb ribeye steak, sliced into 1/2″ strips
- 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp steak seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- Season steak strips with some of the Worcestershire, steak seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne. Grill or pan sear until just cooked through. Let cool and cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Mix together cream cheese, Monterey Jack, and cheddar until well incorporated.
- Fold in grilled steak, remaining Worcestershire, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of cayenne.
- Transfer to a baking dish and bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until dip is heated through and bubbly.
- Serve hot with chips, bread, or veggies.
These copycat dips allow you to enjoy the familiar flavors of Outback’s appetizer at home. Adjust the seasonings to your tastes.
Conclusion
Outback Steakhouse’s three cheese steak dip is an indulgent appetizer featuring a creamy blend of cheese and bites of tender steak. It’s made with a mixture of cream cheese, Monterey Jack, cheddar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and other savory seasonings. Pieces of seared sirloin or ribeye are added to the hot, cheesy dip.
While the exact recipe remains a secret, the key ingredients are rich cream cheese, gooey Monterey Jack and sharp cheddar, and flavorful steak. Together, they create the ultimate hot and hearty cheese dip. With nearly 1,000 calories per serving, this appetizer is meant for sharing! Recreate the flavors at home with copycat recipes.