According to Outback Steakhouse's website, eight million Bloomin' Onions are sold each year, with one out of every four appetizers ordered being a Bloomin' Onion. Outback Steakhouse founder Tim Gannon created the restaurant chain's iconic appetizer, the Bloomin' Onion, in 1988. Drawing inspiration from a traditional Australian food called the “Blossoming Onion,” Gannon accidentally created a quintessentially American food—a colossal, deep-fried onion with petals resembling a blooming flower.
Gannon introduced a spicy, mayonnaise-based dipping sauce that adds a zesty kick to this fried onion dish, completing this perfect appetizer. If you have tried it, you know this dipping sauce flawlessly balances the richness of the Bloomin' Onion. If you love the Bloomin' Onion dipping sauce, you can now make a copycat recipe at home to enjoy on your homemade onion rings, not to mention many other foods.
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What Ingredients Are In the Bloomin' Onion Dipping Sauce?
The Bloomin' Onion dipping sauce is a combination of several ingredients. This dipping sauce has a creamy base of mayonnaise, which is complemented by the sweetness and tanginess of ketchup. To add a spicy kick and depth of flavor, cream-style horseradish sauce is added.
While some people choose to omit the horseradish, our recipe includes it as we think it is an essential ingredient for this dipping sauce. However, be cautious with the horseradish. It is strong. Add it gradually to this recipe and taste as you go to avoid ending up with a sauce that is too intense for your liking.
Paprika adds a hint of smokiness and color to the sauce. Salt enhances the overall flavor while balancing out the sweetness and acidity. Additionally, dried oregano contributes a hint of herbal flavor, while ground black pepper adds a touch of heat. However, cayenne pepper can be added for those who prefer a spicier sauce.
Worcestershire sauce also enhances the flavor of the Bloomin' Onion's dipping sauce. Garlic powder provides a rich garlic flavor without the texture of minced garlic, while onion powder intensifies the onion flavor of this dipping sauce. However, you can adjust these ingredients as needed, such as leaving out the horseradish or using cayenne instead of black pepper.
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Can You Buy the Bloomin' Onion Dipping Sauce?
Outback Steakhouse restaurants only serve the Bloomin' Onion dipping sauce at the restaurant. Sadly, it is not sold in stores. Many people have tried to recreate the sauce at home, coming up with their own recipes as a result.
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How to Use Your Copycat Bloomin' Onion Sauce
This versatile copycat dipping sauce complements a variety of foods. It does not just pair well with onion rings, but it also enhances the flavor of French fries, including sweet potato fries and tater tots. Additionally, you can use this sauce as a salad dressing or add it to a baked potato. It is also perfect for wraps and will elevate the taste of your sandwiches. Kids particularly love this sauce on their chicken tenders and mozzarella sticks. Of course, you can always make yourself a homemade Bloomin Onion.
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Storing Your Copycat Bloomin' Onion Sauce
If you have any leftovers, you can store your copycat sauce in the refrigerator for up to five days. Additionally, you can prepare this sauce in advance as the flavors actually improve when given time to set. We recommend refrigerating your copycat sauce for 30 minutes to enhance the flavor.
However, we do not recommend freezing the copycat Bloomin' Onion dipping sauce or any mayonnaise-based sauces, really. When a sauce containing mayonnaise is frozen, the mayonnaise may undergo changes in texture and separate, consequently affecting the overall consistency of the sauce. Since it is easy to make, it is better to prepare a fresh batch when needed.
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In Summary
If you love the dipping sauce that comes with the Bloomin' Onion appetizer at the Outback Steakhouse, you can make your own copycat dipping sauce for a fraction of the cost. Our recipe replicates this iconic dipping sauce, allowing you to enjoy it with more than just a Bloomin' Onion. While it is great with homemade onion rings, we also recommend trying it on salads and baked potatoes. Once you have perfected your copycat Bloomin' Onion dipping sauce, you will want to try it on everything.
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Outback Steakhouse Bloomin' Onion Dipping Sauce: Copycat Recipe
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- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Here is a simple recipe for the dipping sauce typically served with the Outback Steakhouse's Bloomin' Onion appetizer.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons cream-style horseradish sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 pinch ground black pepper
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
1. In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients: mayonnaise, ketchup, cream-style horseradish sauce, paprika, salt, dried oregano, black pepper, cayenne pepper (if using), Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder.
2. Mix everything together until well combined.
3. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning according to your preference. You can add more horseradish for extra kick, or more ketchup for sweetness.
4. Once satisfied with the flavor, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the sauce to a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
5. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
Notes
The prep time for making this Bloomin' Onion dipping sauce is quick: about 10 minutes. However, to enhance the flavors, it is best to refrigerate the sauce for at least 30 minutes before serving. This recipe yields approximately six servings of dipping sauce, with each serving being around two tablespoons.
- Prep Time: 10
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock.com.