Basically Bloomin Onion Sauce is Outback Steakhouse’s version of the classic southern sauce called Comeback Sauce. I wonder why they just wouldn’t call it that. It works perfectly for marking, doesn’t it?
What is Bloomin Onion Sauce?
Outback Bloomin Onion Sauce is a zesty and fun dipping sauce that can be made in just 5 minutes. Versatile and perfect for serving with nearly anything, but is probably best known as onion ring sauce, onion petals, whatever you want to call them.
Voted as the most unhealthy appetizer offered by chain restaurants, Outback’s Bloomin Onion is possibly one of the most delicious as well. You gotta have compromises in life and diving into one of these bad boys once a year should be allowed.
Let’s break this down: sweet onion, dipped in a tangy batter and fried to a golden brown. Yes, it is tasty, but the peachy-orange dipping sauce known as Bloom Sauce is what really makes the dish, peach in color, not flavor!
This might not be the exact recipe… but it is darn close. Since I don’t own one of those handy dandy Bloomin’ Onion Makers (I’d die of a heart attack making them for myself at home) I served my homemade sauce with Fried Cheese Curds.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Sauce
A savory dipping sauce that’s ready in 5 minutes- what’s not to love!
- Copycat recipe – Love the Outback steakhouse menu but don’t love the prices? Good news- you can make their bloomin onion and sauce in your own kitchen!
- Loved by all – Unless you add extra spice (which you totally can) this sauce is mild and loved by people of all ages.
- Quick and easy – This sauce is made with simple ingredients and is ready to go in just a few minutes.
Bloomin Onion Sauce Ingredients
Start by gathering your ingredients. They can all easily be found at local grocery stores. Here is what you’ll need:
- Mayonnaise – A good quality version. Some folks swear by using sour cream instead, but I like mayo. You can even make homemade mayo if you’re feeling fancy!
- Chili Sauce – Use a brand such as Heinz or Del Monte- this is NOT the same as Thai Chili or Cock Sauce.
- Dijon Mustard – You want your mustard to be smooth, not grained. I don’t know about you, but I prefer to have a silky smooth dipping sauce.
- Seasonings – I use a simple blend of onion powder, garlic powder and freshly ground black pepper to season this tasty sauce. Simple but effective!
- Worcestershire sauce – Despite being hard to pronounce, even just a dash of this sauce takes amazing sauce to the next level!
- Hot sauce – You can use your favorite brand of hot sauce here.
- Lemon juice – Whenever I can, I prefer to use fresh lemon juice. Fresh is always best, anything bottled will be muted.
How to Make Bloomin Onion Sauce
Making this creamy sauce couldn’t be easier!
- Combine ingredients. The preparation is simple. While I prefer to use a mini food processor to really combine ingredients well, you can also whisk them together. The food processor agitates the spices and helps to yank out the natural oils to make it really flavorful. Alternately, place it in a small bowl and whisk together vigorously. Whatever you do, make a double batch, you’ll want extra sauce, I promise you this.
- Allow to sit. For best results, allow the sauce to sit. Without time to marry flavors, it will just taste like flavored mayo, like an aioli.
How to Make a Bloomin’ Onion
Of course, you’ll need a bloomin’ onion to go with this onion dipping sauce! Here are the basic instructions to make one:
- Cut Onion. Start by peeling your onion and then with a sharp knife cut off the top so it is flat. Place the cut side down (flat part) onto your cutting board. Start about 1/2 of an inch from the root, and cut the onion into 16 vertical wedges..
- Soak Onion. Soak the onion in cold water for 2 hours. This lets is separate naturally instead of forcing it and possibly breaking off the petals.
- Dry Ingredients & Wet Ingredients. Whisk together dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in a separate bowl.
- Dredge. Dab the bloomed onion dry and then in a clean bowl, cut-side up. Pour the dry flour mixture over the top, making sure to use a spoon to get between the onion petals. Turn the onion over and pat off the excess flour. Reserve the shallow bowl of flour.
- Batter. Dip onion, top of the onion down, into the egg mixture until fully coated. Remove and let the excess drip off, then transfer back into the reserved flour mixture.
- Set. Place onion into the refrigerator while you heat the oil. This helps it set and not just fall off when it hits the hot oil.
- Fry. Shake any excess flour from the onion and using a wire skimmer, deep fry until golden brown- about 3 minutes on each side. If you don’t have a deep fryer, we highly suggest using a candy or frying thermometer for best results. Too hot and it will burn, too low and you’ll have soggy onion.
- Drain. Remove and drain on paper towels and then serve hot with dipping sauce.
Variations
We love this spicy dipping sauce exactly as written, but there are plenty of ways you can make it your own.
- Make it spicy – If you want a spicy sauce, add a dab of cayenne pepper. You could also add some fresh horseradish for a great kick too.
- Flavor – Add more flavor to this Outback sauce with more seasonings. Add garlic salt or ground cumin for a real flavor explosion.
- Dipping options – Traditionally this is served with an onion recipe, but check the section below for other ways to use this sauce.
How to Use Bloomin Onion Sauce
Don’t limit yourself to your favorite onion rings, there are plenty of delicious things to dip into this delightful sauce:
- French fries
- Sweet potato fries
- Cheese curds
- Salad dressing
- Topper of baked potato
- Tater tots
Make Ahead & Storage
Storage: Since this recipe doesn’t contain any preservatives, it is only good in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Make ahead: You can also make this ahead of time. In fact, it tastes better when the flavors have time to set and marry.
Freezing: I wouldn’t recommend freezing Bloomin Onion Sauce. I don’t really recommend freezing many mayonnaise based sauces. Since it is so easy to make, it is also simple to make a fresh batch when needed.
More Saucy Recipes
- Chipotle Aioli
- Bacon Jalapeno Fry Sauce
- Garlic Butter Dipping Sauce
- Nashville Hot Sauce Recipe
- Spicy Dijon Mustard Sauce
Spicy Ketchup
Yum Yum Sauce Recipe (Easy!)
Creamy Horseradish Sauce
Bloomin Onion Sauce Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup chili sauce such as Heinz or Del Monte- this is NOT the same as Thai Chili or Cock Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Combine the mayo, chili sauce, mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, hot sauce and lemon juice in a bowl or mini food processor. Blend well.
- This sauce can be served immediately but tastes even better the longer it is allowed to sit and marry. Bloom Sauce can be refrigerated for up to one week.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.
I can confirm it works incredibly well with fries, onion rings and steak. Delicious!
You can’t have a blooming onion without that sauce! I didn’t realize it was so simple to make.
I love that this recipe uses simple ingredients that make for a delicious and versatile dipping sauce.
There’s always been something bugging me about this sauce, and you just answered that question. It’s comeback sauce. Love how easy this is to make and that I can add heat if I’d like.
Would love to try this
It’s alright! U can come back and do it
I love being able to recreate this sauce at home!
We love enjoying this @ Outback. I love this homemade version just as much on fries, onion rings, and even fried mushrooms!
mmm cock sauce
I think you meant to say cock-tail sauce. Lol, you might want to correct that typo.
They were referring to the directions itself ” this is NOT the same as Thai Chili or Cock Sauce”
Another note: Does Panda Express Sweet Chili Sauce work?
Hi Sarah, you can probably use that. I have never had it though, so I can’t say definitely, but it sounds like it is sweet versus spicy, correct?