Name: Outback Steakhouse Potato Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 4 large potatoes, diced; 2 ½ cups chicken broth or stock; ½ small onion, diced; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper; ⅓ cup all-purpose flour; 1 ½ cups heavy cream; ½ cup butter; ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese; ⅛ cup bacon bits; ⅛ cup green onions, chopped

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Indulge in the rich, creamy goodness of Outback-inspired potato soup, a perfect harmony of tender potatoes, sharp cheddar, and smoky bacon. Each spoonful offers a delightful blend of textures and flavors, making it an ultimate comfort food choice for any chilly day. This soup is not only satisfying but is also incredibly easy to make, bringing restaurant-quality flavor right to your kitchen. Whether you’re enjoying it solo on a cozy night or serving it to loved ones, this Outback-style potato soup will impress with its hearty ingredients and irresistible taste. Garnish with extra cheese, bacon bits, and green onions to take the experience to the next level. A bowl of this indulgent soup is sure to warm both body and soul.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

4 large potatoes, diced
2 ½ cups chicken broth or stock

½ small onion, diced
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper

⅓ cup all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups heavy cream
½ cup butter

¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
⅛ cup bacon bits
⅛ cup green onions, chopped

Directions:

Begin by boiling diced potatoes in a quart of water until tender. Drain and set aside.
In a large pot, combine chicken broth, diced onion, salt, pepper, and 1 cup water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat for about 20 minutes.
In a separate saucepan, melt the butter. Gradually whisk in the flour, stirring until a smooth paste forms. Cook for 2-3 minutes to remove any raw flour taste.

Gradually whisk the roux into the simmering broth, ensuring no lumps form. Stir until the soup thickens.
Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to incorporate it fully into the soup.
Allow the soup to simmer on low for another 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the boiled potatoes to the soup, stirring well.
Ladle the soup into bowls, and garnish each serving with cheddar cheese, bacon bits, and green onions.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 40 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes

Kcal: 420 kcal per serving | Servings: 4

Bringing Outback Steakhouse’s Beloved Potato Soup to Your Kitchen

The craving for a hearty, creamy, and savory potato soup often arises when the temperatures drop, or we’re simply in need of a cozy, comforting dish. The Outback Steakhouse Potato Soup has garnered a near-legendary status for delivering a rich, velvety blend of potatoes, cheese, and a hint of smoky bacon that keeps us coming back for more. The good news? You don’t need to dine out to enjoy it. With the right ingredients and a few cooking tips, you can recreate this indulgent soup at home and make it a go-to in your recipe collection.

Outback Steakhouse is known for its menu full of bold flavors inspired by Australian Outback culture, where steaks, hearty foods, and rich sauces reign supreme. Among their offerings, the Potato Soup stands out as a must-have for soup lovers, especially in cooler months. Why is this soup so memorable? It’s all in the texture, the balance of flavors, and the careful layering of ingredients that come together to create a perfectly satisfying bowl.

What Makes This Soup So Special?

The appeal of this potato soup lies in its careful blend of ingredients, which combine to form a creamy, rich base that highlights the delicate yet comforting flavor of potatoes. Unlike lighter soups that might rely on broth or pureed vegetables, this potato soup is deeply enriched with butter, heavy cream, and cheese, creating a luscious texture that coats the spoon. Adding bacon and green onions as garnishes only enhances the experience, adding layers of texture and flavor that make each bite uniquely enjoyable.

The Outback Steakhouse Potato Soup has three distinctive qualities that contribute to its popularity:

Creamy Consistency: Thanks to a roux made from butter and flour, followed by heavy cream, this soup boasts a thick, luxurious consistency. The creamy texture feels indulgent without being overly heavy, and it maintains the soup’s warmth throughout your meal.
Balanced Flavor Profile: This soup blends the mellow taste of potatoes with the rich flavors of cheddar cheese and bacon, creating a balanced, harmonious taste. Seasoned with just the right amount of salt, pepper, and aromatic onion, the soup is satisfying and savory without overpowering the palate.
Inviting Garnishes: Outback’s potato soup is known for its well-chosen garnishes. Crispy bacon bits, melted cheddar, and fresh green onions bring visual appeal and an extra punch of flavor to every bowl. The contrast between the creamy soup base and the crunchy, savory toppings makes each bite a sensory delight.

Tips for Recreating This Recipe at Home

To recreate this restaurant-quality soup at home, it’s helpful to have a few kitchen tricks up your sleeve. While the recipe itself is straightforward, a few small details can elevate the final dish significantly.

Choose the Right Potatoes: Russet potatoes work best in this soup due to their high starch content. They break down nicely, creating a creamy texture without the need for excessive blending. For added texture, you can leave some chunks intact rather than mashing everything completely.
Perfect Your Roux: The roux – a cooked mixture of butter and flour – is essential to achieving the soup’s creamy base. Take your time cooking it until it’s lightly golden, which helps develop a subtle nutty flavor that enhances the soup. This step also ensures that the flour loses its raw taste.

Slow Simmering is Key: Once the cream is added, let the soup simmer gently. This not only thickens the soup to the perfect consistency but also melds the flavors, allowing the potatoes to soak up the savory broth and seasonings.
Enhance with Broth: While the heavy cream and roux give the soup its signature creaminess, the chicken broth adds depth and prevents the dish from becoming too rich. Opt for a low-sodium broth if you’re watching salt intake, as the soup’s other ingredients (cheese and bacon) will also contribute saltiness.
Opt for High-Quality Cheese: A sharp cheddar cheese brings a rich, tangy flavor that complements the soup’s creamy base. Grate your cheese fresh, as pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly.

Healthier Adjustments for a Lightened-Up Version

Though this potato soup is unapologetically indulgent, there are ways to make it slightly lighter while still retaining its comforting qualities. Swapping heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk will cut down on calories and fat without sacrificing all the creaminess. Likewise, using a bit less butter in the roux or incorporating vegetable broth instead of chicken broth can reduce some of the fat content. For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use vegetable stock – it will still be delicious, especially with a little extra cheese or a dollop of sour cream for richness.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

The Outback Steakhouse Potato Soup is so satisfying that it can easily stand alone as a meal, especially when served with warm, crusty bread or a slice of garlic toast for dipping. The creaminess of the soup pairs well with crunchy elements, so consider serving it with a fresh green salad topped with nuts or crispy croutons to balance the textures.

If you’re entertaining or want to make a more elaborate meal, consider pairing the soup with a side of roasted vegetables or a light protein, such as grilled chicken or salmon. These options bring freshness and a slight contrast to the richness of the soup, providing a well-rounded dining experience.

Variations and Toppings

One of the joys of making potato soup is that it’s highly adaptable to your tastes. Here are some ways to customize the soup and make it your own:

Loaded Baked Potato Style: Add a dollop of sour cream, sprinkle on extra bacon bits, and add even more cheese on top for a “loaded” experience. The sour cream adds a tangy note that balances the soup’s creaminess, making it feel like a bowl of your favorite loaded baked potato.
Spicy Kick: For those who love a little heat, try adding a dash of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the soup. You can also garnish it with jalapeño slices for extra spice.

Herbed Delight: Adding fresh or dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley enhances the soup’s savory flavor. Herbs like chives and dill also add a touch of freshness and are delicious when sprinkled just before serving.
Different Cheese Choices: Cheddar is classic, but feel free to experiment with other cheeses. Gruyère or smoked Gouda adds an interesting twist, bringing a deeper, more complex flavor to the soup.

The Joy of Comfort Food

Comfort food, by its very nature, is meant to evoke warmth, nostalgia, and a sense of well-being. Outback’s potato soup fulfills these criteria perfectly, bringing together creamy textures, familiar flavors, and simple yet high-quality ingredients that make you feel at home. Soup often has a grounding effect; it slows down the meal, invites conversation, and encourages us to savor each spoonful. There’s something inherently cozy about a bowl of hot soup on a cold day, and this recipe brings that experience straight into your home.

Conclusion:

If you’re searching for a recipe that embodies comfort, indulgence, and restaurant-quality flavors, the Outback Steakhouse Potato Soup is a must-try. This homemade version offers all the creamy goodness of the original, with the added satisfaction of creating it in your own kitchen. It’s a soup that’s perfect for cozy dinners, family gatherings, or even a quiet night in with a movie and a thick slice of bread.

The beauty of this soup lies not only in its taste but in its simplicity. It’s an easy recipe to master, yet it delivers incredible flavor and warmth. So, next time you’re in the mood for something indulgent, skip the takeout and try making this copycat recipe yourself. With just a few ingredients, you’ll have a hearty, satisfying soup that’s bound to become a favorite in your household.