Outback Onion Soup Recipe: A Deliciously Savory Comfort Food

Craving that warm, comforting, and incredibly flavorful onion soup you love from Outback Steakhouse? You don’t have to leave your house to enjoy it! This recipe brings the authentic Outback Onion Soup experience to your kitchen. It’s packed with caramelized onions, rich beef broth, and a hint of sweetness, all topped with a cheesy crouton that will have you scraping the bottom of the bowl. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this surprisingly easy and utterly delicious copycat recipe.

Why This Outback Onion Soup Recipe is a Winner

There are countless onion soup recipes online, but this one stands out for several reasons:

* **Authentic Flavor:** This recipe is carefully crafted to mimic the taste of the beloved Outback Onion Soup. We’ve nailed the balance of sweet, savory, and slightly tangy notes.
* **Detailed Instructions:** The instructions are clear and concise, making it easy for even novice cooks to succeed.
* **High-Quality Ingredients:** Using the right ingredients is key to achieving the best flavor. We’ll guide you through selecting the perfect onions, broth, and cheese.
* **Customizable:** While the recipe is designed to be as close to the original as possible, we also offer suggestions for customizing it to your liking.
* **Comfort Food Classic:** This soup is the epitome of comfort food, perfect for chilly evenings or whenever you need a warm hug in a bowl.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you start cooking, gather these essential ingredients:

* **Onions:** The star of the show! You’ll need about 3-4 large yellow onions (about 2 pounds total). Yellow onions provide the best balance of sweetness and flavor when caramelized. Avoid using sweet onions, as they can make the soup too sweet.
* **Butter:** Adds richness and helps the onions caramelize beautifully. Use unsalted butter so you can control the saltiness of the soup.
* **Olive Oil:** Helps prevent the butter from burning and adds a subtle fruity flavor.
* **Beef Broth:** Choose a high-quality beef broth or stock for the best flavor. Low-sodium broth is recommended so you can adjust the salt to your taste.
* **Dry Red Wine:** (Optional, but highly recommended) A splash of dry red wine adds depth and complexity to the soup. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Pinot Noir are good choices. If you prefer not to use alcohol, you can substitute with an equal amount of beef broth.
* **Worcestershire Sauce:** Adds umami and a savory depth of flavor.
* **Thyme:** Fresh thyme is preferred, but dried thyme can be used in a pinch. Thyme adds an earthy and slightly peppery note that complements the onions perfectly.
* **Bay Leaf:** Infuses the soup with a subtle aroma. Remember to remove it before serving.
* **Salt and Black Pepper:** To taste. Be generous with the pepper, as it helps balance the sweetness of the onions.
* **French Bread Baguette:** For the croutons. A day-old baguette is ideal, as it will hold its shape better when toasted.
* **Gruyere Cheese:** The classic cheese for French onion soup. Gruyere is a nutty, slightly sweet cheese that melts beautifully. If you can’t find Gruyere, you can substitute with Swiss or provolone cheese.
* **Parmesan Cheese:** Adds a salty, savory note to the croutons. Optional, but highly recommended.

Equipment You’ll Need

* **Large Dutch Oven or Heavy-Bottomed Pot:** This is essential for even heat distribution and preventing the onions from burning.
* **Sharp Knife:** For slicing the onions.
* **Cutting Board:** To protect your countertop.
* **Wooden Spoon or Spatula:** For stirring the onions.
* **Ladle:** For serving the soup.
* **Oven-Safe Bowls or Crocks:** For serving the soup with the cheesy croutons.
* **Baking Sheet:** For toasting the croutons.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that you have all the ingredients and equipment ready, let’s get cooking!

**Step 1: Caramelize the Onions**

This is the most important step in making onion soup, so be patient and don’t rush it. Caramelizing the onions properly is what gives the soup its rich, sweet flavor.

1. **Prepare the Onions:** Peel the onions and slice them thinly. The thinner the slices, the faster they will caramelize. Aim for slices that are about 1/8 inch thick.
2. **Melt the Butter and Olive Oil:** In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat. The oil will prevent the butter from burning.
3. **Add the Onions:** Add the sliced onions to the pot and stir to coat them with the butter and oil.
4. **Cook the Onions:** Reduce the heat to low and cook the onions, stirring occasionally, for about 45-60 minutes, or until they are deeply golden brown and caramelized. The onions will initially release a lot of liquid, which will evaporate over time. As the onions cook, they will become sweeter and more flavorful. Be patient and don’t increase the heat, as this will cause the onions to burn. If the onions start to stick to the bottom of the pot, add a tablespoon or two of water or broth and scrape up the browned bits.
5. **Deglaze the Pot:** Once the onions are caramelized, add the dry red wine (if using) to the pot and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. This will add even more flavor to the soup. Cook for a minute or two until the wine has mostly evaporated.

**Step 2: Make the Soup**

1. **Add the Broth and Seasonings:** Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaf to the pot. Bring the soup to a simmer.
2. **Simmer the Soup:** Reduce the heat to low and simmer the soup for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour. The longer the soup simmers, the more flavorful it will become. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
3. **Season to Taste:** Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste. Remember that the broth and Worcestershire sauce already contain salt, so start with a small amount and add more as needed.
4. **Remove the Bay Leaf:** Before serving, remove the bay leaf from the soup.

**Step 3: Make the Cheesy Croutons**

1. **Preheat the Oven:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. **Slice the Baguette:** Slice the French bread baguette into 1-inch thick rounds.
3. **Arrange the Croutons:** Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet.
4. **Toast the Croutons:** Bake the croutons in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes, or until they are lightly toasted.
5. **Top with Cheese:** Remove the croutons from the oven and top each slice with Gruyere and Parmesan cheese.
6. **Melt the Cheese:** Return the croutons to the oven and bake for another 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

**Step 4: Assemble and Serve**

1. **Ladle the Soup:** Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls or crocks.
2. **Top with Croutons:** Place one or two cheesy croutons on top of each bowl of soup.
3. **Broil (Optional):** For an extra bubbly and browned cheese topping, you can broil the soup for a minute or two. Watch carefully to prevent the cheese from burning.
4. **Serve Immediately:** Serve the soup immediately while it’s hot and the cheese is melted and gooey.

Tips for the Best Outback Onion Soup

* **Be Patient with the Onions:** Don’t rush the caramelization process. Low and slow is the key to achieving the best flavor.
* **Use High-Quality Broth:** The quality of your broth will directly impact the flavor of the soup. Choose a good quality beef broth or stock.
* **Don’t Skip the Red Wine:** The red wine adds a depth of flavor that you won’t get without it. If you’re not a fan of red wine, you can substitute with an equal amount of beef broth, but the flavor will be slightly different.
* **Use Fresh Thyme:** Fresh thyme has a brighter, more intense flavor than dried thyme. If you can find it, it’s worth using.
* **Toast the Croutons First:** Toasting the croutons before adding the cheese will prevent them from becoming soggy in the soup.
* **Use Oven-Safe Bowls or Crocks:** Make sure your bowls or crocks are oven-safe if you plan to broil the soup.
* **Adjust Seasoning to Taste:** Everyone’s taste buds are different, so be sure to season the soup to your liking. Don’t be afraid to add more salt, pepper, or other seasonings as needed.

Variations and Substitutions

* **Vegetarian Onion Soup:** Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. You can also add a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar for a deeper flavor.
* **Vegan Onion Soup:** Use vegetable broth and vegan butter. Omit the cheese or use vegan cheese for the croutons.
* **Spicy Onion Soup:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the soup for a touch of heat.
* **Creamy Onion Soup:** Stir in a tablespoon or two of heavy cream or sour cream at the end of cooking for a richer, creamier soup.
* **Different Cheeses:** Experiment with different cheeses for the croutons. Swiss, provolone, or mozzarella cheese are all good options.
* **Add Sherry:** A splash of dry sherry can be added instead of red wine for a slightly different flavor profile.
* **Use different herbs:** Rosemary or oregano could be used in addition to or instead of thyme.

Serving Suggestions

Outback Onion Soup is a delicious and satisfying meal on its own, but it also pairs well with a variety of other dishes:

* **Grilled Cheese Sandwich:** A classic pairing! The richness of the soup complements the simplicity of the grilled cheese.
* **Salad:** A light salad with a vinaigrette dressing is a refreshing contrast to the richness of the soup.
* **Crusty Bread:** Serve with a side of crusty bread for dipping in the soup.
* **Steak:** If you’re feeling extra indulgent, serve the soup as a starter to a steak dinner.
* **Roasted Vegetables:** Roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts or carrots make a healthy and delicious side dish.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

* **Storage:** Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Store the croutons separately to prevent them from becoming soggy.
* **Reheating:** Reheat the soup in a saucepan over medium heat until heated through. You can also reheat it in the microwave. If reheating in the microwave, be sure to use a microwave-safe bowl and cover it loosely to prevent splattering.
* **Reheating Croutons:** Reheat the croutons in the oven or toaster oven until they are crispy and the cheese is melted.

Nutritional Information (Approximate)

* Calories: 350-450 per serving (depending on ingredients and portion size)
* Fat: 20-30g
* Saturated Fat: 10-15g
* Cholesterol: 50-70mg
* Sodium: 800-1200mg
* Carbohydrates: 30-40g
* Fiber: 3-5g
* Sugar: 10-15g
* Protein: 15-20g

Conclusion

This Outback Onion Soup recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. With its rich, savory flavor and comforting warmth, it’s the perfect soup for any occasion. So gather your ingredients, follow the instructions, and get ready to enjoy a taste of Outback Steakhouse in your own home!

Enjoy!