What Is the Bloomin' Onion?
The Bloomin' Onion is Outback Steakhouse's signature appetizer and, without much debate, the single most-searched menu item at any American chain restaurant. It's one large Vidalia or yellow onion, hand-cut into 154 "petals" that fan out to resemble a chrysanthemum. The onion is dipped in seasoned batter, deep-fried until crisp, and served with a house sauce blending mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, paprika and cayenne.
Launched with the chain in 1988, the Bloomin' Onion has become so tightly associated with the brand that Outback trademarked both the name and the presentation. It's shareable for 3-4 people and typically arrives first, before the honey wheat bread has cooled.
How Much Does a Bloomin' Onion Cost?
The 2026 national list price is $10.99. Franchise-owned stores in higher-cost markets run $11.49-$12.49; discount markets run $9.99-$10.49. Below is a sample of prices in the ten largest state markets.
| State | Estimated Price | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $12.53 | +14% |
| Texas | $10.99 | 0% |
| Florida | $11.32 | +3% |
| New York | $12.31 | +12% |
| Illinois | $11.54 | +5% |
| Pennsylvania | $11.32 | +3% |
| Ohio | $10.77 | -2% |
| Georgia | $10.88 | -1% |
| North Carolina | $10.88 | -1% |
| Virginia | $11.21 | +2% |
Bloomin' Onion Nutrition Facts
The full Bloomin' Onion without sauce is 1,900 calories, 155g fat, 20g protein and 3,800mg sodium. The bloom sauce adds another ~330 calories per 4 tbsp serving. It's designed to be shared: split four ways with the sauce eaten sparingly, you're at roughly 475-635 calories per person.
| Nutrient | Whole Onion | Per 1/4 Share |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 1,900 | 475 |
| Fat | 155g | 39g |
| Carbs | 123g | 31g |
| Sodium | 3,800mg | 950mg |
| Protein | 20g | 5g |
How to Get a Free Bloomin' Onion
There are three reliable ways. First, Dine Rewards members get a free Bloomin' Onion on their first qualifying purchase after joining - completely free, no promo code needed, offer appears in the app. Second, Veterans Day (November 11) gets any active-duty or veteran diner a free Bloomin' Onion and a complimentary beverage with valid ID. Third, watch for occasional email promos to Dine Rewards members offering a free onion with entrée purchase - these run 4-6 times a year.
What's in the Bloom Sauce?
Outback keeps the exact recipe proprietary, but a decade of taste tests has reverse-engineered the components. Our Bloomin' Onion sauce recipe uses mayonnaise as the base, adds ketchup and cream-style horseradish for tang, and finishes with smoked paprika, cayenne, dried oregano, black pepper and salt. Total prep time: 5 minutes with pantry ingredients.
Can You Order the Bloomin' Onion Smaller?
Some menus list smaller onion-based appetizers, but selection and pricing vary by restaurant. Check your selected location's live menu and its location-specific bar offers before visiting.
Bloomin' Onion at Home
The onion itself takes about 30 minutes to prep and 4-5 minutes to fry. The sauce is 5 minutes. Full instructions in our copycat guide: Bloomin' Onion Sauce Recipe.