Whether you’re gluten-free or just curious, you may be wondering if Outback Steakhouse’s popular Bloomin’ Onion sauce is safe to eat on a gluten-free diet. This tangy, pink sauce is served alongside Outback’s signature appetizer, the Bloomin’ Onion, and it’s definitely one of the chain’s most recognizable menu items.
What is Bloomin’ Onion Sauce?
Outback Steakhouse’s Bloomin’ Onion sauce is the restaurant’s special sauce that accompanies its famous appetizer, the Bloomin’ Onion. The Bloomin’ Onion itself is a large onion that has been sliced to “bloom” open like a flower, breaded, and deep fried. The pink sauce complements the crispy, fried onion petals.
The tangy Bloomin’ sauce has a creamy, mayonnaise-like texture and a zippy, ketchup-based flavor. It’s meant to be used as a dip for the crunchy onion strips. The sauce is Outback’s signature condiment and a big part of what makes the Bloomin’ Onion appetizer iconic.
What Ingredients Are in Bloomin’ Onion Sauce?
According to the Outback Steakhouse website, these are the ingredients in Bloomin’ Onion sauce:
- Soybean oil
- Water
- Vinegar
- Sugar
- Ketchup
- Eggs
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Spices
- Propylene glycol alginate
- Natural flavor
- Color (paprika & turmeric)
As you can see, the ingredient list does not specifically mention any gluten-containing items. The main ingredients appear to be oil, water, vinegar, ketchup, eggs, and seasonings. There are no obvious sources of gluten like wheat, barley, rye or malt.
Could Any of the Ingredients Contain Gluten?
While the Bloomin’ Onion sauce seems to be gluten-free at first glance, it’s important to take a closer look at the ingredients:
Soybean Oil
Soybean oil is naturally gluten-free.
Water
Water does not contain gluten.
Vinegar
Most distilled white vinegars are gluten-free. Malt vinegar contains gluten.
Sugar
Plain granulated sugar does not contain gluten. However, some thickening agents occasionally used in powdered sugar could contain gluten. Outback likely uses plain granulated sugar in this sauce, which would be gluten-free.
Ketchup
Ketchup is generally gluten-free, although some brands may have thickening agents that could contain gluten. Outback probably uses a mainstream gluten-free ketchup.
Eggs
Eggs are naturally gluten-free.
Salt
Table salt is gluten-free.
Garlic Powder
Plain garlic powder is gluten-free. Some spice blends could potentially contain gluten, but plain garlic powder does not.
Onion Powder
Onion powder on its own is gluten-free.
Spices
Most individual spices like black pepper, paprika, and turmeric are gluten-free. However, some pre-made spice blends could contain gluten as a thickening agent. It’s unlikely Outback would use a blended spice with gluten in this sauce, but it’s something to be aware of.
Propylene Glycol Alginate
This common food thickener is derived from seaweed and is gluten-free.
Natural Flavor
Natural flavors are typically gluten-free, but can sometimes be a source of hidden gluten. When made from grain alcohols, they could contain traces of gluten. Natural flavors in Bloomin’ sauce likely come from non-grain sources like herbs, vegetables or citrus.
Color – Paprika & Turmeric
Paprika and turmeric powder are gluten-free spices.
So in summary, a close look at the ingredients reveals that Bloomin’ Onion sauce is likely gluten-free based on the individual components. The ingredients don’t raise any major red flags for gluten. However, as with any sauce or seasoning, there is always a small chance of cross-contamination with gluten-containing ingredients during processing.
Does Outback Steakhouse Claim the Sauce is Gluten-Free?
While ingredient labels help provide information, the best way to know if a product is gluten-free is if it is labeled as such by the manufacturer. So what does Outback Steakhouse claim regarding the gluten-free status of their Bloomin’ Onion sauce?
Unfortunately, Outback Steakhouse does not make a clear “gluten-free” claim about their Bloomin’ sauce. The sauce is not promoted as gluten-free on their website nutrition information. Nor is it labeled gluten-free in their restaurants.
However, on Outback’s Nutrition Information page, the Bloomin’ Onion sauce allergen information states: “Does not contain egg, fish, milk, peanuts, shellfish, soy, tree nuts or wheat.”
While they don’t use the term “gluten-free”, their statement that the sauce does not contain wheat implies it is gluten-free. Wheat is by far the most common source of gluten in foods. By specifying no wheat, Outback seems to be indicating the sauce is gluten-free, even if they don’t directly state it.
What Do Customers Report About the Sauce’s Gluten-Free Status?
In the absence of a definitive “gluten-free” claim from Outback Steakhouse, many gluten-free customers rely on user reports to determine if the Bloomin’ Onion sauce is safe or not. Here are some key customer experiences and reviews:
Positive Experiences
- “I’ve eaten it many times with no issues.”
- “My son has celiac and regularly eats it without any problems.”
- “Outback Steakhouse told me it was gluten-free when I called and asked prior to ordering.”
- “I am extremely sensitive to gluten and have had the sauce many times with no reaction.”
Negative Experiences
- “I experienced stomach cramps and diarrhea after eating a Bloomin Onion with the sauce.”
- “Outback told me the sauce has wheat starch when I contacted them, so I avoided it.”
- “I once received a packet that said ‘contains wheat’ – not sure if it was outdated or incorrectly labeled.”
As you can see, customer experiences vary quite a bit. While many report safely eating the sauce gluten-free, some have suspected reactions or have been told it contains gluten by the restaurant. So experiences are mixed.
Takeaways From Customer Reviews
Here are some potential reasons for the conflicting reports:
- Recipe could have changed over time, with wheat previously used as a thickener
- Risk of cross-contact with gluten during preparation
- Variation between restaurant locations
- Possibility of incorrectly labeled packets
- Individual sensitivity levels vary
Overall, customer experiences reflect the uncertainty over whether the sauce is 100% gluten-free. While many seem to tolerate it without issue, for some very sensitive individuals it may pose a risk.
Does Outback Steakhouse Offer Any Gluten-Free Menu Items?
While the gluten-free status of the Bloomin’ Onion sauce remains questionable, Outback Steakhouse does list many menu items as gluten-free:
- Gluten-free salad dressings
- Grilled chicken, fish and steak
- Some potato sides
- Some desserts
Outback states that menu items listed as gluten-free do not contain wheat, barley, rye, or oats. However, cross-contact with gluten is still possible in their kitchens.
Those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should advise their server of their dietary needs. Outback notes they have specific gluten-free preparation and cooking procedures. But cross-contact is difficult to fully prevent in their kitchens.
Is the Bloomin’ Onion Itself Gluten-Free?
While the gluten-free status of the pink Bloomin’ sauce is unclear, what about the deep fried Bloomin’ Onion appetizer itself? Is the onion gluten-free?
The Bloomin’ Onion consists of a whole onion sliced open, coated in flour-based batter, and deep fried. Unfortunately, a standard wheat flour batter is used for the Bloomin’ Onion.
So the onion petals themselves contain gluten from the batter coating. While the onion of course would be naturally gluten-free, the batter makes the overall appetizer not gluten-free.
However, diners report that some locations will make a Bloomin’ Onion with a gluten-free batter upon request. So this may be an option if you explain your gluten allergy. But the standard menu item contains gluten.
What Are Some Alternatives to Enjoy Gluten-Free?
If you want to enjoy Outback Steakhouse and are unsure about the Bloomin’ Onion sauce, there are some gluten-free ways to still enjoy a bloom-style appetizer:
- Request a gluten-free bloomin’ onion batter
- Order steamed broccoli florets and use sauce on the side for dipping
- Use grilled shrimp with sauce for dipping
- Dip carrot sticks or gluten-free bread in the sauce
- Pair apple slices with sauce for dipping
- Use sauce as a salad dressing substitute
While not an exact replica, these allow you to enjoy the taste of the tangy Bloomin’ sauce in other gluten-free ways.
Is Outback Steakhouse a Good Choice for Gluten-Free Diners?
Here’s a summary of key takeaways on how accommodating Outback Steakhouse is for gluten-free diets:
- No gluten-containing ingredients listed in Bloomin’ sauce, but gluten-free status not guaranteed
- Mixed customer experiences on sauce safety
- Bloomin’ Onion appetizer itself contains gluten from batter
- Menu identifies some gluten-free options, but cross-contact risk exists
- Servers can explain their gluten-free preparation procedures
- Gluten-free diner experience varies by location
In summary, dining at Outback Steakhouse is possible on a gluten-free diet, but caution is recommended depending on your sensitivity level. The menu has gluten-free choices, but cross-contact is hard to prevent.
Conclusion
So in the end, is Outback Steakhouse’s Bloomin’ Onion sauce gluten-free? The answer is that it likely contains no obvious gluten ingredients, but cross-contamination is possible and the restaurant does not claim it is gluten-free. Experiences vary widely, so individuals with celiac disease or wheat allergy should use caution and check with their specific locations.
While the sauce itself may offer minimal risk to some, the battered Bloomin’ Onion appetizer does contain gluten from the coating. Talk to your server about preparation procedures and alternative dipping options to enjoy your meal safely if you need to strictly avoid gluten.
Every celiac and gluten intolerant diner needs to make their own judgment call on comfort level with menu items that could pose a cross-contact risk. Assess your own sensitivity level and past experiences at Outback to decide if their menu can work reasonably well, or if it’s safest to avoid.
