Outback Potato Soup Recipe

If you’ve ever dined at Outback Steakhouse, chances are you’ve tasted their famous Outback Potato Soup. With its creamy texture, rich flavor, and comforting warmth, it’s a dish that leaves an impression. What if you could recreate this indulgent soup right in your own kitchen? The Outback Potato Soup recipe brings that same creamy goodness to your home with minimal ingredients and in just under 20 minutes.

This homemade version is not just a copycat—it’s an enhanced, simplified recipe that anyone can make, even on a busy weeknight. Whether you’re craving a hearty appetizer or a filling main dish, this Outback Potato Soup is a satisfying choice. And with just a handful of ingredients, you can easily recreate the magic of the restaurant favorite.

In this article, we’ll dive into the key steps to prepare the perfect Outback Potato Soup, tips for customizing it to your liking, and everything you need to know to bring this classic to your kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Quick and Easy: This recipe takes less than 20 minutes to prepare, making it an ideal weeknight meal.

• Few Ingredients: With simple pantry staples like potatoes, broth, and milk, you’ll have most of the ingredients on hand already.

• Creamy and Hearty: The combination of mashed and chunked potatoes in a creamy broth gives the soup the perfect texture.

• Customizable: You can tweak the ingredients and toppings to fit your dietary needs or flavor preferences.

• Family Favorite: With its rich flavor and smooth consistency, this Outback Potato Soup is sure to please everyone at the table.

Ingredients Needed for Outback Potato Soup:

The beauty of this Outback Potato Soup is that it requires minimal ingredients, and you can find most of them in your pantry or fridge. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Potatoes – You can use fresh potatoes, refrigerated potatoes, or canned potatoes. Russet potatoes are the best choice for a creamy texture.

• Chicken Broth – A rich base for the soup that adds depth of flavor. You can opt for homemade or store-bought broth.

• Milk – Whole milk adds the right amount of creaminess. You can substitute with low-fat milk or non-dairy alternatives.

• Flour – To thicken the soup and give it that creamy texture.

• Butter – Adds richness and enhances the flavor.

• Bacon Grease – Adds a subtle bacon flavor to the soup, making it taste even more indulgent.

• Granulated Chicken Bouillon – This adds extra flavor and depth to the broth.

• Seasoning – Salt and freshly cracked black pepper are key to balancing the flavors.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Outback Potato Soup:

1. Prepare the Potatoes:

   • If you’re using fresh potatoes, peel and chop them into bite-sized cubes. Place them in a pot, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10-13 minutes until the potatoes are tender.

   • If you’re using refrigerated or canned potatoes, drain and rinse them, then mash part of the potatoes and leave some in chunks for texture.

2. Cook the Base:

   • In a large pot, melt butter and bacon grease over medium heat. Once the butter melts, add flour, salt, and pepper. Stir the mixture constantly with a wire whisk and cook for about 1 minute to create a roux.

3. Add the Broth and Bouillon:

   • Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and granulated chicken bouillon. Continue to stir over medium-high heat until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

4. Stir in Milk and Potatoes:

   • Pour in the milk and add both the mashed and chunked potatoes. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat. Stir frequently to break up the mashed potatoes and help thicken the soup.

5. Simmer Until Thickened:

   • Let the soup simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring often. The soup will gradually thicken as the potatoes break down and absorb the liquid.

6. Garnish and Serve:

   • Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with your choice of toppings. Popular choices include cooked bacon bits, shredded cheese, and chopped green onions. You can also add a dollop of sour cream for extra richness.

Tips for Making the Best Outback Potato Soup

To ensure your Outback Potato Soup turns out just as delicious as the restaurant version, here are a few tips:

• Choose the Right Potatoes: While you can use different types of potatoes, russet potatoes are the best choice for creating a creamy texture. Their starch content helps thicken the soup, giving it that smooth, velvety feel.

• Fresh or Canned Potatoes: Whether you opt for fresh, refrigerated, or canned potatoes, the key is to mash part of them and leave some in chunks. This combination gives the soup the perfect balance of smoothness and texture.

• Use Chicken Broth for Depth: The chicken broth is crucial for flavor. For an even richer taste, consider using homemade chicken stock if you have it on hand. If you’re short on time, store-bought broth works just as well.

• Add Bacon Grease for Extra Flavor: Bacon grease is a secret ingredient in this Outback Potato Soup that elevates its taste. If you don’t have bacon grease, you can simply use extra butter, but the bacon grease really brings out the flavor.

• Adjust the Seasonings: Taste your soup as it simmers and adjust the seasoning to your preference. You can add more salt, pepper, or even a touch of cayenne pepper for a little heat.

Common Variations of Outback Potato Soup

This Outback Potato Soup recipe is quite flexible and can be easily adjusted to fit different tastes and dietary preferences. Here are some variations you can try:

• Vegan Version: To make a vegan version of Outback Potato Soup, simply swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth and use a plant-based milk (such as almond milk) in place of the whole milk. Omit the bacon grease and use olive oil or a non-dairy butter alternative.

• Gluten-Free Version: This recipe is easy to make gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to check that your chicken bouillon is gluten-free as well.

• Spicy Kick: If you enjoy a little heat, try adding some diced jalapeños, a sprinkle of cayenne pepper, or some crushed red pepper flakes to spice up your Outback Potato Soup.

• Cheesy: For an extra cheesy version, mix in more shredded cheese, such as Monterey Jack or Parmesan, when you add the milk and potatoes. This will give the soup an even richer, creamier flavor.

• Loaded Outback Potato Soup: Turn your soup into a “loaded” version by adding extra toppings such as sour cream, cheddar cheese, and crispy fried onions. You can also add a handful of fresh chives for a burst of color.

Storing and Reheating Outback Potato Soup

One of the best things about Outback Potato Soup is that it stores really well, allowing you to enjoy leftovers the next day or freeze it for later.

• Storing Leftovers: Once the soup has cooled to room temperature, transfer it into an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

• Freezing Instructions: You can also freeze Outback Potato Soup for up to 2-3 months. To prevent it from getting too thick when reheated, you can add extra broth or milk when you warm it up.

• Reheating: Reheat leftovers on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally. If the soup is too thick, simply add more chicken broth or milk to restore its creamy texture.

Nutritional Information for Outback Potato Soup

For those who are keeping an eye on their nutrition, here is a breakdown of the approximate nutritional content for Outback Potato Soup. The values are based on a standard recipe made with potatoes, milk, bacon grease, and chicken broth.

Why This Outback Potato Soup is a Must-Try

If you’re looking for a comforting and hearty dish that’s full of flavor, this Outback Potato Soup recipe is the one to try. The best part? It’s quick, easy, and requires just a handful of ingredients, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

The rich and creamy base, combined with the chunks of potato and the bacon topping, creates a perfect balance of textures and flavors. Whether you’re serving it as a main course or an appetizer, this Outback Potato Soup will impress everyone around the table.

Not only is it delicious, but it’s also highly customizable to fit your taste. From adding extra cheese to making it vegan, you have the flexibility to adapt this recipe in many ways. Plus, it’s a great meal to make ahead, so you can enjoy it throughout the week.

So, the next time you’re craving a cozy, indulgent bowl of soup, skip the restaurant and make this Outback Potato Soup at home. It’s easy, comforting, and guaranteed to satisfy!

Outback Potato Soup Recipe Card

Ingredients:

• 4 cups russet potatoes, peeled and diced (or 2 cans of canned potatoes, drained and rinsed)

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter

• 1 tbsp bacon grease (or more butter)

• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper

• 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version)

• 1 1/2 tsp granulated chicken bouillon

• 2 cups whole milk (or non-dairy milk for a vegan version)

• Optional toppings: shredded cheese (Colby Jack or cheddar), cooked bacon bits, chopped green onions, sour cream

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Potatoes: If using fresh potatoes, peel and chop them into bite-sized cubes. Place them in a pot, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10-13 minutes until tender.

2. Cook the Base: In a large pot, melt butter and bacon grease over medium heat. Add flour, salt, and pepper, and cook for 1 minute while stirring constantly with a wire whisk to create a roux.

3. Add Broth and Bouillon: Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and chicken bouillon, stirring until smooth.

4. Stir in Milk and Potatoes: Pour in the milk and add both mashed and chunked potatoes. Bring to a gentle boil and reduce the heat. Stir occasionally to break up the mashed potatoes and thicken the soup.

5. Simmer: Let the soup simmer for 5-7 minutes until thickened to your desired consistency.

6. Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with shredded cheese, bacon bits, chopped green onions, or a dollop of sour cream. Serve hot.

Notes:

• If using canned potatoes, mash one can and leave the other in chunks for texture.

• For a richer flavor, use homemade chicken broth.

• To make this soup vegan, use vegetable broth and plant-based milk. Omit the bacon grease and use olive oil or a dairy-free butter substitute.

• For a spicier version, add cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes.

• The soup can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 2-3 months.

Nutritional Facts (per serving):

• Calories: 211 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 26 g

• Protein: 6 g

• Fat: 10 g

• Saturated Fat: 6 g

• Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g

• Monounsaturated Fat: 3 g

• Trans Fat: 0.2 g

• Cholesterol: 27 mg

• Sodium: 894 mg

• Potassium: 565 mg

• Fiber: 2 g

• Sugar: 4 g

• Vitamin A: 281 IU

• Vitamin C: 21 mg

• Calcium: 96 mg

• Iron: 1 mg

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 appetizer portions
Calories per Serving: 211 kcal
Yield: 7 cups