Updated May 2023! Outback Steakhouse repeatedly makes the list for top allergy-friendly restaurant chains in the U.S., despite the fact that they don’t have an allergen menu. Why is that? According to dairy-free and food allergic readers, it’s the staff. Not everyone has a perfect or even good experience (locations and staff can differ!). But Outback Steakhouse receives more positive reviews on their handling of allergen requests than most other restaurant chains. People repeatedly report the good training, knowledge, and attentiveness of the servers and cooks. And we have tips from Outback Steakhouse plus a quick menu of items to make dining dairy free even easier.
How to Order Dairy-Free at Outback Steakhouse
Despite the lack of an allergen menu, Outback Steakhouse has delivered helpful responses to our dairy-free inquiries. The following details how to order menu items without milk, including custom order options. But their staff wants to make doubly sure that customers are aware of potential cross-contamination issues with allergens.
Fryer & Grill Note: The Guest Relations at Outback Steakhouse does not recommend that guests with allergies eat fried foods or foods cooked directly on the grill as those are shared surfaces and higher risk for cross contact. However, they do offer alternate preparations, as noted in the Entrees and Sides sections. Their kitchen staff is trained in allergen protocols. Most fried items at Outback Steakhouse are actually made without milk, and they do have multiple fryers. So some items might be cooked in their own fryer at your location. Ask if you would like more information on the cross contact risk at your restaurant.
Other Allergen & Dietary Notes: Outback Steakhouse emphasizes to inform your server of any allergies prior to ordering. As with any restaurant environment, “a risk for allergen cross contact exists.” All items listed below can also be prepared gluten-free on request, with the toast and croutons omitted, except for possibly the Ahi and the Brussels Sprouts. All other items are on their Gluten-Free Menu. For vegan options, see the Vegan Menu Guide at the bottom of this post.
Appetizers
- Bloomin’ Onion (no sauce; see Heads Up below)
- Gold Coast Coconut Shrimp (no sauce; see Heads Up below)
- Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie (no butter on shrimp, no garlic butter on honey wheat bread/toast)
- Kookaburra Wings, Dry (no sauce; see Heads Up below)
- Seared Pepper Ahi
- Sydney Shrooms, Fried (no sauce; see Heads Up below)
Heads Up! Some staff at Outback firmly stated that the Bloomin Onion is made without any dairy, and this was confirmed with Outback’s customer service. But some staff have told readers that it contains dairy. We are confirming once again. Always check with your server before ordering. The Colossal Tots do have cheese in the recipe which is made ahead of time, and cannot be removed. At some locations, the bread offered at the table is made without dairy. Check at your location. They do use shared fryers, so the fried items listed above do carry an additional risk for cross-contamination with allergens like milk.
Soups
- Tasmanian Chili (no cheese)
Salads
- Aussie Cobb Salad (no cheese, order dairy-free dressing)
- Bacon Wedge Salad (no cheese, order dairy-free dressing)
- House Side Salad (no cheese, order dairy-free dressing)
Dairy-Free Salad Dressings: Light Balsamic Vinaigrette, Mustard Vinaigrette, Oil & Balsamic, Oil & Vinegar, Tangy Tomato (may be additional options; still checking with staff)
Heads Up! The Steakhouse and Strawberry Salads can also be custom ordered without dairy. The Croutons at Outback Steakhouse do not contain dairy in the ingredients, but they do have a potential cross-contamination warning for milk do to their preparation. Their staff recommends against the croutons if concerned about potential cross contamination of allergens.
Entrees
- Grilled Steaks, Chicken, and Seafood (no butter; see Heads Up below)
Heads Up! According to Guest Relations at Outback Steakhouse “Any beef, chicken, fish, or shellfish should be ordered cooked on the wood fire grill or in a separate sauté pan without butter or seasonings and with salt and pepper to season.” The batter for the Bloomin’ Fried Chicken is made without milk (the sauce contains dairy), but check at your location on the chicken preparation to ensure they don’t use dairy. It may also be cooked in shared fryers with items containing milk.
Sides
- Asparagus (no butter)
- Aussie Fries (see Heads Up below)
- Bloom Petals (no sauce; see Heads Up below)
- Baked Potato, Plain (bacon and chives are available for topping)
- Fresh Fruit
- Fresh Steamed Broccoli (no butter)
- Fresh Steamed Mixed Veggies (no butter)
- House Side Salad (no cheese, dairy-free dressing)
- Over-The-Top Brussels Sprouts
- Sweet Potato, Plain (no cinnamon butter; plain cinnamon is available for topping)
- Tasmanian Chili (no cheese)
Heads Up! The Seasoned Rice contains dairy in the base recipe, and cannot be made without milk. The Fries and Bloom Petals may be cooked in shared fryers with items containing milk. Again, please be sure to speak with your server about safe preparation if concerned about potential cross contamination in the kitchen. Some of the above items might not be recommended at your location due to preparation limitations.
Kids Menu
- Grilled Chicken on the Barbie (no butter, see Entree preparation and Side options above)
- Joey Sirloin (no butter, see Entree preparation and Side options above)
Outback Steakhouse Vegan Menu Guide
- House Side Salad (no cheese, see vegan dressings below)
- Asparagus (no butter)
- Baked Potato, Plain (chives are available for topping)
- Fresh Fruit
- Fresh Steamed Broccoli (no butter)
- Fresh Steamed Mixed Veggies (no butter)
- Sweet Potato, Plain (no cinnamon butter; plain cinnamon is available for topping)
Vegan Dressings
- Light Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Mustard Vinaigrette
- Oil & Balsamic
- Oil & Vinegar
- Tangy Tomato
This Post is for Informational Purposes Only
Menus, ingredients, kitchen procedures, management, food sourcing, and restaurant protocols are subject to change at any time. Always read the menu and discuss your dietary needs with the staff before ordering. Make sure they can accommodate your situation. This post is for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as advice.
There is always a risk for potential cross-contamination of allergens in any commercial kitchen. If cross-contamination is an issue for you, always speak with the manager to ensure that your meal can be safely prepared. Listings here do not guarantee that a restaurant is safe enough for your individual needs. Only you can make that decision.
Each location of a chain restaurant has different management and staff, and some might have different owners. This means differences in processes, ingredients used, menu options, and food sourcing can occur. Always verify the safety of your order for your needs at your current location.
Where to Find Outback Steakhouse
They have approximately 1000 locations in 23 countries throughout North America (primarily the U.S.), South America, Asia, and Australia. See their website below for addresses, hours, and contact information.
Website: www.outback.com
Cocky server thinks he knows everything
I am very disappointed with this restaurant. Upon arrival we asked to see the chef for gluten and dairy allergies and the server decided he knew better and wouldn’t get the chef. That was both our mistakes. The server was unable to tell us what items were dairy free and kept referring to the gluten free menu. Dairy and gluten are two very different allergies. They completely ignored my nondairy requirements but did, I thought, take care with my kids more sensitive allergies. They brought me salad with cheese and croutons, I didn’t fuss since I didn’t specifically say no dairy on the salad, just no dairy in general. The veggies were cooked with butter I found out the hard way. When finishing the meal I noticed what I thought was mold on my child’s food . Upon closer examination they allowed blue cheese to contaminate my child’s meal! Do not eat here if you have any special dietary needs at all.
Response from Go Dairy Free
Allison let us know the experience she detailed above was at the Springfield, Illinois Outback location.
Knowledgeable, conscientious
The servers at our local Outbacks always know what’s in the menu items regarding allergens, and they are very accommodating when I request modifications to dishes. They’ve always gotten the modifications correct too. I do wish they’d come out with a full allergen menu soon.
Server couldn't be bothered.
Our server disregarded my sister’s dairy allergy even after being told how serious it was. She had an allergy attack almost as soon as we left the restaurant.
They didn't listen
Twice my steak came cooked in butter. The third try was wrapped plain in foil (good try) but came to the table raw. Never again. 4 visits and similar happened each time.
Unknowledgeable and not accommodating
We went to our local outback, and the staff did not have any alternatives to dairy products, nor did they know what items had dairy in them. We are very unhappy with the experience, and would not recommend Outback for a dairy free experience.
Very knowledgeable and helpful
My wife and I are both dairy-free and when ordering from Outback Steakhouse, we are always able to speak with someone who is knowledgeable about the allergens in their food. They are also very willing to modify some dishes to accommodate (steaming veggies rather than cooking in butter, etc.). Helpful hint: my wife and I love their bread, but it is also a bit on the dry side. However, we have found that if you ask your waiter if they have margarine, they always have a “block of margarine” they can shave some margarine from for the bread.
For More Dairy-Free Guidance, Get Go Dairy Free!
6 Comments
http://guestrelations.bloominbrands.com/attachments/token/s7BZYsGEpKKXsWOONXqpPPUUS/?name=Allergen.pdf
Above is the link to the allergen menu sent to me by Outback by email. I emailed to request the menu and it was sent within 20 minutes. Of course, the return email also included the standard cautions and advisories that no restaurant can guarantee no cross contamination. Good Advice anyway.
Great, thank you for sharing Jane!
I want information on soy products used at Outback restaurants. Where can I find that?
Hi Alice, you will need to contact Outback Steakhouse directly for that information. We have no affiliation with them. This is a dairy-free informational website.
I went to Outback today for my brother’s graduation. We sat at the bar and the servers were fantastic. She brought me a gf menu and even checked ingredients lists on drinks for me even though they were extremely swamped. Six o’clock on a Saturday is not a slow time for restaurants. I had the shrimp appetizer and a strawberry daiquiri. Both were delicious.
Hi! My family driving cross-country this week so we are having to eat out much more than usual. Because of my dairy allergy I have used your website repeatedly throughout the day to figure out which restaurants will be safer options and what on the menu won’t cause a reaction.
It was based on this that we decided on Outback last night– the reviews ( all but one) were glowing. Well unfortunately I have another negative one for you to add– but this one is beyond the server bringing butter to the table ( which she did– but there are two others in the family that can eat dairy just fine, so that was a non issue).
After explaining my allergy in excruciating detail, with the waitress’s help, I settled on just ordering the grilled shrimp appetizer ( without butter) and steamed broccoli. This seemed like the easiest, safest, least likely for a hidden allergen to still be served option.
The shrimp came out fine. The broccoli, however, was contaminated. Someone had begun to apply a butter sauce, apearently stopped when they remembered the dish wasn’t supposed to have butter, put more clean/naked steamed broccoli on top and served it to me instead of starting over with a new plate of clean food. That means the butter wasn’t visible– it was under the food and I couldnt/didn’t see it and neither did my server so she had no idea, either. Needless to say, I had a reaction and am now sick. And frustrated.
I wanted to warn your other readers about the carelessness of the cooks at the Sioux City Iowa Outback.