Quick and Easy Outback Potato Soup Recipe
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This Outback potato soup is the bomb. It’s creamy, comforting, and loaded with flavor – you’ll be hooked from the first spoonful! Inspired by the famous Outback Steakhouse baked potato soup, it has all the goodness of tender potatoes, crispy bacon bits, and rich cheddar cheese. With 15 minutes of prep time, you can enjoy a warm, hearty bowl of Outback potato soup that’s even better than the original.
Who doesn’t love soup? It’s the ultimate comfort food for chilly days, when you’re feeling under the weather, or simply want a quick warm meal. This copycat Outback baked potato soup checks all the boxes you’re looking for in a hearty dish – it’s filling, satisfying, and full of flavor.
It’s great for casual lunches and weeknight dinners. It makes an excellent starter or side dish for your favorite mains. It’s also a crowd-pleasing dish to serve at parties and gatherings
While I love slow-cooker soups, I make this one-pot Outback potato soup whenever I crave a warm bowl that doesn’t require hours of cooking. I make it alternately with my homemade version of baked potato soup from Chilis. So be warned; the more you make it, the more you’ll crave it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Recipe: Uses everyday, budget-friendly ingredients. This recipe comes together in 45 minutes or less!
- Hearty and Delicious: Enjoy restaurant-quality potato soup at home anytime you want. This soup is rich, creamy, and incredibly tasty, perfect as a main dish or as a side.
- Kid-Friendly: With its creamy texture and savory flavor, Outback potato soup is always hit with kids and adults alike, making it a great choice for family dinners.
- Crowd-Pleaser: A surefire hit with any crowd, whether big or small. Great for entertaining guests or casual gatherings.
- Customizable: Easily adjust the ingredients to suit your taste, whether you prefer extra cheese, more bacon, or added veggies.
How to Make Outback Potato Soup
Now you can enjoy the restaurant favorite with minimal effort and a fraction of the cost. Gather ingredients you can easily find in your pantry, spend just 15 minutes of prep time, and you’ll have the best homemade version of the Outback Steakhouse baked potato soup!
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
- Potatoes: The star of this recipe! Potato chunks add a hearty texture and satisfying bite to the soup.
- Butter
- Onion
- Garlic
- All-purpose flour: Thickens the soup, giving it a creamy consistency.
- Chicken broth: Provides a tasty, savory depth without overpowering other flavors.
- Water
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
- Heavy cream: Gives the potato soup its signature creaminess and velvety smooth texture.
- Cheddar cheese: Enhances the overall flavor of the soup with its sharp, tangy, and cheesy flavor that everyone loves.
- Bacon bits: Provides a layer of smoky, savory flavor and a crunchy texture that complements the creaminess of the soup.
- Chives
Step-By-Step Instructions
This Outback potato soup tastes so good you won’t believe how easy it is to make. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, enjoy a delicious, comforting meal on your table without the fuss!
Step 1: Cook the potatoes
Slice the potatoes into small chunks or bite sized cubes while bringing a dutch oven or pot of water to a boil. Cook the potatoes until soft, about 20 minutes. Drain the water and set the potatoes aside.
When I’m not in a hurry, I actually like to bake the potatoes. To do this, preheat your oven to 375 F and lightly grease a baking sheet with oil. Prick the washed potatoes evenly over the top and bottom. I poked them with a fork three times on the top and three times on the bottom.
Arrange the potatoes on the sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Bake until tender, about 60 minutes, although cooking time depends on their size. Let cool slightly, then dice into small pieces.
Step 2: Cook the garlic and onion
Using the same pot, add the butter and melt over medium heat. Stir frequently to avoid burning. Add the garlic and onion; continue cooking while stirring occasionally until the onion is soft and translucent.
Some like to cook the garlic and onion in butter and bacon grease, but I find that it affects the final color of the soup.
Step 3: Add the flour
Mix in the flour. Stir well and frequently while cooking for up to 5 minutes until a thick roux forms. A roux is a mixture of flour and fat (usually butter) cooked together until it’s smooth and slightly browned to create a thickening agent. It is usually used in soups, sauces, and gravies.
Step 4: Add the liquid and potatoes
Add the chicken broth and water to the mixture then season with salt and pepper. Stir until ingredients combine well. Bring to a boil.
Then, add the heavy cream and mix in the potatoes. Mix well and simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 5: Serve
Ladle the soup into individual bowls and serve warm with a garnish of cheddar cheese, bacon bits, and chives.
Variations & Substitutions
Don’t have some of the ingredients? Substitute with these!
- Potatoes: I use Russet potatoes because they give that classic baked potato flavor, but if not available, you can substitute with red potatoes. Leave the skin on when you dice for a pop of color.
- Chicken broth: If there’s no chicken broth available, use chicken stock instead. If you want to make the soup vegetarian, use vegetable broth.
- Heavy cream: Prefer a thinner consistency? Substitute heavy cream with whole milk, or you can use half heavy cream, half milk.
- Cheddar cheese: Colby or Monterey Jack are great substitutes if you don’t have Cheddar cheese.
- Bacon bits: No bacon bits? Fry bacon and cut it up yourself. Make sure to transfer freshly-fried bacon to a paper towel-lined plate with a slotted spoon so the grease stays behind!
- Chives: Top the soup with diced green onions or scallions if you don’t have chives.
This homemade Outback potato soup is already undeniably delicious, but a few tweaks can make it even better. Try these tasty variations:
- Add veggies: Veggies like carrots, green beans, and peas will add color, texture, and nutrition to the soup. Toss them into the mixture when you pour in the chicken broth.
- Smoked sausage potato soup: Add slices of precooked smoked sausage when you add the potatoes for a meaty treat and added smoky flavor.
Expert Tips
- Adjust the consistency: Aside from replacing heavy cream with milk, you can also add 1 to 2 cups of chicken broth or water to the recipe to thin out the soup.
- Add some heat: Spice up your soup by adding a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of smoked paprika.
- Top to your liking: Aside from extra bacon, cheese, and chives, sometimes I like to add a dollop of sour cream to my soup. I feel like I’m eating the classic loaded baked potato in a bowl. Croutons make a great topping, too!
How to Store This Recipe
This Outback Steakhouse potato soup recipe makes 8 servings so you might have leftovers. Or you want to make Outback potato soup ahead (it tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together!) and store it, place it in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. I don’t recommend freezing this soup.
Reheat in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes or heat through in a small saucepan on the stove for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
What to Serve with Outback Potato Soup
Homemade Outback Steakhouse baked potato soup is quite hearty, so I like to keep my sides simple. I enjoy it with a fresh garden salad or a slice of two of sourdough, focaccia, flatbread, or any of my other favorite charcuterie board breads.
When we’re having it for lunch or dinner, my family and I usually enjoy smaller servings as a starter for the main dish. It’s great with broccoli rice casserole! When I’m entertaining, I serve guests with air fryer zucchini fries with blackened ranch sauce or 3-ingredient onion dip before I serve the soup.
More Delicious Copycat Recipes To Try
- Popeyes Blackened Chicken Tenders: You’ll love this copycat recipe if you love the Cajun-inspired spicy chicken tenderloins at Popeyes. Popeyes blackened chicken tenders make a great appetizer, side dish, or main dish when served on top of noodles or served in a sandwich.
- Ruth’s Chris Stuffed Chicken: Another must-try chicken dish is Ruth’s Chris stuffed chicken. It’s chicken breasts stuffed with a blend of cream cheese, cheddar cheese, dry Ranch seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce. Delish!
- Herb-Crusted Texas Roadhouse Chicken: Want something quick but hearty? Make herb-crusted Texas Roadhouse chicken! It’s my go-to meal for busy weeknights as it only takes 16 minutes to make. Serve it on top of rice and a side of roasted veggies for an even more satisfying meal!
If you make this Outback Potato Soup, please leave a review. I really appreciate each and every 5-star rating and review comment!
Copycat Outback Steakhouse Baked Potato Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 medium potatoes
- 1 cup butter
- 1 large onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese for garnish
- ½ cup bacon bits for garnish
- ¼ cup chives chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Dice the potatoes into small pieces while bringing a pot of water to a boil. Cook the potatoes until soft, about 20 minutes. Drain the water and set the potatoes aside.
- Using the same pot, add the butter and melt over medium heat. Stir frequently to avoid burning. Add the garlic and onion; continue cooking while stirring occasionally until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Mix in the flour. Stir well and frequently while cooking for up to 5 minutes until a thick roux forms.
- Pour in the chicken broth and water. Season with salt and pepper. Combine well and bring to a boil.
- Pour in the heavy cream.
- Add the cooked potatoes. Mix well and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Serve warm with a garnish of cheddar cheese, bacon bits, and chives in each bowl.
Notes
- Adjust the consistency to your liking. Add 1 to 2 cups of chicken broth or water to the soup to thin it out or a mixture of 1/4 cup water and 1 to 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to thicken it.
- Add some heat by adding a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of smoked paprika.
- Add your toppings of choice. I like to add a dollop of sour cream or croutons to my soup.
