The Best Homemade OUTBACK POTATO SOUP
A Rich, Creamy Classic Your Family Will Love
Comfort food has a special way of bringing people together, and few dishes deliver that warmth and satisfaction quite like OUTBACK POTATO SOUP. Inspired by the restaurant favorite from Outback Steakhouse, this recipe brings all the creamy flavor, hearty texture, and irresistible toppings into your own kitchen. Whether you are searching for a quick weeknight meal, a cozy dish to warm you up on cold evenings, or a show-stopping starter for gatherings, this OUTBACK POTATO SOUP recipe checks every box.
This soul-soothing soup is packed with tender potatoes, thick and creamy broth, smoky bacon, melted cheddar cheese, and fresh green onions to take each spoonful to the next level. It is adaptable, affordable, and surprisingly simple to make. In just around 36 minutes from start to finish, you can serve a restaurant-quality meal without leaving home.
In this complete guide, we will explore how to make authentic-style OUTBACK POTATO SOUP, offer helpful tips for achieving the perfect consistency, explain substitution options and variations, and share storage advice for leftovers. For anyone who loves hearty comfort food, this is a recipe you will keep coming back to.
Why We Love OUTBACK POTATO SOUP
There are many reasons why this recipe has become such a beloved staple:
1. Creamy and Hearty
The combination of potatoes and a roux-thickened base ensures a velvety texture that coats every bite.
2. Full of Flavor
From smoky bacon and cheddar cheese to fragrant onions and seasoned broth, this soup offers rich, layered flavor.
3. Simple to Prepare
Even beginner cooks can easily master the steps. Everything is prepared in just a few pots.
4. Perfect for Any Season
Although it shines during cold weather, it is delicious any time of year.
5. Customizable
You can tweak ingredients to suit your preferences, dietary needs, or budget while still enjoying the same nostalgic taste.
This soup proves that comfort food does not need to be complicated.
What Is OUTBACK POTATO SOUP?
OUTBACK POTATO SOUP is a popular menu item from Outback Steakhouse. It is known for its thick, indulgent consistency and fully loaded toppings. The potatoes are cooked until tender, then simmered in a creamy broth made with butter, flour, chicken stock, and heavy cream. Bacon and cheese add richness, while the green onions introduce freshness and balance.
What sets this soup apart from other potato soups is the perfect harmony between chunky potato texture and a rich, creamy base. When served hot and topped with crispy bacon bits and melted cheddar cheese, it offers the ideal blend of comfort and flavor.
Ingredients for Homemade OUTBACK POTATO SOUP
Here is everything you will need, based on a 6-serving batch:
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Water to cover the potatoes for boiling
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4 large russet or golden potatoes
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8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
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2 1/2 cups chicken stock (or broth)
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1 cup cold water
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3/4 cup cheddar cheese, plus extra for garnish
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3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
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1/2 cup butter
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1/3 cup all-purpose flour
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1/4 cup green onion, diced
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1/2 sweet yellow onion, diced (optional but recommended)
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
These common, budget-friendly ingredients make OUTBACK POTATO SOUP easy to prepare any night of the week.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Follow these steps to achieve a perfect restaurant-style finish every time:
Step One: Prepare the Potatoes
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Peel and dice potatoes into bite-sized cubes.
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Boil until fork-tender.
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Drain and set aside.
Step Two: Build the Broth Base
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In a large pot, combine chicken stock, diced onions, salt, pepper, and cold water.
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Bring to a gentle simmer for 20 minutes to blend flavors.
Step Three: Make the Roux
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In a separate saucepan, melt butter.
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Whisk in flour until smooth.
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Cook for 2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste.
Step Four: Thicken the Soup
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Slowly whisk the roux mixture into the soup base to thicken.
Step Five: Add Cream
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Pour in heavy cream gradually while stirring.
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Simmer another 20 minutes to enrich the flavor.
Step Six: Add Potatoes and Finish
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Stir in cooked potatoes.
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Ladle into bowls and top with cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and green onions.
Serve hot for maximum comfort and enjoyment.
How to Achieve the Perfect Creamy Texture
Creating the signature texture found in OUTBACK POTATO SOUP takes a little technique but is very manageable:
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Cook potatoes just until tender, avoiding over-boiling
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Let the roux fully dissolve into the broth to prevent lumps
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Simmer long enough to thicken but not so long that potatoes break apart
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Use heavy cream, not milk, for a richer, silkier consistency
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Stir occasionally to prevent burning at the bottom of the pot
The result is a smooth, rich base supporting tender potato bites in every spoonful.
PrintThe Best Homemade OUTBACK POTATO SOUP
Creamy, comforting, and loaded with bacon and cheese — this Outback Steakhouse-inspired Potato Soup tastes just like the restaurant favorite! It’s thick, hearty, and full of tender potatoes, rich broth, and smoky bacon flavor. Perfect for cozy weeknight dinners or serving a hungry crowd.
Ingredients
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Water — enough to cover potatoes for boiling
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4 large russet or golden potatoes, diced
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8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
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2 ½ cups chicken stock (or broth)
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1 cup cold water
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¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus more for topping)
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¾ cup heavy whipping cream
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½ cup butter
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⅓ cup all-purpose flour
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¼ cup diced green onion
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½ sweet yellow onion, diced (optional but recommended)
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½ teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
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Cook the potatoes
Dice potatoes into small cubes and boil in salted water until fork-tender. Drain and set aside. -
Simmer broth & aromatics
In a large pot, combine chicken stock, cold water, diced onion, salt, and pepper. Simmer 15–20 minutes over medium heat. -
Make the roux
In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1–2 minutes until lightly golden. -
Thicken the soup
Slowly whisk the roux into the simmering broth until smooth and thickened. -
Add cream & flavor
Stir in heavy cream and simmer an additional 10 minutes, stirring often. -
Add potatoes & mix-ins
Stir in the cooked potatoes, ¾ cup cheddar cheese, and half of the crumbled bacon. Simmer a few more minutes until creamy and heated through. -
Serve & top
Ladle into bowls and garnish with:-
Extra cheddar cheese
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Crispy bacon
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Chopped green onions
Serve hot and enjoy!
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Notes
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Russet potatoes create the creamiest texture, while Yukon Golds add buttery flavor.
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For thicker soup: mash some of the cooked potatoes before stirring them in.
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Add smoked paprika for deeper, savory flavor.
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Need to reheat later? Add extra broth or cream to loosen the texture.
Topping and Serving Suggestions
Outback Steakhouse is known for its signature toppings, so be generous. Here are the best options to enhance flavor and presentation:
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Crispy cooked bacon
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Freshly shredded cheddar cheese
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Sliced green onions
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Cracked black pepper
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Colby-Jack cheese blend
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A dollop of sour cream for extra tang
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Toasted bread croutons
Pair your OUTBACK POTATO SOUP with:
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Warm crusty bread or garlic toast
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A fresh garden salad
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Grilled chicken sandwich
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Steak for a hearty restaurant-style meal
This soup is filling enough to enjoy on its own but also makes an excellent side.