Outback Steakhouse is known for its delicious bloomin’ onion appetizer, but is it suitable for vegans? Let’s find out!
Nutrition Facts
Before we dive into the vegan status of the bloomin’ onion, let’s take a look at its nutrition facts:
- Calories: 195
- Total Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Sodium: 444mg
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
While these numbers vary slightly depending on the size and preparation method, they give us a general idea of what the bloomin’ onion contains.
Ingredients Breakdown
The main components of the bloomin’ onion include:
- Onion: The star of the dish, chosen for its large size and ability to be sliced into a blooming shape.
- Batter: Made with a mixture of flour, milk, and eggs, which is responsible for the crispy outer layer.
- Seasonings: The seasoning blend adds flavor to the onion and the batter.
Now, let’s analyze each component to determine whether the bloomin’ onion is vegan-friendly.
Onion
The onion itself is a plant-based ingredient, making it suitable for vegans. However, it’s important to note that the onion is deep-fried, which means it might be cooked in shared fryers also used for non-vegan items. This cross-contamination can be a concern for strict vegans or individuals with allergies.
Batter
The batter used for the bloomin’ onion contains eggs and milk, which are animal-derived ingredients. Therefore, the batter is not vegan-friendly. Vegans should be cautious of consuming the bloomin’ onion due to its non-vegan batter.
Seasonings
The specific seasoning blend used for the bloomin’ onion may vary, but it typically consists of herbs, spices, and salt. Fortunately, most seasoning blends are vegan unless they contain any hidden animal products. To be sure, it’s always a good idea to check with the restaurant or ask for the ingredients list.
Accompaniments
When ordering a bloomin’ onion at Outback Steakhouse, it often comes with a non-vegan sauce, such as the signature bloomin’ onion sauce. This sauce contains ingredients like mayonnaise and sour cream, which are both dairy-based. Vegans should opt for a different sauce or ask for the bloomin’ onion without any sauce.
Cross-Contamination
It’s important to consider the potential cross-contamination in the kitchen, especially if you follow a strict vegan diet. The bloomin’ onion is deep-fried alongside non-vegan items, which can lead to traces of animal products in the dish. If cross-contamination is a concern for you, it’s best to avoid the bloomin’ onion at Outback Steakhouse.
In conclusion, while the onion itself is vegan-friendly, the overall bloomin’ onion dish is not suitable for vegans due to its non-vegan batter and accompanying sauces. However, if you’re a vegetarian or simply looking to reduce your animal product consumption, you can enjoy the onion itself while being mindful of the potential cross-contamination in the kitchen.