Skip Outback Steakhouse, This Trader Joe's Copycat Freezer Find Costs Way Less

Sure, it may be as Australian as Texas Roadhouse is Texan (which is to say, not especially), but there are still plenty of reasons to go to Outback Steakhouse. It has some solid steaks available for not too much money, it has some killer desserts (Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet, you are so loved), and it has the legendary Bloomin' Onion; a deep-fried onion flower the size of a child's head with pieces available to pick off, dip, and munch on at your leisure. If only you could have it whenever you wanted without schlepping over to Outback when you get a craving. Well, we have some terrific news: Trader Joe's has a dupe for less than half the price.

If you go to Outback Steakhouse, you're going to find a Bloomin' Onion costs $12, but Trader Joe's Onion Flowers (which recently returned to the frozen food section) only sells for $5.49. For a Lincoln and half a Washington, you can enjoy a tasty facsimile of a Bloomin' Onion in the comfort of your own home without paying eye-watering food delivery prices. Sure, these onions aren't nearly as big as the Bloomin' Onion, but the good news is there's two packages in each box. You'll be able to enjoy them after heating them up in an air fryer or regular oven, and you won't even have to share if you don't want to.

Another good thing about Trader Joe's Onion Flowers is that you're not bound to the traditional dipping sauce. Sure, there's nothing wrong with the Bloomin' Onion Sauce you get at Outback (which is made with mayonnaise, ketchup, and horseradish, among other ingredients), but you can also spread your wings and experiment at home, including with some other Trader Joe's products.

The Trader Joe's website recommends pairing its Spicy Dynamite Sauce with the Onion Flowers, and you certainly can't go wrong there. This creamy blend of vegan mayo, chili peppers, horseradish, and garlic will hit just right with something fried and crunchy. But why limit yourself to just one choice? If you're already at Trader Joe's, pick up some Yangnyeom Sauce (one of the many Asian-inspired Trader Joe's products worth buying) and enjoy its sweet, savory, spicy goodness. Or if you're after a bit of tang to go with your rich fried onion, why not try the Dill Pickle Mustard? For anyone in an experimental mood, you can also make condiments at home, like a dupe of Raising Cane's iconic sauce. After all, you're saving money by not hitting up Outback, aren't you?