The Best Outback Steakhouse Menu Items That Are $20 And Under

Outback Steakhouse has quite a legacy. It's chain steakhouse royalty, and many of the items on the menu have a loyal fanbase. Even if you've never set foot into an Outback, you have probably heard about the Bloomin' Onion. It has a cult following, and there are people using air fryers to recreate the famous Bloomin' Onion at home. It's like an A-list celebrity of the casual dining chain world. Outback's menu also carries more than just steaks. There are soups, salads, pastas, chicken, and seafood, so even non-steak lovers can usually find something to sink their teeth into.

WIth prices soaring everywhere on everything (thanks a lot, inflation), people are always on the hunt for a good deal. Luckily Outback has plenty. In addition to wallet-friendly meal deals, Outback's menu has menu items in almost every section that cost less than $20. You can enjoy a hearty bowl of soup that eats more like a meal for less than a fancy specialty coffee. Plus Outback has a couple of promotions that give you multiple courses also under $20. Prices can vary according to where you are — the ones listed in this piece are for my my Boca Raton, Florida location — but generally, whether you're looking for a little snack or the whole shebang, 20 bucks goes a long way at this steakhouse chain.

It seems no matter where you eat these days, immediate sticker shock sets in as soon as the bill hits the table. Thankfully, we have places like Outback still hatching deals that make it much more palatable to dine at a restaurant. One of the chain's most popular promotions is the Aussie 3-course meal, which starts at $14.99. If you are looking for a full meal and to get the most bang for your buck, this is it. You can even score a free Bloomin' Onion on top of the three courses by using the Outback app. (Always check restaurant apps for info on promotions and freebies, by the way.)

Back to the three courses. First you get to select a cup of creamy and comforting baked potato soup or a house or Caesar salad. Course two is your main and the choices include a Bloomin' Burger, Gold Coast Coconut Shrimp, or Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie. Last but certainly not least, diners can close out the Aussie 3-course meal with a slice of delectable Outback cheesecake. There's always the option to upgrade the appetizers and mains (including grilled chicken or a center-cut sirloin steak) for a small fee as well. One thing is certain, regardless of what menu items you pick — this is a lot of delicious food for under $20.

In case you haven't heard, Outback offers more than just steaks. The chain is known to have a hearty burger on the menu that garners a lot of praise from customers and employees as well. Priced from $15.79, the Bloomin' Burger is a serious deal. It's a ½ pound burger with American cheese, pickles, tomatoes, lettuce, and onion. As if all of those fixings aren't enough, this particular burger is finished with Bloomin' onion petals and the spicy signature bloom sauce, and that's what really makes it special. Some Outback patrons think the petals are superior to the full Bloomin' Onion experience.

The Bloomin' Burger comes with a choice of fresh sides, making it a full-on meal. For a chain built on steak, the burgers are a fan favorite earning praise from diners who say it tastes like it was ground fresh in-house. From the excellent sear of the burger to the medium doneness, the burgers do not seem to have a bad note about them. "Outback is probably my favorite burger from any chain," declared one Reddit user. If you find yourself in a branch and don't want a steak, all signs point to the burgers as a solid option that won't leave you disappointed.

Okay seafood lovers, it's your turn. If you have 15 dollars and change and love fried shrimp, you have enough to enjoy Outback's Gold Coast Coconut Shrimp. It is an appetizer portion, but a generous one that still packs a ton of flavor and a satisfying crunch. Each of the jumbo sized shrimp in an order are hand dipped and then rolled in sweet coconut and then fried to golden brown. The Gold Coast Coconut Shrimp is served with a Creole marmalade for dipping which adds another layer of bold flavor to the dish.

The sweetness of the coconut and the savoriness of the breading and seasoning make for a fantastic balance giving taste buds the best of both worlds. I can confirm from personal experience that it's a winner, and an excellent bite if you like seafood. The Gold Coast Coconut Shrimp is not just beloved by patrons; it's also an Outback staff favorite, and you can find a number of Reddit posts where it's recommended. Outback may be a steakhouse, but the coconut shrimp is a nice little tropical flavor bomb to kick off any meal. The chain has good steak, but it knows its way around seafood, too.

Steaks are not exactly a cheap menu item. While Outback's cuts of meat are less expensive than at a fancier steakhouse, they are still some of the higher priced menu items — with one exception. Outback's center cut sirloin is the only steak with a price tag under $20. The 6 ounce sirloin is $14.99 and a fantastic deal as far as steak is concerned. Sirloin gets a bad rep sometimes but it really shouldn't. It's not a filet, but if you get it cooked right and don't completely overdo it (I'm looking at you, well-done steak people), it's as close as you'll get for that kind of money.

Back in my college days, it was not uncommon for my roommates and I to order takeout from Outback and order The Outback Special, which featured the sirloin and sides all for less than it would cost for a night out. The sirloin comes seared and seasoned and even includes two side dishes of your choice. Choose from favorites like Aussie fries, homestyle mashed potatoes, broccoli, seasoned rice, sweet potato, or baked potato — and that's not even an exhaustive list. All sides are made fresh and enhance any main you choose. 

The sirloin is lean and tender, and the price tag makes it even better. "I don't know how but it is both tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned," said one Reddit user. "Even the 6-oz sirloin, part of the $14.99 Early Dine special, came out spectacular!" With Outback's modestly priced center cut sirloin, you can still eat steak without feeling it in your wallet.

Soup can absolutely be as filling and comforting as an entire meal and if you need proof, look no further than Outback's loaded baked potato soup. There's something special about a restaurant baked potato – Outback achieves it with the ones served at the restaurants and also captures it in its loaded soup, too. It's as hearty as a soup can be, and diners love it. 

All of the things you adore about a tasty loaded baked potato are in the bowl. The base is thick and creamy with chunks of tender potatoes. Plus, it's packed with all of the good stuff — cheese, bacon and chives. "Their soup is soo good and I can't stop thinking about it," said one Reddit user. "Never disappoints. Delicious," a Facebook user confirmed.

There's nothing skimpy about the loaded baked potato soup and it's sure to make anyone feel all warm and cozy. A cup is only $4.99, and if that doesn't cut it and you want a crock, it's still only $6.99. Outback's potato based soup is so popular that you can spot fans on Reddit seeking and sharing copycat recipes just to get their craving satisfied. When homemade dupes start showing up in social media threads, you know it's a beloved menu item. Consider this your official sign to pop in and treat yourself to a warm bowl of loaded baked potato soup.

Chicken tenders may as well be a religion because people order them everywhere. Outback got the memo, and the ones they serve up get all kinds of praise from Outback patrons. For $18.99 you get a plateful of tenders with a tremendous crisp factor, and two freshly made sides. Everyone loves crispy tenders and has their hacks to make them; Outback nails it. They're served with Outback's popular honey mustard for dipping, and it's legendary. Some diners love it so much, they would not hesitate to dive into a giant bowl of it. The Outback ranch dressing gets some major love online too.

In related news, if you want your chicken tenders with a little more of a kick, check out the buffalo ranch version. It features the same delicious tenders but smothered in Outback's buffalo ranch sauce and served with a side of ranch. You can never have too much ranch in your life. No matter how you dress up your tenders, you are in for a treat at Outback and probably won't even miss the steak.

People take their chicken wings seriously. If you prefer bone-in chicken, do not skip the Kookaburra wings on the Outback menu. The Colonel at KFC is not the only one with secret spices; Outback also has a few tricks up its Aussie sleeves, too. The Kookaburra wings are covered in a blend of secret seasonings and cooked to perfection. Served with ranch or blue cheese dressing, there is no wrong way to enjoy these tasty wings. Starting at $16.29, the Kookaburra wings are a beloved Outback staple and we get it.

Outback customers are fiercely loyal to the wings and give them high marks: "Yeah, their wings are the best thing on the menu by a mile," said one Reddit user. "They were so good and might be my favorite chain wing ever," another Reddit user proclaimed.

If you want wings but prefer them lightened up, some customers suggest asking for them grilled instead to get the same flavors but without frying them. Or, if it's crispy wings you seek, you can make it happen by ordering them extra crispy. With all of the wing chatter, it sounds like Outback has set a high standard with the Kookaburra wings and it shows.

Outback's Aussie cheese fries will go down in history as one of the best menu items of all time, and there's nothing you can say to change my mind. You get crispy fries, blanketed in melted cheese, and topped with bacon. They come with a side of Outback's celebrated ranch, and it's an integral part of the whole experience. "LOVE Outback cheese fries," said one Redddit user. "And their Ranch dressing is the best I've had anywhere."

The Aussie fries start at $13.79, and are worth every single penny. While the Bloomin' Onion is a signature item and deserves the hype it gets, the cheese fries are slept on too often in my opinion.

The big move is to ask for them layered, and I can personally confirm this. Otherwise, you get a mound of fries with a single layer of all the deliciousness. Why settle for that when you can have cheese and bacon throughout the pile? You also have free will to upgrade your side of fries to cheese fries in any meal. Outback's cheese fries are so divine that it's just another item diners frequently share at-home recipe dupes for. 

Just hearing the words, Alice Springs Chicken, can take anyone's taste buds back to the OG Outback days. Everything involved in the dish creates a perfect storm of flavors. Outback's tender grilled chicken breast is topped with sauteed mushrooms, onions, crisp bacon, melty gooey cheese, and honey mustard. Take that in for a minute. It is a tad over $20, but guess what? You can still get the darling of Outback chicken dishes for less.

Outback offers an Alice Springs chicken — wait for it — quesadilla. It's only $10.79 and has all of the same flavors sandwiched in a crisped up tortilla. It's also cut into totally dippable pieces worthy of even more honey mustard. The quesadilla version of Alice Springs Chicken is just as adored as its inspiration. Outback knows its audience and this very quesadilla is a menu hit for sure. A quesadilla of any kind is always a good idea. Whether you eat them at a restaurant or whip up your own quesadillas at home, you can't lose.

It feels like it's time for a sweet treat under $20. There are some chain restaurant desserts that are downright legendary, and Outback's Chocolate Thunder from Down Under has to be one of them. It is sensational in every way. Close your eyes and picture a substantial pecan brownie topped with creamy vanilla ice cream, warmed chocolate sauce, chocolate shavings, and an obligatory swirl of whipped cream. The towering treat costs $11.29 and you will not regret it. The moment the first heaping spoonful of brownie, ice cream, and all the fixings hit your lips, it's impossible not to fall in love at first bite.

The decadent brownie sundae-esque dessert is as big as it is heavenly. The dramatic name makes total sense because just calling it a brownie sundae seems sacrilegious. There's a reason she's gone viral. If you live a gluten free lifestyle, you're going to want to stay for this next part. Outback's Chocolate Thunder from Down Under is on the restaurant's gluten free menu. Gluten free, people. You are welcome.

While we are on the topic of sweet endings to an Outback meal, the Cookie Skillet deserves some airtime. Name a better dessert duo than a cookie and a skillet. It's truly a next level type of warm cookie and, Outback has it down to a science. The chain takes a skillet packed with a huge chocolate chip cookie and then tosses a scoop of sweet and smooth vanilla ice cream on top. That would be enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, but there's still more involved. The rich ice cream begins seeping into the warm cookie and co-mingling with the extraordinary melty pockets of chocolate. Generous swirls of chocolate and caramel finish it off, and it's truly gorgeous. There's also sometimes a seasonal Salted Caramel Cookie that fans love when it's available.

"This Cookie Skillet from Outback Steakhouse should be illegal," said one Instagram user. "Soft, melty, loaded with chocolate chips and ice cream we gave it a 6 out of 5 and we stand by that."

Visually it's a work of art, and if you can even believe it, the flavors are even more luscious. She gives the Chocolate Thunder from Down Under a run for her money, but you can't go wrong with either menu item. So how much does a stellar cookie skillet like this cost at Outback? It's $9.99, and that feels like a super-reasonable price to pay for such a prized skillet.

Everyone loves a deal, and Outback has a number of them. You've already been taken on a little tour of a variety of menu items all under $20, but there's another promotion you should be aware of before you plan your next Outback visit. Walkabout Wednesdays are a thing, and diners love it. How could they not? Stroll into an Outback on any given Wednesday and you can feast on a 6 ounce center cut sirloin or grilled chicken on the barbie. You also get Aussie fries and a 16 ounce domestic beer or Coca-Cola.

A full meal, plus a beer or soft drink all starting at $13.99 is a steal. It's specials like these that continue to keep Outback a relevant household dining option leaving customers satisfied and happy it didn't blow their whole paycheck. In the height of inflation in the restaurant industry, Walkabout Wednesday is the epitome of a bargain among a sea of much more expensive options. Outback clearly knows how to deliver on the whole more bang for your buck thing. Between promotions like Walkabout Wednesday and all of the other value items you can score for under $20, if you are not on your way to Outback right now, what are you even doing?

In order to find the menu items to include in this review, I searched through different social media channels, review sites, and Reddit. As I culled through different opinions I made note of the Outback dishes that came up most frequently as value items. 

I was also able to pull on my own experience with years of Outback meals (and as a self-proclaimed Aussie cheese fries connoisseur) under my belt. All of the pricing information is specific to my Boca Raton, Florida location as of September 2026, and may vary at other Outback restaurants.