House Salad (Outback Copycat)

This Outback Copycat House Salad with ranch dressing is top notch delicious! Make it just like the restaurant but at home in less than 30 minutes. A creamy homemade dressing with garlicky croutons makes the perfect side dish to any meal.

I must begin by saying, Outback Steakhouse is a fan favorite in our house. Their house side salad pairs perfectly with any meal. I knew I needed to make a version at home that tastes just like the restaurant. With crisp greens, vibrant vegetables, crunchy croutons, and a rich ranch dressing, it truly does taste like the real thing in every bite.

I will preface, I've never worked at Outback Steakhouse nor do I have their masterful cookbook of secrets. However, after many tests, this recipe is simply the best dupe for Outback's ranch dressing. What I love about this salad is it's simple but the flavorful ranch and croutons take it to the next level!

The Lexingtonian House Salad from Malone's Steakhouse and my Chopped Salad and Wedge Steakhouse Salad are 3 more of my favorite restaurant house salads.

Why You'll Love this Recipe

• Pairs with any Main Course: The Outback House Side Salad is often served as a side dish alongside main courses like steaks and ribs at Outback Steakhouse. This make-at-home version can pair with any entree as well!
• Fresh and Crisp Ingredients: The combination of fresh lettuce, vibrant vegetables, garlicky croutons and creamy ranch creates the best crunch and blend of flavors!
• Rich Homemade Ranch Dressing: A variety of spices, buttermilk, and mayonnaise creates a copycat Outback ranch dressing blend that's delicious on so many foods.
• Seasoned Crunchy Croutons: You'll want to eat these croutons straight from the sheet pan! They're buttery, flavorful, and have the perfect crunch that lasts for days!

Is a Side Salad and House Salad the same thing?

I must say, I had to look this up to understand the difference myself. While the terms "side salad" and "house salad" are often used interchangeably, they can have slightly different meanings depending on the context and the specific practices of a restaurant or establishment. Here are the general distinctions:

• Side Salad: Typically refers to a smaller portion served alongside the main course as a complement. It is meant to be a lighter accompaniment to the main dish and may have a more basic composition, often including a mix of fresh greens, a few vegetables, and a dressing. The specific ingredients and size can vary based on the restaurant or individual preferences.

• House Salad: Usually refers to a standard size offering that is part of the restaurant's regular menu. It may be available as a standalone dish or as an option with certain entrees. The house salad is often considered a signature menu item, and it may be more comprehensive in terms of ingredients compared to a simple side salad. Other ingredients might include a variety of fresh vegetables, additional toppings like croutons or cheese, and a specific house dressing.

At Outback Steakhouse, they combine the two and call their recipe a "House Side Salad."

Ingredients

Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below

To Make the Outback Ranch Dressing:

• Mayonnaise and Buttermilk: Creates the creamy base of the dressing. The buttermilk gives it a nice zing!
• Seasonings (garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper): Infuses herbal, savory flavors.
• Ranch Dressing Mix: This dry dressing mix adds savory flavors, texture, and color.

For the Seasoned Croutons:

• Loaf of Bread: Serves as the base and structure of the crouton. Use a denser artisan bread like a french loaf, italian loaf, sourdough, ciabatta, etc.
• Salted Butter: Adds richness, flavor, and helps achieve a golden-brown and crispy texture during baking.
• Cajun Seasoning: Infuses the croutons with a distinctive and bold flavor.
• Fresh Garlic: Introduces a pungent and savory flavor to the croutons.

To Make the House Salad:

• Iceberg or Romaine Lettuce: Provides the base and foundation of the salad. The combination of different lettuces adds a variety of textures and flavors.
• Cherry or Grape Tomatoes: Adds sweetness, juiciness, and vibrant color. Cherry tomatoes contribute a burst of freshness.
• Cucumber: Gives a crisp and watery texture. Cucumber adds a cool and refreshing element.
• Red Onion: Provides a mild and sweet onion flavor. Red onion also adds a pop of color and a slight crunch
• Cheddar and Monterey Jack Cheeses: Adds a smooth and creamy element and a balance of flavor.

Tools You'll Need

• Large Mixing Bowl or Small Salad Bowls
• Tongs (optional)
• Cutting Board
• Chef's Knife
• Paring Knife
• Half Size or 12"x17" Sheet Pan
• Small Jar or Bowl with Fitted Lid
• Liquid Measuring Cups
• Dry Measuring Cups and Spoons

How to Make a Copycat Outback House Salad

Ranch Dressing

1. In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, buttermilk, garlic and onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and ranch dressing mix.

2. Whisk until well combined. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Croutons

1. Cut bread into bite sized squares and spread on a sheet pan. Bake 12-16 minutes in a preheated 400°F oven, or until the bread is slightly browned. 

2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together butter, cajun seasoning, and garlic.

3. Carefully remove the sheet pan from the oven and lower the temperature to 350°F. Pour the melted butter mixture over the toasted croutons and toss until all of the pieces are coated well. Return the pan to the oven 6-8 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool.

Salad

1. In one large bowl or individual bowls, add the lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red onion, cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, and croutons.
2. Toss or top with desired amount of dressing.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Fresh and Crisp Vegetables: Use a combination of iceberg lettuce and romaine and ensure they're fresh and crisp for the best greens base. Use fresh and blemish free tomatoes, cucumbers and red onions for the ultimate pop in color and flavor.
• Uniformity in Chopping: One of the best tips for achieving the perfect salad is aiming for uniformity in chopping the vegetables. This ensures each bite has a balanced combination of flavors and textures.
• Homemade Ranch Seasoning: Not a fan of store-bought ready-made ranch mix or just want to experiment with the flavors of homemade, check out my Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix.
• Chill Ingredients Before Assembling: For an extra refreshing experience, chill the fresh ingredients before assembling.
• Topping Options: You can add your favorite vegetables or toppers or take away whatever ingredients you'd like for this basic salad. Some topping you could add are shredded carrots, dried or fresh fruit, nuts, bacon bits, banana peppers, green onions, olives, and fresh herbs (just to name a few).
• Dressing Options: Don't like ranch? That's ok! Swap the ranch with any dressing like Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing, balsamic vinaigrette, thousand island, or your favorite homemade dressing.
• Cheese Options: Besides cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese, you can also use shredded pepper jack cheese, parmesan, feta, or bleu cheese crumbles.

What to Serve with a Steakhouse Salad

A few dinners in the rotation that we also love to pair it with are Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Casserole, French Dip Crescent Ring, and Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake.

You can also layer this salad in a mason jar. Simply build per the recipe and keep the dressing and croutons separately. Assemble and shake the ingredients when you're ready to eat!

To truly recreate the true restaurant experience, pair your side salad with your favorite Outback Steakhouse main course, whether it's a juicy steak, flavorful ribs, or a signature dish from the restaurant like their Alice Springs Chicken Recipe (Outback Copycat)!

Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions

While you can pre-chop some of the ingredients in advance, it's recommended to assemble the salad just before serving to maintain its freshness and crispness. The dressing can be prepared ahead and refrigerated.

Leftovers can become soggy, so it's best to store components separately in their own airtight container. Assemble just before serving.

Stored in a well-sealed container in the fridge, your buttermilk ranch dressing should keep for up to two weeks. The croutons stored in an airtight container in a cool dry place will last up to a week.

Frequently Asked Questions

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