A Keto Guide: How do you order keto at Outback Steakhouse?

October 18, 2025 •

4 min read

With more restaurants offering customizable menus to cater to dietary needs, staying in ketosis while dining out is easier than ever. This guide breaks down exactly how do you order keto at Outback Steakhouse, from appetizers to entrees, ensuring you can enjoy a flavorful, low-carb meal without compromising your diet.

Quick Summary

To order keto at Outback Steakhouse, select grilled proteins like steak or seafood, substitute starchy sides with vegetables like steamed broccoli or grilled asparagus, and be mindful of sauces and glazes by ordering them on the side or choosing simple alternatives like butter.

Key Points

Focus on Grilled Proteins: Stick to steaks, chicken, and seafood that are grilled, not fried or breaded, and request them cooked plainly with simple seasonings.
Substitute Starchy Sides: Always swap high-carb sides like fries and potatoes for low-carb vegetables such as steamed broccoli, grilled asparagus, or sautéed mushrooms.
Control Your Sauces: Ask for all sauces, marinades, and dressings on the side to manage hidden sugars. Opt for simple alternatives like butter, oil, and vinegar.
Customize Appetizers and Salads: Order salads without croutons and ensure any appetizer like the Seared Ahi Tuna is served without high-carb sauces or garnishes.
Research and Plan Ahead: Look up the menu online before you go to strategize your order and make it easier to stick to your diet without temptation.

Building a Keto-Friendly Meal at Outback

Eating at a steakhouse on a ketogenic diet can be a delicious and straightforward experience, provided you know what modifications to request. Outback Steakhouse, with its emphasis on grilled meats and customizable sides, is particularly accommodating for a low-carb lifestyle. The core strategy is to focus on high-quality proteins, swap out high-carbohydrate sides and sauces, and be an advocate for your dietary needs with your server.

Choosing Your Entrée: The Foundation of Your Meal

Your main protein is the centerpiece of any Outback experience. For keto, you'll want to focus on their excellent grilled options. Ask for all proteins to be prepared plainly, with simple seasoning and no glazes or sauces, which can often contain hidden sugars.

Steak: The Outback Center-Cut Sirloin or Victoria’s Filet® Mignon are excellent, low-carb options. You can add extra butter to your steak for more healthy fats, or even opt for the roasted garlic butter topping on the filet, but always confirm the ingredients with your server.
Grilled Seafood: Perfectly Grilled Salmon and Steamed Lobster Tails are natural fits for a keto diet. For the salmon, request it grilled plainly without any sugary sauces. The Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie is another great option, but ask for the classic rémoulade sauce on the side.
Grilled Chicken: The Grilled Chicken on the Barbie is a simple, high-protein choice. Be sure to ask for no BBQ sauce, which is typically high in sugar. A side of sautéed mushrooms can add flavor and fat. The Alice Springs Chicken® is another choice, but you must ask for it with no honey mustard sauce.

Smart Substitutions for Sides

The standard sides at Outback—like Homestyle Mashed Potatoes and Aussie Fries—are high in carbohydrates and must be swapped. Your server will be happy to accommodate substitutions.

Best Low-Carb Swaps:
- Fresh Steamed Seasonal Veggies (ask for extra butter on the side)
- Grilled Asparagus
- Sautéed Mushrooms
- Broccoli (ask for it plain, as the Broccoli & Cheese version has a carb-heavy sauce)

Navigating Appetizers and Salads

Most traditional appetizers at Outback, like the Bloomin' Onion® and Aussie Cheese Fries, are off-limits due to breading and starchy ingredients. However, a few smart choices can start your meal off right.

Appetizers: The Seared Peppered Ahi is a great choice, but you must request it without the creamy ginger soy sauce and crispy noodles. A small order of Kookaburra Wings can also work, but inquire about the spice levels to ensure no sugary marinades are used.
Salads: An Aussie Cobb Salad can be a filling option. Order it with no croutons and request a keto-friendly dressing like Caesar, Blue Cheese, or Ranch, but get it on the side to control the portion. A Brisbane Caesar Salad is also an option, again, hold the croutons. A simple House Side Salad with oil and vinegar is always a safe bet.

The Sauce and Dressing Checklist

Many restaurants use sugar-laden sauces and dressings, so vigilance is key. Always ask for sauces and dressings on the side or avoid them entirely.

Avoid: Bloomin' Onion® sauce, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, and creamy ginger soy sauce.
Safe Bets: Plain butter, olive oil and vinegar, simple salt and pepper seasoning. For creamy dressings, ask for Ranch, Blue Cheese, or Caesar on the side. For more information on general keto dining principles, reference reputable sources like Diet Doctor.

A Comparison of Keto-Friendly Outback Meals


Meal Option	Main Protein	Side 1	Side 2	Key Modifications
Sirloin Steak	Outback Center-Cut Sirloin	Steamed Broccoli	Grilled Asparagus	Plain seasoning, extra butter on sides, no steakhouse potato.
Grilled Salmon	Perfectly Grilled Salmon	Fresh Mixed Veggies	House Side Salad	No rémoulade sauce, veggies with plain butter, oil & vinegar on salad.
Grilled Chicken	Grilled Chicken on the Barbie	Sautéed Mushrooms	House Side Salad	No BBQ sauce, mushrooms with extra butter, oil & vinegar on salad.
Seared Ahi Tuna	Seared Peppered Ahi	Side Salad	(None)	No creamy ginger soy sauce, no crispy noodles, oil & vinegar on salad.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Ordering Keto at Outback

Browse the Menu Online: Before you go, review the menu and nutritional information to identify potential options and plan your order.
Order Appetizers with Caution: Stick to salads without croutons or ask for modifications on items like the Seared Ahi.
Choose Your Grilled Protein: Select a steak, grilled chicken, or grilled seafood option.
Request Modifications: Specify that your protein should be cooked plainly, with just salt and pepper, and no marinades or sugary sauces.
Swap Your Sides: Politely ask to replace high-carb sides with two servings of a low-carb vegetable like steamed broccoli or grilled asparagus.
Control Your Sauces: Request all sauces and dressings on the side. This gives you control over the amount you consume.
Stick to Keto-Friendly Beverages: Choose water, unsweetened tea, or coffee. Avoid sugary sodas, cocktails, and juices.

Conclusion: Enjoying Your Keto Experience at Outback

Eating keto at a restaurant like Outback is entirely possible with a bit of foresight and clear communication. By selecting grilled, un-breaded proteins, making smart substitutions for sides, and being aware of hidden carbs in sauces and dressings, you can enjoy a satisfying, flavorful meal that aligns with your dietary goals. Confident ordering empowers you to take control of your meal and enjoy dining out without compromise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Outback steaks are excellent keto options. Choose center-cut sirloin or filet mignon and ask for it to be cooked plainly with simple salt and pepper seasoning to avoid sugary marinades.

For appetizers, the Seared Peppered Ahi is the best choice, but you must request it without the creamy ginger soy sauce and crispy noodles. Avoid the Bloomin' Onion, Aussie Cheese Fries, and coconut shrimp, which are all high in carbs.

Substitute starchy sides like potatoes and rice with low-carb vegetable options. Great choices include Fresh Steamed Seasonal Veggies, Grilled Asparagus, or Sautéed Mushrooms. You can also get a side of plain steamed broccoli.

To avoid hidden sugars and carbs, always ask for sauces and dressings on the side. Good choices include a Caesar or Ranch dressing (on the side) or a simple oil and vinegar mix. Avoid BBQ sauce, honey mustard, and the Bloomin' Onion sauce.

The Alice Springs Chicken can be made keto-friendly with a modification. Ask for it without the honey mustard sauce, as this contains added sugar. The grilled chicken, cheese, and mushrooms are keto-compliant.

Yes, but you must make modifications. Order the Aussie Cobb Salad or Brisbane Caesar Salad without croutons. Ask for a keto-friendly dressing like Caesar, Ranch, or Blue Cheese on the side to control the amount you use.

A simple way to add more healthy fat to your meal is to ask for extra butter on your steak or steamed vegetables. You can also add avocado to a salad if available.