Copycat Outback Steakhouse Blue Cheese Pecan Chopped Salad Recipe (2024)

Published: Jun 23, 2022 · Modified: Jun 20, 2023 by Faith · This post may contain affiliate links · 28 Comments

Copycat Outback Steakhouse Blue Cheese Pecan Chopped Salad combines crunchy vegetables with cinnamon candied nuts and blue cheese crumbles for a flavor-packed salad that will keep you coming back for more.

Outback Steakhouse is an Australian-themed chain restaurants with locations all over North America. Before I moved out of Buffalo, it was one of my family’s favorite restaurants to eat at as a group.

We would all order the Blue Cheese Pecan Chopped Salad!

Forget the steak, I went there for this salad. I loved it so much I made it at home and the rest is history, lol.

With a crunchy lettuce, carrot, and red cabbage base, crispy pasta, savory blue cheese, sweet cinnamon pecans, and an easy homemade balsamic vinaigrette, I think you’ll love this chopped salad as much as we do.

Serve this blue cheese chopped salad as a side dish along with grilled steak, chicken, sandwiches, or soup. Or top it with the grilled meat of your choice to make it an entrée-sized meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s an awesome combination of textures! Crunchy candied nuts and pasta, soft blue cheese crumbles, crisp lettuce, and chewy dried cranberries are great together.
• The flavors complement each other really well. Spiced candied nuts, umami blue cheese, tart dried cranberries, and a delicious sweet and tangy balsamic vinaigrette to tie it all together!
• You won’t believe how quick and easy this salad is to make! In less than 30 minutes you’ll have a salad that will earn you rave reviews.

The Best Blue Cheese Pecan Chopped Salad Recipe

Ingredients

Balsamic Vinaigrette:

• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Honey
• Dijon mustard
• Salt
• Black pepper

Crispy Pasta:

• Fideo or fillini pasta
• Extra-virgin olive ol
• Salt

Cinnamon Brown Sugar Candied Nuts:

• Pecans
• Light brown sugar
• Water
• Unsalted butter
• Cinnamon
• Salt

Salad:

• Green leaf lettuce or romaine lettuce
• Carrot
• Red cabbage
• Scallion
• Blue cheese
• Dried cranberries

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make the Balsamic Vinaigrette:

Add all ingredients to a lidded glass jar. Cover the jar and shake well to combine. Store refrigerated until serving.

Step 2: Make the Crispy Pasta:

1. Add all ingredients to a small skillet over medium to medium-high heat.
2. Stirring frequently, cook until the pasta turns opaque, about 2 to 3 minutes. Immediately transfer the pasta to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off any excess oil and let it cool.

Step 3: Make the Cinnamon Brown Sugar Candied Nuts:

1. Add all ingredients to a small skillet over medium heat.
2. Once the butter is melted, stir frequently and continue cooking until the liquid is mostly gone and the nuts are completely coated, about 3 minutes. Immediately spread the nuts out on a parchment paper-lined baking tray to cool. Once cool, break them up.

Pro Tip: Make a double batch of the candied nuts because you're going to want some to snack on!

Step 4: Assemble the Salad:

Add the lettuce to a large salad bowl and top with the carrot, red cabbage, scallion, blue cheese, dried cranberries, crispy pasta, and candied nuts.

Add a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette, and gently toss to combine.

Serve immediately.

Tips

• If you’re pressed for time, you can use store-bought balsamic vinaigrette and candied nuts.
• If you can’t find fideo or fillini pasta, you can use capellini (angel hair pasta)! Just break it into 1 to 2-inch pieces.
• You can make a few of the components for this salad ahead of time! Store the balsamic vinaigrette for up to 1 week before using. Also, make the crispy pasta and candied nuts up to 1 week ahead; store them in separate airtight containers at room temperature. Wait to assemble the salad until right before serving.

See Also

Gluten Free Dinner Rolls Recipe SUPER SOFT and Easy! - Life After WheatPf Chang's Shrimp With Candied Walnuts Recipe - Food.comCopycat Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe • Food Folks and FunBroccoli Rice & Cheese Casserole Recipe | CopyKat

Blue Cheese Chopped Salad FAQs

What is a Blue Cheese Chopped Salad?

At the popular restaurant chain Outback Steakhouse, their Blue Cheese Pecan Chopped Salad contains the following:

• Mixed greens
• Carrot
• Red cabbage
• Green onion
• Cinnamon pecans
• Aussie Crunch (crispy pasta)
• Blue cheese vinaigrette
• Blue cheese crumbles

How Many Calories Are in an Outback Blue Cheese Chopped Salad?

According to the Outback Steakhouse menu, a side salad portion of their Blue Cheese Pecan Chopped Salad has 590 calories.

On the other hand, this homemade version only has 236 calories per serving.

How Long Does Blue Cheese Last in the Fridge?

If stored properly (wrapped well), blue cheese can last up to 1 month in the fridge. And you can store blue cheese crumbles in an airtight container for up to 1 week in the fridge.

What If I Don’t Like Blue Cheese?

You can use any type of crumbled cheese you like! Feta, goat cheese, or queso fresco all work well. Or simply omit the cheese.

If You Like Blue Cheese You Will Love These Recipes

• Date, Walnut, and Blue Cheese Ball
• Spicy Blue Cheese Celery Slaw
• Blue Cheese Dressing
• Creamy Coleslaw with Tart Cherries, Blue Cheese, and Toasted Walnuts

Let's Connect

Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment below. You can also tag @anediblemosaic on social media.

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This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on October 20, 2009. I updated it with more information on June 23, 2022.