A steering load adjustment device for an outboard motor is provided, which stabilizes a steering load of the outboard motor, and obtains good steering performance. In a steering load adjustment device (20) for an outboard motor that is disposed between a steering bracket (15) and a swivel bracket (14), and adjusts a loaded load to a steering operation following steering a steering handle (18), adjustment of the loaded load to the steering operation is performed by a change in frictional force of friction pads (24b, 25b) contacting a friction plate (22), and a shape of a portion above the swivel bracket, of the friction plate is formed into a U-shape (22b, 22f) that protrudes toward the outboard motor side as viewed from a lateral side of an outboard motor (1).