New to cooking steel-cut oats? Learn why I choose steel-cut oats over any other type of oats for my morning breakfast in this Rolled vs. Steel Cut Oats article.
Ingredients
To make this tasty, savory oatmeal recipe, you will need two sets of ingredients:
Steel-cut oats: Gather vegetable stock, steel cut oats (aka Irish Oats) and kosher salt. Vegetable toppings: For the savory vegetable topping, you will need olive oil, ground cumin, ground paprika, Baby Bella mushrooms, baby spinach, a fresh garlic clove, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Optional toppings: While they are optional, you can also top it off with fried eggs, hard-boiled eggs, soft-boiled eggs, or even poached eggs for some extra protein. I think savory oatmeal with an egg on top is a tasty, high-protein meal that happens to be one of my favorite steel cut oats dinner recipes. However, if you prefer this recipe to be vegan, you can omit it.
How to Make This Recipe?
Making this savory steel cut oats dish could not be easier. Here are the steps:
Variations- Other Topping Ideas
I love to serve my family a big bowl of savory steel cut oatmeal because it offers numerous health benefits and, with a little bit of creativity, they can customize it to their liking. Simply take the basic recipe below and change it up with just a few additions and ingredient swaps. Get creative with whatever vegetables, spices, and herbs you have in your pantry and fridge. Think of this savory steel cut oatmeal recipe as a blank canvas!
Make ahead: You can prep the steel cut oatmeal and savory toppings and store them in separate air-tight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. When you are ready to serve, you can reheat (following the instructions below) each component and assemble it as directed. Storing leftovers: If possible, I recommend storing the savory oatmeal and vegetable toppings in separate airtight containers. Ensure the oats and toppings are at room temperature, not hot, and then place them in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.Reheating: To reheat the cooked oats, microwave in 30-second increments, stirring after heating, until they are warm. You can also heat it on the stovetop in a small pot. Simply heat it over medium heat and stir frequently until the oats are warm, which will take about 3-5 minutes. You may need to add an extra splash of vegetable stock, coconut milk, or water to thin out the oats a little bit.
Here are a few of my other favorite ways to make this savory steel cut oatmeal recipe:
Utilize your leftovers: Try using leftover sauteed veggies or roasted veggies as your savory oatmeal toppings. Baked shiitake mushrooms, sauteed asparagus, or roasted butternut squash make fantastic toppings for this dish. Using leftovers will also save you time since your toppings are already prepared! Create Indian steel cut oats: Indian-inspired steel cut oats make for an incredible breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Mix a teaspoon of my golden paste into the cooked steel cut oats, then top it with some roasted chickpeas for an amazing Indian-cuisine inspired bowl of steel-cut oats. Alternatively, if you do not have the golden paste, you can use a touch of curry powder to make this recipe one of the best savory breakfasts you can make in minutes.Asian savory steel cut oatmeal: Make the steel cut oatmeal topping with shiitake mushrooms, baby spinach, and sesame oil. Add a splash of soy sauce and garnish the oatmeal with edamame or steamed broccoli. Mediterranean steel cut oats: Make a Mediterranean bowl of steel cut oats simply by topping it with my Turkish White Bean Salad. And, if you want to take it a step further and make this savory dish umami-rich, you can mix vegetable broth (or water) with a tablespoon of tomato paste. Mexican steel cut oats: Add a little ground cumin, coriander, and red chili powder to make a flavorful, Mexican-style steel-cut oats breakfast. Taking inspiration from my Mexican Quinoa recipe, you can make a warm topping by sauteing some onions, tomatoes, bell pepper, jalapenos, and black beans to use as a topping. Some fresh avocado, a squeeze of lime juice, or a few tablespoons of pickled Mexican red onion are also great oatmeal toppings.
Other Oatmeal Breakfasts You Might Like
If you are a fan of recipes with steel cut oats, chances are you often enjoy a bowl of oatmeal in the morning. Below are a few more oatmeal recipes you might like:
Stove Top
Bring your vegetable broth to a boil, then add the steel-cut oats. Let the oats simmer over medium-low heat for about 30 minutes. The liquid will be completely absorbed, and the oats will be tender and soft. Be sure to keep a close eye on it and stir it a few times during cooking.
Slow Cooker
To cook steel cut oats in the crockpot, add vegetable stock, steel-cut oats, and salt to a slow cooker. Cover and cook over low heat for 4-5 hours. If you need to know more about this cooking method, check out my detailed recipe for crockpot steel cut oatmeal.
Instant Pot
Stir the vegetable stock, steel-cut oats, and salt in the bowl of your pressure cooker. Cover, seal and cook on high pressure for 4 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, open the lid, give it a stir, and ladle it into bowls. For more information on cooking oats in a pressure cooker, check out my Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats recipe.
Overnight Oats with MuesliYogurt Overnight OatsHomemade Muesli RecipeOatmeal with Chia Seeds
If you try this Savory Steel Cut Oatmeal recipe, please take a minute to leave a comment or even a picture below. It is great to hear how much you love the recipes on my site and will help others who may be planning to make the recipe. And, if you took any pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories. Enjoy!
