We tend to eat oats sweetened for breakfast, or as part of delicious crumbly desserts. In this article, Apronese will share with you how to make savory oatmeal.
There are so many options for toppings and add-ins, so you can make it with whatever ingredients you have on hand.
What Kind of Oats are Best for This Recipe?
You can technically make savory oats with any kind of oats, but the recipe below is written for old-fashioned rolled oats, which cook fairly quickly (about 5 minutes).
The old-fashioned rolled oats are a nice balance between texture and convenience. Steel-cut oats take much longer to cook and you’ll need more liquid. Quick oats cook faster but don’t provide very much texture.
How to Flavor Savory Oatmeal
Oats have a very bland flavor. Maybe that’s why they often get a bad rap. Here are some tips for making sure your savory oatmeal is full of flavor:
- Cook them in a really flavorful broth, like Better Than Bouillon, which comes in several flavors and options.
- Use aromatics. A little bit of fresh garlic or ginger goes a long way. Green onion or shallots are also great.
- Add your favorite seasoning blend, like Everything Bagel Seasoning, jerk seasoning, steak seasoning, furikake, onion salt.
- Top with your favorite sauce. Add a little chili garlic paste, sriracha, or gochujang.
Savory Oatmeal Topping Ideas
In addition to ingredients that can be added into your oatmeal, you can add all sorts of delicious toppings. Here are some oatmeal topping ideas.
- Grape tomatoes
- Sliced avocado
- Bacon bits
- Jalapeños
- Cilantro
- Green onion
- Parmesan
- French fried onions
- Sprouts
- Edamame
- Soft boiled egg or hard boiled egg
- Breakfast sausage
Can I Make it Ahead?
Yes, savory oatmeal is great for making ahead. After cooking, divide your savory oatmeal into single-serving portions and refrigerate.
To reheat, simply microwave on high for about 2 minutes, stirring half-way through.
If the oatmeal is too thick, just add a splash of water.
Make it Vegan
You can make the savory oatmeal vegan by swapping out the butter for your favorite cooking oil. Coconut oil would be very nice here because it has a rich mouthfeel, similar to butter.
Savory Oatmeal
Savory oatmeal is a delicious, hearty, and inexpensive meal that can be customized to use ingredients you have on hand.
Author: Beth
Prep Time: 5 mins / Cook Time: 10 mins / Total Time: 15 mins
Servings: 1
Ingredients
- 1 clove garlic, minced ($0.08)
- 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger ($0.05)
- 4 mushrooms ($0.62)
- 1 tsp butter ($0.04)
- 1 cup vegetable broth ($0.13)
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats ($0.09)
- 1/2 cup spinach ($0.19)
- 1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil ($0.05)
Nutrition
Serving: 1 bowl ・ Calories: 245 kcal ・ Carbohydrates: 35 g ・ Protein: 8 g ・ Fat: 9 g ・ Sodium: 995 mg ・ Fiber: 5 g
The nutritional values shown here are only estimates. Please see our nutrition disclaimer.
Instructions
- Mince the garlic, grate the ginger, and slice the mushrooms.
- Add the butter, garlic, and ginger to a small saucepot. Sauté over medium heat for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the mushrooms and continue to sauté for a few minutes more, or until the mushrooms have wilted a bit.
- Add the vegetable broth to the saucepot, turn the heat up to medium-high, and bring the broth up to a boil.
- When the broth reaches a boil, add the rolled oats and stir to combine. Allow it to return to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low. Let the oats simmer for about 5 minutes, or until thickened.
- While the oats are simmering, roughly chop the spinach. Stir the spinach into the thickened oats, along with the toasted sesame oil.
- Taste and add salt to your liking, if needed, then top it off with your favorite toppings. Serve hot.
How to Make Savory Oatmeal – Step by Step Photos
Step 1: Mince one clove of garlic, grate about 1/2 tsp of fresh ginger, and slice 3-4 mushrooms. Add the garlic, ginger, and 1 teaspoon butter to a small saucepot.
Sauté the garlic and ginger in the butter over medium heat for about one minute.
Step 2: Add the sliced mushrooms and sauté for a few minutes more, or just until the mushrooms have softened.
Step 3: Add one cup of vegetable broth to the pot. Turn the heat up to medium-high and bring the broth up to a boil.
Step 4: When the broth reaches a boil, add 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats.
Step 5: Allow the broth to come back up to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let the oats simmer for about 5 minutes, or until thickened.
Step 6: While the oats are simmering, roughly chop a handful of spinach. Stir the chopped spinach and 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil into the oats.
Step 7: Give it a taste and add salt, if needed. Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy. It’s also really good with an egg on top.
With some simple steps, you can make your own savory oatmeal. Don’t forget to follow Apronese for more recipes!
