Skip to main content

Steel-Cut Oats

Steel-cut oats go through a machine that cuts the whole kernels into tiny bits. Sometimes called Scotch or Irish oatmeal, steel-cut oats are chewier and have more texture and flavor than regular rolled oatmeal. They take more time to cook, but steel-cut oatmeal is well worth the wait. McCann’s makes the best steel-cut oats that I know. They’re available in specialty shops and some supermarkets, as well as at www.mccanns.com. To sweeten the steel-cut oats, add brown sugar, sautéed bananas, raisins, applesauce, berries, or whatever other fruit you like.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 6 to 8

Ingredients

2 cups steel-cut oats
3 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a 6-quart saucepan. Stir in the oats and boil for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat. Cover and allow the oats to stand overnight.

    Step 2

    When ready to serve, stir the milk, salt, butter, and cinnamon into the oats. Stir and cook the oatmeal over medium-low heat until it comes to a boil.

    Step 3

    Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the mixture looks dry, add a little water.

    Step 4

    Remove the pan from the heat. Add the sweetener or topping of your choice and serve.

Bubby's Brunch Cookbook cover.
Bubby’s Brunch Cookbook by Ron Silver and Rosemary Black. Copyright © 2009 by Ron Silver and Rosemary Black. Published by Ballantine Books. All Rights Reserved.
Read More
Like tiny tomato galettes and chimichurri grilled shrimp.
Like swordfish steaks with tomatoes and Peruvian-style tofu.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Punchy, make-ahead chimichurri adds a bright, fresh finish to this easy summer dinner.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
Thinly sliced and cooked hot and fast, pork tenderloin is the juicy, cook-quicking weeknight champion of this vegetable-heavy stir-fry.
With a crisp crust, garlicky mayo, and a juicy slice of tomato.
The secret to juicy grilled chicken, a sheet-cake swap for banana pudding, and more reasons to light up the grill and have people over all summer long.