How to Cook Steel Cut Oats on the Stove

These stovetop steel cut oats deliver a super creamy, beautiful texture and you don’t have to pre-soak your oats ahead of time.

Steel Cut Oatmeal Recipe

Steel cut oats have a bounty of health benefits, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, but have a reputation of being a little fussy to cook (since they take a little longer than instant or old-fashioned oats). If you’ve written off steel cut oats for any reason, I implore you to try again with this recipe. We’ve tested it to give you tried and true, perfectly textured oats (think: just the right amount of chew and the best nutty flavor) every time for a wholesome and hearty way to start your day.

What is the best way to cook Steel Cut Oats?

The best way is whatever works for your life! We’ve tested and developed recipes for cooking steel cut oats in the microwave (coming soon!), on the stove, in the Instant Pot (Instant Pot steel cut oats), and overnight (also coming soon!). Aside from the obvious difference in equipment and cooking method, each recipe also has varying amounts of hands-on time, so there may be one method that is better for you than the others. Whichever you choose, though, will give you delicious and creamy oats!

Ingredients for Making Steel Cut Oats

The ingredients are super simple to make the base for these stovetop steel cut oats. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 ½ cups of water
• 1 cup of your milk of choice
• 1 cup of steel cut oats
• Pinch of salt

Ingredient Modifications

This recipe is meant to serve as a basic base for steel cut oats that can be customized to your preference. Here are some ideas of how you can add and modify to make them your own:

• Add a little sweetness – add ½ of a ripe banana or 1 tablespoon of maple syrup into your oats for a little sweetness. If you’re using a banana, mash it right on into the oats while they are cooking.
• Add a little spice – add a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, or cardamom to the oats to bring warm flavor notes.

What is the ratio of water to steel cut oats?

The ratio of liquid to steel cut oats is 3½ to 1 (so, 3½ cups of water/milk to 1 cup of oats). This ensures there is enough liquid for the oats to soak up for an uber, creamy texture.

Supplies Needed to Make this Recipe

• Saucepan

How to Cook Steel Cut Oats on the Stove

1. Add ingredients to the saucepan. Add liquids, oats, and salt into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, while stirring.
2. Reduce heat. Once it begins to boil, reduce the heat to low, and let simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally so the oats don’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
3. Check on texture. Check on the texture of the oats after 20 minutes and cook an additional 5-10 minutes longer (if needed) to reach the desired texture. The longer they simmer, the softer and creamier they will become – 30 minutes is ideal in our house!
4. Remove and stir. Remove from the heat and stir. The oats will continue to thicken as they cool.
5. Serve and enjoy. Garnish with your favorite toppings, serve, and enjoy.

How long to cook Steel Cut Oats

We found that 30 minutes is the sweet spot for the creamiest textured oats.

Steel Cut Oats Toppings

There is no wrong way to top your oatmeal! Have fun with the toppings and individualize them to whatever sounds good to you. Here are some ideas:

• PB&J – make peanut butter and jelly oats by adding a spoonful of peanut butter, your favorite jelly or preserves, and a sprinkle of chopped peanuts.
• Classic – for a simple, classic oatmeal flavor reminiscent of flavors from childhood, add a sprinkle of cinnamon, your choice of sugar (cane sugar, brown sugar, coconut sugar), and a drizzle of heavy cream.
• Tropical – go tropical by adding some unsweetened coconut flakes, tropical fruit (mango is delicious here), and a sprinkle of chia seeds for added texture.

Storing and Reheating Steel Cut Oats

To store your steel cut oats, let them cool and place them in a covered container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat by adding a splash of milk or water and warming through in the microwave or on the stovetop.

How long do steel cut oats last?

Stored in the fridge, your oats are good for up to 5 days. You can also freeze your cooked oats and store them in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. We recommend freezing in a muffin tin or silicone mold, then popping the individual oat servings out once frozen into your storage method of choice.

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