Savory Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats

Savory steel cut oats cooked to a creamy texture in a slow cooker

I use two cups of steel-cut oats and eight cups of liquid, mostly chicken broth, cooked on LOW for 6–8 hours. At 6 hours the oats are chewier; at 8 hours they are much softer.

Savory, not sweet. Ready when you wake up.

Real Talk

I was never much of an oatmeal fan, for two reasons. I prefer savory breakfasts over sweet ones, and I find the mushy texture of oatmeal unappealing.

My wife frequently encourages me to eat more oats, though. So I set out to make a recipe with real texture and the savory flavor I was looking for. These savory steel-cut oats were the perfect solution.

Why This Recipe Works

Steel-cut oats hold up. They can handle hours of slow cooking without turning into a soggy, mushy mess.
Prep at night, eat in the morning. Everything goes into the slow cooker in the evening and cooks while you sleep.
A savory base you can top any way. Eat them plain, or add sautéed vegetables, a fried egg, bacon, or sausage.

Ingredients

Oats

2 cups steel-cut oats
8 cups chicken broth (or 7½ cups broth plus ½ cup heavy cream for creamier oats)

Optional Toppings

A basic mirepoix
Your favorite sautéed vegetables, like sliced sweet peppers and spinach with minced garlic
Diced tomatoes and fresh herbs, such as parsley or basil
A fried egg
Crispy bacon crumbles
Sausage crumbles

Steel-Cut Oats Only

This recipe was developed for steel-cut oats. Old-fashioned oats would need a very different cook time and liquid ratio, so use a recipe written for them instead.

Lighter or Creamier

For lighter oats, use all chicken broth. For richer, creamier oats, use 7½ cups of broth plus ½ cup of heavy cream.

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, or Vegan

For gluten-free oats, buy gluten-free steel-cut oats. We use Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Steel Cut Oats. For dairy-free, skip the cream. For vegan, use vegetable broth and skip the cream.

Time and Texture

Use 8 cups of liquid for every 2 cups of oats and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours.

At 6 hours: the oats are chewy.
At 8 hours: they're very soft.

It really is a matter of preference how long you cook them.

How to Make Savory Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats

Step 1: Add the oats and liquid

Add the oats to the slow cooker.

Uncooked steel-cut oats in a slow cooker.

Add the chicken broth, or 7½ cups of broth plus ½ cup of heavy cream for creamier oats, and give it a good mix.

Chicken broth and heavy cream in the slow cooker.

Step 2: Cook on low

Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours.

At 6 hours, the oats will be chewy. At 8 hours, they'll be very soft. Cook them to the texture you like.

Step 3: Serve plain or topped

Serve the oats in a bowl, plain or topped with a vegetable medley.

Expert Tips

Prep the toppings the night before. Store them in a sealed container in the fridge and reheat for a few seconds in the microwave. Toppings like diced tomatoes and herbs don't need reheating.
Short on time? Skip the toppings. When we eat these plain, we make them creamier with ½ cup of heavy cream, added with the broth.
Add protein on top. A fried egg, crispy bacon crumbles, or sausage crumbles all work.
Loosen leftovers. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. They thicken, so add a splash of broth before reheating.

FAQs

How long do steel-cut oats take in the slow cooker?

Cook 2 cups of steel-cut oats with 8 cups of liquid on LOW for 6 to 8 hours. At 6 hours they're chewy, and at 8 hours they're very soft.

Can I use old-fashioned oats instead of steel-cut oats?

This recipe was developed specifically for steel-cut oats. Old-fashioned oats would need a very different cook time and liquid ratio, so use a recipe written for them.

Can I make these sweet?

Yes. Use water instead of broth, add as much sugar as you like, and top them with your favorite fruit or sweet mix-ins.

Can I use water instead of broth?

Yes, but you'll need to add salt to taste.

More Breakfast Recipes

For more breakfast, try my Ratatouille Frittata, Healthy Breakfast Cookies, Instant Pot Baked Oatmeal, or Instant Pot Eggs en Cocotte.

Did you make these Savory Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats?

Please leave a star rating and tell me how they turned out!

📖 Recipe