Steel Cut Oats?

heybrit
heybrit Posts: 140
edited October 3 in Recipes
So I've been craving oatmeal and I decided that instead of buying the packs of "Instant Oatmeal" I would just buy the oatmeal and then add to it whatever to keep it healthier and save money. So I went to the bulk section and got a pound of Steel Cut Oats. After I purchased them, I realized they don't look the same as the instant oatmeal and thus I am not sure if it can be used in the same way.
I tried googling "steel cut oats oatmeal" and found a few things that weren't too helpful and that typically said making the oatmeal in a crockpot overnight (which I don't have and cannot afford to purchase right now--I do have a rice cooker though).

So my question is this...can I use them in the same way I would instant oatmeal? I am lazy and want to be able to make these for a quick breakfast prior to work. Did I totally screw up and buy the wrong thing? Help me! Haha. What do you do with them? Any suggestions/recipes are welcome.

Thanks!

Replies

  • BrendarB
    BrendarB Posts: 2,770 Member
    since you don't have a crockpot, the next best thing is to toast the oats in a dry pan first (give's it a nice flavor), pour in some boiling water, stir and let it sit on the stove overnight, in the morning, heat it up and enjoy.
  • rbryntes
    rbryntes Posts: 710 Member
    Hah. You want rolled oats, not steel cut oats.

    But. I find steel cut oats easy to fix - put them in the pot with water before you go to bed, allowing to soak for about 8 hours. Turn the pot on when you wake up in the morning, adding salt and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes. Done.

    If you get rolled oats, those look like your instant oatmeal. Just add water, cook on medium low until boiling, boil for 1 minute, done.
  • mandasimba
    mandasimba Posts: 782 Member
    Do you mean use the same as in stick in the microwave for 3 minutes with water? If so, no. Also, no for oatmeal cookies.

    You can make them on the stove, though they take about 30 minutes. Do not make them in the microwave.
    You can make several batches at once and fridge the rest. Just add a bit of water or milk before reheating. Watch out, though, it becomes weird and gelatanous once refrigerated... but tastes just fine once reheated.

    If you have a TJ's around, they have a quick cooking steel cut oats (about 5 minutes on the stove). 1lb8oz and I think it is either $1.99 or $2.49.
  • heybrit
    heybrit Posts: 140
    Damn!!! I knew I got the wrong thing :(

    But I will try the soaking method and toasting methods as well. Thanks for educating me :)
  • cdevine10
    cdevine10 Posts: 102 Member
    I found this online. Hopefully it helps. and no steel cut oats are not the same as instant. They will take longer to make but I think the nutritional value is more what you should be eating.

    3 cups water
    1 cup steel-cut oats
    pinch of salt

    Bring the water to a boil and stir in the oats and salt. Let the water and oats come back to a boil then reduce to medium-low heat.

    Let the oats simmer with the lid slightly ajar, stirring frequently until cooked through - 20 minutes for chewy oats or 30 minutes for softer oats.

    Stir in extras like milk, sweeteners, nuts, and fruit off the heat in individual bowls. Leftovers keep for one week.
  • cdevine10
    cdevine10 Posts: 102 Member
    sorry double post
  • wendybird2
    wendybird2 Posts: 46 Member
    Steel cut oats typically take about 30-40 minutes to cook on the stove. However, you can make a big batch up the night before, and reheat one serving each morning in the microwave, adding whatever toppings you like best. I think steel-cut is soooo much better the next day, because it has a thick, almost creamy consistency. You'll probably have to add some extra water or milk when you reheat. A scoop of leftover cooked steel-cut oats is also great in smoothies: boosts the fiber content and makes it creamy.

    You might want to consider trying old-fashioned "rolled" oats instead if you want to cook them that morning. I cook 1/2 cup rolled oats with 1/2 a diced apple and 1 cup water for 6 minutes at 50% power in the microwave. Then I stir in peanut butter, milk, protein powder, and strawberries.
  • heybrit
    heybrit Posts: 140
    Do you mean use the same as in stick in the microwave for 3 minutes with water? If so, no. Also, no for oatmeal cookies.

    You can make them on the stove, though they take about 30 minutes. Do not make them in the microwave.
    You can make several batches at once and fridge the rest. Just add a bit of water or milk before reheating. Watch out, though, it becomes weird and gelatanous once refrigerated... but tastes just fine once reheated.

    Yes, that is what I was referring to :(
  • heybrit
    heybrit Posts: 140
    I found this online. Hopefully it helps. and no steel cut oats are not the same as instant. They will take longer to make but I think the nutritional value is more what you should be eating.

    3 cups water
    1 cup steel-cut oats
    pinch of salt

    Bring the water to a boil and stir in the oats and salt. Let the water and oats come back to a boil then reduce to medium-low heat.

    Let the oats simmer with the lid slightly ajar, stirring frequently until cooked through - 20 minutes for chewy oats or 30 minutes for softer oats.

    Stir in extras like milk, sweeteners, nuts, and fruit off the heat in individual bowls. Leftovers keep for one week.

    Thanks so much! :D
  • mandasimba
    mandasimba Posts: 782 Member
    They are much yummier, though (imo) so you might become addicted and not go back to rolled oats once you have tried them ;)
  • brittanydaniel79
    brittanydaniel79 Posts: 226
    bump :)
  • genxrider
    genxrider Posts: 107 Member
    Trader Joe's frozen Steel Cut Oatmeal. $1.99 for two day's worth. I eat it every day. Just take it out of the plastic, put in in a bowl, nuke for about 3:30 and voila! A nice big helping of delicious, filling and oh-so-good for you oatmeal. I don't add anything to it because they are just that tasty.

    I checked your location and I know you've got a TJ's somewhere near you!
  • chinadoll725
    chinadoll725 Posts: 36 Member
    I love steel cut oats, eat them all the time. I make them by using 1 cup oats to 3 cups water. I bring water to a boil, add oats, reduce to a simmer and cook 12 minutes-stirring occasionally. I then cover them and refrigerate until the morning. I don't like mine mushy though, a little chewy (kinda like cooked rice consistency). And then I add some promise no fat butter, cinnamon, and splenda when I heat some up in the morning. Yummy!
  • Nogo
    Nogo Posts: 105 Member
    I make my steel cut oats then mix in some Light & Fit yogurt. Freakin yummy if you're looking for a different way to eat them...
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    I love steelcut oats. As you can tell from the posts - there are a multitude of cooking times depending on the texture you like. Make a big batch (oven works too) - and store in the fridge - then just reheat.

    Oven recipe: Rinse steel cut oats and put in covered (ceramic) baking dish. Add cold water to cover oats by a scant inch. Add a pinch of salt. Put the lid on. Bake at 400° for 45 minutes (do not stir). Remove from the oven and fluff with a fork.
  • rayneface
    rayneface Posts: 219 Member
    I have the best solution for steel cut oats!!!!

    I put 1/4 cup in a glass microwavable dish along with tbsp of sliced almonds and a couple tbsp of dried cranberries. I fill the container with water until the oats and other stuff is covered and pop the container in the fridge overnight. (If I am feeling festive I add pumpkin spice or cinnamon, just a dash of either)

    In the morning when I get to work, I just pop it in the microwave for about 3 minutes and they are cooked to a great consistency. I find now that instand oatmeal and rolled oats taste really weird... like mushy baby food.


    Hope this helps!!!!
  • k9hrd
    k9hrd Posts: 351 Member
    Bump
  • heybrit
    heybrit Posts: 140
    Thank you all for your suggestions and recipes! I am much more excited now to try them out :D
This discussion has been closed.

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