Easiest and Fastest Way to Cook Steel Cut Oats

Posted on by Carolyn Dunn, PhD, RDN, LDN
Share, print or subscribe
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share in an email Printer icon Subscribe

I try to eat oatmeal twice a week for breakfast. It is a great way to get whole grains and, topped with blueberries or strawberries, I get a serving of fruit before I am even out the door.

I love the taste, texture, and satiety of steel cut oats. What I don’t love is the time it takes to cook. It is not a part of my morning to stand and stir for 30 minutes (or more). I have discovered the EASIEST way to make steel cut oats for my whole week in just minutes. It is also fool proof – works perfectly every time.

steel cut oat recipe

The Easiest and Fastest Way to Cook Steel Cut Oats:

  1. Place 1 cup steel cut oats and 4 cups water in a medium pot. This will make 4 servings. If you only want 2 – just make half this. If you need more, well you get the picture – just use a 4 to 1 water to oat ratio. steel cut oats
  2. Bring the mixture to a full boil. steel cut oats
  3. Cut the heat off and place the lid on the pot.
  4. Place the pot on a towel in the refrigerator overnight. batch cooking oatmeal
  5. Next morning, heat the mixture and serve. It is the perfect doneness and thickness.

Note: If you don’t need all four servings at once, just remove what you don’t need and put back in the refrigerator in a container with a tight-fitting lid. I usually make enough for my whole week on Sunday night. That way the oatmeal is ready each morning – just heat and eat.

You might also enjoy:

Making Sense of All the Different Types of Oatmeal

Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats

Living Happily Ever After with Oatmeal

Don’t miss another great blog: Subscribe Now

18 thoughts on “Easiest and Fastest Way to Cook Steel Cut Oats”

  1. Thanks. Just the information I was looking for when I discovered I bought the slow cooking steel cut oats by mistake. It was no fun watching over the pot for 25 minutes.

  2. Instant Pot
    1 Cup of Steel Cut Oats
    4 Cups of Water
    4 minutes, let slow release for another 10.

    Can sub 1 cup of the water for Almond Milk etc..

  3. I cook one cup that make 3-4 portions . Put them in sandwich bags when cool. In the refrigerator they go. Grab them in the morning cook for 3 minutes in microwave and it’s ready to put your add ons.

  7. I microwave my quick cooking steel cut oats at work:
    * about a 4-to-1 ratio of oats to water (I eyeball it)
    * microwave 2 minutes in a 1000w microwave (your mileage may vary depending on your wattage)
    * stir and check consistency, add more water if needed

    Then I like to stir in a spoonful of nut butter (cashew and chunky almond are my favorite) and berries. If it’s not sweet enough, I’ll add pumpkin spice to change the flavor without having to add an actual sweetener. Others could add cinnamon for sweetening–it’s just not an option for me because it triggers migraines.

    1. Sounds delicious, thank you for sharing Amanda! Quick cooking steel cut oats are a great option for the office and we love the idea of adding spices instead of sugar. 🙂

  8. are quick cook organic steel cut oats just as beneficial? walmart sells thier brand cooks in 5-7 minutes?

    1. Quick cooking steel cut oats are cut into smaller pieces which allows them to cook quicker. The nutritional value would be similar to regular steel cut oats. However, I prefer the taste and texture of the longer cooking variety. Try a slow cooker or the overnight method!

  9. Do you cool the oatmeal to room temperature before putting it in the fridge?

    1. Great question, Jennifer! You do not have to cool it to room temperature before putting it in the fridge as the fridge will cool it down faster and eliminate the danger zone for food safety. For more info, please watch the latest Med Instead of Meds webinar as this is discussed in more detail. The webinar recording can be found under Tools > Free Webinar Series. Below is a direct link to the webinar as well: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/1650944578494529282

    2. I cook on cup that make 3-4 portions . Put them in sandwich bags when cool. In the refrigerator they go. Grab them in the morning cook for 3 minutes in microwave and it’s ready to put your add ons.

  10. I just put those back on the shelf yesterday because I didn’t feel like I had the time to cook them in the morning before work and kids going to school. I will definitely try them when I use up the oatmeal that I purchased.

    1. We would love to hear how it goes, Pam, please keep us updated if you try it! 🙂

  11. Thank you for sharing this method of preparing steel cut oatmeal. With this short cut, I’ll be sure to enjoy it more often.

Comments are closed.