Savory Oats Recipe

Savory Oatmeal is an affordable, fiber-rich vegetarian meal with easy vegan swaps. Lots of mushrooms add big umami flavor!

A cheap and delicious Savory Oatmeal Recipe for dinner

Did you know that risotto isn’t just a dish, but it’s actually a method of cooking? While risotto is usually associated with rice, lots of different ingredients can be cooked risotto-style.

Savory oatmeal is a high-fiber alternative to risotto made with white rice. But if you’re thinking savory oatmeal sounds bland, think again.

Making savory steel cut oats with lots of umami-packed mushrooms turn this dish into something upscale and elegant enough to enjoy for dinner with a glass of wine.

Savory Oats Recipe ingredients

• steel cut Irish oatmeal – I use McCann’s Traditional Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal for savory oatmeal.
• vegetable stock – I use veggie stock to keep this meal truly meatless, but I discuss other options below.
• unsalted butter – for sauteeing the leeks and mushrooms. Vegan options discussed below!
• leek – I love the subtle onion flavor that a leek adds to this recipe, but 1/2 of a yellow onion or a shallot would be a good substitute.
• garlic – I wouldn’t think of making risotto without garlic.
• mushrooms – you’ll need 12 ounces, and I discuss options for varieties below.
• sage – I use dried ground sage to add an earthy flavor that pairs so well with mushrooms. You can also use minced fresh sage – just use twice the amount.
• thyme – I use fresh thyme because I always have it in my garden. You can also use dried thyme – just use half the amount.
• fresh lemon juice – one lemon will give you plenty of juice for this dish.
• white wine – a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio adds nice acid to this dish. But feel free to skip it if you want, and just add a little bit extra lemon juice.
• Parmesan cheese – either a traditional or vegetarian version is great for oatmeal for dinner, which I discuss below.
• salt and pepper – you MUST season risotto for it to taste great!
• parsley – chopped fresh parsley makes a pretty garnish.

This savory oatmeal is packed with mushrooms!

In my opinion, mushrooms are just so delicious and add a “meaty” quality to a meatless meal, so we’re using lots of them here.

For this mushroom oatmeal, you’ll need a total of 12 ounces of mushrooms. I used a large package (8 ounces) of traditional white button mushrooms, as well as a smaller package (4 ounces) of “gourmet mushroom blend” (which included cremini, shitake and oyster).

How to make Oatmeal for Dinner

1. HEAT STOCK. In a medium saucepan with a lid, heat the stock and keep it covered.

2. SAUTE VEGGIES. Add a bit of butter to a high-sided skillet and saute the leek, then the garlic and mushrooms as well.

3. DEGLAZE. Add the wine and cook 1 minute to get all the browned goodness off the bottom of the pan.

4. ADD OATS. Reduce the heat and stir in the oatmeal. Then, add 2 lades of stock and stir constantly until the stock is mostly absorbed.

5. CONTINUE RISOTO METHOD. Cook 18 to 22 minutes or until the oats are tender, adding stock 1 ladle at a time when previous ladle is mostly absorbed. Stir frequently, but you do not need to stir constantly.

6. FINISH. Vigorously stir in cheese and lemon juice. Serve garnished with parsley and additional cheese.

Savory Steel Cut Oats variations

This Savory Baked Oatmeal can be kept vegetarian

I kept my savory oatmeal vegetarian by using the homemade vegetable stock that I learned to make in culinary school. But store bought veggie stock is always absolutely fine.

To keep this oatmeal for lunch or dinner recipe vegetarian, you need to skip the Parmesan cheese or use a vegan Parm.

Parmesan cheese is not vegetarian because it contains rennet (an enzyme that’s found in the lining of a goat or calf’s stomach).

Make this Savory Oats Recipe vegan

To make this savory oatmeal vegan, you’ll need to use veggie stock, vegan Parm, AND swap the unsalted butter for a vegan butter alternative, or olive oil.

Make this Savory Oatmeal with non-vegetarian ingredients

You can also use chicken stock or beef stock to make this mushroom oatmeal if you’re not vegetarian and happen to have it around.

And if you’re not vegetarian, traditional Parmesan cheese will add another layer of umami flavor to this oatmeal for dinner.

What to serve with Oatmeal for Dinner

While this savory oatmeal is a pretty great meal all in one bowl, if you’d like to serve a side dish with it, I recommend a salad or vegetable side.

How to store Savory Oatmeal

Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate up to 3 days.

Reheat on stovetop with a splash of broth or water to restore the risotto’s creamy consistency.