Savory Slow Cooker Oatmeal

The person I got this recipe from once put together a set of savory oatmeal toppings titled Oatmeal for Dinner.

She said she remembered adding Italian sausage

as a topping and thinking it would be great to get the sausage flavor into the oats themselves, instead of just sitting on the surface.

That's how this recipe was born. The slow cooker is perfect for steel-cut oats—long, patient simmering makes them tender all the way through. (For a more traditional, non-savory oatmeal option, check out our Slow Cooker Steel-Cut Oatmeal recipe with butter, sugar, and milk.) For the savory version, Italian sausage links—mild or hot, whichever you prefer—work well, but you can try other types of sausage too.

Start this before you go to bed, and in the morning you'll have nothing to do—just add toppings and make a pot of coffee. Stay away from the computer. Lie in bed. Open the windows. Listen to music. It's Sunday.

INGREDIENTS:

Slow Cooker Savory Steel-Cut Oatmeal Makes 4 to 6 generous servings 

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 large Italian sausage links (about 1 pound), mild or hot

2 cups steel-cut oats

8 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

Freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt, (if needed )

Optional toppings: sliced hot chiles, vinegary hot sauce, pickled peppers, cilantro, fried eggs, sliced green onions.

DIRECTIONS:


Step 1: Set a medium skillet over medium heat. Pour in the olive oil, coat the bottom of the pan, and add the sausages. Brown them, turning a few times so they color evenly, until they're nice and brown on all sides, about 10 minutes. Don't worry about cooking them all the way through.

Step 2: Remove the sausages from the pan, halve them lengthwise, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces.

Step 3: Turn on your slow cooker. Add the steel-cut oats.

Step 4: Pour in the broth.

Step 5: Add the seared sausages. Stir everything together.

Step 6: Cook 4 to 5 hours on high or 8 to 9 hours on low. When done, taste the oatmeal: Grind in some black pepper and add salt if needed.

Serve in warm bowls and throw on one or more of the optional toppings!


Enjoy!  Eat Well My Friends