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Clean eaters often enjoy a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast or sometimes during the day. Have you ever wondered the difference between steel-cut oats versus rolled oats? I have yet to try steel-cut oats but have seen it for sale quite often. There are several differences between it and the typical rolled oat variety. These include:
- Much longer cooking time (30 minutes)
- More cholesterol lowering soluble fiber than other oatmeal
- Takes longer to digest so you stay fuller longer
- Chopped with steel blades resulting in a "chewier" oatmeal
To sum it up, steel-cut oats are basically a less processed version of the rolled oats. Since both versions are the same when it comes to nutrition, it is a matter of taste and preference as to which you would eat. Personally, I like the quick cooking of the rolled oats. However, I do like the fact that steel-cut oats contain more fiber. I may pick up a tin of it next time I'm running low on oats to see how I like it.
Do you have a preference between the two?
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I like steel cut better, chewy and nutty.
Oh, and if you plan on having them, throw a batch in the crockpot on low and it’s ready for the am.
I recently bought steel cut oats for the first time and really like them. Though, like you, I prefer the quicker cooking of rolled oats. I now alternate between the two, and usually cook steel cut on the weekends, and rolled oats during the work week.
I actually like both of them. The rolled oats do better with mix-ins… so when I want cinnamon & Splenda oats with sliced banana, the rolled oats are the way to go. For plain oats, I’d have to go with the steel cut variety.
I like all oatmeal but have recently preferred the steal cut. I put on some Splenda and berries and off I go.
I love oatmeal, but I recently tried the steel cut and I have to say its my favorite. I love the texture and the nutty taste…yes, it does take a long time to cook it, but microwaving it cuts the time in half. I was disappointed when Kroger took it off of the shelf; I guess it was not a good seller. At any rate, I highly recommend it!
Try Trader Joe’s frozen steel cut oatmeal.
4 minutes in the microwave.
Top with blueberries for a quick healthy breakfast!
http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/Products/Frozen/Steel_Cut_Oatmeal/details/
Steel cut oats are the way to go! I have tried a couple of different brands of steel cut oats, and like just about everything else, some are better than others. I really like the Mccanns that come in the can (the ones pictured on this site). Bob’s Red Mill is a close second…
I got this easy cooking method from a magazine:
1-1/2 cups steel-cut oats
6 cups cold water
Combine oats and water in a large saucepan. Bring oats and water to a full boil. Give a stir and remove from heat. Cover and let sit overnight or 5-6 hours will do. Next morning or 5 hours later, bring mixture to a boil, stirring frequently. Cook for 5 minutes more and remove from heat. Done!
I have tried this cooking method twice and it works! I usually stir in 3 ounces natural cane sugar. Let it cool and portion to seven 7-ounce portions and refrigerate. In the morning, I slice one-half banana in a bowl. Add one portion of refrigerated cooked oats. Cover with a paper towel and microwave for 2 minutes. Stir and eat with soymilk or milk of your choice. I also added some unsweetened coconut or you can sprinkle some toasted nuts on top. Really good!
I love steel cut oats and mostly eat them on the weekends unless my husband gets up early. They keep me and my toddler full. We like them with frozen blueberries and blue agave for sweetener. But my husband goes for milk all over it.
Steel cut oats are actually better than rolled because they have more of the whole grain in tact!
I like both and since Steel Cut seem to be way more expensive and always seem to come in a smaller container (at least at the “regular” supermarket)– I buy a big rolled oats from ALDI (so much less expensive than quaker and really has the same quality) and then I buy the small steel cut and mix them together. It makes it a bit crunchy when I eat it and I love the texture when mixed with the regular rolled oats. I always add about a teaspoon of cinnimon and either raisins or dates as well as nuts. YUMMY!
I just started eating oatmeal for the health benefits. I found Quaker steel cut oats in the supermarket; never heard of it. Just had my first bowl with pure maple syrup on top. Awsome!
I found a quick way to make the steel cut oats. I send it to school with my gluten-free son every day. Mix equal parts oats with liquid (soy milk, almond milk, water, skim, juice). Soak overnight. Warm in the morning in the micro for a few minutes. Enjoy. I do it with rolled oats too. It’s meant to be eaten cold but I heat it. Add some frozen blueberries after it’s heated to “cool” it. Mix water with a protein powder for a “milk” and add a little flaxseed. You’re ready to go…
Look in the health food section at Krogers I found them in cellophane packaging
I LERRV steel-cut oats. I used to buy the big round oatmeal carton, but found that my local health food store sells steel cut oats for just over a dollar a pound. Woo-hoo!
My favorite way to cook:
*Grease a small crockpot (1.5 quart to 3 quarts).
*Put inside: 1 cup steel cut oats, 3.5 cups water, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and brown sugar to taste (hey, I can be a bad girl sometimes!). Mix.
*Set on low for 5.5 hours. (Use a lamp timer to turn it on at the right time).
*This serves 4. Double the recipe if you have a 3 quart crockpot and refrigerate any leftovers. If you try this in a HUGE crockpot, your oatmeal will burn unless you make a recipe that fills it at least half full.
In the morning, I just give it a good stir and breakfast is ready! I have kids to feed and it’s great just being able to spoon it into bowls and eat.
McCann’s steel cut Irish Oatmeal makes a “Quick and Easy” version of their longer cooked oatmeal. It only takes 5 minutes and you’re done. I start ever day with a bowl and it keeps me full for till the afternoon.
I prefer rolled oats during the week and steel cut on Sunday morning! They are both delicious and are my absolute FAVORITE clean foods to eat!! Love the oats!! DELICIOUS!;)
http://bodybuildingandyou.blogspot.com/
I love steel cut oats over the rolled because it is heartier and the taste is much better. If you dont have alot of time in the morning for the 30 minutes it takes to make, Miltons has frozen steel cut oats that you pop in the microwave for about 3 minutes. It’s great and makes for a quick breakfast. Most supermarkets carry it in the frozen breakfast freezer.
I have been using steel cut oats for breakfast and baking. Here’s the key: put them in a coffee bean grinder — powders in seconds and cooks in one minute. Hint: put the ground oats in cold water and bring to a boil and they’re done. Delicious and nutritious.
After raising 3 sons I finally found something better then regular oatmeal. Our youngest son recommended the steel cut oats to me to have us try. (He’s always trying to have Mom and Dad eat healthier.) Well its hard to believe that we really do like the steel cut oats better then the regular oats. Sometimes I guess we have to listen to our “youngsters” when it comes to good eating. Very good and delicious!!!
I deeply appreciate these ideas you all have shared of soaking the steel-cut oats overnight.
I want to switch for the whole grain benefits, health, taste, and keeping our and toddler’s tummies full longer.
I had tried once and it was too crunchy– don’t think I boiled long enough– since my water level wasn’t enough. Now I have desire to do this again for us!
I think my favorite toppings will be
BANANA.. COCONUT!!! MAPLE SYRUP.. DATES.. BLUEBERRIES..
t*h*a*n*k y*o*u*
I cook a large pot once, cool and refrigerate what we don’t eat, then reheat a bowlful every morning til it’s gone. That way you only go through the long-cooking process once.
Buying them at a bulk food store is the way to go. I think I pay a little over a dollar for a pound – they are wonderful!!
They are actually not the same from the perspective of nutrition. Because the steel-cut variety takes longer to digest, it causes less of a spike in glucose levels in the blood, which helps to prevent a variety of problems.
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02963/The-Surprising-Reason-People-Get-Fat.html
Or, solve the cooking slowly problem with just eating them raw with fresh fruit, honey or splenda, and some fat free plain yogurt, or greek yogurt. greek yogurts packed with protein so it balances the breakfast to some extent.
Trader Toe’s now has the quick cook steeel cut oats next to the rolled oats. Since it only takes a couple of mins, i keep it at work and have it every morning. I add sliced almonds and raisins.
I personally think the Steel cuts have a much better flavor than the rolled. Also, if you use your crock pot to cook them, they come out as creamy and smooth as the rolled. I add some cranberries and dried appricots to them and it is delicious.
Thanks for information.
I put equal parts (2/3 cup) thick steel cut oats from Kroger’s bulk bins and water in a ceramic bowl and microwaved it on High for 2 minutes (pausing for a few seconds at 1:45 when it looked like it was about to overflow). It seemed very edible. Nutty, chewy, but not under-cooked.
I’ve not compared it to how it comes out after 30 min on the stove.
All I can say is Coaches Oats. Find the at costco or their website. Hands down THE BEST!
If you have a rice cooker with a porridge setting, this cooks the steel-cut oats better than a crockpot. Plus, if you use the timer, they are ready when you want them to be in the morning. Also, in the rice cooker, they stay warm for HOURS.
1C steel-cut oats
2.75 cups water
Important to use the ‘porridge’ setting, though. Any of the rice settings will boil over.
I LOVE steel cut oats and Hate rolled oats. Rolled oats are too gummy and mushy, yeech! I tried organic steel cut oats (.99 cents a pound by bulk at our local organic food store) for the first time about 2 years ago and fell in love with them! Nutty, chewy and btw….you do NOT have to cook them for 30min. or 6-8 hours, slow cookers, etc. as I have read so many times on many recipes sites and blogs. That is ridiculous. All you have to is boil water, dump in some organic steel cut oats and as soon as you dump them in the boiling water just turn the water all the way down to the lowest setting, stir them a couple of times and let them sit on the lowest setting for about 10-15 min. then take them off the stove to cool, cover and eat. To make them even more heart healthy AND more Yummy add extra virgin organic olive oil and some organic ground flaxseed and/or whatever fruit or nuts you want to add. I like a teeny bit of salt too. Since I have been eating organic steel cut oats every morning my cholesterol, triglycerides and weight have become normal and healthy. I loves me some steel cut oats. The only draw back…is the gas. But it is worth it!!!
p.s. I even eat steel cut oats raw sometimes, kind of a snack… like eating peanuts.
They’re just as good cold as cooked. I take frozen blueberries, 1/4 cup of either rolled oats or steel cut oats, and soymilk. Then I take this to work and eat it about an hour or so later. Sometimes I’ll sweeten it with Agave nectar or honey.
You can prepare it at night before going to bed and it’s ready to eat in the morning.
Errrrr. Just finished eating a bowl. It’s not all that. Is it really better for you? I guess…
Just went to Publix and whoa bought Quaker Steel Cut Oats. I have always loved the taste of just about all Quaker products so I will give them a try. I love fresh peaches and agave on my oatmeal with a dollop of greek yogurt. YumYum.
The best oatmeal recommended to me by my nutrionist are the Irish steel cut oatmeal she recommended to make a large batch for the week put in a tupperware refridgerate it and when you ready to consume it anytime of day take it out and microwave it for 1minute add some cinammon s all natural and great for you too…I always a fruit like bananna to sweeten up …
I just pour really hot water on it and let it sit for 5 minutes. Little chewy but nothing bad.
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