This Garlic Butter and Herbs Oatmeal transforms your breakfast staple into a savory delight. Creamy oats are infused with garlic, butter, and fresh herbs for a comforting meal. Perfect for brunch or dinner, this garlic butter oatmeal comes together quickly with simple ingredients.
Craving a delicious Garlic Butter and Herbs Oatmeal? You've come to the right spot! From Savory Oatmeal favorites to amazing Chicken Breast Recipes recipes, there's something here for everyone.
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter and Herbs Oatmeal
- Game-changer: A savory twist that wakes up your taste buds.
- Comforting flavor: Toasted garlic, butter, and herbs create a rustic yet sophisticated bowl.
- Quick & easy: Ready in about 20 minutes for a restaurant-worthy dish.
- Endlessly customizable: Add an egg, mushrooms, or bacon to adapt to your fridge.
Ingredients & Tools
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant)
- 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3-4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Optional for serving: a squeeze of lemon juice, red pepper flakes, a soft-boiled or fried egg.
Tools: A medium saucepan, a wooden spoon, a sharp knife, and a measuring cup.
Notes: Use good-quality broth as the savory foundation. Fresh herbs are ideal, but dried work in a pinch (use one-third the amount). Parmesan adds salty, umami depth.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories: | 320 kcal |
| Protein: | 10 g |
| Fat: | 18 g |
| Carbs: | 30 g |
| Fiber: | 5 g |
Serves: 2 | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes
Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes
- Why old-fashioned rolled oats? They provide the perfect texture—creamy but with a pleasant, slight chew. Instant oats will turn to mush, and steel-cut will take far too long. Stick with rolled oats for the ideal consistency.
- Is fresh garlic really necessary? Honestly, yes. The flavor of fresh, minced garlic toasted in butter is irreplaceable and forms the aromatic base of the entire dish. Jarred minced garlic can have a slightly off, acidic taste that just isn’t the same.
- Can I use water instead of broth? You could, but the oatmeal will be quite bland. The broth is what gives this dish its deep, savory character. If you must use water, you’ll need to be much more generous with salt and maybe add a splash of soy sauce or Worcestershire for that umami punch.
- What’s the deal with the herbs? Fresh parsley and thyme are a classic, bright combination. Parsley adds a fresh, clean finish, while thyme gives an earthy, almost floral note. If you have other herbs like chives or rosemary, feel free to experiment—a little goes a long way!
How to Make Garlic Butter and Herbs Oatmeal
Step 1: Toast the Oats. Place your dry oats in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Toast them for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until they become fragrant and smell a little nutty. You’ll notice the color won’t change much, but the aroma will—this simple step adds a wonderful depth of flavor and prevents the final dish from being gluey.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics. Push the toasted oats to one side of the pan and add the butter and olive oil to the empty space. Once the butter has melted and starts to foam, add the minced garlic. Sauté for just 30-60 seconds, until the garlic is incredibly fragrant but not browned. Burning the garlic will make it bitter, so keep a watchful eye!
Step 3: Combine and Simmer. Stir the garlic and butter into the oats, coating them evenly. Now, carefully pour in the broth—it will sizzle and steam dramatically, which is a good thing! Add the salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a lively simmer, then immediately reduce the heat to low.
Step 4: Cook to Creamy Perfection. Let the oatmeal cook gently for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’re looking for the oats to be tender and for the liquid to be mostly absorbed, leaving a creamy, porridge-like consistency. If it looks too thick, you can add a splash more broth or water. If it’s too thin, just let it cook for another minute or two.
Step 5: Finish with Herbs and Cheese. Once the oatmeal is cooked, take the pan off the heat. Stir in the vast majority of your chopped parsley, all of the thyme, and the grated Parmesan cheese. The residual heat will wilt the herbs perfectly and melt the cheese into a silky, cohesive sauce. Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
Step 6: Serve Immediately. Savory oatmeal is best enjoyed right away while it’s hot and creamy. Divide it between two bowls, and top with the remaining fresh parsley, an extra grating of Parmesan, and any of your chosen optional toppings. A final drizzle of olive oil or a squeeze of lemon juice right at the end can really brighten everything up.
Storage & Freshness Guide
- Fridge: Cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended; texture becomes mushy upon thawing.
- Reviving: Reheat with a splash of broth or water to restore creaminess.
Serving Suggestions
Complementary Dishes
- A simple arugula salad — The peppery bite of fresh arugula dressed with just lemon juice and olive oil provides a crisp, refreshing contrast to the rich, creamy oatmeal.
- Sautéed mushrooms — A mix of cremini and shiitake mushrooms sautéed in a bit of butter and thyme will add a wonderful meaty, earthy dimension that complements the garlic and herbs beautifully.
- Roasted cherry tomatoes — Their sweet, concentrated burst of flavor and slight acidity cuts through the richness of the butter and cheese, creating a perfect balance in every bite.
Drinks
- A crisp, dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc — Its bright acidity and citrus notes act as a palate cleanser, making each spoonful of the savory oatmeal taste fresh and new.
- Sparkling water with a lemon wedge — The effervescence is wonderfully refreshing and helps to balance the dish’s richness without competing with its delicate herbal flavors.
- Earl Grey tea — The bergamot in the tea offers a surprising and delightful floral note that pairs elegantly with the earthy thyme and savory Parmesan.
Something Sweet
- Lemon olive oil cake — The bright, zesty flavor of the cake is a fantastic follow-up, cleansing the palate after the savory meal without being overly heavy or sweet.
- A small bowl of fresh berries — The natural sweetness and slight acidity of raspberries or strawberries provide a simple, light, and refreshing end to your meal.
- Dark chocolate espresso beans — Just a few of these offer a bitter, crunchy, and caffeinated finish that contrasts wonderfully with the creamy, herbal notes of the oatmeal.
Top Mistakes to Avoid
- Mistake: Burning the garlic. Garlic cooks in a flash and goes from golden and fragrant to bitter and burnt in seconds. Always sauté it over medium heat and for no more than a minute. If it burns, it’s best to start over, as that bitter flavor will permeate the entire dish.
- Mistake: Using instant oats. Their texture is designed
Garlic Butter And Herbs Oatmeal
Discover savory Garlic Butter and Herbs Oatmeal! This easy, 20-minute recipe transforms breakfast into a gourmet meal. Try this delicious twist on oatmeal today!
Ingredients
For the Oatmeal:
-
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
-
2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
-
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
-
3-4 cloves garlic (finely minced)
-
1/4 cup fresh parsley (finely chopped)
-
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
-
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
-
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
-
1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
-
1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Optional for serving:
-
a squeeze of lemon juice
-
red pepper flakes
-
a soft-boiled or fried egg
Instructions
-
Toast the Oats. Place your dry oats in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Toast them for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until they become fragrant and smell a little nutty. You’ll notice the color won’t change much, but the aroma will—this simple step adds a wonderful depth of flavor and prevents the final dish from being gluey.01
-
Sauté the Aromatics. Push the toasted oats to one side of the pan and add the butter and olive oil to the empty space. Once the butter has melted and starts to foam, add the minced garlic. Sauté for just 30-60 seconds, until the garlic is incredibly fragrant but not browned. Burning the garlic will make it bitter, so keep a watchful eye!02
-
Combine and Simmer. Stir the garlic and butter into the oats, coating them evenly. Now, carefully pour in the broth—it will sizzle and steam dramatically, which is a good thing! Add the salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a lively simmer, then immediately reduce the heat to low.03
-
Cook to Creamy Perfection. Let the oatmeal cook gently for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’re looking for the oats to be tender and for the liquid to be mostly absorbed, leaving a creamy, porridge-like consistency. If it looks too thick, you can add a splash more broth or water. If it’s too thin, just let it cook for another minute or two.04
-
Finish with Herbs and Cheese. Once the oatmeal is cooked, take the pan off the heat. Stir in the vast majority of your chopped parsley, all of the thyme, and the grated Parmesan cheese. The residual heat will wilt the herbs perfectly and melt the cheese into a silky, cohesive sauce. Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.05
-
Serve Immediately. Savory oatmeal is best enjoyed right away while it’s hot and creamy. Divide it between two bowls, and top with the remaining fresh parsley, an extra grating of Parmesan, and any of your chosen optional toppings. A final drizzle of olive oil or a squeeze of lemon juice right at the end can really brighten everything up.06
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