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My vegetable oats recipe is a balanced meal that will change the way you think about oatmeal. Many Americans default to sweet breakfasts, so vegetables often get overlooked. Oats are actually a perfect blank canvas for savory toppings, as seen in Indian dishes like oats upma and oats khichdi. My version adds protein-rich black beans for an easy, affordable vegetarian meal.
🥣 Vegetable Oats Recipe Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make oats with vegetables:
- ½ cup rolled oats, dry (AKA old fashioned oats)
- 1 cup vegetable broth or water
- ¼ teaspoon each: chili powder, cumin, garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- 1/3 cup black beans
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese (1 ounce/28g)
- Oatmeal toppings (optional; soft-boiled eggs, avocado, pico de gallo, cilantro, lime wedges)
Get a printable recipe card below.
Black beans are a versatile legume that count as both a vegetable and a protein on MyPlate. They offer an easy way to boost the fiber and protein in your breakfast.
I chose Mexican-inspired, but this dish is easy to customize to your taste. You can find more vegetable ideas for oatmeal below.
😋 How to Make Vegetable Oats
Bring the broth or water to a boil over medium heat in a pot on the stove.
Once it’s boiling, add the oats, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add more liquid or cook longer if you prefer a creamier texture. While the oats cook, prepare your toppings and set them aside.
Add the black beans and shredded cheese to the hot oatmeal and stir until the cheese melts completely. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy.
Leftovers
Leftover cooked oatmeal can be stored in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Cover it with plastic wrap or transfer it to a lidded container to prevent it from drying out.
To reheat, place it in a microwave safe bowl and heat on high for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in a little water if it has thickened. Add fresh toppings after reheating.
You can also freeze cooked oatmeal without toppings. Let it thaw in the fridge for 24 to 48 hours before reheating and adding toppings.
Vegetable Oatmeal Variations
Try masala oats with vegetables, or use a variety of cooked leftover veggies on your oatmeal. Great options include bell peppers, roasted red peppers, cauliflower, cabbage, asparagus, green peas, green chilies, chickpeas (chana), spinach, and herbs like curry leaves. You can also add savory sauces such as chili sauce for extra flavor.
Do not forget about options beyond vegetables, too. Mushrooms, nutritional yeast, nuts, seeds, dairy foods, and fruits are all delicious with oatmeal.
Watch How to Make It!
Vegetable Oats Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup rolled oats, dry (old fashioned oats)
- 1 cup vegetable broth or water
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt, to taste
- ⅓ cup canned black beans, drained
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese (1 ounce/28g)
- savory oatmeal toppings (optional; soft-boiled eggs, avocado, pico de gallo, cilantro, lime wedges)
Instructions
- Bring the broth or water to a boil over medium heat in a pot on the stove.
- Once it’s boiling, add the oats, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add more liquid or cook longer if you prefer a creamier texture. While the oats cook, prepare your toppings and set them aside.
- Add the black beans and shredded cheese to the hot oatmeal and stir until the cheese melts completely. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy.
Equipment
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 1 recipe (may help support fat loss). Vegetable oats are a simple way to add more veggies to your morning routine. Vegetables provide fiber, vitamins like A and C, and a variety of phytonutrients. Including more vegetables in your meals can support overall nutrition in an easy, flexible way. This savory version of oatmeal also offers an alternative to the traditional sweet bowl that often includes added sugars from syrups, honey, and dried fruit. If you need your vegetable oats to be gluten free, be sure to use certified gluten free oats. While oats are naturally gluten free, they are often processed alongside gluten-containing grains. Brands like Bob’s Red Mill offer certified gluten free options made in dedicated facilities.Are vegetable oats good for weight loss?
Some research suggests that front-loading calories (eating a larger, balanced breakfast earlier in the day) may support healthy weight management for some people. If this approach works for you, a hearty bowl of vegetable oats can be a filling, nutrient rich option that may help keep you satisfied until lunch. Nutrition information is for one serving without the optional toppings.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Nutrition
👩🏻🍳 More Oats with Vegetables Recipes
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Hello! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create recipes for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂
I’ve read through this post twice and I’m still rubbing my eyes in disbelief. Huevos Rancheros with oats is a real stretch for me. I’m going to need to give this a little more time to sink in before I attempt it. Thanks for being so bold!
Trust me on this one, it really works! The steel-cut oats add a nice texture to the dish kind of like a bed of quinoa or rice would. Thank you for reading 🙂
Worthy concept, Summer, exploring ways to allow breakfast a more sophisticated expression. Sweet preparations have their place, and often whet the appetite, but when the day’s first meal is dessert, maybe reimagination is needed.
Your idea supplies just that. It starts the day with spirit and in style. Just as important, it gives one a well-fortified start to a healthy day. Nice!
So kind of you, thank you so much! I was a bit worried with all of the current interest in intermittent fasting, few would be interested in breakfast recipes. Thankfully that does not seem to be the case!
I’ve never had savoury oatmeal before, so I’m definitely trying this.
I hope that you love it! I have a more streamlined version of this recipe in the works for busier mornings, so if you like this one, please stay tuned. Thank you for reading 😀
Ok great, thanks.