Authentic Scottish Porridge Recipe (2024)

Use this delicious porridge recipe to bring a taste of authentic Scottish porridge to your breakfast table!

The Scots have been enjoying their porridge for centuries, and rightly so.

Made from oats (which are one of the few grains that grow well in Scotlands' climate), Scottish porridge is tasty AND nutritious, and is packed full of fiber, vitamins and minerals.

As part of a healthy diet, it's a great way to help reduce cholesterol, and the slow-release carbs mean it keeps you full (and full of energy) until lunchtime.

Historically there are a few traditions and superstitions connected with the making, and eating, of this dish in Scotland.

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Scottish Porridge Trivia....

  • Traditionally,porridge is stirred with a wooden rod called a 'Spirtle' or 'Spurtle',which looks a bit like a drumstick (not the chicken variety!)

  • Superstitionhas it that Scottish porridge should always be stirred clockwise - andpreferably with your right hand - otherwise the Devil will come for theperson doing the stirring!

  • Porridge is traditionally servedin wooden bowls, and eaten standing up. Each spoonful should be dippedin a bowl of cream that's shared by everyone at the table

  • Porridgecould well have been the worlds' first 'take-out'. Centuries ago, anauthentic porridge recipe such as this one would be used to cook up abig pot and what wasn't eaten for breakfast would be poured into'drawers' or another container and allowed to cool. Once it was cooled,the porridge could be cut up into slices or blocks, wrapped, and takenalong on the days' work to be eaten for lunch, dinner or a snack!

The humble porridge has even been immortalized in print!

The famous Scottish Bard, Robert Burns described it this way...

The most important ingredient in this porridge recipe is the oatsthemselves. Pin Head, steel-cut oats are the best choice, followed bypremium quality rolled oats.

The more processed or 'quick cook' oatsdon't make for a porridge of the same quality, but are quick and simpleto use if you're in a big hurry.

See the two types of traditional oats that are of superior quality here.

Ingredients:

The ingredients of an authentic Scottish porridge recipe are ridiculously simple :)

I've included the original British Imperial measurements that my nana (she was the recipe Queen in our home) used, and then converted those to the current British metric system.

If you're in the USA you'll also find the US measurement equivalents listed below.

British Measurements - Imperial/Metric

  • 4.5 oz (100g) Pinhead Oatmeal
  • 1 1/2 Pints Water (milk or a milk/water mix can be used if you prefer)
  • Generous pinch of salt

US Measurements - Cups

  • 1 1/2 Cups Pinhead Oatmeal
  • 3 Cups Water (or alternatives as above)
  • Generous pinch of salt

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Directions

Put water in heavy bottomed pan and bring to the boil on high heat.

Reduce to medium heat and sprinkle oats on top and stir into water - (doing it this way helps reduce the risk of your porridge getting lumpy).

The annual 'World Porridge Making Championships' are heldin Carrbridge, Inverness-shire, Scotland in October each year, andcontestants come from all over the world to enter.

The World Porridge Making Champion title is awarded for the best porridge made only using oatmeal, water and salt. There's also a Specialty award for the best porridge which has other ingredients added.

Interestingly it wasan American, Matthew Cox from Oregon, USA, whose porridge recipe won the2009 Competition!

The most recent Championship Title (2018) was a joint win between Per Carlsson and Calle Myrsell.

Find out more about this annual contest at www.goldenspurtle.com

As mostpeople don't have a Spirtle, using a wooden spoon works just fine!Bring back to the boil over medium heat, stirring continuously.

Thenreduce to low heat, cover with lid and let simmer for around 20 - 30minutes. Add salt and stir into porridge about half-way through.

Anddon't forget to stir the porridge every few minutes to stop it stickingand prevent lumps.

Although tradition says only stir clockwise, stirringin both directions does have advantages in the 'de-lumping' process.

In this porridge recipe, the cooking time can be varied a bit, depending on how thick and creamy you want your porridge to be.

Shortercooking time will make for a thinner porridge with a more chewytexture. Longer cooking will make a thicker, creamier dish.

Don't overdoit though, or you'll end up with a very 'stodgy' meal.

I like myporridge thin enough that it pours slowly from the pan, definitely notwatery or 'gruel' like.

You can sprinkle a little more salt on top ifyou like (and you don't have high blood pressure or a controlled diet).

Then either pour cold milk, or cream, on top to taste.

If you wantthe whole Scottish experience, try pouring cream into a separate bowland dip your spoonfuls of porridge into it one at a time. It'll takelonger that way, but is really good!

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Porridge-making Tips

Here are a couple more tips that will help you get your porridge just right...

  • Porridge has a tendency to become 'lumpy' very easily, make sure that you stir often enough, and thoroughly enough to prevent that
  • Adding the salt too early (some recipes suggest putting all the ingredients in the pot at the same time) can make the oats hard/tough
  • A heavy stainless-steel pot would be my first choice, but a good quality non-stick is okay if that's all you have

Here are two brands of oats that I think are among the best.

Hamlyn's Pinhead Oatmeal - produced by the sponsors of the World Porridge Making Championships.

Bob's Red Mill Steel Cut Oats - produced by the company owned by the 2009 winner of this contest, Matthew Cox.

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Authentic Scottish Porridge Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is traditional Scottish porridge made of? ›

The oats used for porridge are usually rolled rather than pinhead or steel-cut, as they cook faster. Also popular, Scottish oats are stone-ground and end up somewhere in between rolled oats and steel-cut. The oats take about 10 minutes to cook. Both rolled and Scottish oats make delicious porridge.

Why do Scots put salt in porridge? ›

Many people argue that it must be salt to give balance to the porridge and correct the flavour, while others favour sugar to sweeten it up. The argument for using salt is that it is a test of Scottishness and it is only the Sassenachs who would put sugar on their porridge!

How is Scottish porridge different from oatmeal? ›

So what makes Scottish oats different from regular rolled oats? It's not a different variety: rather, instead of being steamed and rolled like regular American oats, Scottish oats are slowly ground between two millstones, producing a smooth texture, more like a traditional porridge.

How do you make Scotts porridge oats? ›

Preparation and Usage

Mix 40g of oats with 275ml of milk (or cold water) in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Simmer for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve with sugar or salt to taste. Remember, Guid Gear Comes in SMA' Bulk*.

Is Scottish porridge different? ›

Scottish oats are made by milling groats, rather than slicing them. They produce a creamier cereal than steel-cut. Due to their finer grain than steel-cut oats, they perform well in baking projects and make for an exceptionally rich, velvety morning porridge.

Do Scots put whiskey in their porridge? ›

It might sound odd, but adding whisky to your porridge results in a sweet, heady, humble luxury that your Scottish grandparents would have had back in their day.

Is Scottish porridge healthy? ›

Porridge is a super-healthy breakfast staple for the whole family with plenty of scope to put your own twist on it — it's high in fibre, rich in vitamins and minerals and can be made with many toppings or different 'milks' to ring the changes day after day.

What do Scots call porridge? ›

Brose is a Scots word for an uncooked form of porridge, whereby oatmeal (and/or other meals) is mixed with boiling water (or stock) and allowed to stand for a short time. It is eaten with salt and butter, milk, or buttermilk.

What is Scottish slang for porridge? ›

Also par(r)i(t)ch, parra(t)ch, parech; porritch, purritch; parrage, -idge. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. porridge, the dish of oatmeal boiled in salted water (Sc.

What's a full Scottish breakfast? ›

So, what is a full Scottish breakfast? Usually made up of bacon, link sausages, Lorne sausage (also known as square sausage or slice), black pudding, haggis, baked beans, fried mushrooms and tomatoes, toast, tattie scones and fried eggs, the full Scottish breakfast is a sight to behold.

Which is healthier, oatmeal or porridge? ›

Now that you better understand the difference between porridge and oatmeal, you can decide which dish best suits your lifestyle. Though porridge may offer a wider variety of flavor options, oatmeal is loaded with nutritious and filling ingredients that make it an excellent morning meal.

What is the difference between Irish and Scottish porridge? ›

Irish oats are often used in traditional Irish dishes like oatcakes or in a savory breakfast dish kns "porridge." Scottish oats, also known as stone-ground oats, are made by grinding the whole oat groat, including the inner kernel or "pinhead," into a fine powder.

Is Scotts porridge oats the same as oatmeal? ›

The oats are rolled thicker than standard oats and are gently kilned to create what the company considers to be "the truest taste". Scott's oats can be made into porridge either in the microwave or on a stovetop, with the addition of milk or water and other flavourings (typically salt or sugar).

Are Quaker and Scott's oats the same? ›

I then compared it to what was left of my previous porridge brand, Quaker Oats (who also own Scott's), and found it to be exactly the same in flake size, colour, texture and taste - and also exactly the same in all respects as the cheaper Tesco's 'Scottish Oats' that's sold in a bag, which I had previously compared to ...

Why do you soak porridge oats overnight? ›

When you soak oats, it's almost like you're cooking them without heat. Soaking helps the starches break down and reduces the natural phytic acid, which may help your body utilize the oats' nutrients much more efficiently. Overnight oats are healthier for your gut.

Are Scottish porridge oats healthy? ›

Oats are high in energy, but low in fat and rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals – that's why porridge is one of the best foods for breakfast. An average bowl of porridge made with 1/2 a cup/50g of porridge oats and water is only 145 calories.

What was Viking porridge made of? ›

The Vikings had several options, when it came to making porridge. It could be made from barley, oats, buckwheat or millet. They mixed berries and apples into the porridge to add sweetness. Porridge was typically part of the daily food intake, especially that of the poor.

What is British porridge made of? ›

The term "porridge" is used in Britain and Ireland specifically for oatmeal. This is a hot mixture of oatmeal or oats slowly cooked with water or milk. It is typically eaten for breakfast by itself or with other ingredients, including salt, sugar, fruit, milk, cream, or butter.

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