Cincinnati Goetta Surprise
Experience a delightful twist on breakfast with Cincinnati Goetta Surprise, a hearty dish that brings warmth and satisfaction to chilly mornings. This recipe, which has evolved from a cherished family tradition, combines savory flavors of beef and onions with the wholesome texture of steel-cut oats. With a history rooted in culinary discovery and family ties to Cincinnati, this dish is perfect not only as a comforting porridge topped with buttery goodness and a sprinkle of black pepper, but also sliced and sautéed to crispy perfection. Ideal for busy mornings or leisurely brunch, Cincinnati Goetta Surprise is sure to delight with its rich flavors and versatility. Easily prepared ahead of time, this dish freezes wonderfully, making it a go-to recipe for breakfast lovers.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
yellow onion
1 medium (medium dice)
salted butter
6 tablespoons (divided)
steel cut oats
28 ounces (like McCann's)
95% lean ground beef
24 ounces (raw)
water
48 ounces (fresh)
salt
2 teaspoons (to taste)
black pepper
to taste (freshly cracked)
Instructions
1
Begin by dicing the medium yellow onion into even pieces.
2
In a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons of salted butter over low heat.
3
Add the diced onion to the pot and sauté gently until translucent, taking care not to brown them. Once done, remove the onions and set them aside along with their butter.
4
In the same pot, add 24 ounces of 95% lean ground beef and cook, stirring frequently, until no pink or red is visible. Drain any excess fat, leaving a tablespoon to maintain flavor.
5
Return the sautéed onions and their butter to the pot with the browned beef. Increase the heat to medium-low.
6
Once the mixture is sizzling nicely, add 28 ounces of steel-cut oats and stir until the oats are well-coated with the beef and onion mixture. You should hear a gentle popping sound as they cook.
7
Pour in 48 ounces of water and add 2 teaspoons of salt, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer before reducing the heat to low.
8
Cover the pot and let it simmer gently for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and scorching. As the porridge thickens, add small dabs of the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter for richness. If the oats are not fully cooked but the porridge is too thick, add a little more water as needed.
9
Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
10
Once thickened, transfer the porridge into aluminum foil-lined bread pans. You can refrigerate or freeze it for later use. If freezing, once solid, remove the Goetta from the pans and store them wrapped in aluminum foil within freezer bags.
11
To serve, thaw in the refrigerator and slice the chilled Goetta. Sauté the slices in a hot skillet with a dab of butter until they are crispy and golden brown. Enjoy your crispy Goetta slices with fresh eggs and coffee, or simply on their own!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cincinnati Goetta Surprise?
Cincinnati Goetta Surprise is a hearty breakfast dish combining beef, onions, and steel-cut oats into a savory porridge or crispy fried slices.
What are the main ingredients?
The main ingredients include medium yellow onion, salted butter, steel-cut oats, 95% lean ground beef, water, salt, and black pepper.
How should the onions be prepared?
Dice one medium yellow onion and sauté it in 2 tablespoons of butter until translucent without browning.
What type of beef is recommended?
The recipe calls for 24 ounces of 95% lean ground beef.
How much butter is used to sauté the onions?
Use 2 tablespoons of salted butter to sauté the onions.
Can I substitute steel-cut oats?
The recipe specifically requires steel-cut oats, such as McCann's, for the correct texture.
How much water is needed?
You will need 48 ounces of fresh water.
How long should the mixture simmer?
Cover the pot and let it simmer gently on low heat for 30 minutes.
When is the remaining butter added?
The remaining 4 tablespoons of butter are added in dabs as the porridge thickens during the simmering process.
How should the ground beef be cooked?
Cook the beef in a pot until no pink or red is visible, then drain most of the fat.
Should I drain all the fat from the beef?
Drain the excess fat but leave approximately one tablespoon to maintain flavor.
What is the significance of the popping sound when stirring oats?
The gentle popping sound indicates the oats are being toasted and well-coated by the beef and onion mixture.
How do I store the Goetta?
Transfer the thickened porridge into aluminum foil-lined bread pans and refrigerate or freeze.
Can Cincinnati Goetta Surprise be frozen?
Yes, it freezes wonderfully; once solid in the pans, wrap the blocks in foil and store in freezer bags.
What type of pans are used for cooling?
Standard bread pans lined with aluminum foil are ideal for shaping the Goetta into loaves.
How is the chilled Goetta prepared for serving?
Slice the chilled Goetta and sauté the slices in a hot skillet with butter until crispy and golden brown.
What are common accompaniments for Goetta?
It is commonly served with fresh eggs, coffee, or enjoyed on its own.
Can it be eaten as a porridge?
Yes, it can be served as a comforting warm porridge topped with butter and black pepper.
What should I do if the porridge is too thick while cooking?
If the porridge is too thick but the oats are not fully cooked, add a little more water as needed.
How many onions does the recipe require?
The recipe requires one medium yellow onion, prepared with a medium dice.
What seasonings are used in this recipe?
The dish is seasoned with 2 teaspoons of salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
What is the total amount of butter used?
The recipe uses a total of 6 tablespoons of salted butter, divided throughout the cooking process.
How do I ensure the slices are crispy?
Sauté the slices in a hot skillet with a dab of butter until they achieve a golden brown crust.
Is this a traditional family recipe?
Yes, it is described as a cherished family tradition with roots in Cincinnati.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, this dish is designed to be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge or freezer for later use.
How do I thaw frozen Goetta?
Thaw the Goetta in the refrigerator before slicing and sautéing in a skillet.
Why is 95% lean ground beef used?
Lean beef is used to provide rich flavor without leaving excessive grease in the finished porridge.
Should I cover the pot while simmering?
Yes, cover the pot and stir occasionally to prevent the oats from sticking and scorching.
What size should the onion pieces be?
The onion should be diced into even, medium-sized pieces.
What brand of oats is suggested?
The recipe suggests using a high-quality brand like McCann's for the steel-cut oats.