Our 14 Best Porridge Recipes from Around the World

Hot cereal never sounded so appetizing

By SAVEUR Editors
Updated: September 9, 2018

Sometimes, there's nothing you want more than a warm bowl of mush. After all, the temptation of this hot cereal almost got Goldilocks killed. And despite appearances, porridge doesn't have to be bland or boring. Once you have your grain base, you can go wild with toppings, whether it's woodsy mushrooms or sweet coconuts. A bowl of warm porridge is perfect for your next fall breakfast or can be a handy recipe for when you want to use that last bit of butternut squash this season. Whether you're searching for a simple morning meal or a chance to experience the way other cultures eat breakfast, our best porridge recipes might have you craving mush every morning.

Finnish Whipped Porridge with Yogurt Cream (Vispipuuro)

Finnish Whipped Porridge with Yogurt Cream (Vispipuuro)
In Minnesota's "Finnish Triangle," vispipuuro, a sweet, whipped, pudding-like porridge, is sometimes made with a tart wild fruit called the highbush cranberry. Classic versions also use lingonberries, red currants, or conventional cranberries. Cranberries contain natural pectin that helps to thicken the fruit juice; the addition of starchy farina allows the syrupy juices to be whipped to a tangy mousse that holds soft meringue-like peaks. The author advises that you use frozen berries rather than fresh, as they break down much more quickly into juice. Get the recipe for Finnish Whipped Porridge with Yogurt Cream (Vispipuuro) »Kyle Johnson

Turkey Congee

Turkey Congee
Chinese rice porridge gets a welcome dose of flavor from homemade turkey stock. Get the recipe for Turkey Congee »Farideh Sadeghin

Cracked-Wheat Porridge with Hen of the Woods Mushrooms and Turnip-Top Salsa

Cracked Wheat Porridge with Mushrooms
This hearty porridge is bolstered by roasted vegetables and enlivened with a salsa of turnip greens. Get the recipe for Cracked-Wheat Porridge with Hen of the Woods Mushrooms and Turnip-Top Salsa »Ingalls Photography

Spiced Buttermilk Oatmeal with Dried Fruit and Pecans

Spiced Buttermilk Oatmeal
Spices including cardamom, star anise, and ginger jazz up a morning oatmeal. Mix the dry ingredients ahead of time for an easier camp-side breakfast. Get the recipe for Spiced Buttermilk Oatmeal with Dried Fruit and Pecans »Andre Baranowski

Coconut Rice Pudding (Sombi)

Coconut Rice Pudding (Sombi)
More like a creamy porridge than a pudding in consistency, this sweet dish is commonly eaten for breakfast or as an afternoon snack in Senegal. Get the recipe for Coconut Rice Pudding (Sombi) »Todd Coleman

Congee

Congee
There are dozens of variations on the slow-cooked Chinese rice porridge, congee; it's cooked with vegetables or meat, topped with pickles or hard-boiled eggs. A common breakfast food said to be easy on the stomach, it sustains infants and the elderly, as well as those feeling under the weather. Get the recipe for Congee »Todd Coleman

Jamaican Hominy Porridge

Jamaican Hominy Porridge
Dried hominy takes hours of cooking, but it yields a luscious porridge. Get the recipe for Jamaican Hominy Porridge »Landon Nordeman

Coconut Bread with Cassava Porridge

Coconut Bread with Cassava Porridge
The quintessential Garifuna breakfast consists of yeasty coconut bread and a warming porridge made with cassava flour. Get the recipe for Coconut Bread with Cassava Porridge »Penny De Los Santos

Pumpkin Halvah (Assidat al-Boubar)

Pumpkin Halvah (Assidat al-Boubar)
Like many traditional Emirati desserts, luscious pumpkin porridge (in Arabic it's a halvah, or sweet food) straddles the line between sweet and savory. The dish thickens as it cools, so be sure to serve it while it's still quite warm. Get the recipe for Pumpkin Halvah (Assidat al-Boubar) »Todd Coleman

Danish Rye Bread Porridge (Øllebrød)

Danish Rye Bread Porridge (Øllebrød)
In Denmark, the regional rye bread, called rugbrød, is debatably sacred. Many bakeries stock upwards of five or six varieties of the nutty, rich, nutritious loaves. And when crumbs fall off while slicing it for smørrebrød, they're not tossed. They're saved (and soaked in beer) for this tangy, earthy breakfast treat. Get the recipe for Danish Rye Bread Porridge (Øllebrød) »Matt Taylor-Gross

Rice Porridge with Chicken and Ginger (Arroz Caldo)

Arroz Caldo
The dish may be from China and have a Spanish name, but to Filipinos, few things taste more like home than arroz caldo. Based on Chinese congee, this rice porridge relies on an easy, flavorful stock that is melded with rice until creamy and rich. Get the recipe for Rice Porridge with Chicken and Ginger (Arroz Caldo) »William Hereford

Omani Chicken and Rice Porridge (Madrouba)

Omani Madrouba
Fragrant with spices and soft from overcooked rice, this Middle Eastern porridge is perfect comfort food. Get the recipe for Omani Chicken and Rice Porridge (Madrouba) »Farideh Sadeghin

Indian Sweet Coconut Porridge (Pongala)

Pongala (Sweet Sacred Coconut Porridge)
Pongala means "to boil over," referring to the moment the starchy water from this sweet rice dish bubbles above the lip of its clay pot. At the Attukal Pongala festival, pongala, the offering made to a Hindu deity, is cooked over fire and seasoned with jaggery (unrefined palm sugar) and coconut. Recipes can vary to include cardamom, cinnamon, banana, and raisins. Get the recipe for Indian Sweet Coconut Porridge (Pongala) »Michelle Heimerman

Spiced Chicken and Wheat Porridge (H'riss)

Spiced Chicken and Wheat Porridge (H'riss)
This deeply satisfying dish of spiced meat and creamy wheat berries is most often made with lamb, but it's particularly delicious when made with chicken. Get the recipe for Spiced Chicken and Wheat Porridge (H'riss) »Jason Lowe

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