You can cook Teff in either a sweet or savory way. It reminds me of quinoa when cooked savory and cream of wheat porridge when sweet. Here I’ll share how to cook Teff both ways.

What is Teff?

Teff is the smallest known ancient grain rooted in Ethiopia. It looks like a dark brown poppy seed, it is rich in fiber, protein, iron, and other vitamins and minerals. This tiny grain contains resistant starch which means that it promotes healthy blood sugar levels. It’s a perfect staple for those who have diabetes.

You might look at Teff and chalk it up to being bitter, but it’s quite the opposite. Teff is very versatile due to its mild flavor. It’s also popularly milled into Teff flour that can be used in cooking and baking.

On top of all that, teff is naturally gluten-free and can be prepared just as you would rice or oatmeal.

This Teff recipe is:

Comforting: I don’t know about you, but nothing says comfort like a creamy and gently sweet bowl of hot cereal. Especially on cold mornings or when you’re feeling under the weather.

Wholesome: Teff can be classified as a ‘superfood’ due to its high nutrient content. The flavor is great while providing a number of health benefits.

New and different: To some of us, teff is merely a wonder. “What does it taste like?  How do I cook it? What do I prepare it with?” Are the questions I asked when I recently saw this grain and I’m sure some of you can relate. If you’d like to break up the routine a bit and add a new dish to your breakfast menu, teff should be next in line.

Versatile: Teff has a mild flavor and can be prepared similar to any other whole grain.

Quick and Easy: Teff cooks in less than 30 minutes making it a great option for busy mornings and weeknights.

Great for babies: Including teff to your child’s diet will add a variety of nutrients and minerals necessary for growth and development. It’s a great sub for cream of wheat!

How To Cook Teff Porridge

To a saucepan, add the teff, water and plant milk of choice. Whisk this mixture well and bring to a boil.

Reduce to a simmer and allow it to cook for 20-25 minutes. Remove from heat and add your choice of sweetener and toppings to serve.

Serving Suggestions

Here are a few ways tp spice up Teff porridge:

Frozen fruits can be thawed and made into a jam; I made a delicious raspberry jam to pair with this baked oatmeal. You can do frozen blueberries, strawberries or even dried cranberries, raisins along with any fresh fruit you have on hand.

In this recipe I used cinnamon to spice up the porridge, but you can include vanilla, nutmeg, allspice, and other flavorings like almond essence, rose water, banana or coconut extract.

You can top it with your favorite nuts and seeds such as walnuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, or sesame seeds.

Add your choice of sweetener to enhance both flavor and taste. Some good options include coconut sugar, maple syrup, agave, date syrup and dark brown sugar.

How to Cook savory Teff

To a saucepan, add the teff, water and butter. Whisk this mixture well and bring to a boil.

Reduce to a simmer and allow it to cook for 20-25 minutes.

Fluff with a fork and serve as side dish.

Serving Suggestions

Here are a few ways to spice up Teff cooked in a savory way:

Top with infused oils like garlic or chili oil.

Drizzle in soy sauce and small strips of roasted seaweed for an umami kick.

Sautee the teff in oil along with minced garlic, onions and scallions before adding water.

Mix in vegan cheese and nutritional yeast for a cheesy take on this dish.

How To Store and Reheat Teff Porridge

Store your porridge in a sealed container in the refrigerator, it will remain fresh for 3-5 days.

To reheat on the stovetop– add the porridge to a pot over low heat. Add ½ cup of milk and mix until fully warmed through.

To reheat in the microwave– in a microwaveable bowl, add ¼ cup of milk and microwave for 3-4 minutes, mixing at the halfway mark.

If you try this recipe, rate it and let me know how it tastes in the comments below