Instant Pot Risotto
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Mar. 24, 2025
This Instant Pot Risotto is deliciously savory, requires no fuss, and very little effort. You can easily serve this bright, flavorful dish on any busy weeknight. This recipe happens to be gluten-free and vegetarian.
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Video: watch us make this Recipe
Why This Recipe Stands Out
We love a classic risotto, but the constant stirring can be a bit of a hassle. That’s why we’re obsessed with this Instant Pot Risotto. Here’s why it’s our go-to:
- Fast and Fuss-Free: No stirring, no babysitting – thanks to the instant pot, you just have to set it and forget it for perfectly creamy risotto in minutes, a lot like our Instant Pot Jasmine Rice.
- Rich, Savory Flavor: Butter, Parmesan, and a touch of lemon create a velvety, flavorful risotto dish that tastes perfectly gourmet. It’s the perfect rice side dish.
- Pairs with Anything: You can serve it alongside your favorite veggies, seafood dishes like this Honey Lime Shrimp or protein for a complete meal.
- Weeknight-Friendly: Quicker than making regular rice, this risotto is our ultimate go-to recipe for busy nights.
- Minimal Effort Required: You’ll get creamy, comforting, and restaurant-quality risotto. One bite and you’ll never go back to stovetop risotto again!
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Arborio Rice – The star of our dish, Arborio rice, is a short-grain rice known for its high starch content. This is what gives our risotto its creamy texture.
- Chicken or Vegetable Broth – We use regular chicken or vegetable broth to infuse the rice with flavor as it cooks. Make sure it’s regular broth and not low-sodium.
- Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese – Only use freshly grated Parmesan cheese to get the best flavor and texture.
- Freshly Squeezes Lemon Juice – A little bit of lemon juice brightens up the flavors of the dish, so don’t skip it.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite variations and substitutions:
- Butter: For a dairy-free option, use olive oil or vegan butter. This will slightly change the flavor but still provide richness.
- Broth: Vegetable broth is an easy swap to make this dish vegetarian. You can also use homemade broth.
- Cheese: Try pecorino romano, gouda, or gruyere cheeses for a switch up.
- Vegetables: Feel free to add your favorite veggies to this risotto. Peas, mushrooms, asparagus, or sun-dried tomatoes would all be delicious.
- Garnishes: Instead of chives, try fresh parsley, basil, or green onions.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Sauté butter and onions in the Instant Pot until tender.
- Add rice, stirring for 2 minutes. Stir in salt, pepper, broth, and lemon juice.
- Pressure cook on high for 8 minutes, then allow natural release.
- Stir in Parmesan and fluff the rice. Adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately with chives and lemon zest for garnish.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see r ecipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our best prep-ahead tips for this recipe:
- Make Ahead and Refresh: Risotto is best fresh, but if needed, refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of broth or water to restore creaminess.
- Prep Cheese and Garnishes: Grate the Parmesan and chop the chives in advance. Keep them refrigerated in airtight containers until you need them to garnish the risotto.
What To Serve With Instant Pot Risotto
Chicken, Shrimp, or Salmon
- This 10-Minute Garlic Shrimp or Air Fryer Salmon are great options to serve with this creamy risotto.
- Grilled Lemon Chicken or even a simple rotisserie chicken can be a nice addition to a plate of risotto.
Vegetables and Salads
- A fresh, crunchy salad can provide a nice contrast to the creamy risotto. We recommend trying it with our classic Caprese Salad or a Kale Brussel Sprouts Salad.
- You can also serve a side of Easy Roasted Vegetables or Grilled Zucchini alongside your risotto.
Bread
- For a heartier meal, consider serving the risotto with a side of your favorite bread. Rosemary Garlic Bread and French Bread are popular choices that pair nicely with the flavors of the risotto.
Commonly Asked Questions
Is risotto difficult to make in the Instant Pot?
No, it’s actually easier than making risotto on the stovetop. With the Instant Pot, you don’t have to constantly stir the rice.
Can I use a different type of rice for this Instant Pot Risotto?
Arborio rice works best for risotto since it has a high starch content. Alternatively, you can use other short-grain rice like Carnaroli or Vialone Nano. We don’t recommend long-grain rice since it doesn’t give the same creamy texture.
Do I need to rinse the rice?
Yes, it’s really important to rinse and drain the rice because rinsing removes excess surface starch and prevents the risotto from becoming too sticky.
Why do I need to do a natural release?
Natural release allows the pressure to release gradually, which is important for the texture of the risotto.
How long does Instant Pot risotto keep?
Instant Pot risotto is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Did you make this?
Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!
Instant Pot Risotto
This Instant Pot Risotto makes a deliciously savory risotto that requires no fuss and very little effort. You can easily serve this bright, flavorful Instant Pot Risotto any busy weeknight.
Ingredients
- 2 cups dry Arborio rice, rinsed and drained well
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
- 3 ¾ cups regular chicken broth, or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- freshly chopped chives, for garnishing
- grated lemon zest, for garnishing
Instructions
- Set Instant Pot to sauté mode and add butter until melted. Add onions and stir until tender, 1-2 minutes.
- Add drained rice to melted butter and stir for 2 minutes. Add salt, pepper, broth, and lemon juice; stir to combine well.
- Secure lid and set to pressure cook for 8 minutes. Allow Instant Pot to do its natural release. Once natural release is completed, carefully remove lid and stir in parmesan while "fluffing" the rice.
- Add salt and pepper to taste, if needed. Serve immediately, with chives or lemon zest for garnish, if desired.
Notes
- After adding the rice, sauté it in the melted butter for a full 2 minutes. This will help the rice absorb the flavors better and give it a slightly nutty flavor.
- Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice. It brightens the flavors and balances the richness of the Parmesan cheese.
- Allow the Instant Pot to do its natural release after pressure cooking. This helps the risotto to continue cooking gently and gives it a creamy texture.
- Serve the risotto immediately after adding the Parmesan. This dish is best enjoyed right after it’s made.
- This recipe is part of our Instant Pot Recipes Collection.
- This 10-Minute Garlic Shrimp or Air Fryer Salmon are great options to serve with this creamy risotto.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 262kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 1100mg | Potassium: 63mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 421IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 153mg | Iron: 2mg
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