Instant Pot Risotto is the BEST method for making risotto. The instant pot makes creamy, cheesy, perfectly cooked risotto every single time.
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I have always shied away from making Risotto.
Not because I don’t love to cook and love to try new things, but I have watched enough cooking challenges to see that Risotto is a dish that sends A LOT of contestants home.
It takes time, attention to detail and patience, and well, I don’t have time to for risotto on busy nights. Really on any nights.
But with Instant Pot Risotto is possible on the busiest of nights and tastes just as good as traditional risotto.
Instant Pot Risotto
I am in love with making risotto in the pressure cooker. The process to perfect risotto is not only easy, risotto is prepared in under 30 minutes.
And Instant Pot Risotto is PERFECT. It is creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor from the fresh thyme and dry wine. Risotto is perfect for a quick side dish, light meal and makes a great gluten-free recipe to entertain with.
Wine, Parmesan, and rice make the perfect combination. This risotto really is a knock out, impressive dish.
Ingredients for Risotto
Because there are so few ingredients in Risotto, it is so crucial to select the best ingredients.
- Arborio Rice–-For risotto, there is NO substitute for rice.
- Chicken Stock–I use my homemade stock, but good quality stock can be substituted, but vegetable stock may be used as well.
- Dry White Wine–Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, or Pinot Grigio are great choices. Be sure it is a wine worth drinking–this is not a time to use a cooking wine.
- Parmesan Cheese–I recommend freshly grated Parmesan Reggiano.
- Fresh Thyme–Fresh thyme leaves are best, but if you don’t have substitute 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves.
- Garlic
- Onions
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
How To Make Instant Pot Risotto
Step One: Saute Onions and Garlic
- Turn pressure cooker to saute and allow to heat.
- Add the butter and melt.
- Add in the onions and saute for 2 minutes.
- Add in the garlic and thyme leaves and saute 1 minute longer.
Step Two: Toast Rice
- Add in the rice to the pressure cooker.
- Toss the rice with the butter and onions, to coat evenly.
- Toast the rice for about 2 minutes.
Step Three: Deglaze with Wine
- Add the dry white wine to the pressure cooker.
- Let simmer for about 2 minutes.
- Turn off the saute function.
Step Four: Pressure Cook Risotto
- Add in WARM chicken or vegetable stock and salt.
- Place lid on pressure cooker.
- Set to high pressure for 5 minutes.
- Once cook time has elapsed, let the pressure release naturally for at least 5 minutes.
Step Five: Add Parmesan Cheese
- Stir in the Parmesan Cheese into the warm risotto.
- Serve with additional Parmesan cheese, and a squeeze of fresh lemon if desired.
Tips for Easy Risotto
- Be sure to use arborio rice for risotto. It is crucial for a creamy, perfectly cooked risotto.
- It is really important to add warm chicken stock to the instant pot as this will affect the way the rice absorbs the liquid and cooks.
- Select a dry white wine that is suitable for drinking, such as Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio.
- Wine adds a tremendous amount of authentic flavor to risotto, but if looking to omit alcohol, use additional chicken stock.
- If looking for Vegetarian Risotto, use vegetable stock in place of chicken stock.
- Fresh thyme is best, but dried thyme can be used in a pinch.
- Feel free to use shallots in place of garlic and onions.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan Cheese for the for best flavor and for the best risotto.
More Instant Pot Side Dishes
- Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
- Instant Pot Crispy Potatoes
- Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
- Instant Pot Baked Beans
- Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Instant Pot Risotto
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion minced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 2 cups arborio rice
- 1/3 cup dry white wine
- 4 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese plus more for serving
Instructions
- Turn pressure cooker to saute and allow to heat.
- Add the butter and melt. Add in the onions and saute for 2 minutes. Add in the garlic and thyme leaves and saute 1 minute longer.
- Add in the rice and toss the rice with the butter and onions to coat. Toast the rice for about 2 minutes.
- Add the dry white wine to the pressure cooker and let simmer for about 2 minutes.
- Turn off the saute function and add in WARM chicken or vegetables stock and salt. Place lid on pressure cooker. Set to high pressure for 5 minutes.
- Let the pressure release naturally for at least 5 minutes.
- Stir in the Parmesan Cheese and serve with additional Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Fresh thyme is best for Instant Pot Risotto, but if you don't have it, use 1 teaspoon dried thyme.
- For dry white wine, I suggest a Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, or Sauvignon Blanc.
- Arborio rice is a MUST for pressure cooker risotto.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is much better than pre-grated or jarred Parmesan.
Kristen Chidsey
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When you say “cups” in the recipe, do you use the “cup” that came with the instant pot or do you use regular cups? With regular rice I have always used the instant pot cups one to one and it comes out perfect. This seems to be different.
I use a standard measuring cup, not the one that comes with the Instant Pot–that way the recipe is universal to all brand of pressure cookers.
Could I cut the recipe in half?
Hi Michelle, you can cut this recipe in half. (Any recipe that can be cut in half and still has 1 cup liquid for 6 quart IP and 1.5 cups liquid for 8 quart IP is good.) 🙂
First time making it and it’s so good. Had to use dried thyme, however, and only used 3/4 tsp. Came out good.
I am so glad you enjoyed Tricia.
I have the minute rice on hand. how would the cooking times change?
Hi Bambi! Risotto needs to be made with arborio rice for the best taste and texture. This recipe would need a lot of modification to use another type of rice and then would not be “risotto.” Sorry about that.
YES. I love risotto and I am lazy so this is my new favorite. I didn’t have fresh thyme so I sub’d for 1 tsp dried thyme and I was perfectly content. This recipe makes a ton! 8 big servings for sure. I will make it again and again 🙂 Thank you!
Hi Jessica!! I am so glad you and your family enjoyed the risotto. And I wouldn’t call yourself lazy, just resourceful 😉
Mine came out a bit mushy. Could it have been the stock had come to a boil first or ?
Hi Susie! Very possible. My directions state to turn off the Instant Pot after the wine has simmered, so if you did not do that, or you did not let the wine simmer, that will change the results.
I want to try this recipe tomorrow but I have a big family. If I double it do I double all the ingredients?
Hi Jaime! I would double all the ingredients but keep the cook time the same. Enjoy!
This was perfectly cooked! I used a little extra stock and lemon juice instead of the wine. I used a teaspoon of dried thyme but I think I would use less next time… sort of overpowered the flavor. I can’t wait to make more of this! Thanks!
I am so glad you enjoyed! And if you can find it, I suggest fresh thyme over dried thyme for a less over-powering flavor.
Hi, just for future reference – if you’re subbing dry herbs for fresh use 1/3 of the amount – dry herbs are much more potent than fresh and if you sub 1:1 the flavor will totally overwhelm the dish.
I am really happy to have found this recipe for risotto. Made it tonight in my Instant Pot. So much easier than on the stove top. Just delicious, thank you.
Donna
I am so glad you enjoyed Donna! I love how easy this risotto recipe is myself!
Will this work with an off brand electricpressure cooker
Hi Molly, the recipe SHOULD work fine. I am not as familiar with all of the off brands, but most work well.
So easy and good! I added two lemons worth of juice at the end and frozen peas. Will def make again!
I am so happy you enjoyed Jenn!!
The best way to make risotto for sure! Thank you for this!
You bet!! It has made my life easier too!
Forget all that pesky stirring, Instant Pot risotto is the way to go! Thanks for the failproof recipe!
You Bet!!! This is the ONLY way I will make risotto from now on!
Just made this and eating it right now. It is PERFECT! I, too, have shied away from risotto because I’ve seen it go badly on cooking competitions. If only they’d could use this recipe! I’m not a big fan of wine but I always make recipe s as written the first time. I’m going to try it with extra stock next time.
I am SO happy you had success Deana! Using the Instant Pot is the WAY to go for risotto. And I think you will enjoy without the wine, but I do like the added “sharp” flavor the wine adds. I hope you enjoy many more times.