This Easy Instant Pot Risotto has the same creamy texture and perfectly al dente rice as the stove top version, but with much less effort!
Table of Contents
This recipe was first shared on Spend with Pennies.
I am in love with this Instant Pot Risotto.
There are some things that I just didn’t catch on to very quickly (okay, a lot of things), but then once I did I couldn’t go back.
Instant Pot Oatmeal is one, and this Instant Pot Mac and Cheese is another! Both so easy, and things we make a lot of!
I have had this bag of Arborio rice sitting in my pantry for entirely too long, just waiting for that day I felt like standing over a bunch of pots on the stove stirring risotto.
Well, that day never came, but thankfully there is another option!
This easy Instant Pot Risotto is just as good as the traditional version, but it takes much less time, and much, much less hands on prep.
A few minutes of chopping and stirring, then we set it and forget it.
It took my Instant Pot only a few minutes to come to pressure when I was making this recipe, so the whole cooking process took about 20 minutes!
If you’re making a large batch, it may take a few extra minutes, but all that time is hands off so it’s still a huge win.
Why do we use Arborio rice for risotto?
Arborio rice is short and fat and very starchy.
When we’re cooking rice and want individual grains, we don’t want that starch as it can make your grains of rice clump together.
This is also why we usually rinse rice when we’re cooking it, like in this recipe for perfect Instant Pot Brown Rice.
We rinse the rice before cooking to remove the starch from the grains, but when we’re cooking risotto it’s that starch that makes it ultra creamy.
This is why Arborio rice is the key to making great, luscious risotto.
How to make Instant Pot Risotto:
- Drizzle some oil or add some butter to the Instant Pot on saute and cook up some onions.
- Add garlic, spices, and rice to toast — we don’t want to brown the rice, the edges should just be translucent (give it 2-3 minutes).
- Add the low sodium chicken or vegetable broth — no need to heat it! — and give the bottom a good scrape.
- Put the lid on and pressure cook. Relax!
- Let the pressure release naturally at least 10 minutes, then open and stir in some Parmesan cheese if you desire. I’ve included more optional ways to take this risotto to the next level down below!
Variations on this pressure cooker risotto:
- Make it dairy free: use oil to cook your onions and skip the cheese. You will have an amazing creamy risotto with no dairy at all!
- Stir in some frozen peas and crispy bacon after cooking.
- Saute some mushrooms with the onions before adding the garlic and spices.
- Swap out the herbs and cheeses for a risotto all your own
- Add some roasted cherry tomatoes and fresh basil for a summery spin
What to serve with this Instant Pot Risotto:
- Leave out the potatoes and serve this Instant Pot Pot Roast with a plate of this creamy risotto.
- Throw this Slow Cooker Chicken Breast in the crockpot and this risotto in the Instant Pot, for an easy and hands off meal!
- These Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs would be an incredible match for this Instant Pot Risotto!
Easy Instant Pot Risotto
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 onion finely chopped
- 1 cup Arborio rice
- 1 teaspoon garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
- Optional: crispy bacon and peas for topping
Instructions
- Turn the Instant Pot to saute and add the butter and onions.
- Cook just until onions are translucent, stirring often.
- Add the rice, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often, until the edges of the rice are just translucent — watch the garlic so it doesn't burn.
- Add the chicken broth to pot and scrape the bottom well to remove any bits that may be stuck on.
- Turn the Instant Pot off, and with the vent in the venting position, put the lid on. Turn the valve to sealing, select Manual or Pressure Cook for 5 minutes. The Instant Pot will take about 5 minutes to build pressure and begin counting down.
- When the cook time is over, turn the Instant Pot off and let the pressure release naturally for at least 10 minutes. Open the vent, then remove the lid.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, season to taste and any toppings as desired.
Nutrition Information
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Mary says
First time making risotto, and with your recipe, it came out fantastic! Thank you so much.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Mary! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this review!
Renee Goerger says
I don’t use my instant pot too often but I adore using it for this risotto recipe. It’s so good, and so easy!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Renee!
Marleen Sustronck says
This was the greatest idea of you, cooking risotto in the fast cooker.
I love making and even more, eating risotto , but it is time consuming .
This way it was so easy and still creamy.
I Thank you so much Ashley.
I made my first risotto with Italian ladies, and we made it with green asperges.
It is sooooooo yummy and tasteful :
a big pound (500gr) of green asperges and 1 onion.
Recipe same as yours Ashley , saute the onion in butter, then add the very thin sliced asperges , saute for a couple of minutes and take them out. Cook the rice in 1 cup of dry white wine , and then add the broth ( I make my own broth, with veggies, or your wonderful chicken broth recipe Ashley ,but these days you can buy it everywhere) and follow your fantastic idea and recipe to make it in the fast cooker, thank you so much Ashley. When the risotto is ready, just mix the green asperges in , it is really good. I add baked chicken( made in the slow cooker) or shrimp ,and of course parmesan.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Marleen!
Jen says
Thank you for taking the stress out of making risotto. It’s one of my favorite dishes but such a pain to make…until now 🙂 Loved it!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Jen! I totally agree!
Julia F says
I am also in love with my Instant Pot and this risotto recipe is so simple and quick. 10 minutes and dinner is ready…who wouldn’t love that?!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Julia!
Lily says
I would have never thought to make a risotto in an instant pot but this was so simple and delicious. Thank you for such a simple recipe the whole family adored it.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Lily!
Sandra Shaffer says
After making risotto in an Instant Pot I will never make it any other way. So easy and nice and fluffy tender. This will be my go-to recipe. Thanks.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Sandra!