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Easy Instant Pot Risotto Recipe (No Stirring!)

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Your Italian grandmother will swear that risotto needs to be stirred constantly for almost half an hour in order to get creamy, but is that actually an old wives’ (or old grandmothers’) tale? What about taking things a step further, and making risotto in an Instant Pot? I did some tests!

Instant Pot risotto in a bowl.

What makes a good risotto

I love risotto. Like, I could eat it every day. A good risotto is a little al dente, with a creamy sauce and a slightly nutty flavor, even though it’s made with neither cream nor nuts (usually). Risotto is a delicious, hearty, satisfying dish. Maybe even a little more, according to Seinfeld.

To Stir or not To Stir?

Some recipes for risotto that I use regularly call for the traditional method of standing at the stove and stirring almost constantly for about 25 minutes, adding warm liquid (usually a mixture of broth and water) in half-cup increments. Some people swear that this is the only way to get a creamy consistency from risotto.

But I never really believed this, because a recipe for risotto that I also frequently use calls for the “no stir” method, where you add the liquid all at once and lower the heat, letting the risotto simmer for about the same amount of time as it takes with the traditional method, with just an occasional stir.

And while I’d never tested the traditional and no-stir methods side by side, I knew that whichever one I used, I ended up with a delicious, creamy dinner.

But I’d been hearing a lot of chatter online about using an Instant Pot to make quicker risotto, and I was intrigued. Could the Instant Pot make something that was not only quicker and easier than either of the other methods, but also as good?

My rule is that I don’t make something in the Instant Pot unless it is as good as (or better than!) traditional methods. Just being easier isn’t good enough. I needed to find out if this qualified.

I have to admit, I was pretty sure the answer was going to be no. I took my favorite recipe for risotto, which adds some vegetables and cheese at the end, and set off to prove myself wrong.

The Tests

Instant Pot risotto ingredients on a counter.

I did two tests using all three methods. I prepped the same amount of ingredients I would normally use to make a big dinner-sized batch of risotto, but divided it in three, using the same exact ingredients for each method, with one exception: each method needed a different amount of liquid.

When using the traditional method I use the most water, because I’m cooking it over medium heat or a little higher, and a lot evaporates. For the no-stir method I use less, since it cooks over a lower flame and loses less to evaporation.

Test number one

I tried using the no-stir amount of liquid in the Instant Pot the first time, and it was just too much. The first Instant Pot batch was a total disappointing dud, completely inedible.

Somehow I’d managed to end up with risotto (if you could even call it that) that was too dry, not at all creamy, and mushy at the same time. The rice had soaked up all of the liquid, leaving no sauce, and was completely overcooked.

Test number two

So for the second test, I lowered my cooking time from what I was seeing most people use online, and used less liquid. (Note: I’m not saying that the other recipes out there are wrong – I was trying to adapt my recipe to their Instant Pot cooking times. Follow their recipes start to finish and you’ll probably be fine.)

The results of the second test? Really, really good!

Risotto in an Instant Pot and two pans.
When making risotto, is all that stirring *really* necessary? Can you actually make good risotto in an Instant Pot? Click to Tweet

Blind taste test

In fact, when I had my husband and daughter do a blind taste test after my second round of cooking, they both picked the Instant Pot risotto as their favorite!! I mean, I’d picked it as my favorite as well, but I don’t really count my opinion because I knew which was which.

It’s worth noting that all three of the risottos in the second test were really good, we just thought the Instant Pot version had a deeper, more interesting flavor, and a slightly better texture. So if you have a method that you like, use it.

The advantage of using the traditional method is that you can just stop adding liquid when the rice is the perfect texture. With both the no-stir and the Instant Pot methods, you’re adding all of the liquid at once, so you have to add the right amount.

If you have an Instant Pot, you really can have quick risotto without all that stirring! Just don't tell your Italian grandmother. Click to Tweet

But it’s a bit quicker in the Instant Pot, with a good nine or ten minutes where you don’t have to pay any attention to it at all, giving you a little time to clean up or put together another dish. Plus you’re not working with an open flame, and since we’re approaching hot weather time here in the northeast, that’s an added benefit.

And, as I mentioned, we all liked the Instant Pot risotto better! I mean, just look at that creaminess. Instant Pot magic.

Close up of risotto.

For the Newbies

Like my previous Instant Pot posts, this one is aimed at people who are new to using their IPs, so please excuse the super-specific instructions. Unless you ARE one of the IP Newbies, in which case, you’re welcome! :-)

We’re going to be using a function on the Instant Pot today that we haven’t used in the previous recipes: Sauté. The Sauté function is a great way to brown meat and sauté aromatics without having to use a separate pan on the stove. In this recipe we’re also going to be using it to toast the rice.

Close-up on Instant Pot screen, reading 'hot'.

You turn on the sauté function by pressing the “Sauté” button – easy enough! There are three sauté levels: Low, Medium, and High. You can cycle through them by pressing the “Adjust” button, but only immediately after pressing “Sauté.”

Once you’ve left it on a temperature level for a few seconds, you need to press “Cancel” and then “Sauté” and “Adjust” all over again to change to another temperature (you can’t just hit “Adjust” again). At least on my Instant Pot. They all work a little differently.

Still getting your Instant Pot bearings? Please check out my previous IP posts, where we go through the parts of the IP and make fluffy and flavorful Mashed Potatoes, then the easiest peeling Hard Boiled Eggs ever, then the quickest most delicious Potato Salad.

Yield: 4 servings

Instant Pot Spinach and Pea Risotto Recipe

When you think of risotto do you think of standing at the stove for 25 minutes and stirring? I'm here to tell you that it doesn't have to be that way. Not only is the stirring not necessary for creamy risotto, the entire process can be done in an Instant Pot! My recipe for Instant Pot Risotto with Spinach, Peas, and Parmesan is quick, easy, healthy, and vegetarian. Leave out the Parmesan cheese and use oil instead of butter, and it's vegan! #InstantPot #recipe #vegetarian

It's true, you CAN make good risotto in an Instant Pot! Just remember that the risotto will thicken as it sits, so turn off the heat before you think it's done.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 shallots, sliced thin
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cup Arborio rice, uncooked
  • 3/4 cup white wine
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tbsp butter, room temperature
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded or grated (about 2 ounces)
  • 3 oz baby spinach
  • 1 cup peas, thawed if necessary
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Boil stock and water in a medium saucepan with a cover on (you don't want it to lose too much to evaporation), then remove from heat and leave covered; alternatively, heat in a microwave-safe bowl until almost boiling (too hot to touch, about 180°F), then remove from microwave and cover with tinfoil to keep warm
  2. Place the metal pot into your Instant Pot and plug the Pot in; add the olive oil
  3. On your Instant Pot control pad press the Sauté button, which should automatically put the sauté function on "Medium," and press the Adjust button until it is set to "Low"
  4. Heat the oil until the Instant Pot display reads "Hot"
  5. Add the shallots and sauté until softening, stirring frequently, about 4 minutes
  6. Add the garlic and sauté for another minute, stirring constantly
  7. Press "Cancel" and then press Sauté again - it should now be set to "Medium"
  8. Add the rice and toast, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes
  9. Add the wine and stir until absorbed
  10. Add all of the warm stock/water mixture and stir
  11. Put the Instant Pot's lid on and turn it clockwise until it's locked
  12. Make sure that the Pressure Valve is pushed all the way to "Sealing"
  13. Press the "Manual" button, then press the - button (minus button) until you get down to "6" (most Instant Pots will default to "High Pressure" on the manual setting; if yours doesn't, set it to "High Pressure")
  14. After a short time the Instant Pot will start automatically and the readout will say "On"
  15. It should only take a few minutes for the Instant Pot to pressurize, since everything in the pot is warm, then 6 minutes to cook
  16. When the cooking is done the Instant Pot will beep; press cancel to turn off the warming function
  17. Do a "quick release" - very carefully, making sure that nothing (including your hand or your face) is above the Pressure Valve, turn the valve from "Sealing" to "Venting"; make sure you're pushing the valve from the side and getting your hand out of the way quickly
  18. Once the steam has stopped escaping from the Pressure Valve, turn and remove the Instant Pot's lid; the risotto should still be rather wet
  19. Press the Sauté button (it should be on "Medium") so that the risotto can thicken up a bit as you add the other ingredients; you should press "Cancel" before it gets to the desired consistency, since it will continue cooking and thicken up a bit on its own
  20. Stir in the butter, lemon juice, and cheese
  21. Taste and add salt and pepper as necessary
  22. Stir in the spinach and peas
  23. Serve immediately

Notes

I have the IP Duo 6 Quart, so these instructions are specific to that Instant Pot, but other versions may be similar.

Did you make this recipe? I'd love to see it!

Please leave a comment, a great star rating, or share what you made on Instagram, tagging @amyoztan. It really helps me out!

Nancy Johnson Horn

Monday 31st of July 2017

You're making me so hungry right now. I think I need to try it in my Instant Pot.

Amy Oztan

Monday 31st of July 2017

I was so skeptical. I had totally bought into the whole "you have to keep stirring" thing.

Lilian Nic

Wednesday 7th of June 2017

I liked your risotto recipe and the thorough explanation. The risotto looks yellow, did you add saffron?

Thank you.

Amy Oztan

Wednesday 7th of June 2017

I did not, I only added what I listed in the ingredients. My guess is the coloring is from the veggie stock. Although saffron might be a tasty addition.

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