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You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Recipes / Instant Pot

Instant Pot Risotto

Published: Jul 18, 2019 · Modified: Mar 9, 2020 by Anna 20 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

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Instant Pot Risotto - creamy and cheesy risotto made without stirring, in 5 minutes in the Instant Pot. Serve it plain or add mushrooms, peas or broccoli. 

This is the easiest way to make risotto at home. I also love to cook Fluffy Rice and 1-Minute Quinoa in my pressure cooker.

Instant Pot Risotto in a white bowl.

My Instant Pot never disappoints. I already know it can make my meal prep faster and easier and makes the best rice ever, no rice cooker needed. Now, I can make creamy, cheesy and flavorful risotto in just 5 minutes. No standing over the stove and stirring for half an hour. All you need to do is saute onion, garlic and seasoning (yep! Read my tips to learn why!) and add the rice and liquid. The Instant Pot will do its magic and you will have a delicious risotto ready to be served.

Ingredients:

  • olive oil
  • onion
  • garlic
  • butter
  • seasoning (fresh or dry thyme, Italian seasoning)
  • arborio rice
  • vegetable or chicken broth or stock
  • salt
  • Parmesan cheese
Ingredients for Instant Pot risotto on marble board.

Instructions:

  • Start by sauteeing onion in the Instant Pot.
  • Add butter, garlic and seasoning. Stir in well.
  • Add arborio rice and stir in. Saute for 1 minute.
  • Add stock and salt and stir.
  • Cover the Instant Pot with lid and set the timer to 5 minutes.
  • Let the pressure release naturally.
  • Open the Instant Pot and stir in Parmesan cheese. Serve warm.

What rice do you use to make risotto?

To make this risotto, you need to look for arborio rice. It looks like long-grain rice but it usually costs a little more.

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Instant Pot risotto inside the pressure cooker with a wooden spoon.

Do I need wine to make risotto?

If you have good white wine on hand, feel free to use ½ cup in this recipe. If using wine, use 1.5 cups of vegetable or chicken stock.

Best tips:

  • toast the seasoning: this is when you create the flavor for your risotto. Toasting the seasoning in butter activates them, especially if you are using dried herbs.
  • toast the rice: I always recommend this step when cooking rice. It will create a fluffy and perfectly cooked rice every time!
  • add butter: after you stir in Parmesan, you can add a tablespoon of butter to the risotto, let it melt and stir in. It will add rich flavor and make the risotto even more creamy.

More easy side dish recipes:

  • Instant Pot Fluffy Rice
  • 1-Minute Instant Pot Quinoa
  • Instant Pot Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀

Instant Pot Risotto

Author: Anna
Creamy and cheesy risotto made without stirring, in 5 minutes in the Instant Pot. Serve it plain or add mushrooms, peas or broccoli. 
5 from 8 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 4 minutes mins
Cook Time 5 minutes mins
natural pressure release 10 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 297 kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ medium yellow onion
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 3 teaspoons minced garlic
  • ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon fresh or dried thyme
  • 1 cup arborio rice
  • 2 cups vegetable broth See note
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese see note
  • 1 tablespoon butter optional

Instructions
 

  • Press saute setting on your Instant Pot. Make sure the stainless steel insert is in the pressure cooker.
  • Wait 1 minute, then add olive oil to the pot. Add chopped onion and saute for 2 minutes.
    1 tablespoon olive oil, ¼ medium yellow onion
  • Add butter and garlic to Instant Pot and stir in well. Add Italian seasoning and thyme and stir in. The mixture should be very fragrant.
    1 tablespoon butter, 3 teaspoons minced garlic, ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon fresh or dried thyme
  • Add arborio rice to the sauteed vegetables and toast, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Press "cancel/off" button.
    1 cup arborio rice
  • Add broth and salt and stir in.
    2 cups vegetable broth, ½ teaspoon salt
  • Close the lid and set the valve to sealing position. Press manual setting and set the timer to 5 minutes. The Instant Pot will start coming to pressure, which will take about 5 minutes.
  • Once the timer is done, press the "cancel/off" button and let the Instant Pot release the pressure naturally. Do not switch the valve.
  • When the pressure pin is down, carefully open the lid away from your face. Stir the risotto.
  • Add Parmesan and stir in until melted.
    ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
  • If you want ultra-rich and creamy risotto, add one tablespoon of butter, let it melt and stir in.
    1 tablespoon butter
  • Serve warm.

Video

Notes

You can use vegetable or chicken broth or stock in this recipe. If you want to use white wine, like in the classic risotto, add ½ cup and use 1.5 cups of broth.
Do not use Kraft Parmesan. It is not a good option for risotto but also because it contains cellulose (think wood shavings). Buy a piece of real Parmesan or get already shredded Parmesan, like Sartori.

Nutrition

Calories: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 912mg | Potassium: 57mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 475IU | Vitamin C: 1.7mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 2.2mg
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

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Comments

    5 from 8 votes

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Ashley says

    October 28, 2024 at 2:06 pm

    When and how do you recommend adding mushrooms?

    Reply
  2. Krys Lal says

    February 14, 2022 at 8:02 pm

    5 stars
    Amazing risotto!!!
    Hubby made this for valentines day after work today and it really was authentic, garlicy and flavourful. Perfectly cooked, thanks for the great recipe!

    Reply
  3. Desiree says

    July 01, 2020 at 3:50 pm

    What the difference between manual and just pressure cook??

    Reply
    • Anna says

      July 01, 2020 at 4:03 pm

      Hi Desiree! The button is for the same setting, just some Instant Pots will have manual button and some have pressure cook button. I include both so you know what to press depending on which model of the Instant Pot you have.

      Reply
  4. Colleen says

    January 26, 2020 at 4:23 pm

    OMGoodness, wow! So easy and so much flavor. Thank you!!

    Reply
    • Anna says

      January 27, 2020 at 6:11 pm

      Thank you for trying the recipe, Colleen! I am glad you love it!

      Reply
  5. Emily says

    January 19, 2020 at 7:26 pm

    If I double the recipe should I increase the time I cook it or keep the time the same?? I made it the first time exact to the recipe and it was AMAZING. Want to double it this time!

    Reply
    • Anna says

      January 19, 2020 at 11:50 pm

      Hi Emily! The general rule is that if you double the ingredients, the cooking time stays the same. Let me know how it goes! I am so glad you like the risotto!

      Reply
  6. suzanne says

    January 06, 2020 at 6:22 pm

    5 stars
    This is the best risotto ever and will be the only recipe I use from now on. The risotto is creamy and absolutely delicious. So easy to make and so quick. I added some triple smoked bacon at the onion stage and sliced mushrooms with the stock. Thank you for your wonderful recipe.

    Reply
  7. Allison says

    November 07, 2019 at 5:51 pm

    5 stars
    First time making risotto and it turned out great! My family asked me to make it again soon and I will definitely be doubling it next time around.

    Reply
  8. Sara Welch says

    July 18, 2019 at 1:48 pm

    5 stars
    Another great recipe to try with my Instant Pot! This will pair nicely with dinner tonight; looks amazing!

    Reply
    • Anna says

      July 22, 2019 at 12:27 pm

      Thank you, Sara!

      Reply
  9. Susie says

    July 18, 2019 at 1:27 pm

    5 stars
    The Instant Pot is amazing for risotto!

    Reply
    • Anna says

      July 22, 2019 at 12:27 pm

      Yes!! No more standing by the stove and stirring!

      Reply
  10. Taylor says

    July 18, 2019 at 12:18 pm

    5 stars
    I'm always intimidated to make risotto but this looks so easy! Definitely giving it a shot!

    Reply
    • Anna says

      July 22, 2019 at 12:27 pm

      I hope you love it, Taylor!

      Reply
  11. Jessica says

    July 18, 2019 at 12:07 pm

    5 stars
    Oh my gosh delicious! Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Anna says

      July 22, 2019 at 12:26 pm

      You are very welcome, Jessica!

      Reply
  12. Melissa says

    July 18, 2019 at 12:02 pm

    5 stars
    Very tasty and so easy to make!

    Reply
    • Anna says

      July 22, 2019 at 12:26 pm

      Right? So delicious! Thanks, Melissa!

      Reply
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