Easy Instant Pot Lemon Asparagus Risotto

Fresh asparagus is in season, and it is at its best during spring. Also, spring is the best season to have colorful vegetables and enjoy fresh, lemony flavors. You can read all about it in my spring produce guide here. As asparagus is in season, I also love to make air fryer asparagus, asparagus soup, and grilled asparagus. Risotto is a labor of love when made on the stovetop, but it is a breeze when made in the instant pot. I like to saute asparagus separately in a skillet and add it in right after pressure cooking to preserve the crunch. If you have thin asparagus stalks, you can add them after pressure cooking right into the risotto, similar to how I do for my lemon asparagus pasta. Or, for thick stalks, you can add them in just before pressure cooking.

What is Risotto?

Risotto is a creamy Italian dish made with short-grain arborio rice cooked in vegetable or meat broth. It has a creamy texture with al-dente grains. In addition to rice being the main ingredient, risotto can also contain different aromatics, such as onions or shallots sautéed in butter, white wine, or stock. There are different kinds of rice, such as Carnaroli, Arborio, or Vialone Nano rice. But, the Arborio rice is the best to use as it absorbs the liquids and releases the starches, which gives the creamy texture to the final dish.

Ingredients for Lemon Asparagus Risotto

The primary ingredients for this delicious lemon asparagus risotto are: Asparagus: It is rich in vitamins, folate, and fiber. This veggie is also one of the nutritionally balanced vegetables, and it is so easy to cook. For this recipe, I like to sauté asparagus separately. It can be sautéed in a skillet or in an instant pot. Green Peas: These tiny yet powerful veggie packs a punch when it comes to nutrients. They carry high volumes of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Lemon: I have used freshly squeezed lemon juice for this recipe. You can raise the lemony flavor by adding some lemon zest. Broth: I have used vegetable broth, but other kinds of broth would work well too. Parmesan: I prefer to use freshly grated parmesan for this recipe.

How to Make Asparagus Risotto?

Now that you have all your ingredients, it is time to make this instant pot asparagus risotto.

Step 1: Saute the aromatics

Start by heating the instant pot in sauté mode and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Then add the onions and garlic, and sauté for a few minutes.

Step 2: Pressure Cook Rice

Then, add the broth to the pot and deglaze to ensure nothing is stuck to the bottom. Next, add the rice, butter, and salt to the broth and stir well. Remember that all of the rice should be covered in broth.

Close the lid with the vent in a sealing position and set the instant pot on high pressure for 6 minutes. Once the instant pot beeps, quick release the pressure manually.

Step 3: Saute asparagus

While the rice is cooking in the instant pot, sauté the asparagus in some olive oil in a skillet on the stovetop. You can also sauté the asparagus in the instant pot before sautéing the onion or garlic. You just want to saute for 5-8 minutes until the asparagus is tender. The exact time will depend on the thickness of the asparagus stalks.

Step 4: Bring it all together

After opening the instant pot, add the asparagus, green peas, and lemon juice and stir in the grated parmesan. Keep stirring until the parmesan is mixed well with the rice. Adjust salt and pepper according to your taste. Finally, cover the instant pot with a lid and let it sit for 5 minutes for all the flavors to soak in well.

Serve the risotto by garnishing with a generous helping of grated parmesan and crushed red chili pepper (optional).

Variations

One of the variations of this risotto is where you can add the mushroom and make Mushroom Asparagus Risotto instead of lemon. Or add zucchini or spinach to make this risotto with a variety of veggies. If you want to add some protein to the dish, just add some grilled chicken or shrimp to the risotto.

How to Store?

You can store leftovers of this lemon asparagus risotto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just heat it in the microwave or stovetop with some butter, and you might need to add some water to get the right consistency, too. I hope you enjoy this delicious creamy Lemon Asparagus Risotto. Don’t forget to share your feedback or a picture with #pipingpotcurry!