Instant Pot Asparagus & Fennel Risotto

This Instant Pot asparagus risotto is off the charts good. Made with sweet fennel and crunchy asparagus, this Italian classic is super easy with a pressure cooker. It's a great vegetarian meal for meat-free Mondays!

Have you ever used your Instant Pot to make a risotto? In fact, do you ever make risotto at all or are you a little intimidated by the process?

We're here to tell you that Instant Pot is the EASIEST way to make an incredible, creamy, restaurant-style risotto. Every time we make one, it takes us by surprise just how well it always turns out without me having to keep an eye on it.

This fennel and asparagus Instant Pot risotto is a fabulous vegetarian and gluten-free recipe,  Of course, you can also make it with other vegetables and we've provided a few variations below. Once you've mastered the method, your imagination is the limit!

INGREDIENTS FOR INSTANT POT RISOTTO

Risotto Rice

Risotto requires a special type of rice called arborio rice, which is a high-starch, short-grained rice that helps to give the dish that famous thickness and creaminess. We like to use organic arborio, such as this brand from Amazon, but you can use regular risotto rice as well. Unlike regular white rice, DO NOT RINSE this rice before cooking or you will reduce the starch content and that's what we need for a perfect risotto.

Cooking stock

This recipe calls for 4 cups of stock. Essentially, it's 2:1 ratio of stock to arborio rice for the pressure cooker recipe (regular white rice often calls for 1:1 ratio but risotto needs more liquid). We used half chicken and half vegetable stock, but for a vegetarian version, just use all vegetable stock.

Vegetables

Fennel and asparagus are both gorgeous and nutritious vegetables, and we think they give this risotto the loveliest of flavours. Half of the fennel and asparagus are added to the pot and the rest are pan-fried to be used as a topping. Instead, you can also use diced celery and carrots, garden peas and zucchini, pumpkin and spinach and the list goes on.

Dairy-free or lighter version

Once the Instant Pot stops cooking and you open the lid, you will notice that the risotto is already creamy and thick without you adding any Parmesan cheese or butter. Tasting it made us think that it could be served as-is for those of you avoiding dairy or following a vegan diet. We were quite generous with Parmesan and butter because we love that gooey, cheesy texture and flavours but you can also reduce the amount of butter and cheese for a slightly lighter version.

Leftover risotto can be stored in the fridge for 2 days. Reheat as is or turn into risotto cakes/fritters, fishcakes (with some added tuna or salmon) or arancini balls.

How To Make Instant Pot Asparagus Risotto

MORE INSTANT POT RISOTTO RECIPES

• Instant Pot Vegan Risotto With Green Veggies & Garlic
• Butternut Squash Risotto With Blue Cheese
• Instant Pot Barley Tomato Risotto With Marinated Feta
• Beet Risotto With Goat's Cheese
• Budget Risotto With Peas & Celery

Rate This Recipe

4.34 from 3 votes

Instant Pot Asparagus Fennel Risotto

This Instant Pot risotto is made with sweet fennel and crunchy asparagus. An Italian classic, this dish is super easy with a pressure cooker. It's a great vegetarian and gluten-free dinner meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Total Time30 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Calories: 659kcal

Ingredients

To go in the pot

• 1 medium onion finely diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ medium fennel bulb diced
• ½ bunch of asparagus diced
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 large cloves of garlic
• 2 cups arborio rice for risotto
• ⅓ cup white wine
• Zest of ½ lemon
• 2 cups vegetable stock 1 cube + 2 cups water
• 2 cups chicken stock 1 cube + 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons butter (25 g)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

To top the risotto

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ bulb fennel sliced,
• ½ bunch asparagus cut into smaller pieces (see picture)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Juice of ½ lemon

Instructions

• Press the Sauté key on the Instant Pot (it should say Normal, 30 mins). Add the onions and olive oil and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring a few times.
• In the meantime, prepare the vegetables. Dice half of the fennel and asparagus into smaller cubes to go in the pot, and slice the rest into larger strips and pieces to be pan-fried as a topping.
• Add the diced fennel and asparagus to the pot together with salt and garlic and stir through.
• Add the rice, white wine, and lemon zest and stir through.
• Add the stock, stir through, and press Keep Warm/Cancel key on the Instant Pot to stop the Sauté function. Make sure to scrape any rice kernels or vegetables off the inner pot walls.
• Place and lock the lid, making sure the steam releasing handle is pointing to Sealing. Press Manual, High pressure and set to 5 minutes. After 3 beeps the pressure cooker will start going.
• While the risotto is cooking, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the remaining fennel and asparagus and sprinkle with salt. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring a few times, until golden and softened. Drizzle with some lemon juice and set aside.
• Once the timer goes off, allow the pressure to release for 2 minutes and then, carefully, use the quick release method to release the rest of the steam and pressure.
• Open the lid and stir in the butter and Parmesan cheese. Add extra pepper and taste for salt. Serve topped with pan-fried asparagus and fennel and a side salad.

Nutrition

Calories: 659kcal | Carbohydrates: 98g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 1378mg | Potassium: 748mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1467IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 183mg | Iron: 8mg

CourseMain

CuisineItalian

KeywordDinner Recipes, Gluten-Free, Instant Pot Risotto, Italian Cuisine, rice, Vegetarian

Made this recipe?Mention @instantpoteats or tag #instantpoteats!

SAVE THIS ASPARAGUS RISOTTO TO PINTEREST