Instant Pot Risotto

Name: Instant Pot Risotto
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 cup low-sodium chicken broth, warmed; 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 1 yellow onion, finely diced; 3 clove garlic cloves, minced fine; 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, stripped from stems; 2 cup arborio rice, short-grain Italian; 0.25 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio; 0.75 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated from block; kosher salt, to taste; freshly cracked black pepper

Instant Pot Arborio Risotto

Pressure cooking transforms risotto from a 30-minute stirring marathon into a hands-off affair that still delivers that signature creamy texture. The Instant Pot creates the perfect steamy environment for the arborio rice to release its starch gradually, while the Parmesan melts in at the end for richness.

ItalianDinnerSide DishComfort FoodOne PotInstant Pot

Prep10 min

Cook15 min

Total25 min

Servings4

Difficultyeasy

Ingredients

4 cuplow-sodium chicken broth, warmed
2 tbspunsalted butter
1 yellow onion, finely diced
3 clovegarlic cloves, minced fine
1 tbspfresh thyme leaves, stripped from stems
2 cuparborio rice, short-grain Italian
¼ cupdry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio
¾ cupParmesan cheese, freshly grated from block
kosher salt, to taste
freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions

Warm the chicken broth in a medium saucepan over medium heat until steaming but not boiling. Keep it at a gentle simmer while you prep the rice — warm broth integrates better than cold.
Switch your Instant Pot to Sauté mode and drop in the butter. Once it's melted and foaming, add the diced onion. Cook until translucent and softened, stirring occasionally to prevent browning.
⏱ 5 min
Toss in the minced garlic and fresh thyme, stirring constantly so the garlic doesn't burn. You want just enough time for everything to become fragrant and aromatic.
⏱ 1 min
Pour in the arborio rice and stir to coat each grain with the buttery mixture. Keep stirring until the rice looks slightly translucent around the edges and gives off a nutty aroma — this toasting step builds flavor.
⏱ 2 min
Pour in the white wine to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it bubble and reduce until the liquid is mostly absorbed, then turn off the Sauté function immediately.
Add the warm chicken broth and give everything one final stir. Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to sealing position. Select Manual (or Pressure Cook) on high pressure and set the timer.
⏱ 5 min
Once the timer goes off, immediately quick-release the pressure by carefully turning the valve to venting. Remove the lid and stir in the grated Parmesan until melted and creamy. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.