Easy Vegan Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto

5 from 10 votes

This low maintenance vegan Instant Pot mushroom risotto is honestly amazing. Easy to make in an Instant Pot, it’s hearty and the perfect plant-based weeknight meal. No constant stirring and ten core ingredients

An overhead shot of a vegan mushroom risotto in a blue speckled serving plate.
An overhead shot of ingredients for a vegan mushroom risotto.
Image shows a kitchen scene with an Instant Pot on the counter.
Images show vegan “Parmesan” sprinkle ingredients in a food processor on the left and the completed product on the right.
A 3/4 angle shot of some sliced mushrooms.

I thought I’d slide in with a quick and delicious vegan (and naturally gluten free) dinner for you. This recipe for vegan mushroom risotto is done in 40 minutes, and it may just entice you to pick up/finally use your Instant Pot!

I use mine to cook beans from scratch, large batches of steel cut oats (and other grains) that I can reheat throughout the week, extremely fluffy brown basmati rice, flavourful vegetable stock, and quickly steamed butternut squash for silky soups. In addition to this vegan mushroom risotto, I have a couple more vegan Instant Pot recipes on the site: Instant Pot Chana Masala and spicy Buffalo-style refried pinto beans.

Does the IP actually cook things in an instant? Not exactly. Most recipes need a good 15 minutes to come up to pressure in addition to the stated cooking time. Does it save me time despite the lack of true instantaneousness? 100% yes. Can you actually make a creamy and delicious risotto in an Instant Pot? Oooooh yes.

If I’m using this recipe as an example, once I cook the shallot, creamini mushroom, white wine, thyme, and toasted arborio rice base, I seal the pot up, and get my remaining ingredients ready. I’m on easy street for the next 15 minutes before the timer goes off. I don’t have to stir and babysit the risotto constantly. This is very worthwhile from a convenience perspective!

I will say that this version of risotto is not precisely as creamy as the hand-stirred variety, but the time trade-off is worth it. You could also just make the base risotto without the mushrooms and add whatever roasted/sautéed vegetables that you like on top. It’s a good weeknight back pocket recipe for all types of eaters. Leftovers of this risotto reheat easily on the stove with an extra splash of vegetable stock.

Let me know if you try this easy vegan mushroom risotto and what you think. Curious to ALSO know what plant-based things you’re all making in your Instant Pots! In case you were wondering, I have a very basic 6 quart one that I got on a Black Friday sale a few years ago.

An overhead shot of mushrooms inside of an Instant Pot.
A hand is seen pouring white wine into a pot of toasting rice.
An overhead shot of a hand stirring some risotto.
An overhead shot of vegan Instant Pot mushroom risotto in an Instant pot insert.

Easy Vegan Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto

This low maintenance vegan mushroom risotto is honestly amazing. Easy to make in the Instant Pot, it's hearty and the perfect plant-based weeknight meal.
5 from 10 votes
An overhead shot of a serving of mushroom risotto in a blue dot speckled bowl. The risotto also features cooked baby spinach.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Servings 6

Ingredients

LARGE BATCH VEGAN “PARM”

  • 1 cup sliced & skinned almonds (for nut-free version, try a mix of sesame, hemp & raw sunflower seeds)
  • ¼ cup nutritional yeast
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

INSTANT POT MUSHROOM RISOTTO

  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil, divided
  • 1 lb cremini mushrooms, sliced
  • sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 shallots, small dice (about ½ cup diced shallots)
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 teaspoons thyme leaves, minced
  • 2 cups arborio rice
  • ¼ cup white wine
  • 5 cups vegetable stock
  • 2 tablespoons light miso (I used chickpea miso)
  • 2 tablespoons vegan butter (optional)
  • 3 cups baby spinach, packed
  • the vegan “parm”

Equipment

Notes

  • I used Bon Appetit’s mushroom-forward vegetable stock for this recipe.
  • Finishing with a vegan “parm” sprinkle is essential in my opinion.
  • I like to make the recipe in this large batch format to have on hand for all the things that need a little extra flavour/saltiness.

Instructions

  • Make the large batch vegan “parm.” In a food processor, combine the almonds, nutritional yeast, salt, onion powder, and garlic powder. Pulse the mixture until you have a fine meal, similar to almond flour. Store the “parm” in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a month.
  • Make the Instant Pot mushroom risotto. Turn the Instant Pot to the SAUTE function. Pour in 1 tablespoon of the oil. Add all of the mushrooms at once and leave them alone for 1 full minute. Stir them up and then leave for another full minute. Once the mushrooms are glistening and letting off lots of liquid, season them with salt and pepper. Keep sauteeing them and stirring them occasionally until all of the liquid is evaporated and the mushrooms are browned, about 5 minutes. CANCEL the SAUTE function. Transfer all of the mushrooms to a bowl and set aside.
  • Carefully remove the insert from the Instant Pot and thoroughly wipe it out with a damp cloth. Return the insert to the Instant Pot and turn on the SAUTE function again. Add the remaining oil to the pot.
  • Add the shallots to the pot and stir. Saute the shallots until soft and translucent, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and thyme to the pot and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the arborio rice to the pot and stir. Cook/toast the rice until the edges of the grains have turned translucent, about 2 minutes. Avoid actual browning here. If the rice is sticking or you’re noticing browning, add more oil.
  • Pour in the white wine and stir. Cook until the wine is almost totally evaporated, about 1 minute. Add the vegetable stock and stir. CANCEL the SAUTE function.
  • Secure the lid to the Instant Pot, ensuring that the release valve is in the SEALING position. Select the MANUAL pressure cooking option and set it to 4 minutes at HIGH pressure. Once the time is up, hit CANCEL, and immediately (and carefully) release the pressure valve.
  • Once the pin drops, open the lid and stir the risotto. Add the miso and vegan butter (if using) to the pot and season the whole thing with lots of salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Add the reserved mushrooms and spinach to the pot and stir. Close the lid and allow the spinach to wilt for about 1 minute. Serve the Instant Pot mushroom risotto hot with vegan “parm.”
An overhead shot of vegan Instant Pot mushroom risotto in 2 serving bowls.
20/11/2019 (Last Updated: 20/11/2019)
Posted in: autumn, creamy, earthy, gluten free, Instant Pot, main course, mushrooms, nut free, quick, refined sugar-free, salty, side dish, spring, summer, umami, vegan, winter
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How to make: Easy Vegan Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto