Vegan Mushroom Risotto

Mushroom risotto is a classic Italian dish traditionally made with butter, onion, white wine and parmesan. This version is dairy-free and made without wine but it’s still super creamy and satisfying!

While risotto is a bit more hands-on than cooking pasta or regular rice, there’s no need to be intimidated by this classic dish, it’s actually quite easy to make once you get the hang of it!

You’ll love the creamy, velvety texture and delicious, earthy, umami flavour of this risotto. Whether you make it for a special occasion or any night of the week, this delicious risotto makes a crowd-pleasing dish everyone will enjoy!

Ingredient Notes

A complete list of ingredients with amounts and full instructions is located in the printable recipe card below. This section covers ingredient and substitution considerations.

• Thyme: Fresh is lovely but if you only have ground thyme that’s ok.
• Olive Oil: Oil can be substituted with broth for oil-free risotto.
• Onion: White onion, shallot or yellow onion work, or you can use 2 large leeks, cleaned and diced, for a variation.
• Garlic: Use fresh garlic, not ground garlic powder.
• Mushroom: The recipe calls for white button mushrooms and portobellos but you can use any variety of mushroom. I would recommend using at least 2 different types of mushrooms for a variety of textures and flavours. Try cremini, shitake, oyster mushrooms, wild mushrooms, baby bellas or anything else you can find or enjoy!
• Arborio Rice: Medium-grain arborio rice or carnaroli rice both work well in this recipe. I used arborio rice as it’s easier to find in stores though if you can find carnaroli rice, it’s really nice for risotto.
• Vegetable Broth: Any homemade or store-bough broth works, you can also use bouillon powder or cubes
• Lemon: You’ll need both the juice and zest from a lemon.
• Vegan Butter: Adding butter at the end is optional but adds a creamy, decadent finish to the risotto.

How to Make Mushroom Risotto

Step 1. Bring the vegetable stock to a boil in a large pot on the stovetop.

Once it boils, lower the heat and keep the broth warm. This is an important step as it’s important to use warm broth when we cook the rice.

Step 2. In a separate saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat.

Add the onions, garlic and thyme and cook for a few minutes until the onions are translucent and fragrant.

Step 3. Add the chopped mushrooms and cook for another 5 minutes. The mushrooms will release liquid as they cook, keep cooking until they pan is nearly dry again.

Step 4. Add the rice to the pot and “toast” the rice for 1 minute by sautéing it in the pan.

This is an important step and enhances the flavour of the risotto by opening the pores of the rice.

Step 5. Now to start cooking the rice. Slowly add the hot stock 1 cup at time, stirring with a wooden spoon as the rice absorbs the stock.

You don’t have to constantly stir the whole time but keep a close eye on it and give it a stir at least every 30 seconds.

Continue to add the stock 1 cup at a a time until all of the stock is incorporated and the rice is cooked. This still should take 25-30 minutes.

Quick Tip: Be consistent with stirring the rice. Consistent stirring helps the final dish being more evenly cooked and creamier in consistency.

Expert Tips

Use Hot Broth: It’s important to follow the recipe and heat the broth separately. Adding hot broth to the rice ensures and even cooking time for the best risotto!

Add the Broth Slowly: Follow the recipe, slowly adding small amounts of broth as it continues to be absorbed by the rice. The is key for creamy risotto as it slowly brings out the starch in the rice for that ultra-creamy texture.

Cook Rice Al Dente: Cook the rice until it’s tender but still a bit chewy, rather than completely soft. If the rice is overcooked, the risotto will be mushy.

Cooking Time: Cooking times may vary depending on the rice, pot and stove used, as well as the temperature of the cooking liquid. Keep watching the pot for when the stock has been absorbed, continually slowly adding more until the rice is tender but still has some chewiness.

Variations

• Add up to 1 cup fresh or frozen green peas to the finished risotto.
• Omit the mushrooms for regular risotto.
• Drizzle truffle oil over the final dish for truffle risotto.

Serving Tips

• Serve topped with fresh parsley and fresh-cracked black pepper.
• Try this vegan parmesan or any store-bought parmesan sprinkled on top.
• Risotto is usually served as a main dish but works well with a light green salad or other light side dishes like roasted veggies.

Storing Instructions

• Store leftover risotto in the fridge for up to 3 days in a sealed container.
• To reheat place on stove and slowly add stock until rice has loosened in consistency and is heated all the way through. 
• Mushroom risotto is not ideal for freezing.