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    The Hangry Chickpea » Lunch and Dinner » Creamy Dairy Free Risotto with Mushrooms (Vegan)

    Creamy Dairy Free Risotto with Mushrooms (Vegan)

    Published: Feb 6, 2022 · Modified: Feb 24, 2022 by Eliza

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    This creamy dairy free mushroom risotto is in my top 5 favorite recipes ever. Its creamy and rich, yet light and simple. Make it for date night, or pour a glass of wine and enjoy by yourself! No judgement here...

    creamy risotto topped with sauteed mushrooms and thyme leaves
    Ready to dive into this creamy risotto?

    This cozy risotto is the perfect date night dinner. It's fancy enough to impress your date for Valentine's day, a birthday, anniversary or special occasion. That said, I'm also in favor of treating yourself whenever the mood strikes.

    Thankfully, this risotto isn't hard to make, it just takes time, so pour yourself a glass of wine and get stirring.

    Looking for more impressive dinners? I've got you covered. Check out this vegan lasagna or butternut squash lasagna. This risotto variation features summer veggies.

    Want to impress with breakfast in bed instead? This cornflake crusted french toast is a stunner. These pancakes are simpler and a tad healthier. And if all else fails, this pink strawberry mango smoothie always impresses.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage & reheating
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Top tip
    • Creamy Dairy Free Risotto with Mushrooms (Vegan)
    • Food safety

    Ingredients

    dairy free mushroom risotto ingredients - mushrooms, veggie broth, white wine, soy sauce, grapeseed oil, vegan butter, arborio rice, thyme, garlic and shallot

    The ingredients for this mushroom risotto are super simple!

    • mushrooms
    • garlic
    • shallot
    • soy sauce
    • vegetable stock
    • white wine - NOT cooking wine. Only use what you'd drink in a glass. Note that not all wines are vegan due to processing agents - here are a few good options.
    • vegan butter (such as Miyoko's) - this will take the recipe from good to ah-mazing
    • thyme leaves
    • arborio rice - this is the key to making a creamy risotto. Look for it near the other rices in the grocery store.
    • grapeseed oil
    • salt and black pepper to taste

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    First, prepare produce.

    For the mushrooms: rinse with water, then pat dry. Remove the hard ends and slice thinly.

    For the shallots: slice off end opposite the hairy root. Slice in half lengthwise (cutting the root in half), then remove papery outside. Then place onto largest flat side, then slice thinly parallel to the root.

    For the garlic: gently smash with flat side of knife (careful with your hands - sharp edge toward cutting board always!). Now mince with knife, or a garlic press.

    slicing a mushroom
    Cut off a little bit of the stem, then slice as pictured.

    Place mushrooms into a frying pan on medium heat with a splash of grapeseed oil and pinch of salt. Cook until mushrooms release juices and shrink to half their original size (5-8 minutes). Then add soy sauce, and stir gently until mushrooms absorb the soy sauce. Set aside off the heat until risotto is ready.

    sauteed mushrooms halfway thru cooking
    These mushrooms are halfway done cooking - they haven't released all of their juices. Close though!

    Now, prepare the risotto. Start by sauteeing the shallots in a splash of grapeseed oil and pinch of salt in a large flat bottomed pan on medium heat.

    Meanwhile, warm the broth in a separate saucepan. Warm broth will help the risotto cook faster.

    Once the shallots are soft (3-4 minutes), add garlic and arborio rice. Stir frequently to prevent burning. You may smell a slightly nutty aroma - this is great!

    toasting arborio rice in a large flat bottomed pan with sauteed shallots
    Toasting phase: can you smell the nutty aromas of the arborio rice?

    Toast the rice grains for another 2-3 minutes, then add 1 cup of the vegetable broth. Stir every couple minutes to prevent sticking. Once the rice has absorbed all of the liquid, add another cup, alternating wine and vegetable broth.

    arborio rice that has absorbed some liquid in a pan
    this risotto is ready for more liquid!

    As the risotto rice absorbs more of the vegetable broth and wine, a sauce will form. Once you can draw a line in the risotto without it closing immediately, it's time for more liquid.

    Risotto with a line from a spoon - time for more liquid
    check out that thick sauce forming! when you can draw a line in the pan, and it doesn't refill immediately, it's time for more liquid

    Once the rice has absorbed all of the vegetable broth and wine, give it a taste. If it still has a "bite," or hard bits, add water a quarter cup at a time until it's soft enough for your taste. In my experience, "al dente" or rice with just a little "bite" is perfect.

    Off the heat, add sautéed mushrooms, thyme leaves, and vegan butter. Stir gently until butter melts. Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve!

    vegan mushroom risotto with mushroom slices mixed in
    finally time to eat! raise you hand if you're eating this out of the pan....

    Pro tip 1: warm the vegetable broth in a small saucepan before adding to risotto pan.

    Pro tip 2: good risotto takes time and patience. Pour yourself a glass of wine (or two) and relax. Taste frequently toward the end, and don't be afraid to add a little more liquid if needed.

    Substitutions

    The easy vegan mushroom risotto is naturally dairy free, egg-free, and nut free.

    • Risotto without wine - substitute the wine for water, unsweetened plain plant-based milk, or more vegetable broth.
    • Without mushrooms - use other veggies of choice. This summer vegetable risotto uses roasted veggies.
    • Gluten-free - use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce

    Variations

    There are plenty of risotto variations - here are some of my favorites:

    • Cheesier - add a teaspoon of nutritional yeast at the end
    • Veggie packed - add any roasted or cooked vegetable, like roasted tomatoes, asparagus, zucchini, leeks, or roasted butternut squash.
    • Herb it up - a quarter teaspoon of dried rosemary or fresh parsley will bring another dimension to this vegan mushroom risotto - use what you have on hand.
    • Fancy - finish with a tiny drizzle of truffle oil for extra luxury
    two bowls of dairy free mushroom risotto topped with thyme leaves
    find someone who makes you risotto like this for dinner...

    Equipment

    The key piece of equipment for this risotto is a good saute pan. Mine is a flat bottomed stainless steel pan - about 14 inches in diameter. Note that stainless steel pans conduct heat more efficiently than other pans. If you're using a nonstick, ceramic, or enamel pans, increase heat by one half a notch. For example, from medium heat to medium high heat.

    Storage & reheating

    Store leftover risotto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute.

    Or reheat on the stove in a small frying pan with a tablespoon of water or vegetable broth. Stir every couple minutes to prevent sticking.

    These ingredients don't stand up well to freezing.

    Frequently asked questions

    What is a good substitute for wine in risotto?

    You may substitute wine for more vegetable broth, water, or unsweetened plain plant-based milk. Note that the alcohol in the wine should cook off in the risotto.

    How do you reheat risotto?

    There are two ways to reheat risotto. To reheat risotto in the microwave, cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute. If needed, add a tablespoon of water or vegetable broth.

    To reheat on the stove, place risotto into a small frying pan on medium heat with a tablespoon of water, stirring frequently for 3-5 minutes. Add an extra half tablespoon of butter to prevent sticking if needed.

    Is risotto vegan?

    Traditional risotto uses Parmesan cheese, and may contain other dairy products like butter and heavy cream, which are not vegan. However, cheese is not required to make a delicious risotto. This vegan mushroom risotto omits the cheese, but leans into the nuttiness of the arborio rice. You could also add a spritz of lemon juice or nutritional yeast to achieve some of the cheesy flavor, though not required.

    What wine pairs well with mushroom risotto?

    The great thing about risotto is that it makes most wines taste great, even the less expensive ones. Use a white wine like a lightly oaked chardonay or pinot gris in the risotto. To serve with dinner, use the same white wine, or go for a lighter red like a Pinot Noir.

    Top tip

    Take your time with risotto. It needs a little extra attention and patience. Pour yourself a glass of wine, and enjoy the process. And don't forget the tasting spoons!

    Need something else impressive and plant-based? I've got you covered.

    • The BEST Vegan Lasagna with Veggies
    • Vegan Cornflake French Toast
    • Easy Dairy-Free Pizza with Arugula
    • Aperol spritz + vegan pairing guide
    Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment below!
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    risotto topped with sautéed mushrooms

    Creamy Dairy Free Risotto with Mushrooms (Vegan)

    ★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
    • Author: The Hangry Chickpea
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 30 minutes
    • Total Time: 45 minutes
    • Yield: 4 servings 1x
    • Category: Lunch and dinner
    • Method: Sauteeing
    • Cuisine: Italian
    • Diet: Vegan
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    This creamy dairy free mushroom risotto is in my top 5 favorite recipes ever. Its creamy and rich, yet light and simple (and vegan!). Make it for date night, or pour a glass of wine and enjoy by yourself! No judgement here...


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 2 packages mushrooms (16 oz total)
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • 1 medium shallot
    • 1 Tbsp soy sauce
    • 1 quart vegetable stock or broth
    • 2 cups white wine of choice
    • 1 Tbsp vegan butter (such as Miyoko's)
    • 2-3 sprigs fresh thyme leaves
    • 1 cup arborio rice
    • 1-2 Tbsp grapeseed oil
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    1. First, prepare produce.

    • For the mushrooms: rinse with water, then pat dry. Remove the hard ends and slice thinly.
    • For the shallots: slice off end opposite the hairy root. Slice in half lengthwise (cut the root in half), then remove papery outside. Place onto largest flat side, then slice thinly parallel to the root.
    • For the garlic: gently smash with flat side of knife (careful with your hands - sharp edge toward cutting board always!). Then mince with knife, or a garlic press.

    2. Place mushrooms into a frying pan on medium heat with a splash of grapeseed oil and pinch of salt. Cook until mushrooms release juices and shrink to half their original volume (5-8 minutes). Then add soy sauce, and stir gently until mushrooms absorb the soy sauce. Set aside off the heat until risotto is ready.

    3. Now, prepare the risotto. Start by sautéing the shallots in a splash of grapeseed oil and pinch of salt in a large flat bottomed pan on medium heat.

    4. Once the shallots are soft (3-4 minutes), add garlic and arborio rice. Stir frequently to prevent burning. You may smell a slightly nutty aroma - this is great!

    5. Toast the arborio rice for another 2-3 minutes, then add 1 cup of the vegetable broth. Stir every couple minutes to prevent sticking. Once the rice has absorbed all of the liquid, add another cup, alternating wine and vegetable broth.

    6. As the rice absorbs more of the vegetable broth and wine, a sauce will form. Once you can draw a line in the risotto without it closing immediately, it's time for more liquid.

    7. Once the rice has absorbed all of the vegetable broth and wine, give it a taste. If it still has a "bite," or hard bits, add water (or plant based milk) a quarter cup at a time until it's soft enough for your taste. In my experience, "al dente" or rice with just a little "bite" is perfect.

    8. Off the heat, add sautéed mushrooms, thyme leaves, and vegan butter. Stir gently until butter melts. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve!


    Keywords: vegan mushroom risotto, mushroom risotto, easy vegan mushroom risotto, best vegan mushroom risotto, dairy free risotto, dairy free mushroom risotto, creamy mushroom risotto

    How'd it go?

    Please rate this recipe and tag @thehangrychickpea on Instagram!

    Food safety

    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds - grapeseed oil is my favorite
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
    « Easy Dairy-Free Pizza with Arugula
    Vegan peanut butter cookies with chocolate ganache »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. The Hangry Chickpea

      February 06, 2022 at 2:40 pm

      well worth the time spent stirring. the mushroom/soy sauce trick is gold!

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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