Name: Asparagus Risotto
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 4 cups vegetable broth; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1/2 cup diced shallot (or onion); 1 cup arborio rice; 1/4 cup white wine; 1/2 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste); 10 ounces asparagus (diced (about 2 cups)); 1 tablespoon butter; 1 teaspoon lemon juice (plus more to taste); 1/2 cup grated parmesan (divided use); Ground black pepper (to taste)

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Filled with crisp-tender pieces of asparagus, this asparagus risotto is easy to make and ready in 30 minutes. With parmesan cheese and lemon, it’s a delicious spring side or main.

You know that risotto is one of my go-to sides around here, whether it’s a classic parmesan risotto or main-dish chicken risotto.

My kids love risotto because it’s creamy and cheesy, so it’s a great base for adding other ingredients they aren’t as thrilled about.

I’ve already added spinach risotto and zucchini risotto to our rotation, so for spring it just made sense to add this asparagus risotto to our lineup.

You’ll love it too — the tender stalks of asparagus cook gently in the rice, and a bit of lemon brings out the flavor of this versatile spring dish.

Plus, risotto is easier to make at home than you might think! Grab a stirring spoon and let’s get started.

Ingredients for asparagus risotto

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this recipe.

Asparagus – I prefer using fresh asparagus for this dish. You’ll need 2 cups of diced asparagus, which is approximately 10 ounces.

Thin or thick asparagus spears is a matter of preference, so choose what you like! Keep in mind that thin asparagus will cook quickly, while thick asparagus needs more time.

Olive oil – To sauté the shallot and rice.

Vegetable stock – To keep this dish vegetarian, use vegetable stock. Don’t need it vegetarian? You can use chicken stock.

I like to have my homemade vegetable stock on hand for dishes like this.

Shallot – Sharper than onion but not as pungent as garlic, shallots are wonderful for risotto.

You can swap in diced white onion if desired.

White wine – Wine is used to add a bit of distinctive flavor as well as to deglaze the pan after sautéeing. Because you only need a small amount, choose a wine that you enjoy drinking and serve the rest of the bottle with dinner.

tip

If you don’t drink a lot of wine at home, mini bottles are perfect for having on hand to use in recipes like these.

Arborio rice – A classic risotto rice, arborio is a short-grain rice originating from Italy.

Most grocery stores carry arborio rice now, but if you can’t find it, any other short-grain rice will do in a pinch.

Do not buy the boxes of risotto mix for this recipe. The rice in those mixes is parcooked and will not work.

Salt – Use to taste, as the salt content in vegetable stock can vary.

Lemon juice – Lemon is wonderful in risotto and pairs very will with asparagus, making the dish more vibrant. Both fresh lemon juice and bottled lemon juice will work.

Parmesan cheese – Use fresh grated parmesan cheese, not parmesan granules from a can. A wedge of parmesan will last for a long time in the refrigerator. (Save the rind for soup broth!)

Butter – To add a creamy finish to the dish, I stir in a little butter at the end of cooking.

Black pepper – Added to taste.

How to make this recipe

To make this dish, first prep the asparagus.

Trim off the woody ends by snapping the spears; they’ll break off at the natural division between the tender and woody parts.

Cut the asparagus into small pieces and set aside.

Pour the vegetable stock into a saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Keep warm while you continue the recipe.

Sauteeing shallot in olive oil on stove.

Toasting arborio rice in pan for risotto.

In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium. Once the oil is shimmering, add the shallot and sauté for about 5 minutes, until soft and translucent.

Add the rice and stir well. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring often, until rice is lightly toasted. The edges of the rice grains should start to look more translucent, while the centers will still be opaque.

Pour in the wine and stir well to deglaze the pan. Most of the wine will cook off quickly.

Adding broth to rice in pan for risotto.

Pour in 2 cups of the warmed stock and stir. Cook, stirring frequently, until most of the liquid is absorbed. You should be able to see the bottom of the pan for a moment when you stir through the rice.

Add in ½ cup stock and continue cooking and stirring. Add more stock as the rice continues to absorb it, making sure to stir often.

Once the rice has cooked for about 15 minutes, add the asparagus. Keep adding more vegetable stock and stirring to prevent sticking.

When you’ve used nearly all of the stock, taste the rice for doneness. It should be tender but not mushy, creamy with just a slight amount of chew.

Adding cheese and butter to asparagus risotto.

Once the rice is done cooking, remove from heat and stir in the butter and lemon juice, then mix in half of the grated parmesan cheese and black pepper to taste.

Serve immediately, with the rest of the parmesan cheese for garnish.

Recipe suggestions

For more lemon flavor, add lemon zest in addition to the juice.

Add other spring vegetables! Green peas or diced carrots are wonderful options.

Give it a kick of spice with crushed red chile pepper.

Asparagus risotto on plates with chicken.

FAQ

Do I need to use wine in risotto?

If you are avoiding alcohol or don’t have white wine on hand, no problem! While the alcohol cooks off in risotto, some choose to not use it.

You can simply leave out the wine. In its place, use ¼ cup of broth to deglaze the pan.

Can I use frozen asparagus?

If asparagus is out of season where you live, swap in frozen asparagus!

Make sure it is completely thawed and drained.

Because frozen asparagus usually comes in whole spears, you will need to cut it before adding it to the risotto.

Frozen asparagus is partially cooked, so add it toward the end of the recipe. Let it warm through and cook until tender before finishing the dish.

How long does asparagus risotto last in the fridge?

Risotto is best eaten immediately. This is because the rice will continue to soak up any liquid.

However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

To regain as much of the original consistency, reheat it in a saucepan with a small amount of broth or stock. Stir as you warm it, to loosen up the rice again.

Can I freeze asparagus risotto?

Asparagus risotto can be frozen. However, you will lose much of the original texture.

Portion it into individual containers and freeze for up to 3 months.

Thaw in the refrigerator, then warm gently with extra liquid.

Other asparagus recipes to enjoy

You’ll likely have some leftover asparagus after making this recipe, so why not try some of my other recipes?

For breakfast, check out herbaceous asparagus dill frittata or ham asparagus scones.

Make some steamed asparagus to add to your favorite main dishes, soups, or salads.

Add savory, salty flavor with bacon wrapped asparagus, a delicious starter.

Two plates of asparagus risotto and chicken with lemon.

You’ll love this creamy asparagus risotto as a wonderful dish to celebrate asparagus season!

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