Creamy and delicious vegan mushroom risotto. This risotto is dairy-free, gluten-free and contains healthy plant-based protein from chickpeas. It’s a flavorful and easy to make weeknight dinner recipe.
I am probably the biggest fan of mushrooms, I always loved them, even as a child. I add them to almost all of my favorite savory dishes, like pasta, rice, pizza, omelet, even mashed potatoes. The flavor and texture of mushrooms are incredible, and they are furthermore healthy. So let’s make this delicious creamy mushroom risotto.
What Is Risotto?
Risotto is a traditional Italian dish made from starchy short-grained rice, for example, Arborio rice. Making risotto involves stirring warm broth (typically chicken broth) into the rice ladle after ladle. Once the liquid has been absorbed, more broth is added. This cooking method makes the rice release its starch, and therefore, results in a creamy risotto dish.
Of course, I didn’t use chicken broth, instead, I used vegetable broth. A classic risotto often also contains butter and cheese. I prefer the healthier version without butter, but with the addition of mushrooms and chickpeas. It’s actually fairly easy to make a healthy risotto which still turns out creamy, and delicious. If you love cheesy risotto, check out my Vegan Broccoli and “Cheese” Risotto.
How To Make Mushroom Risotto?
This vegan mushroom risotto is a perfect comfort meal and it’s ready in about 35 minutes. This recipe requires only a few steps that aren’t complicated at all. Check the step-by-step photos for easy visual instructions. All ingredients with measurements and nutrition facts are in the printable recipe card below.
- Dice the onion and prepare the other ingredients.
- Heat coconut oil in a skillet/pan, stir in half of the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for a few minutes over medium heat, then add risotto rice, stir for about 1 minute until the rice is opaque.
- Pour in the wine, keep stirring constantly until the wine is absorbed.
- Add 1/2 cup vegetable broth to the rice, and cook on low heat until the broth is absorbed. Stir frequently and add more broth, 1/4 cup at a time until the liquid is absorbed and the risotto is al dente and creamy (about 15 minutes).
- Chop the mushrooms. You can use white button mushrooms or any other mushrooms of choice.
- In a different skillet/pan heat the remaining coconut oil, add the other half of the diced onion and minced garlic and sauté for a few minutes over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and chickpeas, sauté for 3-5 minutes, then stir in balsamic vinegar, and soy sauce.
- Also, add coconut milk and let simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Season with black pepper, red pepper flakes, salt to taste and fresh parsley.
Finally, combine the mushroom/chickpea mixture with the risotto rice, stir in the nutritional yeast flakes and enjoy!
Questions & Tips:
Why is stirring important? Risotto should be stirred frequently. You don’t need to stir it all the time, but stirring every few minutes is quite important. Also adding the broth 1/2 cup at a time is a must for the rice to release the starches.
Can I use normal rice? I recommend that you make this delicious dish with risotto rice (for example Arborio, Carnaroli, Vialone, Nano or Baldo) and it will turn out very creamy. However, if you don’t have risotto rice at home then you can also use regular white rice (I tried both). The vegan mushroom risotto will still turn out delicious and creamy because of the coconut milk but it’s not traditional to use regular rice for risotto.
Can I use different milk? Sure! You can use any other plant-based milk of choice like almond milk, oat milk, cashew milk, etc. However, the mushroom risotto will be less creamy because canned coconut milk is higher in fat.
How to store? Store leftover mushroom risotto in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Can I freeze risotto? I don’t recommend freezing risotto as it will change the texture once you reheat it.
Mushroom risotto with peas: You can add green peas to make mushroom and pea risotto. Simply leave out the chickpeas and use peas instead (either canned or thawed from frozen).
Vegan Parmesan: As mentioned before, most mushroom risotto recipes contain cheese/Parmesan but you can simply add nutritional yeast flakes to make this dish even more flavorful, delicious, and of course, vegan. Or check out my Vegan Parmesan Recipe.
This Mushroom Risotto Is:
- Vegan (dairy-free)
- Creamy
- Rich
- Flavorful
- Comforting
- Protein-rich
- Gluten-free
- Easy to make
Should you try out this vegan mushroom risotto recipe, please leave a comment below and don’t forget to tag me in your Instagram or Facebook post with @elavegan and #elavegan because I love to see your recreations.
Do you love vegan rice recipes? Then make sure to also check out my other simple vegan recipes:
- Vegan Broccoli and “Cheese” Risotto.
- Turmeric Rice
- Vegan Chickpea Curry with Rice
- Sweet Potato Curry With Rice
- Rice And Bean Casserole
Vegan Mushroom Risotto
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (120 g) risotto rice
- 1 medium onion diced (divided)
- 2 large cloves garlic minced (divided)
- 2 tbsp coconut oil divided
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) white wine or use more broth
- 1 1/4 cup (300 ml) vegetable broth heated on the stove
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) coconut milk canned (*see notes)
- 3 cups (200 g) mushrooms sliced
- 1 cup (150 g) chickpeas canned (*see notes)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (gluten-free if needed) or tamari
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- Nutritional yeast to garnish
- Fresh parsley, black pepper, sea salt, red pepper flakes to taste
Instructions
- Heat 1 tbsp coconut oil in a skillet/frying pan, stir in 1/2 of the diced onion and 1 large clove of minced garlic and sauté for a few minutes over medium heat.
- Add rice, stir for about 1 minute until the rice is opaque. Pour in the wine, keep stirring constantly until the wine is absorbed.
- Add 1/2 cup vegetable broth and cook on low heat until the broth is absorbed. Stir frequently and add more broth, 1/4 cup at a time until the liquid is absorbed and the risotto is al dente and creamy (about 15 minutes).
- In a different skillet/frying pan heat the remaining 1 tbsp coconut oil, stir in the remaining diced onion and minced garlic and sauté for a few minutes over medium heat.
- Add the mushrooms and chickpeas and sauté for 3-5 minutes. Also, add balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, coconut milk, and let simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with black pepper, red pepper flakes, salt, and fresh parsley to taste.
- Finally, combine the mushroom/chickpea mixture with the cooked risotto rice, stir in the nutritional yeast flakes and enjoy! Check the recipe notes below.
Notes
- Coconut milk: You can use any other plant-based milk of choice, however, the risotto will turn out less creamy.
- Chickpeas: Use canned chickpeas or cook from dry. Instead of chickpeas, you can also use peas.
- How to store: Store leftover risotto in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Check the step-by-step photos in the blog post above.
- Recipe serves 4. Nutrition facts are for one serving made with canned coconut milk.
Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically
Tara
Another winner!! I put the chickpeas in my air fryer (very affordable from Kmart in Aus) and it added a little crunch to them. This recipe is so healthy though without too much oil or vegan cream or butter, perfect for a cold night in and it feels like a cheat meal even when it’s healthy!
Ela
Wonderful! And the crunchy chickpeas sound amazing. 🙂 Thank you Tara!
Roman
Thanks for this recipe! I did a version with hand picked Chantrelles for mushrooms and added Cashew Nuts to the mix! 10/10 can recommend
Ela
I am pleased you liked the risotto, Roman! It would be awesome if you could also leave a rating for the recipe. Thanks so much! 🙂
Monica
Hi can you substitute coconut milk with coconut cream?
Ela
Yes, absolutely! 🙂 Enjoy!
Maya
Love this recipe! Rich, creamy and comforting. I make this often, thanks for sharing it Ela!
Ela
You are very welcome, Maya! I am so happy you loved the recipe. 🙂
Andie Sobey
My husband made your amazing risotto for our friends last night and it is honestly the best risotto we have all had!! We will all be making it again and sharing your recipe and blog as I have been enjoying a few of your recipes for a while now. Thank you! ?
Ela
Aww, that’s amazing and makes me so happy! Thanks so much for your lovely fedback, Andie! 🙂
Marc
Good recipe (though used a bit extra broth in place of wine as didnt have any) next time, i’ll not put a spoon of yeast flakes into as cooking, and try it as garnish like you instruct…. my fault computer with recipe in different room to kitchen, got confused in between rooms.
Ela
Thanks for your feedback, Marc! 🙂
Vanessa
Hello Ela,
Thank u so much for your blog and all the recipes which can inspire us!
Why are you adding some balsamic vinegar and soy sauce in some recipes? What’s are their benefits?
Ela
Thank you, Vanessa! I love to add it for the taste. 🙂
Alejandra
What if I don’t have vegetable broth? Could I use water instead?
Ela
Sure, you can.
Lydia Callahan
I made this today for brunch and it was absolutely fantastic! I am a big vegan food fan, but didn’t know many recipes. And it’s not always easy to get all of the ingredients (especially for baking). I’ve been trying out few recipes, and am so glad I found your website! Thank you for sharing all of the amazing recipes 🙂 I’ll try out many more and be sure to leave comments. You are awesome! <3
Ela
That’s awesome, Lydia! Thanks so much for your sweet comment!
Much love, Ela ❤️
Rachel Obermiller
This is the best version of a mushroom stroganoff I have ever had! I more-or-less doubled the recipe… 1c rice, 1c wine, 1/2 of the onion for each pan, 8oz of mushrooms, 1 (15oz) can chickpeas briefly pulsed in the food processor, 1 (15oz) can high fat coconut milk, and 1/4cup nutritional yeast were the changes I made. Again— amazing and THANK YOU!
Ela
Awesome, Rachel! Thanks a lot for your thorough feedback. 🙂
Rebekah Young
I stumbled across this recipe today and had the majority of the ingredients already in my cupboard. Simple instructions to follow and a healthy twist in overly creamy/cheesy standard risottos. This made a great meal and my daughter requested seconds.
Ela
That’s amazing! Thank you very much for your kind feedback, Rebekah 🙂
Desiree
OhmyGOSH, Ela! This is just soooo delicious! I’m so glad I read the comments ahead of time so I made a double batch the very first time. I think I could eat this and nothing else for the rest of my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Ela
Makes me so happy! Thanks for your amazing feedback, Desiree 🙂
TL
This recipe is fantastic – rich, nutritious, and filling!! Adding the chickpeas was a nice touch, and the coconut milk base allows for a lot of things to be mixed in. Since I didn’t have white wine on hand, I used mirin (sweet rice wine) as a substitute. It imparted a sweet and savoury taste. This was my first vegan recipe and now I want to try more!
Ela
Yay, that’s amazing! So happy to hear you liked my recipe. 🙂
Teresa
This sounds so delicious, but my husband is not a fan of coconut flavor. Any substitute for the coconut milk?
Ela
Hey Teresa, you could use any other plant-based cream (e.g. soy cream) or simply use your favorite plant-based milk of choice with the addition of a little bit vegan butter or margarine to taste. 🙂
Florie-Anne
Amazing! I loved it! So simple and yet so tasty! Thank you for the recipe! It’s the first Elavegan recipe that I’ve tried but now I want to try them all!
Ela
Aww, thank you very much! Makes me so happy you liked this recipe. 🙂
Merhan
I love the recipe..i am going to try it..can u please suggest a substitute for the wine as it is not allowed for us(muslim) Thank u….
Ela
Hello, you can just leave it out.
Best wishes, Ela
Kim @ FoodTalko
WOW this risotto looks and sounds so delicious!
Ela
Thank you, Kim! 🙂
Keri
This is absolutely amazing! So delicious, and I love the chickpeas for additional protein. This is the 2nd elavegan recipe I’ve tried (love your chickpea curry too) and both have been out of this world! Can’t wait to try more. Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipes! ♡
Ela
Awww, that’s awesome Keri! Makes me so happy to hear 🙂