Name: Easy Lemon Pea Risotto in Rice Cooker Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 medium shallot, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 ½ cups Arborio rice; 4 cups vegetable broth (divided); 2 tablespoons butter; ¼ teaspoon salt; Pinch black pepper; Zest and juice of one lemon; 1 cup frozen peas; 2 oz grated Parmesan cheese

There’s something so satisfying about a creamy, tangy risotto that’s fuss-free but still impressive. This Easy Lemon Pea Risotto in Rice Cooker Recipe is a total game-changer—comforting, vibrant, and perfectly simple thanks to the magic of your rice cooker.

A white bowl filled with creamy risotto mixed with bright green peas, with small bits of onion visible among the rice. The risotto looks soft and slightly shiny, with some black pepper sprinkled on top. Behind the bowl, there is a glass bowl full of uncooked white rice, a garlic bulb to the left, and a white rice cooker to the right. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface with some scattered shaved cheese and a shallot in the lower right corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Lemon Pea Risotto in Rice Cooker Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy Lemon Pea Risotto in Rice Cooker Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy Lemon Pea Risotto in Rice Cooker Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I honestly didn’t believe you could get great risotto results without standing by the stove for 30 minutes stirring—but this recipe blew me away. Using the rice cooker not only frees up your hands but also guarantees perfectly cooked Arborio rice with minimal effort.

No Fuss, All Flavor: You get creamy risotto without constant stirring or babysitting the pot.
Creamy Texture: The rice cooker gently simmers the risotto, resulting in a luxurious, velvety consistency every time.
Bright & Fresh: Fresh lemon zest and peas bring a vibrant pop that makes this dish feel light and cheerful.
One-Pot Wonder: Clean up is a breeze since everything cooks in the rice cooker—no extra pans required.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredient list might look simple, but each element plays a crucial role in building flavor and texture. Whether fresh, frozen, or pantry staples, these ingredients combine beautifully for a delightful risotto.

Flat lay of a medium shallot diced on a simple white ceramic plate, four peeled garlic cloves arranged neatly on a small white ceramic dish, a small white ceramic bowl filled with uncooked Arborio rice, fresh green peas in a small white ceramic bowl, a small white ceramic bowl with softened butter, a small white ceramic bowl containing coarse salt, a small white ceramic bowl holding black peppercorns, a whole lemon with visible zest and a small white ceramic bowl with fresh lemon juice, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden vegetable broth, and a small white ceramic plate with finely grated Parmesan cheese, all ingredients fresh and natural, perfectly symmetrical and balanced layout, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Shallot: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth that's gentler than regular onion.
Garlic: Boosts savory notes and aroma, essential for that classic risotto base.
Arborio rice: The star ingredient—its high starch content gives risotto its signature creaminess.
Vegetable broth: Infuses the rice with rich, layered flavor while keeping the dish vegetarian.
Butter: Provides richness and silkiness in the final dish, helping to meld flavors.
Salt & Pepper: Basic seasonings that bring everything together perfectly.
Lemon zest and juice: Add brightness and a fresh zing that wakes up the creamy risotto.
Frozen peas: Sweet pops of vegetal freshness that contrast beautifully with creamy rice.
Parmesan cheese: Adds salty, umami richness and helps create that velvety texture.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love playing with this basic formula—you’ll find it’s super adaptable to whatever you have on hand or your mood. Feel free to tweak and make it your own!

Variation: One of my favorite twists is swapping peas for asparagus tips when they’re in season. It adds a lovely crunch and fresh spring flavor.
Dairy-Free Option: You can skip butter and Parmesan for a lighter version—try nutritional yeast or a splash of olive oil instead for a savory punch.
Protein Boost: Stir in cooked shrimp or shredded chicken after cooking for a heartier meal.
Herb Twist: Fresh basil or thyme stirred in at the end adds another dimension that’s delightful.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Lemon Pea Risotto in Rice Cooker Recipe

A white rice cooker filled with a creamy risotto that has soft, pale yellow grains layered with bright green peas scattered evenly throughout. The texture of the risotto looks rich and tender, with the peas adding a pop of color. Around the rice cooker, a red onion and a garlic bulb sit on a white marbled surface. There is a small clear glass bowl of white rice in the background, and some scattered white shaving cheese and a block of cheese with a metal grater resting beside it on the left. A white cloth with green stripes lies on the right side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Gather and Prep your Ingredients

I start by dicing the shallot finely and mincing the garlic so their flavors distribute evenly throughout the dish. Measuring out the Arborio rice and thawing the peas makes the process seamless once we turn on the cooker.

Step 2: Combine Everything and Start Cooking

Add the diced shallots, minced garlic, Arborio rice, 2 ½ cups of your vegetable broth, butter, salt, and pepper straight into your rice cooker pot. Give it a good stir so everything’s evenly mixed—this little step helps prevent clumps and ensures even cooking.

Set your rice cooker to the “white rice” setting if it has one; if it’s a simple model like mine, just hit cook and trust it to work its magic.

Step 3: Finish and Fluff

When the rice cooker cycle completes, open the lid and stir in your lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, frozen peas, and grated Parmesan cheese. If the risotto feels too thick or dry, add a bit more of the remaining broth until you get that silky consistency you expect from risotto.

Give everything a gentle stir, taste for seasoning, and adjust salt or pepper as needed. You want that perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and savory.

Top Tip

After making this risotto several times, I’ve learned some little tricks that really make a difference—and I want you to have them too!

Don’t Skip the Stir Before Cooking: Mixing everything well ensures even liquid absorption and avoids dry patches of rice.
Adjust Liquid Gradually: Sometimes different rice cookers vary in how much broth they absorb, so keep extra broth handy to add at the end for creaminess.
Use Fresh Lemon Zest: It makes the citrus flavor pop much more vibrantly than just lemon juice alone.
Skip the Heavy Stirring: The rice cooker does all the hard work; stirring too early can make the rice mushy, so let it be until after cooking.

How to Serve Easy Lemon Pea Risotto in Rice Cooker Recipe

Garnishes

I like topping my risotto with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan and a few fresh basil leaves or chopped parsley for color and a fresh herbal note. Sometimes a twist of lemon zest on top amps up that citrusy zing right before digging in.

Side Dishes

This risotto pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad dressed with olive oil and lemon or some roasted seasonal veggies. I also enjoy serving it alongside grilled chicken or fish for an easy weeknight meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, spoon the risotto into warmed shallow bowls and garnish with edible flowers or microgreens. Drizzle a little truffle oil or a dollop of mascarpone on top for an extra indulgent finishing touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover risotto in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. It thickens up quite a bit once chilled, but don’t worry—that’s normal.

Freezing

I haven’t frozen this particular risotto often since it’s so quick to make, but if you do freeze it, expect some texture changes. Freeze in portion-sized containers and thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.

Reheating

To reheat, add a splash of broth or water to loosen the risotto and warm gently on the stove or microwave, stirring occasionally to reclaim that creamy texture. Avoid overheating, which can dry it out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different rice instead of Arborio for the rice cooker risotto?

Arborio rice is preferred due to its high starch content, which creates that creamy risotto texture. Using other rice types like basmati or jasmine won’t produce the same creaminess and may result in a less authentic texture. If you don’t have Arborio, look for other short-grain rice varieties as a substitute.

Do I have to use frozen peas, or can I use fresh?

Fresh peas work beautifully and add a bit more sweetness and texture. If using fresh, add them towards the end of cooking to avoid overcooking and losing their vibrant green color. Frozen peas are convenient and cook well directly after the risotto finishes.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Absolutely! Simply replace the butter with a plant-based alternative like vegan margarine or olive oil, and swap the Parmesan for a vegan cheese or nutritional yeast for a similar savory flavor. The vegetable broth keeps the base vegan-friendly too.

How do I know when the risotto is perfectly cooked in the rice cooker?

When the rice cooker finishes its cycle, open the lid and check the texture. The rice should be tender but still have a slight bite—creamy and not mushy. If the risotto looks dry, stir in a bit more broth and let it sit on the ‘keep warm’ setting for a few minutes to absorb moisture.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Lemon Pea Risotto in Rice Cooker Recipe has become one of my go-to comfort dishes because it’s so simple yet impressively flavorful. It’s the kind of dish I happily share with friends who think risotto requires hours of work. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite quick dinner that feels special every time.