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Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

Published: Apr 10, 2022 · Modified: May 11, 2022 by Amanda McGrory-Dixon

Smoked Salmon Risotto (Instant Pot or Stove-Top)

Jump to Recipe

When you need an impressive dinner, you can’t go wrong with this smoked salmon risotto! Topped with tender smoked salmon and fresh herbs and finished with a squeeze of bright lemon juice, this elegant risotto is perfect for an at-home date night or fancy dinner party with friends. And despite its gourmet feel, making this risotto is surprisingly simple whether you use the Instant Pot or the classic stove-top method.

Looking down on a bowl of smoked salmon risotto with a small vase of white flowers and a gold spoon on the left.
Jump to:
  • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Expert Tips
  • Perfect Pairing
  • Looking for More Salmon Recipes?
  • 📖 Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Two proven cooking methods for your convenience: I love the leisurely process of making a risotto on the stove-top, and it’s obviously great if you don’t have an Instant Pot. That said, the Instant Pot does make a wonderful risotto without all that stirring, and it significantly cuts the cooking time. 

Fresh flavors but oh-so comforting: Smoked salmon, herbs and lemon are some of spring and summer’s best flavors, but just because it’s outside of fall and winter doesn’t mean we have to totally abandon decadent comfort food. This smoked salmon delivers on both fronts. And while you’re at it, make sure you try my spring risotto as well!

Makes you look like a superstar chef: Risotto is often served at many fine dining hotspots, which inherently makes it seem more difficult than it actually is, especially if you use that trusty Instant Pot. Everyone will be instantly impressed when you serve this gourmet meal, but it can be our little secret how simple it was to prepare.

Related: For more elegant dinner ideas, try these smoked lobster tails, braised red wine short ribs and morel mushroom pasta.

Ingredients

The ingredients with labels on a pink textured board.

Arborio rice: Risotto is made from arborio rice. Generally, if you see a package called risotto, that’s risotto in a box, which we don’t want. Also, make sure you don’t get just any kind of white rice – those other rice varieties lack the right starch to develop that cream sauce. Get the real thing and reach for arborio rice.

Smoked salmon: While you’re certainly welcome to use your favorite type of smoked salmon, I prefer a lox style. 

White wine: Pick up a dry white wine here. Pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc are wonderful cooking wines with a nice acidity to add some zip.

Parmesan: I love the flavor Parmesan adds to risotto, but you can totally substitute it for your favorite cheese, like fontina or Gruyere, or use a combination of cheeses.

Seafood stock: To best complement the smoked salmon, I love using a seafood stock. Luckily for you, I have a homemade seafood stock recipe that’s loaded with flavor, and you can make a big batch and store it in the freezer. This way, you always have the absolute best seafood stock on hand. 

You can also head to Amazon and buy Better Than Bouillon Fish Base, which is a concentrated paste that you make into a stock. While homemade is my favorite, this makes a good substitute. You could substitute chicken broth or stock in a pinch, but if you can get your hands on some sort of seafood variety, that’s my recommendation.

Step-by-Step Instructions

To make this smoked salmon risotto recipe, let’s first detail the Instant Pot method since this is a newer preparation method, and then we’ll chat about the differences of the stove-top version.

Instant Pot Method

Step 1: Our first step is to melt some butter and cook our onions until they soften on the Saute function. At the very end, we add some fresh garlic (photo 1). 

Cooking chopped onions in oil with a spoon to soften.

Step 2: Now we add our risotto rice. To help develop the flavor, we let it cook for a few minutes to toast while stir frequently (photo 2). 

Toasting the rice with a wooden spoon in the Instant Pot until it turns fragrant.

Step 3: At this point, we pour in that delicious white wine (photo 3) and continue to cook until it’s mostly absorbed.

Pouring white wine from a glass measuring cup into the Instant Pot.

Step 4: We’re now ready to add our chicken stock (photo 4), seal the pressure cooker and cook on the Manual setting.

Stirring in the chicken stock in the Instant Pot before cooking.

Step 5: When the timer goes off, we use the quick-release valve, carefully remove the top and give it a stir and taste to ensure the rice is cooked to our liking. For our final steps, we stir in a little more butter with the herbs, Parmesan and fresh lemon juice (photo 5). 

Adding the cheese and herbs to the risotto after it finished cooking.

All that’s left is to scoop the risotto into bowls and top with that delicious smoked salmon. Some additional herbs and even a touch of fresh lemon zest make a lovely garnish. Grab a spoon and devour the most wonderful smoked salmon risotto!

Stove-Top Method

Stove-top risotto follows a similar process to Instant Pot risotto until we stir in the stock. When we get to this step, we instead ladle in a scoop of stock and keep stirring until the rice nearly absorbs it all. Now we repeat until we use 6 to 8 cups of chicken stock.

After the risotto is tender and perfectly cooked, we stir in the butter, Parmesan, lemon juice and herbs like above.

Recipe FAQs

Do you have to constantly stir risotto?

While you want to stir frequently on the stove-top, you don’t need to stir constantly. As the rice rubs against each other, it releases the starch that makes the cream sauce. That said, taking short breaks from stirring here and there is fine. Of course, Instant Pot risotto doesn’t require frequent stirring except for those couple first steps.

Should you rinse arborio rice before cooking?

While some rice calls for this step, do not rinse arborio rice. Arborio’s starch is what gives us that cream sauce, so rinsing will not give us the right finished dish.

Why is my risotto still hard?

If the risotto still has a crunch, it needs more time to cook. When the risotto is ready, the sauce will be thick and creamy, and the rice will be perfectly tender. Whether you use the stove-top or Instant Pot version, give the risotto more time to cook if it’s still hard.

A close-up shot of the smoked salmon risotto on pink netting with bright lighting to the side.

Expert Tips

Set the salmon out ahead of time: Smoked salmon is best at room temperature and will warm more quickly with that hot risotto. Simply place it on the countertop when prepping your ingredients to give it about 30 minutes to come down in temperature.

Don’t use cold chicken stock: Cold chicken stock will mess up the cooking process. The stock absolutely needs to be warm. For the Instant Pot, I simply heat it in the microwave before using, and for the stove-top, I keep it in a small saucepan at a low simmer on a separate burner.

Grate your own cheese: Canned or bagged Parmesan does not melt well and will leave you with a grainy texture. It's important you use freshly grated Parmesan.

Altitude can affect cooking times: If you’re at sea level, the standard risotto cooking time for the Instant Pot is six minutes and 20-30 minutes for the stove-top. However, living in Denver at 5,280 feet where the boiling point of water decreases, I’ve never found these estimates accurate and always add more time.

If you’re about 3,000 feet or above sea level, I’d start with eight minutes on the Instant Pot and expect to spend 35-45 minutes cooking the risotto on the stove-top. Taste as you go and let that guide the cooking time.

Perfect Pairing

With this smoked salmon risotto, you can’t go wrong with an American wheat beer. This style often shows off a clean, citrusy pop to complement our salmon, and its effervescent bubbles keep our palate refreshed with those thick textures of the fish and risotto. A saison is also a nice option. 

Need a good wine pairing? An oak-aged chardonnay is lovely here. That buttery chardonnay quality matches beautifully with the texture of the rich, fatty salmon and decadent cream sauce. 

For a cocktail, my garden gin and tonic is perfect. Smoked salmon and gin work together nicely, and you’ll love those muddled fresh herbs from the drink with our risotto. My Ramos gin fizz makes a delicious pairing with all that fresh citrus as well. 

When you need the perfect elegant meal, look no further than this smoked salmon risotto. Everyone will love this gourmet yet simple dinner.  

Cheers!

An aerial view of the smoked salmon risotto with a spoon and flowers on the side.

Looking for More Salmon Recipes?

  • Smoked Salmon, Avocado and Pesto Pizza
  • Slow-Roasted Blood Orange Salmon
  • Burrata and Salmon Panzanella Salad
  • Salmon-Avocado Burgers With Lime-Sriracha Aioli

If you love this recipe, please leave a comment with a five-star rating — or simply hit the five-star button in the recipe card. Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter, and you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok.

📖 Recipe

A close-up shot of the smoked salmon risotto on pink netting with bright lighting to the side.

Smoked Salmon Risotto (Instant Pot or Stove-Top)

When you need an impressive dinner, you can’t go wrong with this smoked salmon risotto! Topped with tender smoked salmon and fresh herbs and finished with a squeeze of bright lemon juice, this elegant risotto is perfect for an at-home date night or fancy dinner party with friends. And despite its gourmet feel, making this risotto is surprisingly simple.
5 from 73 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 503kcal
Author: Amanda McGrory-Dixon

Equipment

  • Instant Pot or medium pot
  • Small saucepan for stove-top method

Ingredients

  • 6-8 cups seafood or fish stock for stove-top or 4 cups for Instant Pot
  • 8 tablespoons salted butter divided
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 4 garlic cloves minced or grated
  • 2 cups arborio rice do not rinse
  • ½ cup dry white wine such as pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
  • 1 lemon juiced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
  • 6 ounces smoked salmon cut into strips, room temperature

Instructions

Stove-Top

  • Heat seafood or chicken stock in a small saucepan until it barely simmers on the stove.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a medium-size pot over medium heat. Add onions and cook until softened, about four minutes, stirring occasionally. Then, add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
  • Add rice, frequently stirring for three minutes. Deglaze the pot with wine and stir until it nearly evaporates.
  • Ladle one scoop of simmering seafood stock into risotto, about ½-1 cup. Stir often until the rice absorbs the stock. Add another scoop and keep stirring often until absorbed. Repeat this process until the rice is tender. This should take about 20-30 minutes but see notes for high-altitude cooking.
  • Turn off heat. Drop in remaining 6 tablespoons of butter and Parmesan. Stir to melt and then add the lemon juice, chives and dill.
  • Scoop into bowls and top with smoked salmon. Enjoy!

Instant Pot

  • Warm seafood stock in the microwave or over the stove.
  • Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté. Add 2 tablespoons of butter to Instant Pot. Once it melts and the Instant Pot is hot, add the onions and cook until softened, about four minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
  • Add rice, frequently stirring for three minutes. Deglaze the pot with wine and stir until it nearly evaporates.
  • Pour in warm seafood stock and set Instant Pot to Manual for six minutes. Use the quick-release valve when finished cooking. If you're at high altitude, you might need more time. Taste and if still hard, put the top back on and cook for two more minutes.
  • Turn off Instant Pot. Add remaining 6 tablespoons of butter and Parmesan. Stir to melt and then add lemon juice, chives and dill.
  • Scoop into bowls and top with smoked salmon. Enjoy!

Notes

  • To bring smoked salmon to room temperature, place it on the countertop when prepping your ingredients to give it about 30 minutes to come down in temperature.
  • The stock needs to be warm, so don't skip those steps for keeping the stock warm. Otherwise, you won't get the right creamy texture.
  • Canned or bagged Parmesan does not melt well and will leave you with a grainy texture. It's important you use freshly grated Parmesan.
  • If you’re at sea level, the standard risotto cooking time for the Instant Pot is six minutes and 20-30 minutes for the stove-top. If you’re about 3,000 feet or above sea level, I’d start with eight minutes on the Instant Pot and expect to spend 35-45 minutes cooking the risotto on the stove-top. Taste as you go and let that guide the cooking time.
  • Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 503kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 612mg | Potassium: 194mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 626IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 221mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @BurrataandBubbles or tag #burratandbubbles!

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Ann says

    April 19, 2022 at 2:50 pm

    5 stars
    This was delicious! I love how you gave options to make on the stove top or the Instant Pot. I did the Instant Pot, but it's definitely helpful to have options.

    Reply
  2. Moop brown says

    April 18, 2022 at 3:25 am

    5 stars
    This salmon is so tender and flavorful and made for the best risotto topping. I appreciate that you provided two different ways to prepare it. I did the stove-top preparation, and it was perfect.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 19, 2022 at 11:13 am

      Thanks so much!

      Reply
  3. Katie Crenshaw says

    April 17, 2022 at 4:07 pm

    5 stars
    The smoked salmon and risotto went beautiful together. Great steps on how to make it. Everything came out perfect.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 19, 2022 at 11:12 am

      That's so great to hear -- thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  4. Aya says

    April 17, 2022 at 3:10 pm

    5 stars
    Salmon risotto is one of my favorites and this recipe turns out amazing every time! We love it!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 19, 2022 at 11:12 am

      So happy to hear that!

      Reply
  5. Uma says

    April 15, 2022 at 5:56 pm

    5 stars
    I made this for some friends last night, and everyone loved it. Turned out really rich and creamy. Thank you!

    Reply
  6. Colleen says

    April 14, 2022 at 9:39 am

    5 stars
    And smoked salmon is an amazing pairing for risotto. So delicious and I'm planning to try it in the instant pot next time. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 15, 2022 at 9:12 am

      You're welcome! You'll love that preparation method as well!

      Reply
  7. Mikayla says

    April 13, 2022 at 5:13 pm

    5 stars
    A refreshingly light meal that checked all the boxes -- filling, full of flavor, and healthy. Our family and guests were very happy.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 15, 2022 at 9:11 am

      Thank you, Mikayla!

      Reply
  8. Leslie says

    April 13, 2022 at 7:54 am

    5 stars
    I love recipes like this that are impressive, yet simple! It was so fresh tasting with that lemon and dill. This is a perfect recipe for any salmon lover!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 13, 2022 at 11:53 am

      Glad it was a hit, Leslie!

      Reply
  9. Shelley says

    April 13, 2022 at 6:02 am

    5 stars
    Ohhhhhh THIS! I absolutely adore smoked salmon, and what could be more luxurious than pairing it with risotto?!? The fresh herbs and bright lemon really bring it all together with a pop of freshness, too. And thank you thank you for including easy Instant Pot directions!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 13, 2022 at 10:16 am

      You are so very welcome!

      Reply
  10. Devan says

    April 13, 2022 at 12:21 am

    5 stars
    This looks like the perfect meal for a late summer night sitting out on the patio. I love how you used fish stock as the base for the risotto which I'm sure adds another layer of flavour. Great photos too!
    Thanks Amanda!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 13, 2022 at 10:00 am

      It really does make a delicious difference! And thank you!

      Reply
  11. Silvia says

    April 12, 2022 at 3:19 pm

    5 stars
    What a delicious recipe. We are big fans of salmon and this is a new way to enjoy it. I followed your stove top directions but I'll use my instant pot next time.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 12, 2022 at 4:25 pm

      I'm so glad you plan on trying both methods! They really are both great. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Amanda, a Denver-based lady who believes life is best spent with comforting meals, tasty beverages and good company. When I'm not playing in the kitchen, I'm probably exploring new breweries with my husband, Matt, or obsessing over my adorable dog, Baylor.

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