Common Ingredients in risotto Recipes

We researched the most common ingredients in over a hundred popular risotto recipes and found the top 15 ingredients.

The most common ingredient in risotto dishes is olive oil.

White wine, onion, arborio rice, butter, parmesan cheese, garlic and chicken broth are also common ingredients in risotto recipes. For herbs and spices, sea salt is popular. Variations include:

• shallots and asparagus in place of onion
• shallots in place of garlic
• vegetable broth in place of chicken broth

Pepper shows up in 50% of risotto recipes.

The average risotto recipe has about 11.5 ingredients, with a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 26.

In terms of directions, risotto recipes have about 4.9 steps on average, ranging from 1 to 14 instructions.

An average risotto recipe takes about 51 minutes to prepare, ranging from 4 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes.

Ratios of Common Ingredients in Risotto

For half a cup white wine (118 g), the median and average amounts of other significant ingredients are below. Some ingredients are potential substitutes for others, meaning they almost never exist together in a single risotto recipe, and are marked below.

Ingredient	Median	Average	% of recipes with white wine	Potential subsitutions
olive oil	2 tablespoon (27 g)	1.7 tablespoon (23 g)	72%
onion	half a cup (80 g)	0.62 cup (100 g)	66%	shallots asparagus
arborio rice	1.3 cup (250 g)	1.3 cup (254 g)	62%
parmesan cheese	a third of a cup (29 g)	0.41 cup (36 g)	55%
garlic	2 clove (6 g)	2 clove (6 g)	52%	shallots
chicken broth	4 cup (996 g)	4.1 cup (1019 g)	43%	vegetable broth
butter	2 tablespoon (28 g)	2.8 tablespoon (40 g)	38%
parsley	2 tablespoon (8 g)	2.3 tablespoon (9 g)	28%	chives

Ingredients by Average Weight in Risotto

We also found the average content of the significant ingredients by weight in risotto recipes. This would be: 40% chicken broth, 17% vegetable stock, 16% arborio rice, 11% white wine, 8% onion, 3% butter, 2% olive oil and 2% parmesan cheese.

Here are the top ingredients, listed in order of popularity.

sea salt

Sea salt is the most popular ingredient in risotto dishes. In fact, over 80% of risotto recipes contain sea salt.

Ground is a frequent preparation for sea salt in risotto dishes.

Sea salt is often included in risotto dishes in amounts of half a teaspoon, 1.5 teaspoons or a quarter teaspoon.

In risotto recipes that contain sea salt, it is on average, 0% by weight.

For risotto recipes, sea salt is frequently used with olive oil, white wine, onion, arborio rice and parmesan cheese. However, butter, carnaroli rice, zest lemon, vegetable broth and parmigiano reggiano are almost never used together with sea salt in risotto dishes.

olive oil

Another popular ingredient in risotto is olive oil. From the recipes we've sampled for risotto, over 70% have olive oil.

Olive oil is often included in risotto dishes in amounts of 2 tablespoons, 1 tablespoon or 3 tablespoons.

In risotto recipes that contain olive oil, it is on average, 1.7% by weight.

In recipes for risotto, olive oil is often used with sea salt, white wine, onion, arborio rice and garlic. On the other hand, olive oil is almost never used with parmesan cheese, chicken broth, butter, black pepper, butter, saffron threads, sage, asparagus, heavy cream, parmigiano reggiano and celery.

white wine

White wine is another common ingredient in risotto dishes. In fact, over 65% of risotto recipes contain white wine.

Common quantities for white wine in risotto dishes include half a cup, 1 cup or a quarter cup.

In risotto recipes that contain white wine, it is on average, 8% by weight.

Sea salt, olive oil, onion, arborio rice and parmesan cheese are commonly used together with white wine in risotto dishes. Conversely, white wine is not often used with butter, shallots, tomatoes and parmigiano reggiano.

onion

Another popular ingredient in risotto is onion. From the recipes we've sampled for risotto, over 65% have onion.

Chopped, peeled, diced, minced and sliced are frequent preparations for onion in risotto dishes.

Onion is often included in risotto dishes in amounts of half a cup, 1 medium or 1 small.

In risotto recipes that contain onion, it is on average, 6% by weight.

For risotto recipes, onion is frequently used with sea salt, olive oil, white wine, arborio rice and garlic.

Potential substitutions for onion in risotto:

• shallots
• asparagus

Also, onion is not often used with butter, black pepper, thyme, chives, zest lemon, juice lemon and heavy cream.

arborio rice

Arborio rice is another common ingredient in risotto dishes. In fact, over 55% of risotto recipes contain arborio rice.

Arborio rice is often included in risotto dishes in amounts of 1.5 cups, 1 cup or 2 cups.

In risotto recipes that contain arborio rice, it is on average, 14% by weight.

In recipes for risotto, arborio rice is often used with sea salt, white wine, olive oil, onion and parmesan cheese. On the other hand, arborio rice is almost never used with garlic, parsley, vegetable stock, thyme, carnaroli rice, zest lemon, juice lemon, heavy cream and parmigiano reggiano.

butter

Another popular ingredient in risotto is butter. From the recipes we've sampled for risotto, over 55% have butter.

Common quantities for butter in risotto dishes include 2 tablespoons, 4 tablespoons or 1 tablespoon.

In risotto recipes that contain butter, it is on average, 3% by weight.

Sea salt, white wine, arborio rice, parmesan cheese and chicken broth are commonly used together with butter in risotto dishes. Conversely, butter is not often used with olive oil, onion, garlic, parsley, vegetable stock, peas, tomatoes, carnaroli rice, zest lemon, juice lemon, vegetable broth and parmigiano reggiano.

pepper

Pepper is another common ingredient in risotto dishes. In fact, over 50% of risotto recipes contain pepper.

Variations of pepper include:

• black pepper: 35% of recipes

For risotto recipes, pepper is frequently used with sea salt, white wine, olive oil, onion and parmesan cheese.

Potential substitutions for pepper in risotto:

• black pepper

Also, pepper is not often used with arborio rice, chicken broth, butter, butter, shallots, shrimp shells, sage, asparagus, parmigiano reggiano, heavy cream and celery.

black pepper

Black pepper is another common ingredient in risotto dishes. In fact, over 35% of risotto recipes contain black pepper.

Risotto dishes often call for black pepper to be ground.

Black pepper is often included in risotto dishes in amounts of 1 teaspoon.

In risotto recipes that contain black pepper, it is on average, 0% by weight.

In recipes for risotto, black pepper is often used with sea salt, olive oil, white wine, arborio rice and parmesan cheese. On the other hand, black pepper is almost never used with olive oil, onion, butter, vegetable stock, peas, tomatoes, carnaroli rice, zest lemon, sage, vegetable broth and parmigiano reggiano.

parmesan cheese

Another popular ingredient in risotto is parmesan cheese. From the recipes we've sampled for risotto, over 50% have parmesan cheese.

Risotto dishes often call for parmesan cheese to be grated.

Parmesan cheese is often included in risotto dishes in amounts of half a cup, a third of a cup or a quarter cup.

In risotto recipes that contain parmesan cheese, it is on average, 2% by weight.

In recipes for risotto, parmesan cheese is often used with sea salt, olive oil, white wine, arborio rice and onion. On the other hand, parmesan cheese is almost never used with garlic, parsley, thyme, peas, tomatoes, shrimp shells, zest lemon, vegetable broth, parmigiano reggiano and celery.

garlic

Garlic is another common ingredient in risotto dishes. In fact, over 45% of risotto recipes contain garlic.

Minced, chopped, crushed, sliced, peeled, grated, slivered, smashed and removed are frequent preparations for garlic in risotto dishes.

Common quantities for garlic in risotto dishes include 2 cloves, 1 clove or 3 cloves.

In risotto recipes that contain garlic, it is on average, 0.4% by weight.

Sea salt, olive oil, onion, white wine and arborio rice are commonly used together with garlic in risotto dishes.

Potential substitutions for garlic in risotto:

• shallots

Also, garlic is not often used with arborio rice, parmesan cheese, chicken broth, butter, saffron threads, shrimp shells, asparagus and parmigiano reggiano.

chicken broth

Another popular ingredient in risotto is chicken broth. From the recipes we've sampled for risotto, over 40% have chicken broth.

Lightly salted is a frequent preparation for chicken broth in risotto dishes.

Chicken broth is often included in risotto dishes in amounts of 4 cups, 5 cups or 1 quart.

In risotto recipes that contain chicken broth, it is on average, 50% by weight.

For risotto recipes, chicken broth is frequently used with sea salt, arborio rice, onion, olive oil and parmesan cheese.

Potential substitutions for chicken broth in risotto:

• vegetable broth

Also, chicken broth is not often used with olive oil, garlic, parsley, vegetable stock, thyme, tomatoes, carnaroli rice, shrimp shells, zest lemon and juice lemon.

parsley

Another popular ingredient in risotto is parsley. From the recipes we've sampled for risotto, over 25% have parsley.

Chopped, minced and packed are frequent preparations for parsley in risotto dishes.

Common quantities for parsley in risotto dishes include 2 tablespoons, half a cup or 1 tablespoon.

In risotto recipes that contain parsley, it is on average, 0.9% by weight.

Sea salt, olive oil, white wine, onion and garlic are commonly used together with parsley in risotto dishes.

Potential substitutions for parsley in risotto:

• chives

Also, parsley is not often used with arborio rice, parmesan cheese, chicken broth, butter, butter, thyme, heavy cream, parmigiano reggiano and celery.

shallots

Shallots is another common ingredient in risotto dishes. In fact, over 15% of risotto recipes contain shallots.

Minced, chopped and peeled are frequent preparations for shallots in risotto dishes.

Shallots is often included in risotto dishes in amounts of 2 shallots, half a cup or 1 medium.

In risotto recipes that contain shallots, it is on average, 1.4% by weight.

For risotto recipes, shallots is frequently used with sea salt, olive oil, black pepper, white wine and arborio rice.

Potential substitutions for shallots in risotto:

• onion
• garlic
• celery

Also, shallots is not often used with white wine, butter, vegetable stock, tomatoes, carnaroli rice, zest lemon, sage, vegetable broth and parmigiano reggiano.

vegetable stock

Another popular ingredient in risotto is vegetable stock. From the recipes we've sampled for risotto, over 15% have vegetable stock.

Risotto dishes often call for vegetable stock to be seasoned.

Vegetable stock is often included in risotto dishes in amounts of 7 cups, 6 cups or 4 cups.

In risotto recipes that contain vegetable stock, it is on average, 56% by weight.

In recipes for risotto, vegetable stock is often used with white wine, sea salt, olive oil, parmesan cheese and onion. On the other hand, vegetable stock is almost never used with arborio rice, chicken broth, butter, black pepper, butter, shallots, saffron threads, chives, tomatoes, shrimp shells, vegetable broth, asparagus, parmigiano reggiano, celery and heavy cream.

thyme

Thyme is another common ingredient in risotto dishes. In fact, over 10% of risotto recipes contain thyme.

Minced, chopped and dried are frequent preparations for thyme in risotto dishes.

Common quantities for thyme in risotto dishes include 1 teaspoon, 2 teaspoons or 1 tablespoon.

In risotto recipes that contain thyme, it is on average, 0.1% by weight.

Sea salt, olive oil, white wine, garlic and onion are commonly used together with thyme in risotto dishes.

Potential substitutions for thyme in risotto:

• sage

Also, thyme is not often used with onion, arborio rice, parmesan cheese, chicken broth, parsley, butter, peas, chives, shrimp shells, zest lemon, asparagus, vegetable broth, parmigiano reggiano and heavy cream.

Other risotto Ingredients

Other significant ingredients used in risotto recipes include:

• saffron threads - 10%
• peas - 10%
• chives - 10%
• tomatoes - 10%
• carnaroli rice - 5%
• shrimp shells - 5%
• zest lemon - 5%
• sage - 5%
• juice lemon - 5%
• vegetable broth - 5%
• asparagus - 5%
• parmigiano reggiano - 5%
• heavy cream - 5%
• celery - 5%

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