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This lemon shrimp risotto is naturally creamy and full of flavor!
Arborio rice is thirsty rice. It’s pretty magical when you add the cooking liquid and it soaks it all up and turns into a dreamy, creamy risotto. Yes, I’m easily amazed.
Making risotto isn’t as time-consuming or fussy as some people make it out to be, and I’m the least patient person in the world. I managed to spill dried rice all over the place when I last made this, but that’s typical Natasha cooking behavior. Some even ended up in my husband’s iPad. A live cooking show hosted by yours truly would be really entertaining due to the unscheduled mishaps. You’d watch it.
There is no need to put cream in risotto in most cases. I’ve read that you can add it for fat content and taste, but generally you’re doing something wrong if you add it. Fewer calories. I’m good with that.
If you don’t like shrimp or you want this to be a vegetarian recipe, you can just omit the shrimp and have a nice lemon risotto.
I hope you’ll try this lemon prawn risotto!
Lemon Risotto with Shrimp
Ingredients
- 3/4 pounds medium shrimp thawed & peeled
- 5 cups vegetable or chicken stock/broth
- 1 cup white wine
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 shallot chopped finely
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups arborio rice
- Juice from 1 lemon
- Olive oil (optional)
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the stock and wine to a pan on high heat. You'll want to reduce the heat to low just before it boils.
- Melt the butter in a skillet on medium heat.
- Chop shallot and mince garlic then add to the skillet and cook for a couple of minutes, taking care not to brown them.
- Add the rice to the skillet and stir constantly for a couple of minutes, ensuring that it's coated in the butter. Reduce heat to medium-low.
- Add the liquid into the rice one ladle at a time, adding more once the rice absorbs it. Make sure you stir constantly. Repeat this process until you've used up all the liquid and the risotto is al dente and nice and creamy.
- Once you've used up all the liquid, add the lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- You can add the shrimp in at this point and cook them for a few minutes until they're done. Alternatively, if you don't want to mix the shrimp in, you can cook them in a separate pan in some olive oil (also feel free to add more garlic, salt & pepper, and some lemon juice). I cooked them separately for the photos, but I don't think this is necessary.
- Serve risotto with freshly grated parmesan cheese. The cheese can be stirred in prior to serving or sprinkled on top.
Notes
- You could even use beef stock if you want - it'll just make your risotto a bit darker.
- If you do find yourself needing more liquid towards the end and you're out of broth, you can just warm some water up and add it to the risotto one ladle at a time.
- Cooking time may vary a bit depending on the heat you use and how quickly the rice soaks the liquid up. Don't force it by turning up the heat... risotto can be a bit of a slow process, but it's worth it.
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This looks amazing, and I can’t wait to try it! What type of white wine would you suggest using?
Thanks, Kaitlyn! I would use a chardonnay. I believe that’s what I used last time I made this… note to self: take better notes! 😉
That would be to die for with wild shrimps from Argentina. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
It sure would. I wish!!!
Haha, I’d watch that cooking show! Hmm, I’ve always been intimidated to try cooking risotto but now I feel more confident. I’ll give it a try!
Great! Yeah, it’s really not bad.
This looks beautiful! I don’t think I’ve ever eaten arborio rice, now that I think about it. I agree, risotto is not as intimidating as it sounds, and this recipe looks super do-able, especially if you don’t spill rice all over 🙂
No worries, I had a magnificent spill of coriander seeds all over my kitchen this morning. And those seeds are round, so they rolled all over the place!
HAHAHA I can just picture that. I’m glad I’m not the only kitchen klutz ?
This is a gorgeous plate of risotto! I love the lemon and shrimp paired with it. It would make a fabulous Valentine’s Day dinner!
Thank you Danae!!
Love your blog! Wish I could cook as delicious as you!!!
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Thank you Glenda 🙂
Natasha, this risotto look amazing! I’m a big fan of shrimp so I’m pinning this to try soon. Love your clicks =)
Thanks so much Oriana!! Let me know if you do make it.
Hahaha! Love that you called arborio rice thirsty! Too funny! I could seriously eat risotto daily If my waistline would allow me and yours looks fantastic! I just need a vat of this and a shovel! Heaven! Cheers!
Haha thanks Cheyanne. I know, the stuff is so good!
Stumbled upon your blog and I am in LOVE! Your dark and moody photos are amazing and this shrimp risotto looks scrumptious! Followed you on Instagram and drooling over your photos!
Thank you!!! Followed you back on IG 🙂
Hi Natasha, this looks divine! all your recipes look divine and I am drooling over your gorgeous photos! So excited to explore and follow you on IG. You have mad skilzzzzz 🙂
Aw thanks so much, Jen!! Just followed you back on IG 🙂