Ultra creamy vegan and gluten-free beetroot risotto. A delicious and beautiful side dish done in 30 minutes. This healthy risotto recipe will have you winning dinnertime!
**I received free samples of Progresso Cooking Stock mentioned in this post at no cost.**
Risottno? Risottyes! Far too long my friends! Risotto have been a dish on that long recipe bucket list of mine for a long time. Thing is, I've made risotto before...years ago. Years before any diet changes due to celiac, soy or no dairy or egg. That first risotto was the epitome of cheese and decadence, but it created some fond lasting memories for me and I love to tell the story. I don't remember my exact age, but I was young and this was on of the first recipes I ever made...with my Nintento DS.
I loved video games as a kid and we had just about every system. Obviously a Nintento DS was essential. I didn't just love video games though, as you know, I loved cooking too. So when I saw I could combine the two loves...magic happened. The specific game that led to risotto was called, Personal Trainer Cooking: Gourmet Made Easy. This little chef made led you through some authentic beautiful international dishes. The DS acted like a virtual interactive cookbook while you were cooking the recipe. There was even a grocery list you could be checking off as you shopped for the ingredients.
This specific risotto recipe was full of Parmesan, herbs, stock, and white wine. We went out to buy all the ingredients, even made a special stop at the liqueur store for the wine. When we got home (just my mom and I), I started heating the stock and chopping the onion. Little did I know, the bottle opener for the wine was gone. As everything was already cooking away on the stove, my DS personal chef yelling the next step ADD THE WINE, my mom and I were frantically tossing the kitchen looking for something to open that bottle of wine with. My mom quickly got my dad on the phone (after a few attempts of him not picking up! "Come on dad! This is urgent!"). He had no idea where or how to open the bottle. Needless to say, the risotto wouldn't wait longer and I ended up just using more stock in place of that stubborn wine.
But hey, guess what? It still came out fantastic (just like every "fail" does) and I fell in love with risotto (but then never made it again until now.) My little DS personal chef did not let me down! That "game", if you can even call it that, was pretty bomb. I also made sushi for the first time using that and a killer Greek salad. Anyway, recently I've just been having the biggest rice cravings and one of them was for risotto. I wanted a super creamy risotto without the dairy obviously, and the wine (just to make things easier). Some good stock would be the answer to this little conundrum. Progresso recently launched a new line of premium cooking stocks that are rich and deep in flavor without anything artificial. A perfect low-calorie way to add the ultimate creaminess to a perfect healthy risotto. Their vegetable cooking stock is gluten-free, soy-free, and vegan as well. I don't use cooking stock very much, but I was impressed by the lovely deep flavor it provided to my risotto!
I decided to make the beetroot risotto in my favorite cast iron as well. (Maybe by favorite kitchen appliance?) I knew there was nothing the cast iron couldn't handle, and making a super creamy risotto was no exception! Plus I think it added an even deeper flavor and cooked the rice so evenly!
Then I got the idea to take the creaminess even further and to replace the traditional wine, add color, and extra nutrition, I pureed up some beets! Let's pretend the beets are like a decadent red wine, eh? I knew this risotto would reach the vegan creaminess I wanted now, yet be healthy and nutrient-dense. From there I kept the rest of the flavor simple. Just some sweet onion, mint, garlic, and a few dashes of cinnamon and allspice to make this a lovely winter dish. The risotto is actually a bit sweet from the beets and spices, but also has a kick from some black pepper. It's a fantastic combo!
More Risotto Recipe To Try:
And you know what? I think this would make one perfect Valentine's Day date night recipe! I mean...just look at that deep red color! Risotto is just so comforting and seems so special too. Yet, don't worry, this risotto does not take hours or much work. It's done is less than 30 minutes and all you have to do is keep adding some stock and stirring it in, then waiting to do it again once absorbed. Easy as pie risotto!
Beetroot Risotto
Beetroot Risotto
Ultra creamy vegan and gluten-free beetroot risotto. A delicious and beautiful side dish done in 30 minutes. This healthy risotto recipe will have you winning dinnertime!
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American, Italian
Ingredients
- ½ Cup Chopped Sweet Onion
- 1 Cup Beet Puree (about 3 cooked small beets, processed)*
- 1 Cup White Arborio Rice
- 3 Cups Progresso Vegetable Cooking Stock
- 1 TB Fresh Chopped Mint
- 1 Tsp Minced Garlic
- ½ Tsp Cinnamon
- ¼ Tsp Allspice
- ¼ Tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- Heat a seasoned cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Add the chopped onion, allow to sweat for 3 minutes, then add the processed beets and stir.
- Now add the uncooked rice to the skillet and allow the rice to absorb the beet juices for about 3 more minutes, then add the mint, garlic, cinnamon, allspice, and pepper. Stir.
- Now add ½ cup of the cooking stock to the skillet. Keep the heat to a medium low setting. Stir in the stock then just allow the rice to absorb the liquid. Once most of the stock has been absorbed and the rice is bubbling in the middle, add another ½ cup of stock. Continue this process for the full 3 cups of stock, adding half a cup at a time and stirring it in.
- The rice will be soft and creamy when complete. Top with additional chopped mint if desired and serve.
Notes
I used 1 package of Love Beets and threw them in my food processor.
I couldn't believe how fast and easy this all come together. Who needs wine? Who needs dairy? All you need is some great rice, cooking stock, and something a little fun and unique like creamy beets! (A magic cast iron helps too!) Now who's craving risotto? I know I am! I think I may just whip some more up this week! This creamy beetroot risotto is going to become a winter staple, I can tell!
So tell me:
+ Have you ever made risotto?
+ What was your favorite video game(s) growing up? I have too many, but the big ones were Harvest Moon for the Nintendo GameCube, Golden Eye for Nintendo 64, and The Sims 2 for the PC (I was a Sims addict! But the period of all the Sims 2 (and expansion packs) was the best!
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Lisa
I made this last night and it was absolutely stunning, thank you for the recipe! I served it with maple syrup roasted parsnips and some fine green beans - delicious 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Wow, that sounds delicious! I'm so glad you enjoyed my risotto! xoxo
Shannon
This is SO beautiful and delicious sounding! I've been on the Love Beets bandwagon lately, it's really nice having beets around (that aren't from a can) that are already cooked so that I can actaully use beets in weeknight dinners.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, it is one of those perfect "lazy" but useful hacks 😉
Joanie @ Zagleft
What a beautiful risotto and such a funny story about the wine!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thanks Joanie!
Kimberly Ann @ Bake Love Give
What a stunning presentation!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Marlynn @ UrbanBlissLife
Wow: the color is so intense and beautiful! I love risotto so much and this is such a creative, vibrant spin on it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is INTENSE! Haha! Thank you dear!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
Oh my, how incredibly pretty!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Chrisy @ Homemade Hooplah
I had no idea they had cooking games like that for the DS 😀 Especially with yummy recipes like this! Will have to check it out (AND make this recipe!)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha! Video games can be pretty educational 😉
Brianna @Flippin' Delicious
I love the rich red color. Perfect addition to a romantic Valentine's Day meal, I think!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I agree with that 😉
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish
Such a cool idea! I love beets.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
One of the best veggies!
Donna
It looks delicious and the color is so lovely!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
sue
I love beetroot but would never have thought to use in risotto Rebecca!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The best addition!
Miz Helen
What a delicious Risotto!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table
I need to make this STAT! My kiddos adore beet hummus and I know they would love this (as would I - I don't make risotto near often enough either!)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Beet hummus rocks too!!! Anything with beets for me, please!
Emma
Beetroot is one of my favourite vegetables and risotto is such a great one pot meal.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is! So they make one perfect pair!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors
There are not even words. This is on my must make this weekend list. I'll eat all the beets all day long 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Weekend beet party? Yes!
kimmythevegan
Risottyes! haha =)
This is the prettiest risotto I have ever seen! It's usually so bland and boring, you really came up with a fun, unique twist on a traditional favourite.
Nice!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I know! And you know I love color so I had to make it fun!
Thanks Kim!
Sandy Sandmeyer
This sounds like a very interesting item.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You're comments always make me laugh.
Lauren
This looks fab! I love the color too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Steph @ The Grateful Grazer
Look at that beautiful red! I haven't yet been able to truly master risotto but your recipe has inspired me to give it another go 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Do it!!! It's so easy and sooooo yummy!
Annmarie
Love the color! SO pretty!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you dear!
Nikki Frank-Hamilton
Love risotto and beets, this has to be an incredible dish, as I've said before, your combinations blow me away, I'm always interested to see what you'll come up with next. And this one is amazing! Good luck, this deserves to be a winner! Pinned!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Nikki! This risotto is...just ah! I need to make more myself!
Carly @ FitLiving blog
Yummy! I would've never thought to add beet puree- genius! And I love all of the different flavors in this recipe... trying!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's a game-changer! Do it!!
ShoeboxofM
That's an impressive recipe! When I first saw beetroot risotto I thought it would involve spiralized and riced beetroot (hmmm...) but this is much less faff.
I cook risottos to use up butternut squash and go for the super lazy method of cooking the whole thing in the oven.
I like games too, my first gaming loves were always platform games like Mario, Sonic and the Disney games on the Master System and Mega Drive. Now I'm more into short story games like Life is Strange at the moment!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
A total beet risotto would be fun 😉
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats
Love the amazing color that beets add to a dish- brilliant move girl!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!! Beets always make me smile with their fantastic color!
Kristen Chang
It's been a while since I've made risotto, but I love how you incorporated the beets! Very creative!
My fav video game growing up was donkey kong. I beat it many times over!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Risotto is going to be making a regular appearance now!
I love the Donkey Kong game on the original GameBoy (in black and white!)
Kathleen
I have not made risotto, that recipe looks so good.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Give it a try! You'll love it!
Amber
I love anything to do with beets! Looks great!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thank you!!
Debra @ Bowl Me Over
How gorgeous does this look?!! Love beets and can't wait to give this a try!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Debra!! Beets are amazing, right?
Sadhna Grover
This sounds good and I love the color of this dish. I use beetroot a lot, so this is a new addition for me.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Beets for life!
Charlotte
i've never thought of adding beetroot to risotto before ! I love that this is vegan but still looks pretty filling!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Just because something is vegan doesn't mean it isn't filling! Vegan foods are more filling!
Johlene@FlavoursandFrosting
Oh my word I can´t wait to try this!! I never thought of adding beetroot to risotto.... 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Just makes it extra yummy and creamy!!!
dixya @ food, pleasure, and health
what a pretty dish and this is definitely valentine's day appropriate. i have never made risotto before but i love it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well I think I just planned your V-Day menu 😉
Allie
What a beautiful dish. I love that you added the beet puree. I love a good risotto (which is exactly what I posted about for the Progresso contest 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Risotto is just an essential recipe to know!
Honest Mum
Looks and sounds delicious.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Sarah - Craft Invaders
This looks wonderful - what a beautiful colour 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Mary-the boondocks blog
This looks fantastic. I go to the open market every week and buy beet root so this would be easy for me to make. I'm pinning.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I'm always stocked up on beets too!
Elle @ Only Taste Matters
This sounds and looks amazing! Can't wait to try it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Elle!
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness
What a creative recipe! You are amazing! I love love love beets. And seriously who DOESN'T love risotto? It's my cheater comfort-food 😉 That video game sounds amazing. Let's get together so I can play sometime 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahahaha! Girls night of risotto and video games? Sounds like a win!
Erika
I just made this tonight and this is yum! I tweaked it by adding an extra cup of veggie broth and used pumpkin pie spice instead of the cinnamon/allspice, but definitely a keeper recipe! Thanks!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Pumpkin pie spice? Really?
Sonali- The Foodie Physician
You're so right- this would be perfect for Valentine's Day! So pretty!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! Thank you dear!
lindsay
love how you're made this dish more nutritious! great idea. BEETS for the win and glad you gave risotto another chance. hehe.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Just proving that no one needs the damn wine 😉 Hahaha! Thanks Lindsay!
Hollie
We recently got a cast iron and I love it. Honestly it was one of the best purchases we got for our kitchen. This beetroot risotto looks amazing as well. It's making me hungry for lunch!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! I am seriously so so so glad I bought one! I always end up regretting certain kitchen things I buy, since I end up using them only a few times, but the cast iron. Goodness! Everyday!!!
And thank you!!
Melissa @ vegan does it
Wow! Love that color! And cast iron skillets for the win. Beets are so yummy and I've been eating tons of rice lately for some reason so this sounds fantastic. I love the story that goes a long with it too. I was always a big Mario fan especially Super Mario World and Mario Kart.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think I could marry my cast iron <3
Beets and rice...life sustaining!!!
Mario is the most classic icon! I have so many favorites!
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins
This looks and sounds so delicious! x
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Josefine
Wow, this risotto looks absolutely amazing. Stunning color!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you so much dear!
neil@neilshealthymeals.com
Wow! I would never have thought of adding beets to a risotto, Rebecca.
Using the beet juice instead of the wine is just ingenious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's what I call the new "red wine" 😉
Sophia @Veggies dont bite
What a gorgeous dish!! And such a great way to get healthy into risotto. I love risotto! Beets are so darn pretty, I wish I loved them more. I have tried so many times to love them. But I had an "incident" when we bought our new home and just finished remodeling our white kitchen...I was giving beets a millionth try, and they decided to explode ALL over my beautiful white kitchen! They have officially been banned ever since then LOL! One day, maybe I'll give them another try...until then I will just swoon over you beautiful pics!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!!! I never knew I loved risotto so much until I made it again!
Omg! Hahahaha! What did you do to them!? *Or what did they do to YOU!)
(I guess I need to send you some risotto express through the mail, eh?) 😉
Michele
I remember you mentioning your risotto from way back! I'm such a beet lover so I know this has to be good! And very old school Mario 3 on Nintendo was my all time favorite 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! I had to bring some risotto action to life!
The old school games really were the best! Classics never die!
Cindys Recipes and Writings
I love beets and rice but never tried them together. Fantastic idea!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, well here you go, you'll love it 😉
Mandy
Yay for another cast iron creation!!! I'm in LOVE with this color! Wow! Gorgeous! I've been having the biggest cravings for rice lately...been adding it to soup, tacos, you name it. I haven't made risotto in SO long - I love that this recipe is free from all the ingredients I avoid!! Can't wait to try this! XO
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Right!? I've had the most intense cravings for rice lately too! But it's just so good!!! And time to make some risotto!!! Creamy winter comfort!
Jess @hellotofit
You had me at Parm and herbs 🙂 YUM!! I've only made risotto at home once.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Parm?
Sarah | Well and Full
I love the vibrant red color of the risotto. Just beautiful!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!!! Beets always amaze!
Evi @ greenevi
Side dish? Oh no! I would eat this risotto as an appetiser, then main and dessert. It looks incredible beautiful and I love that you added mint 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahahaha! Well I approve of that too 😉 Risotto all day every day!!!!
Thank you dear!
I love the mint!!! Mint and beets is my new favorite combo!
Megan
What a unique idea! I've never heard of those two put together! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's one fantastic risotto!
Gluten Free With Emily
I love how easy and healthy this recipe is!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit
Most vibrant beautiful risotto I've ever seen! It's really popping against the cast iron background too! I love the beet puree idea, who needs wine. Plus seriously I have no clue how to work a bottle opener even if I could find it in my kitchen. You can tell how much I drink haha! I never knew Nintendo DS had a cooking game, I would've been all over that! I had a DS but my mom was kinda anti-video game so we rarely got to play it and only had like 2 games for it which got real boring real fast :p It would be kinda funny to have someone yelling at you what to do next though...like a car navigation system but for the kitchen 😀
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The Pan never fails 😉
Haha! Considering I'm pretty bad at opening things (i.e. dropping that pickle jar on my toe...) Oping things is just not my forte!
They had tons of cooking games! And you know the Wii? I almost turned it on yesterday to play some cooking games!!! I have a Food Network one and this other one...blanking on the name...but cooking games were always fun...but got boring after you "made" all the recipes 😛
Laura
YUMMMM!! I'm trialling a vegan, gluten free risotto as we speak! Love the idea of beetroot:) Looks delicious Rebecca!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Risotto love!!!! You will be in heaven, I'm sure!
Lauren Gaskill | Making Life Sweet
OMG I think I could eat this at every meal! So delicious! And that bright red color is so pretty too! Pinning. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!!! I can never get enough of the beautiful color of beets!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious
Haha Nintendo brings back so many memories!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Making childhoods great!
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday
This is beautiful! I've never had beets, but I definitely want to try them out in this recipe.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
..........WHAT!?
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday
Haha they're one of those things my parents never cooked because they don't like them, so I've never experienced them! Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes were the same (but I've tried those now and LOVE them).
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I'm sure you're had beets in something before! And I usually don't cook them. I LOVE chopping up raw beets and just eating them in salads!
Phoebe
I'm all about Mario Kart for N64! But a cooking game sounds so fun for budding chefs!
And that risotto looks delicious! Love the beautiful beet color! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
N64 games were pretty much the best!
Thank you!!
Sarah
Oh yes for me! Love beets, you can't beet them! 😉
I love the coloring! I have a long list of recipes to make with beets this year! Just worried about my new white kitchen as it doesn't seem to like the strong pigmented foods like carrots, turmeric, and beets. 🙁 In the words of one of my girls I don't like them, I love them, love emm, love emm!
Happy Meatless Monday!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Bahahhaa, no you can't!
The problem with colorful foods 😉 I'd rather have a tie-died kitchen though!
Nadia's Healthy Kitchen
I love the story of your first ever recipe...using the Nintento DS 😛 I bet that experience was so much fun! This risotto looks gorgeous! Love that colour. I've never made risotto before but definitely need to try this one 😀
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Make it!!! You will love it and so satisfying when done!
Emily @ My Healthyish Life
This is a great recipe! I love beets (except that they make my kitchen look like a murder scene).
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Bahahahaha! You're food processor will look a little bloody here, but otherwise, you're good 😉 I made this dish with a white sweater on and came out free and clean!
rachel @ Athletic Avocado
I have never made risotto and I am not sure why, it's so easy and delicious! The color of this one is on point with the beets! yum!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is so easy!!! Even though most people think it;s hard, there are easy ways to do it and still get the authentic risotto-ness!
Linda @ Veganosity
Haha! I can just picture you and your mom tearing the kitchen apart looking for the wine opener. Okay, too funny, I made a spinach/basil risotto for dinner last night. I was going to use the beets in my fridge but I didn't feel like roasting them so I went with a green theme.
Your recipe is fabulous. I can't wait to try it. I'm putting it in my back pocket for V Day. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Damn wine!! BUT those things always work out for the better 😉
Haha, yea, when I saw the Love Beets on sale in produce...I knew I could just be lazy and not roast beets myself!
Ooooo the hubby is going to love 😉
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner
how creative! I love beets and what a fun way to mix it up.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt
How delicious! I love anything with beets in it. What a great recipe.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Ah, me too! Beets are the best!