Risotto Salad

Elevate your salad game with this vibrant and satisfying Risotto Salad! Combining the creamy richness of Arborio rice with the fresh crunch of cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and arugula, this dish is an inventive twist on traditional risotto. Finished with a tangy lemon-balsamic dressing, grated Parmesan, and fragrant basil, it delivers a perfect balance of textures and flavors. Whether served warm or chilled, this versatile recipe is ideal for a light lunch, side dish, or potluck favorite. Quick to prepare in under an hour, this Risotto Salad is both elegant and refreshingly modern—perfect for foodies seeking something unique and wholesome.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 4 cups Chicken or vegetable stock
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 medium Shallot, finely chopped
• 0.5 cup White wine
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 medium Cucumber, diced
• 2 cups Arugula or mixed greens
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken or vegetable stock to a simmer and keep it warm over low heat.

Step 2

In a large pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped shallot and cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 3

Add the Arborio rice to the pan and toast it for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the edges of the rice turn slightly translucent.

Step 4

Pour in the white wine and stir until it is mostly absorbed by the rice.

Step 5

Begin adding the warm stock to the rice, one ladleful at a time, stirring frequently. Allow each addition of stock to be absorbed before adding the next. Continue this process until the rice is creamy and cooked through, about 20 minutes.

Step 6

Once the risotto is finished, remove it from the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Let it cool to room temperature.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled risotto, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, arugula, and fresh basil.

Step 8

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, lemon juice, and balsamic vinegar. Drizzle this dressing over the risotto salad and gently toss to combine.

Step 9

Serve immediately as a warm salad or refrigerate for 1-2 hours to serve chilled.

Step 10

Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired. Enjoy your vibrant Risotto Salad!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1790 grams (1790.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	997

Total Fat 51.40g	66%
Saturated Fat 11.20g	56%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.00g
Cholesterol 20mg	7%
Sodium 5004mg	218%
Total Carbohydrate 89.70g	33%
Dietary Fiber 5.90g	21%
Total Sugars 17.50g
Protein 23.80g	48%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 435mg	33%
Iron 4mg	22%
Potassium 1299mg	28%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.5%

Protein: 10.4%

Carbs: 39.1%