This vegan wild mushroom and leek risotto is the perfect dish to make when craving something cozy, creamy, and comforting.
Perfect for autumn, spring, or anytime you'd like to cook up some comfort in the kitchen, it is also gluten-free!
I love the taste of delicious wild mushrooms, and when autumn rolls around, this dish is what fall tastes like to me. Chanterelle mushrooms are so delicious and when the fall season is here, this dish is what's on my mind.
This risotto has an intense mushroom flavor which combines wonderfully with the leek - it's perfect for the mushroom lover!
Fortunately, chanterelles are in plentiful supply for a few weeks in my area during the fall season. If it's spring, or chanterelles are not found in your area, you can make this with whichever wild mushrooms are available in your area.
Jump to:
Which mushrooms can I use?
Where I have been shopping, I can get the chanterelles and the dried mushroom mix at the same store. If chanterelles are not in season, other fresh wild mushrooms can be used, such as:
- Shiitake mushrooms
- Maitake mushrooms
- Morel mushrooms
- Oyster mushrooms
- Porcini mushrooms
- Portobello mushrooms
- Bunapi or Bunashimeji mushrooms
The mushroom broth adds to the deep mushroom flavor in this dish. If you can't find it, hot vegetable broth can be used, but the mushroom flavor will not be as intense. If you prefer, you can make your own mushroom stock or vegetable stock.
What is the best rice for risotto?
Arborio rice or carnaroli rice is typically used for risotto and is easy to find at most grocery stores. Risotto is rich and creamy due to the starches that are released from the rice during cooking. For this reason, it is important that you do not rinse the rice.
Arborio is the short-grain rice I use in this recipe. It is perfect for absorbing large amounts of stock and yields a hearty yet creamy texture. Carnaroli is another type of rice that can be used, although I have not tried it yet. I encourage you to experiment with both types and see which you prefer.
How to Make this Vegan Wild Mushroom and Leek Risotto
Making this vegan mushroom risotto with leeks is not difficult, but it does take some time. It's very much worth the effort to make this rich risotto! It's one of my favorite dishes. Here are a few helpful tips:
To make the risotto, you need to keep a saucepan handy to keep the stock hot. In another saucepan, heat up the olive oil on medium heat and add onion to it. Saute until the onion has changed to a golden color and add chopped garlic cloves.
Then add the rice and stir it for several minutes until it is translucent at the edges. You want to toast the rice but be careful not to burn it.
Add the wine and keep stirring until the wine evaporates. At this point, you start adding small amounts of hot stock to the rice, gradually in half-cup increments, so the rice absorbs it. Keep adding liquid as the rice absorbs it.
Stir frequently for approximately twenty to thirty minutes until it is al dente, tender yet firm to the bite. Do not let any rice stick to the bottom. Be sure to check for doneness as you are cooking. Risotto is best eaten as soon as it is served.
I started making variations of this wild mushroom risotto recipe many years ago, and it has become a favorite.
I love Violife Just Like Parmesan Wedge (not sponsored). This risotto is delicious without it as well since the creaminess is from the rice, not the cheese. But it just adds a little extra! You can also put a few drops of truffle oil on top.
Related recipes
If you make this recipe, please take a moment to ★★★★★ star-rate it and leave a comment below. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook, and share your creation with me! Tag me @resplendentkitchen and hashtag #resplendentkitchenrecipes.
Recipe
Vegan Wild Mushroom and Leek Risotto (Gluten Free)
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz dried gourmet mix mushrooms
- Water to cover mushrooms and boiling water
- 6 cups organic mushroom broth or vegetable broth, it is better to have too much than too little
- 1 lb chanterelles or other fresh wild mushrooms cleaned and chopped, or use 2 pounds and skip the dried mushrooms above
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil divided
- 1 tablespoon butter plant-based
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 1 leek washed and chopped, white parts only
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ cups arborio rice do not rinse
- ¾ cup dry marsala or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon sea salt to taste, up to 1 ½ teaspoons
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ⅔ cup vegan Parmesan cheese optional, plus extra for serving
- ⅓ cup chopped flat leaf parsley
Instructions
- Rinse the dried mushrooms, then soak them in enough water to cover them for 15 minutes. Then drain, reserving the liquid to use for additional mushroom stock if needed. Then put the dried mushrooms in boiling water for 5 minutes, discard the water, and chop them once they've cooled.1.5 oz dried gourmet mix mushrooms, Water to cover mushrooms
- Heat the mushroom broth in a separate saucepan on a low simmer because you will be adding it to the risotto in half-cup increments with a soup ladle. Once it is hot, put the top on and keep it at low heat.6 cups organic mushroom broth
- Heat a large non-stick pan on medium heat for 3 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the chanterelle mushrooms and mix them often, they will make a squeaking sound, until moisture is released. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add in the soaked mushrooms, add a large pinch of sea salt, and keep stirring until the mushrooms are browning around the edges, and the liquid is evaporating. This will take another 5 minutes approximately.1 lb chanterelles or other fresh wild mushrooms, 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon sea salt
- Heat a heavy-bottom saucepan with sloping sides preferably, such as a risotto pan, for 3 minutes on medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Stir in the chopped onion with the leek and keep stirring until the onions start turning translucent and then start browning, approximately 5 minutes. Add garlic and stir for 30 seconds.1 tablespoon butter, 1 medium yellow onion, 1 leek, 2 cloves garlic
- Add the arborio rice all at once and stir it into the onion, leek, and garlic for several minutes, until the edges of the rice start looking translucent. Add another pinch of salt. This takes around 3 minutes. Do not let the rice turn brown or burn. Add the marsala and continue to stir as it completely cooks away. When it has evaporated, add the sautéed chanterelle mushrooms, salt, dried thyme, and a half-cup of the hot broth you have been heating up. Stir slowly with a wooden spoon.1 ½ cups arborio rice, ¾ cup dry marsala, ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- When the broth has almost been absorbed, add another half-cup of broth, and keep stirring until it has mostly been absorbed. Keep doing this in half-cup increments until most of the broth is used and the rice is tender yet firm to the bite and creamy. Taste as you cook. It usually takes 20 to 25 minutes. You may not need to use all of the broth. The rice should not be runny nor dry, but creamy.
- When the rice is nearly done and is the right texture, stir in black pepper and the vegan Parmesan cheese, if you are using it. Season to taste, and add more salt or pepper if needed. Serve the risotto immediately in shallow bowls. When serving, top with chopped parsley, and add additional vegan Parmesan on top as desired.½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, ⅔ cup vegan Parmesan cheese, ⅓ cup chopped flat leaf parsley
Notes
If you wish, add additional freshly ground black pepper. For reheating leftovers, I recommend heating up some mushroom or vegetable stock in a saucepan and mixing the risotto in until it is heated. You want to get that creamy texture again, not runny, and not dry. Note: You will need 3 pans to make this risotto:
- one heavy-bottomed saucepan for cooking the risotto
- one large saucepan for sautéeing the mushrooms
- a medium saucepan for keeping the broth hot
Nutrition
Resplendent Kitchen offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site as a courtesy. Although resplendentkitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information from online calculators, these figures are estimates.
Michelle
This wild mushroom and leek risotto was incredibly flavorful and went perfectly with a side of asparagus! Definitely making this for dinner again soon!
Emily
Michelle, thank you for such a lovely review of our Wild Mushroom and Leek Risotto recipe! I'm so glad to hear that you're going to make it again!