Lemon and Pea Risotto

Fresh, easy and super cheap! You can’t go wrong with this lemon and pea risotto. Made with just seven simple ingredients, it’s creamy, comforting, and packed with bright citrus and sweet garden peas—perfect for spring or whenever you need a bit of sunshine on your plate.

Stirring the rice into the stock, onion and garlic creates a deliciously creamy texture, balanced perfectly with the zesty lemon and peas. It will be your next weeknight go-t0 and is naturally vegan & gluten-free.

This recipe is easy to make, and also loaded with nutritional benefits from only 7 ingredients. Lemons are rich in vitamin C, supporting immune health and aiding iron absorption—especially important in a plant-based diet.

Green peas are surprisingly high in plant protein and fibre, while also delivering a good dose of vitamins A, C, and K, and minerals like manganese and folate. Onions offer antioxidants and prebiotics, supporting gut health, and risotto rice (like arborio) is a good source of energy-providing complex carbohydrates.

This dish is proof that wholesome, flavourful food doesn’t need a long list of ingredients or hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re a seasoned risotto-lover or cooking it for the first time, this lemony twist keeps things light, zesty, and very satisfying.

• oil
• onion
• garlic cloves
• arborio rice
• vegetable stock
• frozen peas
• lemon

How to make lemon and pea risotto

Start by chopping your onion and frying alongside the oil and garlic until softened. 

Pour in the rice and gradually add the stock bit by bit, stirring continuously.

Add stock once the water has absorbed, and keep stirring.

When the rice is ready, add the peas and the lemon juice and zest, stirring through for a few more minutes until the peas are cooked. Season generously to taste.

Serve up, top with nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan, and enjoy!

Use bottled lemon juice if you’re on a budget, but the fresher the ingredients the better.

Add some fresh mint if you’re feeling fancy.

More delicious recipes

• 3 Ingredient Butternut Squash Risotto
• Vegan Mushroom Risotto
• Lemon & Sundried Tomato Spaghetti
• Broccoli Stalk Pesto Pasta
• Mexican Inspired Rice

Did you make this lemon and pea risotto recipe? Take a photo, tag me @MadeleineOlivia and hashtag it #MadeleineOlivia. I love seeing your creations on Instagram, Facebook, and Tiktok.

Posts sometimes contain affiliate links where I earn a small commission. Read more about it here.

Lemon & Pea Risotto

Fresh, easy and super cheap! You can’t go wrong with this lemon and pea risotto.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings 4

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Knob vegan butter
• 1 onion  (finely chopped )
• 3 garlic cloves  (finely chopped or grated )
• 400 g arborio rice 
• 1.25 l vegetable stock
• 150 g frozen peas 
• 1 lemon (zest & juice of )
• handful of fresh parsley (chopped. Can be substituted for any herb (basil maybe) of your choice )

Instructions 

• In a pan, heat the butter and olive oil. Add in the the onion and garlic and fry until softened.
• Pour in the rice and gradually add the stock a ladle at a time, waiting for the liquid to be absorbed before adding the next ladle full, stirring continuously. Continue until you've used all of the stock.
• When the rice is ready, add the peas, lemon juice and zest, stirring through for a few more minutes until the peas are cooked. Finally stir through the fresh parsley, and season generously, keeping some parsley back to sprinkle on top.
• Serve up, topped with nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan, and the remaining parsley.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 416kcalCarbohydrates: 93gProtein: 9gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 1246mgPotassium: 223mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 859IUVitamin C: 27mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 5mg

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Don’t forget to rate this recipe!

We appreciate your feedback! It’s really helpful for other readers to read your reviews, adaptations, and suggestions! Have a question? We’ll personally respond within 48 hours.