Source: https://verify-veg.com/blog/is-risotto-vegetarian/
Language: en

# Is Risotto Vegetarian or Vegan? (Stock, Butter & Parmesan)

Risotto looks creamy and plant-based, but the creaminess comes from butter and cheese, and the rice
is usually cooked in stock. Here is what makes risotto non-vegetarian, and how to order it
plant-based.

> **Key Takeaways**
> - Risotto is often not vegetarian: it is simmered with chicken or meat stock.
> - It is finished with butter and parmesan, and parmesan is always made with animal rennet.
> - A vegetarian risotto needs vegetable stock; a vegan one also needs no butter and no parmesan.
> - Mushroom, saffron and seafood risottos have the same stock and cheese issues.

**TL;DR: Risotto is often not vegetarian**: it's simmered with chicken or meat stock and
finished with butter and parmesan (made with animal rennet). A vegetarian or vegan risotto
requires asking for vegetable stock and dairy-free finishing.

## What's in risotto

- **Arborio/carnaroli rice**: vegetarian.
- **Stock**: restaurant risotto is usually made with **chicken or meat stock** (not vegetarian).
- **Butter**: dairy.
- **Parmesan**: always animal-rennet cheese.
- Optional add-ins: mushroom, saffron, seafood, pancetta.

So the three hidden non-veg ingredients are the **stock, butter and parmesan**.

## How to order it vegetarian or vegan

- **Vegetarian:** ask for **vegetable stock** (butter and parmesan usually remain).
- **Vegan:** ask for **vegetable stock, no butter, no parmesan** (or a dairy-free cheese).

## The bottom line

- **Vegetarian?** Only if made with vegetable stock.
- **Vegan?** Vegetable stock + no butter + no parmesan.

See our [Risotto dish guide](/food/italy/risotto/) for the full breakdown.

**Check before you eat.** The Verify Veg app scans a barcode or reads an ingredient list from a
photo and flags ingredients against your diet (vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, Jain and more).
[Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verifyveg-vegan-scanner/id6758276834) - 
Android is coming soon.

*Written by Samir Narain, founder of Verify Veg. Verify Veg helps people check packaged food
against their diet by scanning barcodes and reading ingredient lists from photos.*

*Note: Verify Veg provides ingredient-based compatibility checks, not certification. Recipes and
preparations vary by restaurant, region and cook, so always confirm with the restaurant, brand or vendor.*