Lemongrass-Saffron Shrimp Risotto

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

About the author — is the Test Kitchen Director at AislePrompt, with over a decade of professional kitchen experience spanning recipe development, culinary technique testing, and hands-on evaluation of cooking methods across hundreds of tested dishes. Every recipe in the AislePrompt catalog is cooked at least twice before publication. Full author profile →

Creamy Arborio rice infused with lemongrass and saffron, tossed with succulent shrimp and crispy shallots. This Asian Fusion-inspired seafood recipe (low-sodium, gluten-free), ready in about 50 minutes, pairs Arborio rice, lemongrass (stalks, bruised), saffron threads for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Asian Fusion cuisine 450 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add bruised lemongrass stalks and 1/2 tsp saffron threads; sauté for 5 minutes until fragrant. Remove lemongrass and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add Arborio rice to the skillet, stirring for 2 minutes until translucent. Pour in white wine and 1/2 cup broth; cook until absorbed. Continue adding broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly, for 18-20 minutes until rice is creamy.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, in a separate skillet, heat 1 tbsp butter. Add shallots and sauté for 3 minutes until golden. Add shrimp and cook for 3-4 minutes until pink. Stir saffron into risotto, then fold in shrimp and shallots. Garnish with lemongrass and serve.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Lemongrass-Saffron Shrimp Risotto take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (25 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Lemongrass-Saffron Shrimp Risotto?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Lemongrass-Saffron Shrimp Risotto?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Lemongrass-Saffron Shrimp Risotto for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Lemongrass-Saffron Shrimp Risotto low-sodium?

Yes — this recipe is tagged low-sodium, gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes