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Home Dietary Gluten Free Recipes

Chorizo Risotto with Kale

By:Nagi
Published:27 Apr '16Updated:24 Apr '20
67 Comments
Recipe v

Risotto in a rich Chorizo flavoured tomato broth! It’s creamy, packs plenty of flavour and is definitely a step up from the basic risotto!

Chorizo Risotto with Kale - Chorizo is the key to the beautiful flavours in this risotto!

I have a feeling that this is the very first recipe I’ve shared that has kale in it. Gasp, shock horror!!! It is not that I don’t like kale, I actually like it just fine. It’s just that it’s usually pretty darn expensive! Damn food trends. It’s ruining so many undiscovered fabulous budget foods. Like beef cheeks. Mussels. Lamb ribs. All these things that were crazy cheap 10 years ago and now not so cheap!

I honestly remember over 10 years ago when I was watching a Lidia’s Italy show (hands up if you love Lidia too!!!), she made something using kale, I went hunting for it but couldn’t find it anywhere. Nowhere!!! And now it’s EVERYWHERE!

So anyway, the reason I don’t share many recipes using kale is because it is more expensive than similar vegetables like silver beet, spinach etc. However on this occasion it was on sale at Harris Farms so I loaded up!

Chorizo Risotto with Kale - Chorizo is the key to the beautiful flavours in this risotto!

Chorizo Risotto with Kale - Chorizo is the key to the beautiful flavours in this risotto!

I’m happy to be sharing something that is quite straightforward to make today. I’ve had one of “those weeks” when so many things are not going to plan. Including some rather epic kitchen disasters. Such as this Iranian Rice Cake fail which I shared on Instagram.

I really love experimenting, creating and trying new recipes. But on days like today, I need to share something straightforward, a real crowd pleaser.

And chorizo is always a crowd pleaser, isn’t it?? 😉

Chorizo Risotto with Kale - Chorizo is the key to the beautiful flavours in this risotto!

I have a theory that Chorizo is like bacon – it just makes everything better. When it’s sautéed, it releases all the beautiful flavours and the red oil left in the pan is perfect for using as a base for the stock of a risotto.

I give the red colours more oomph by making the stock a tomato based stock. Because I just feel like chorizo and tomato is a perfect match, both in flavour and colour. But you could skip the tomato and make this a traditional cream coloured risotto if you want!

So without further ado, I present to you my Chorizo Risotto. Oh – with kale. Which I added for nutrition and colour, only because it was on sale. 😉 Feel free to substitute with spinach (fresh or frozen), silverbeet or baby spinach leaves! – Nagi x

MORE RISOTTO RECIPES!

  • Chicken and Mushroom Risotto

  • Creamy Prawn Risotto (Shrimp)

  • One Pot Baked Risotto with Lemon Chicken

  • Shrimp / Prawn Risotto

  • Creamy Baked Pumpkin Risotto

 

Chorizo Risotto with Kale - Chorizo is the key to the beautiful flavours in this risotto! Chorizo Risotto with Kale - Chorizo is the key to the beautiful flavours in this risotto!

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Chorizo Risotto with Kale - Chorizo is the key to the beautiful flavours in this risotto!

Chorizo & Kale Risotto

Author: Nagi | RecipeTin Eats
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Total: 35 mins
Dinner
Western
5 from 11 votes
Servings4 -5
Tap or hover to scale
Print
  • 24
Risotto in a rich Chorizo flavoured tomato broth! I used kale to add greens and a pop of colour, but you can substitute with spinach, or even leave it out!

Ingredients

Stock

  • 3 cups chicken broth/stock , salt reduced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 cups tomato passata (Note 1)

Risotto

  • 1/2 tbsp olive oil
  • 350g (12oz) chorizo , some sliced and the remainder finely chopped (Note 7)
  • 1 onion , finely chopped (brown, white or yellow)
  • 2 garlic cloves , minced
  • 1 1/2 cups arborio rice (risotto rice), uncooked (Note 2)
  • 1/2 cup white wine (sub with chicken broth or water)

To Finish

  • 5 cups kale leaves , removed from stalk, torn into bite size pieces (packed) (Note 3)
  • 2 - 4 + tbsp butter
  • Freshly grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  • Whisk together Stock ingredients in a small saucepan over medium low heat. Once heated, turn down to low and keep warm. (Note 4)
  • Heat oil in a pot or large skillet over high heat. Add chorizo and cook until golden brown. Remove into a bowl and set aside.
  • There should be some red oil in the skillet from the chorizo. If not, add a bit of oil.
  • Turn heat down to medium. Cook onion and garlic for 5 minutes until translucent.
  • Add rice and stir to coat grains in oil until translucent.
  • Add wine, turn up the heat to medium high and simmer, stirring, until most of the wine has evaporated.
  • Turn heat down to medium low and add 1 cup of stock. Stir leisurely until mostly absorbed into the rice, then add another cup of stock. Continue 1 cup at a time until the risotto is just cooked - squeeze a grain, it should still be firm but cooked through - about 15 minutes. Make the risotto as saucy (or not) as you want - liquid will absorb in the next step so lean towards saucier than what you want.
  • When the risotto is done (Note 5), remove it from the stove.
  • Add butter (the more the better!) and stir energetically - this will activate the starch and make it creamy. Stir chorizo in then partially stir kale through the risotto. Plonk the lid on and let it rest for 3 minutes (kale will wilt in this step).
  • Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately! (Note 6)

Recipe Notes:

1. Tomato passata is pureed tomatoes and comes in bottles. You can purchase it in the pasta aisle in Australian supermarkets. You could also puree canned tomato OR substitute with 1 tbsp tomato paste + 1 x 400g/14oz can crushed tomato + 1/2 cup water.
2. Arborio is a type of rice that is used specifically for risotto.
3. Kale bunches differ drastically in size, so I measure it roughly by cups! To prepare kale leaves, remove the leaves from the tough thick stalk running through the middle of each kale leaf. Then tear into bite size pieces. I used about 3 large kale leaves to get 5 packed cups.
4. Having the stock warm makes the risotto cook more evenly and creamy, as risotto should be! Adding cold stock into the risotto brings the temperature down and your risotto won't be as creamy, also the outside of the rice can overcook and become mushy before the inside is cooked.
5. You may not need all the liquid. If you need more, use hot tap water.
6. Risotto does not keep well! It absorbs all the liquid and becomes firm. Use leftovers for Arancini Balls (also here are a baked version)- heavenly! Or add egg and cheese and make FRITTERS!
7. Use the raw chorizo that needs to be cooked before eating, not the cured chorizo that is like salami that can be eaten without cooking.
Chorizo Risotto

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 397gCalories: 668cal (33%)
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats.

 

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67 Comments

  1. Vicky says

    September 30, 2022 at 5:52 pm

    5 stars
    This is such a delicious combo. I make it in the pressure cooker on risotto mode and it always turns out perfectly.

    Reply
  2. Aari says

    May 15, 2022 at 8:49 pm

    Hi Nagi,
    Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker or oven?

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      May 16, 2022 at 7:14 pm

      Not this one Aari – sorry!! N x

      Reply
  3. Nicole says

    January 15, 2022 at 8:06 pm

    5 stars
    I have made so many of your recipes and I don’t think my family are ever disappointed! This is another amazing and tasty one and will be added to the regular rotation! 😋😋

    Reply
  4. Roslyn Gore says

    November 16, 2021 at 10:36 pm

    Hi Nagi, I’ll definitely give this recipe a go. Thank you for including a couple of risotto recipes that don’t use chicken as I can’t eat that, but this sounds right up my alley. Thank you again,

    Reply
  5. Zeinab says

    September 2, 2019 at 7:51 pm

    5 stars
    YAAAAAAAHHHHHMMMMMMMMMMMM 😍😍😍😍

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      September 3, 2019 at 6:02 pm

      Thanks so much Zeinab 😁

      Reply
  6. Michelle says

    June 25, 2019 at 7:37 pm

    I was craving risotto and had to try another of your recipes Nagi. This was AMAZING,
    I cook for one and have had it warmed up as leftovers the last few nights and even then it’s been making me so happy with how good it tastes! No need for baked risotto balls but I’m tempted to cook it again just to try it that way.

    Thank you again

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      June 26, 2019 at 8:52 pm

      You’re so welcome Michelle, you’ll definitely have to try the baked risotto rolls!

      Reply
  7. JoAnn says

    February 26, 2019 at 9:57 am

    5 stars
    I had left over cooked risotto but followed the recipe accordingly. Because I make risotto often I was able to make necessary adjustments. Absolutely delicious! And yes, the more butter the better! BTW… I used baby spinach. Kale is a staple in my fridge but the spinach worked great!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 26, 2019 at 12:42 pm

      You can never have enough butter JoAnn! Good to know about the spinach, sounds delicious!

      Reply
  8. Don Bischoff says

    September 9, 2017 at 6:48 am

    5 stars
    Never before this recipe had I successfully made risotto. Many attempts many disappointments. However, the instructions for this were so precise that the preparation was a breeze and the outcome was fabulous. The rice was creamy and perfectly al dente. The only change I made was to sub peas for the kale. Unfortunately the chorizo I used was not the best and added little flavor. That I corrected by adding some siracha, a couple tablespoons of pureed chipotle in adobo sauce and some ground cumin seeds.. The final outcome is that as a result of your instructions I have made risotto several times in the more Italian style using tons of Parmigiano Reggiano and various additions based on whatever we had on hand and every time it was a success. Thanks for being such a good teacher.
    YOUR BLOG ROCKS

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      September 11, 2017 at 8:36 pm

      High praise Don! So pleased you had your first risotto success with this one! N xx

      Reply
  9. Lisa Kelly says

    August 17, 2017 at 11:11 am

    5 stars
    I made this last night and it was fabulous. I have never made a stove top risotto because I’m too lazy to stand there and stir. I have some fabulous oven risottos that are nearly as good and require less of my time but I decided to give it a go. The flavours were incredible and everyone raved about the dish. That said, so much stirring, I may not make a stove top risotto again but I’m so glad that the one time I did it was a Nagi hit!!!! hahahaha

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      August 18, 2017 at 6:31 pm

      That’s great to hear Lisa! Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback! N xx

      Reply
  10. Rick says

    February 16, 2017 at 8:36 am

    Chorizo like you use is not available in Texas (USA). Without fail Chorizo is of the Mexican variety, which is uncooked, but it is also meant to be cooked into a ‘sauce’ (like Tacos, enchiladas, etc. Would a smoked sausage (which is cooked) work okay. My only other option would appear to be Andouille from Luisiana, but it is also cooked (a la Spanish Chorizo).

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 16, 2017 at 11:54 am

      I use raw chorizo too! It is just that ours comes in sausage casings so I can slice it 🙂 This is PERFECT for Mexican chorizo!! Or any other type of sausage, actually. 🙂

      Reply
  11. Elisa says

    September 7, 2016 at 11:06 am

    For this recipe would I use the chorizo sausages that need to be completely cooked? Or the cured chorizo from the deli section?

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      September 9, 2016 at 11:31 am

      Hi Elisa! It needs to be the raw chorizo that needs to be cooked. 🙂

      Reply
  12. Jasline (Foodie Baker) says

    May 4, 2016 at 5:41 pm

    I’ve never made a tomato base risotto before, this looks like a wonderful recipe to try out! I agree with you on how chorizo is like bacon… it’s just soooooo good!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      May 4, 2016 at 10:43 pm

      Ooh, it’s really GOOD!!! I love the colour 🙂 More than red wine risotto!

      Reply
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