Best Homemade Indian Biryani Recipe – Fragrant, Spiced & Restaurant-Style!
Authentic Indian Biryani Recipe – Aromatic, Spiced & Flavorful
Introduction
Biryani is a rich and fragrant rice dish that originates from Indian and Persian cuisine, beloved for its layers of marinated meat, aromatic basmati rice, and warm spices. This dish is slow-cooked to perfection, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
There are many regional variations of Biryani, including Hyderabadi, Lucknowi (Awadhi), and Kolkata Biryani, each with its unique ingredients and cooking techniques. Whether made with chicken, mutton, beef, or vegetables, this dish is always deeply flavorful and satisfying.
This step-by-step recipe will help you make restaurant-style Biryani at home, packed with bold spices, tender meat, and perfectly fluffy rice.
Biryani Recipe
Ingredients
🔹 For the Rice:
- 2 cups basmati rice (soaked for 30 minutes)
- 4 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 cloves
- 2 green cardamoms
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ½ teaspoon turmeric (optional, for color)
🔹 For the Meat Marinade:
- 1 lb chicken, mutton, or beef (bone-in preferred)
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons oil or ghee
- ¼ cup fried onions (birista)
🔹 For the Biryani Masala (Layering):
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 large tomato, chopped
- 2 green chilies, slit
- ½ cup fresh coriander leaves, chopped
- ½ cup mint leaves, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)
- ½ teaspoon saffron strands soaked in 2 tablespoons warm milk (for color and aroma)
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Meat
1️⃣ In a large bowl, mix yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, chili powder, turmeric, garam masala, cumin, coriander, salt, lemon juice, oil, and fried onions.
2️⃣ Add chicken or mutton and coat well.
3️⃣ Cover and marinate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for deeper flavor).
Step 2: Parboil the Rice
1️⃣ In a large pot, boil water with salt, bay leaves, cloves, cardamoms, and cinnamon.
2️⃣ Add soaked basmati rice and cook until 70% done (it should still have a bite).
3️⃣ Drain and set aside.
Step 3: Cook the Meat (Dum Method)
1️⃣ Heat ghee or oil in a large pot.
2️⃣ Add sliced onions and cook until golden brown.
3️⃣ Add tomatoes, green chilies, and marinated meat, cooking until the meat is tender (for mutton, slow cook for 40-45 minutes).
Step 4: Layering the Biryani
1️⃣ In the same pot, spread half of the cooked rice over the meat.
2️⃣ Sprinkle chopped coriander, mint leaves, fried onions, garam masala, and saffron milk.
3️⃣ Add the remaining rice, top with more fried onions and a drizzle of ghee.
Step 5: Dum Cooking (Final Steam)
1️⃣ Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid or seal with dough to trap steam.
2️⃣ Cook on low heat for 20-25 minutes, allowing the flavors to infuse.
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy!
1️⃣ Gently fluff the rice with a fork, mixing the layers.
2️⃣ Serve hot with raita (yogurt sauce) and salad.
Tips & Variations
✔ For Extra Flavor – Use saffron-soaked milk and fried onions generously.
✔ Vegetarian Biryani – Swap meat with paneer, tofu, or mixed vegetables.
✔ Hyderabadi Biryani – Cook the rice and meat together using the kacchi (raw meat) method.
✔ Spicy Biryani – Increase green chilies and garam masala.
Final Thoughts
Biryani is a royal, aromatic, and rich dish that brings layers of spiced meat and fragrant rice together in one pot. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or a family meal, this homemade Biryani recipe will deliver restaurant-quality flavors every time.
Would you like a Pinterest-style image or a different variation like Hyderabadi Biryani? Let me know! 🍛✨
