Delicious Mutton Biryani Recipe

Step 1: Fry Onions

Heat 1 cup of oil in a large pot. Add 4 large thinly sliced onions and fry on low heat until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove a portion of the fried onions for later use.

Step 2: Sear Mutton

Add 500g of washed mutton to the remaining fried onions and oil. Fry for 1-2 minutes until the mutton changes color.

Step 3: Add Ginger-Garlic-Chili Paste

Add 2 tablespoons of ginger-garlic-green chili paste and sauté until the raw smell disappears.

Step 4: Add Spices

Add whole spices (1 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1 small nutmeg, 1 small cinnamon stick, 2 star anise, 4-5 cloves, 1 black cardamom), 1 tablespoon red chili flakes, 1 tablespoon red chili powder, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 tablespoon garam masala, and 0.5 tablespoon black pepper. Mix well and sauté for 1-2 minutes.

Step 5: Incorporate Yogurt

Reduce the flame to low and add 1 cup of yogurt. Mix thoroughly to combine with the mutton and spices.

Step 6: Add Tomatoes

Add 4 chopped tomatoes and cook until they soften and release their juices. Do not add extra water at this stage.

Step 7: Add Biryani Masala & Pressure Cook

Add 2 tablespoons of biryani masala and mix well, cooking for 1-2 minutes. Then, add 1 glass (approx. 250ml) of water and pressure cook for approximately 15 minutes until the mutton is tender.

Step 8: Prepare Rice Water

In a separate large pot, add water for boiling rice. Add whole spices (1 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1 small cinnamon stick, 2 star anise, 4-5 cloves, 1 black cardamom), 1 tablespoon salt, 1 tablespoon oil, and a handful of fresh mint leaves. Cover and bring to a rolling boil.

Step 9: Boil Rice

Once the water boils, add 2 cups of Basmati rice (soaked for 30 minutes). Cook until the rice is 90% done. Strain the rice once cooked.

Step 10: First Layering

In a clean large pot, spread a layer of the prepared mutton gravy at the bottom. Then, add a layer of the 90% cooked rice over the gravy. Sprinkle chopped fresh coriander and mint leaves over the rice.

Step 11: Second Layering

Add another layer of mutton gravy over the rice. Then, add the remaining 90% cooked rice on top. Spread chopped fresh coriander and mint leaves again.

Step 12: Final Toppings & Dum

Sprinkle the reserved fried onions over the rice. Drizzle a few drops of yellow/orange food color. Arrange lemon slices and tomato slices on top. Cover the pot tightly and cook on very low flame for 10 minutes for dum (steaming).

Step 13: Serve Biryani

After 10 minutes, open the lid. Gently mix the biryani from bottom to top to combine the layers without breaking the rice grains. Serve hot and enjoy!

• Fry onions on low heat until crispy to prevent burning and ensure even browning.

• Add yogurt to the mutton gravy on low flame to prevent it from curdling.

• Boil rice to 90% doneness to allow it to fully cook and absorb flavors during the dum (steaming) process.

• When mixing the biryani after dum, gently lift from bottom to top to avoid breaking the rice grains.