I've posted this recipe during my earlier days of blogging. I wanted to update the recipe with step by step pictures and a new picture for quite sometime.
I do hope you also get to try this wonderful biriyani recipe, it's one of my all time fav! This is my family's fav biriyani recipe. It has been passed on from generations and I've been making it from the time I started to take baby steps in the kitchen.
This is originally a chicken biriyani recipe. I just made with mutton for a change. You can use the same recipe (given below) for making both chicken or mutton biriyani.
Here is the recipe…
Please check out the notes section on how to cook it without oven.
Mutton Preparation
Marinate mutton pieces with all the ingredients for marination & keep for 1 hour…
Heat ghee in a pan/pressure cooker. Saute onions till it becomes brown…
Add crushed ginger, garlic & green chillies & saute…
Add tomatoes, salt & stir. When tomato becomes soft add garam masala…
After 5 minutes add marinated mutton pieces. Mix well…
Add enough water & cook. Grind the ingredients for white paste together. Add the white paste when mutton is half cooked…
Add chopped coriander leaves to the mutton and mix well. When the gravy becomes thick, remove from fire…
Rice Preparation
Clean the rice & soak for 25 minutes & drain the water completely…
Heat ghee in a pan & splutter whole masala. Fry the rice…
When the rice starts cracking add boiled water, salt & lemon juice. Cook the rice till the water is completely dried…
Layering the Biriyani
Apply some ghee to a baking dish. Spread one layer of rice first and a layer of mutton masala on top of it. Repeat the same.The top layer should be of rice. You can drizzle ghee & sprinkle coriander leaves, mint leaves, fried onion, nuts and raisins in between the layers.
Spread a wet cloth/ aluminium foil over the top layer. Cover the baking dish with a tight lid. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Garnish with fried onions,nuts, raisins…
Ingredients
For Marination
- 1 Onion (sliced)
- 2 tbsp Curd
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
- 1 tsp Pepper powder
- 1 tsp Lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp Garam masala
- Salt – to taste
For masala:
- 500 gms Mutton
- 2 big Onion (sliced)
- 6-7 cloves Garlic (crushed)
- 1 big piece Ginger (crushed)
- 4-5 Green chilli (crushed)
- 2-3 Tomato (sliced)
- 1/2 tsp Garam masala
- 2 tbsp Ghee
- 1-2 tbsp Chopped coriander leaves
For white paste
- 3 tbsp Grated Coconut
- 6-7 Cashew nut
- 1-2 tsp Poppy seeds (kasha kasha) ( optional)
For the rice:
- 2 cups Rice
- 4 ups Water (refer notes)
- 6 Cardamom
- 6 Cloves
- 2 medium size stick Cinnamon
- 1-2 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 2 tbsp Ghee
- Salt
- 3-4 tbsp Chopped coriander & mint leaves (each)
For garnishing
- 1 big Onion (finely sliced)
- 7-8 Cashew nuts
- 1 tbsp Raisins
Instructions
- Mutton Preparation
- Marinate mutton pieces with all the ingredients for marination & keep for 1 hour. Heat ghee in a pan/pressure cooker. Cook onions till it becomes brown. Add crushed ginger, garlic & green chillies and cook for 3-4 mins. Add tomatoes, salt (keep in mind salt is already added with mutton also) & stir. When tomato becomes soft add garam masala. After 3 mins, add marinated mutton pieces. Mix well. Add 1/4 cup water & cook (refer notes to see the pressure cooking details).
- Grind the ingredients for white paste together with 2 tbsp water. Add the white paste when mutton is cooked. Add chopped coriander leaves (1-2 tbsp) and mix well. When the gravy becomes thick and mutton is tender remove from fire.
- Rice Preparation
- Rinse the rice a few times and soak for 25 minutes. Drain the water completely. Heat ghee in a wide and deep pan & splutter whole masala (cinnamon, cardamom and cloves).Fry the rice. When the rice starts cracking (around 4-5 mins) add hot water, salt & lemon juice. Cook the rice till the water is completely dried. Spread the rice on a tray.
- Garnishing
- Heat oil / ghee in a deep small pan. Fry the cashews and raisins till the cashews becomes brown and raisins plump. Add more oil / ghee, if required, and fry the onion till it becomes golden brown. Drain it on a paper towel.
- Layering the Biriyani
- Preheat the oven to 180 degree 10 minutes before baking the biriyani. Apply some ghee to a deep and wide baking dish. Spread one layer of masala first & a layer of rice on top of it. Repeat the same.The top layer should be of rice. You can drizzle ghee & sprinkle coriander leaves, mint leaves, fried onion, nuts and raisins in between the layers (on top of the rice). Spread a wet cloth over the dish while baking. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Garnish with fried onions,nuts, raisins.
Notes
1. Layer the rice and masala in a greased heavy bottomed vessel/non stick pan & cover it with a tight lid. 2. Heat a thava/dosa kallu, when it is really hot, place the biriyani vessel on top of that. Reduce the heat to the lowest flame & cook for 20-25 mins. Keep the heat at the lowest flame throughout, otherwise it might get burnt. 3. Also place a pan of boiling water on top of the biriyani vessel at the same time. Pressure cooking the mutton: After the first whitsle on full flame, reduce the flame to low-medium. I cook for another 10-12 whistles. Switch off the flame and let the pressure drop naturally. If the mutton isnt, cooked close the cooker and cook for another 5-6 whistles on low-medium flame. Water for cooking the rice: Though the usual water qty is double the qty of rice, I take a little less. For 2 cups of rice, I use 3.5 cups of water instead of 4. If you feel that rice isnt cooked, add more water. However keep in mind that, rice will be cooked further during baking or while heating on thawa.
Maria… Lov all ur recipes… it has taken me as a basic cook to a totally different level which.i feel proud of :)
I am totally confused about ‘boiling water in half masala’…masalA now has the meat piecea also right. So i should.boil the water with both.masala and pieces ??
Hi Priyanka,
Thank you very much :) Really happy to know that MM is a part of your cooking journey.
I’ve mentioned in the recipe “Boil 4 cups of water with half of the whole masala ( cardamom, cloves & cinnamon ) & let it cool”. It means half of whole masala, whole masala is nothing but cardamom, cloves & cinnamon. So just boil the water with the half of those mentioned under “for the rice” tile. Hope it’s clear now :)
hi maria…..am a big fan of yours…have tried lot of ur recipes.all of them came out very well.tomorrow am gonna try out this biriyani recipe,but with chicken.so wanted to ask u one thing.if we are adding coriander leaves and mint leaves at what stage during the masala preparation should we add these and pls mention the quantity also.pls reply dear….thank you
Hi Unnimaya,
Thank you so much :) Happy to know that you’ve tried many recipes from here.
You can add coriander and mint leaves while layering the biriyani. You may add 2-3 tbsp chopped coriander leaves and 1-2 tbsp chopped mint leaves. You can add more or less to suit your taste requirements.
Cheers
Maria
hey chechy can u explain the last stage without the oven i.e on gas
Hi Justina,
here you go:
if you dont have an oven to bake the biriyani, do the following method.
1. Layer the rice and masala in a greased heavy bottomed vessel/non stick pan & cover it with a tight lid.
2. Heat a thava/dosa kallu, when it is really hot, place the biriyani vessel on top of that. Reduce the heat to the lowest flame & cook for 20-25 mins. Keep the heat at the lowest flame throughout, otherwise it might get burnt.
3. Also place a pan of boiling water on top of the biriyani vessel at the same time.
Hope you get to try this recipe soon.
Cheers
Maria
gonna try this mutton biriyani for my friends (they are asking ramazan biriyani ), thank you for the clean and neat detailed description.
Thanks Niyaz :) Hope your friends enjoyed the biriyani.
Cheers
Maria
Hello Maria!
WOW! I tried this at the weekend and it was truly delicious! Even the rice cooked that way has converted me for life!
I look forward to trying many more of your recipes!
Thank you
Natalie
Hi Natalie,
Really happy that you got to make it :) I’m glad that it came out well for you.
Thank you so much for sharing your feedback and pic here.
Cheers
Maria
Mariachechi… Just luved this recipe of yours!!! It was so so tasty..Beyond all my words.. My husband is a food lover and he said “Amazing” after tasting the biriyani.. And i told him its Mariachechi who should b thanked.. And its very true.. I’ll definitely make it for my parents and in-laws.. Im sure,they’ll luv it too.. Actually,i follow your recipes for any special dish i wish to try and i luv all of them.. And this became yet another strong reason that i follow u for any recipe i wanna try..Many many thanks to you…
Hi Hinduja,
Thanks a lot for your wonderful feedback dear :) Hope your parents and in-laws will also like it.
Hope you get to try more recipes from here and like them too..
Cheers
Maria
Maria. I have request, can you please try and post hyderbadi biriyani for us .
it is very precise and yummy with your lil notes andthe way choose ingrediant also very easy to follow your recipes
hi maria i have one doubt …will it make any difference if we first fry the marinated chicken and then make the masala,,
Hi Kukku,
Though I havent tried it like that, I think it should be ok. I’ve posted a chicken biriyani recipe, in that I fry the chicken pieces first and then make the masala.
You can see the recipe here:
https://mariasmenu.wpcomstaging.com/spicy/chicken-biriyani-finally
Simply superb… I just had this for lunch now and could not wait to say thanks to you..it turned out really well..
I am so addicted that I always have MM window opened in my system, be in
office or in kitchen I keep going through your recipes whenever i have
free time and make a list out of it for each day’s menu, and try them
out :D,
My family and I- we just love MM so much..
Keep posting , Keep rocking, Have a great time dear!!!
Hi Deepz,
Thanks a million for this comment dear! I’m really touched! I think I should frame this comment :)
Please do convey my special regards to your family and a big Thank you also..
Wish you and your family the very best in life!
Take care,
Maria
dear Maria, i hadn’t have a chance to take pics earlier when i tried out your recipes, but yesterday i was lucky enough to click one and i have attached the same along with this comment :)
Hi Deepz, can you please mail the pic to mjm@jpm.cc I havent got the attached pic :( waiting to see it..
hiii maria ,Â
        i like ur site an hav tried ur recipes like carrrot cake, malabar fish curry….. etc etc they come out very well… thank uÂ
 i hav a doubt regarding th biriyani recipe….dont v add coriander leaves an mint leaves paste also while sauteing….? my mom usually does…so i’ve also added it for my chicken biriyanis always… wat abt mutton biriyani..?
             byeeee
             priya
Hi Priya,
So sorry for the delayed reply dear. I was away on a trip…
Thank you so much for trying all those recipes. You can add coriander and mint leaves also, I wasnt a big fan of mint leaves till a few years ago, that’s why, you dont see it in the recipe :)
Cheers
Maria
Hey Maria,
First of all,hats off to you for putting in the effort to share your wonderful recipes with all of us.
A quick question..i cant use poppy seeds, coz they are illegal here in Dubai…   are there any substitutes that i can use??.. or can i just leave that part out??
Cheers,
Shiny
Thank you Shiny! I’m not sure about the substitutes. You can always use cashew paste. It’s ok to leave the poppy seeds. I’ve made biriyani a number of times without poppy seeds & still it turns out well.
Cheers
Maria
Maria , I have tried out many of your recipes (chicken biryani , prawns biryani , chicken roast , fish curry , aviyal etc…) and I am really glad to tell that they all turned out really well ..thanks for these wonderful recipes, keep writing …Â
Hi Deepa,
I’m excited to see the long list of recipes you have tried from here :) Its great to know that the recipes work well for you. Thanks a ton dear for the comment!
Cheers
Maria
Hi Maria,
First time I tried n internet recipe.n wow…. No regrets.. I’ve had white biryani outside.. n did not like it… too dry.. Was sceptical while making.. but it a awesome.. family thoroughly enjoyed.. Had made for lunch n dinner but got over In lunch only… I think Will have to make burji at nite.. hats off… great one.. you have one more follower added to your list
Hi Maria,Â
I tried this today and it came out really well .. Thanks for such a wonderful recipe .. Please post beef biriyani recipe too ..Â
Luv,Â
Jesna
Hi Jesna,
You are welcome! I have tried some beef biriyani recipes, but wasnt happy with them. Hopefully I can find a good recipe soon.
Thanks for the comment :)
Cheers
Maria
Hi Maria,
Yum yum yum yum…. what else can i say for this recipe!!! I tried this out last weekend and the result was excellent.
This is the first time that my biriyani looked, smelled and tasted authentic.
Thanks a ton!
Ida.
Hi Ida,
You are welcome dear :) I’m really happy that your biriyani came out well. Thanks a bunch for letting me know about it.
Cheers
Maria
Hi Maria,
Well, since the first time i tried out this recipe; i have forgotten my previous biriyani recipes. Made it couple of more times; the result has always been ‘simply delicious’.
Thanks again!!!
Hi Ida,
Thanks a ton for such a sweet comment dear :) It’s a pleasure to know that this recipe works well for you.
Cheers
Maria
It’s really delicious recipe,I tried it already….v luv it….I really appreciate you work.
Thanks Teena :) Its nice to know that you liked the biriyani recipe.
Cheers
Maria
Hi Maria,
Im totally new to your blog and happened to visit it recently. All your recipes seems awesome and i have already made of collection from your blog to be prepared post wedding !!! can u please tell me how to make this same biriyani if we dont have owen ?? i mean without this pre heating concept?? the word pre heating depresses me !! as i have no option of it ..
Hi Febitha,
Thank you so much for your sweet words :) Dont worry, you can make this without oven too. I’ve given the alternative method in the chicken biriyani recipe, below notes section. You can see it here:
https://mariasmenu.wpcomstaging.com/spicy/chicken-biriyani-finally
Hope you will like the biriyani & happy cooking!
Cheers
Maria
Hi Shareen,
You are welcome :) Thank you so much for the comment. Its great to know that your family enjoyed it.
Cheers
Maria
Hi Remya,
I havent tried veg biriyani yet dear :( If I happen to try a good recipe, I will post it here, ok?
Cheers
Maria
Hi Maria,
I tried your mutton biryani today and it was really awwwesome…..The measurements were exactly right and my family liked it a lot. Thank you so much for this fantastic recipe. I will surely keep on trying all your recipes.
hi maria chechi,
  Please said the preparation of vegetable biriyani
Hi maria!..Fantastic recipes and me and my husband have enjoyed preparing them for our friends:)..keep up the great work:).. The mutton biriyani looks yummy and want to try it out today but just want to confirm about the poppy seeds..did you use the black or white?:)..Thanks Maria!
Hi Tania,
Thanks a ton. Its really nice to know that you like the recipes posted here. I used white poppy seeds for the biriyani.
Happy cooking!
Cheers
Maria
Hi maria….awesome recipes n v just love all your recipes. Just a doubt, did u use black or white poppy seeds for the mutton biriyani?
Hi Cherish
Thank you! I used white poppy seed for this. Hope you’ll like the biriyani.
Cheers
Maria
Hi Caroline,
Thank you so much for the wonderful comment :) Its really great to know that this recipe works well for you.
Cheers
Maria
Simply fabulous recipe. I have made this thrice and it has been a huge hit every single time. Thanks Maria!
Hi Caroline,
Thank you so much dear :) Its really a pleasure to know that this recipe is a hit at your place! Thanks for the comment too.
Cheers
Maria
Hi Maria…can you tell me which brand of rice is generally good for making biryani as i hate to see the rice sticking onto each other in the final stage…
Hi Bindu,
I always use Kohinoor brand Basmati rice for biriyani. It works well for me.
Cheers
Maria
Hello Maria,
If you are a malayali, then please publish it in malayalam language.
Philip Mumbai
Hi Philip,
We are both from Kerala, and thanks for the suggestion. But currently, we do not have any plans of publishing in Malayalam. We will consider the idea for the upcoming cook book.
Jose
Dear Jose,
If you are going to publish a Book, then you can collect a PDF version of the printed matter from the printing people. please upload it for online users. Eg : http://bethelpatrika.org/files/2010Dec.pdf
Any way please inform me about the book publishing date. And how can i get a copy of it.
Philip from Mumbai.
Philip, thanks for the suggestion. We are currently focused only on releasing a paperback edition.
If you would like to be notified of the launch and pre-order, please sign up at https://mariasmenu.wpcomstaging.com/book
If you would like to help with the translation of any recipes hosted on this site for our Kerala readers, we will be happy to host the pdf version on MariasMenu.com – of course we will provide you with the recognition and credit for the effort.
Dear Jose,
Greetings !!!!! . Thank you for the fast reply. ok i shall co-operate with the translation of the recipes, we will talk about it only after the publishing of the ‘COOK BOOK’.
Happy new year
Philip & Fly,
Mumbai.
Hi Maria…
I tried making the chicken version of this biriyani and it really came out nice. Got complimented by my husband. Thank u and keep the god work going!
Hi Gincy,
Thank you for trying this recipe and also for leaving the comment here :). Its great to know that it came out well for you.
Cheers
Maria
Hi Maria,
I have a clarification. While marinating the mutton, do we need to mix the onions mentioned under the ‘For Marination’ along with the mutton?
Then while making the mutton, we saute the onions mentioned under ‘For Masala’?
Thanks
Nancy
Hi Nancy,
We use 2 different set of onions for this. As you’ve written, one is used in marination and the other is used in the masala part. I’ve given the qty of onion for each part under the respective sections…
Hope your doubt is clarified :)
Cheers
Maria
yet to try it on coming Friday…will post another after trying.a bit excited….. ;)
Hi Mowly,
Did you get a chance to try it? Hope you are still excited after trying it also ;)
Cheers
Maria
Hi Maria
This is a great recipe.Except the fact the i left the mutton more than half cook prior to baking.
Thank you Maria.
Hi Raj
Thank you so much for trying this recipe, I know my response is a bit delayed :( However I’m really glad to know that you enjoyed it.
You can adjust the cooking time of mutton when you make it next time :)
Cheers
Maria
Thanks Maria, will keep u posted on how it turned out to be :-)
Cheers
Hi,
I was going through your Recipe and wanted to try this, but was a bit confused about the GARAM MASALA which is mentioned to be added after the tomatoes became soft. I thought there was mention of GARAM MASALA only once in the ingredient list and tat was for the marination. So in case tat watz the qty of Garam Masala to be added when the tomatoes are soften.
Thanks
Hi Sheeba,
Thanks for pointing it out. The garam masala to be added to the masala, after the tomato is softened, is different. You need to add 1/2 tsp garam masala again. Sorry for the confusion.
I will update the recipe also with the same.
Thanks again. Hope you will like the biriyani.
Cheers
Maria
@Maria,
Thanks for your quick response..Got it, so its a total of 1 tsp of Garam Masala for the entire process, 1/2 for the marination and the other to be added with the tomatoes.
And if I need to make 1 Kg Chicken and 4 cups rice do i doubly all the ingredients????
Waiting to try this recipe…will get back on how it turned out to be :-)
Cheers
Hi Sheeba,
Sorry for the delayed rep :(
Yes, its 1 tsp of Garam Masala for the entire preparation. If you are planning to make double the qty, adjust the other ingredients also accordingly.
Cheers
Maria
i usually dont like mutton so v prepared it as chicken biryani on last sun day n it was superb thanks a lot for these dishes maria de n i ll also try it as mutton biryani after some days
Thanks Shubha for trying it. For me it’s usually other way round, I dont like chicken much (though I eat it), so I make it with mutton :)
Hope you’ll like the mutton version too…
Cheers
Maria
Hi Maria,
I dont have an oven. Can you please tell me an alternative for the last layering stage?
Hi Priya,
Please do the following steps for the stove top method.
1. Layer the rice and masala in a greased heavy bottomed vessel/non stick pan & cover it with a tight lid.
2. Heat a thava/dosa kallu, when it is really hot, place the biriyani vessel on top of that. Reduce the heat to the lowest flame & cook for 20-25 mins. Keep the heat at the lowest flame throughout, otherwise it might get burnt.
3. Also place a pan of boiling water on top of the biriyani vessel at the same time.
Hope this helps…
Cheers
Maria
It was really tasty,,first try with mutton…came out real good thanks
Hi anw,
Glad you liked it. Thanks for the comment :)
Cheers
Maria
no need to add coriander powder ?
Hi Neemol
I usually dont add coriander powder while making biriyani. I add only turmeric, pepper n garam masala powder, which is mentioned in the recipe.
Cheers
Maria
Few tips from me:
1. i add a pinch of sugar to the onions for garnishing,while frying.
2. If the mutton gravy turns out too watery,i use this juice while cooking/baking the rice for biriyani.It gives a whole new twist to the dish.
Hi Vijaya
Thanks for sharing your tips :) will try it next time I make biriyani.
Regarding adding coconut & cashew paste, it gives a richness to the masala. Please try it, hope you will like it.
what difference does adding coconut paste make.coz i make it without coconut and cashew paste(but i add poppy seeds paste).
Does it really add to the taste,Maria?
hi maria..
if u hve any chicken biriyani recipe..i wish u cld post it..
waiting eagerly for the recipe..an easy but tasty one..
regds
sindu
Hi Sindu
I use the same recipe for chicken biriyani also. Anyways let me see whether I could find another good recipe for chicken biriyani. Please do try this recipe,I hope you will like it.
Take care
Maria
I like your reply to Eaps..meek yet put him in his place.A unique strength ! Your recipe for mutton biryani is very different will try it this weekend. God bless
hey eaps..
so happy to hear from you after such a long time. btw, your wife is a major contributor to this site :)
hey I believe am still the same person even aftr 7 years except may be for the cooking & computers part :) (credit goes to my hubby, jose), though I havent yet become an expert in both.
Regarding the measurements for salt and water, salt – I dont give it because I still use the trial n error method for salt ;) and the amount of water in this recipe, I assume you are referring to the water required for cooking mutton, since water rqd for cooking rice is given. You can use 1/2 – 1 cup water for cooking mutton.
and btw, I havent forgotten my roots, but am learning ew things and trying to share my exp with others :)
hope your wife joins u sometime soon and happy cooking till then :)
I’m sure I’m a rather unique reader, cook…my wife deserted me (well..kindof..her job forced her back to Bangalore leaving me all alone in the US), so here I’m trying to make dinner. I must admit, I got the shock and awe treatment when I saw the site…I used to know Maria..can’t say I still do, I just don’t recognize all this. For now, I’ll believe this isn’t all cooked up, after all they say marriage can change a person. My only grouse is that she assumes that her readers know the basics of cooking..how much salt, how much water? I have a feeling the Maria I knew would’ve been asking the same questions if she’d seen the same recipe 7 yrs ago. Whatever said and done…vanna vazhi marakkarathu (don’t forget your roots), there are still novices out there who need spoon feeding ;-)
Hi Maria,
I tried this with Chicken biriyani and am glad to say that we had a feast that day..thanks to tesschechi n u!!!
I have to give it a try!!
Hi Maria,
Even though it took some time for the preparation, the results were amazing..
we both loved it… THANKS Maria..