Go Back
–+ servings
A dish is served in a plate

Mutton Biryani

Mutton biryani is a flavorful one-pot dish made with marinated mutton and basmati rice, cooked with spices like cumin and garam masala. The rice absorbs the savory juices from the meat, creating a fragrant meal often garnished with fried onions and fresh herbs. It's a popular choice for special occasions and celebrations.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Course Rice
Cuisine Indian
Servings 6 People
Calories 480 kcal

Ingredients
  

For Marinating the Mutton:

  • 500 gram Mutton (goat or lamb), cut into pieces
  • 1 Cup Plain yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon Ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
  • 2 teaspoon Red chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon Coriander powder
  • 2 tablespoon Lemon juice
  • Salt to taste

For the Rice:

  • 2 Cup Basmati rice, washed and soaked for 30 minutes
  • 4 Cup Water
  • 4 Green cardamoms
  • 4 Cloves
  • 2 Bay leaves
  • 1 Inch cinnamon stick
  • 1 teaspoon Shahi jeera (caraway seeds)
  • Salt to taste

For the Biryani Masala:

  • 2 Large onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoon Ghee or clarified butter
  • 2 Tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon Biryani masala
  • 2 Green chilies, slit
  • ½ Cup Mint leaves, chopped
  • ½ Cup Coriander leaves, chopped
  • 2 tablespoon Fried onions (for garnish)
  • ¼ Cup Saffron threads soaked in warm milk
  • ½ Cup Water (for layering)

Instructions
 

Marination Magic

  • To start, marinate the mutton with yogurt and spices. The yogurt helps make the meat tender and adds flavor.
  • Tip: If you marinate it for 4 hours or overnight, the spices will soak in even more, making it super flavorful.
  • Why?: The acidic yogurt breaks down the mutton, making it juicy and delicious.

Preparing the Rice

  • First, cook the rice so it’s fluffy and not sticky. Add water and season it with whole spices like cinnamon and bay leaves for extra flavor.
  • How to do it?: Rinse the rice before cooking to remove excess starch. This will help make it light and fluffy!

Cooking the Mutton

  • Now, slow-cook or pressure-cook the marinated mutton until it’s tender and full of flavor.
  • Tip: Be careful not to overcook the mutton, or it will get dry. The goal is to keep it juicy and flavorful.

Layering the Biryani

  • Start with a base layer of cooked rice, then add a layer of mutton, and top it with another layer of rice.
  • Why is this important?: Layering helps the flavors mix perfectly.
  • Tip: Seal the pot with dough or a tight lid to trap the steam. This will help cook the biryani evenly.

Dum Cooking

  • Now comes the magic! Dum cooking means slow-cooking the biryani on low heat to let all the flavors blend together.
  • Tip: Keep the heat low for about 40-50 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

Final Touches

  • Garnish your biryani with fried onions, fresh mint leaves, and a drizzle of ghee for a yummy finish.
  • Tip: Let the biryani rest for about 10 minutes before serving so the flavors set in!

Notes

Variations

    • Mutton and Egg Biryani:
        • To sum up, try adding boiled eggs to the mutton biryani. Not only does it make the dish even more filling, but it also adds a nice protein-packed twist. Thus, every bite has a perfect combo of mutton and egg!
    • Kashmiri Mutton Biryani:
        • Firstly, Kashmiri Biryani uses dried fruits like raisins, apricots, and cashews. As a result, the dish gets a subtle sweetness to balance the spicy flavors. In other words, it’s a sweet and spicy combo that makes every bite special!
    • Mutton Biryani with Potatoes:
        • For example, in Kolkata Biryani, boiled potatoes are added. Therefore, it gives the biryani a hearty, comforting touch. Besides, potatoes soak up all the amazing spices, making every bite extra delicious!
    • Mutton Biryani with Coconut Milk:
        • Additionally, you can try adding coconut milk or grated coconut. Consequently, the biryani becomes creamy and rich. In essence, it adds a tropical twist that’s both tasty and smooth!
    • Spicy Mutton Biryani:
        • If you love heat, you can spice things up with extra green chilies, red chili powder, or even black pepper. Afterward, your biryani will pack a punch, perfect for those who crave something extra fiery!

Tips & Tricks for Perfect Mutton Biryani

1. Rest Before Serving: Let the biryani rest for 10-15 minutes to let the flavors settle and rice firm up.
2. Cook the Mutton Right: Cook mutton until 90% done, then layer with rice. This keeps it tender and juicy.
3. Use Fresh Basmati Rice: Always use fresh basmati rice for fluffiness—stale rice can make it sticky.
4. Avoid Soggy Rice: Parboil the rice to keep it separate and fluffy when layered with mutton.
5. Layer Evenly: Mix half the rice with mutton, then layer the rest on top for even flavor distribution.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Mutton Biryani
Amount per Serving
Calories
480
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
18
g
28
%
Saturated Fat
 
7
g
44
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
10
g
Cholesterol
 
70
mg
23
%
Sodium
 
350
mg
15
%
Potassium
 
500
mg
14
%
Carbohydrates
 
60
g
20
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
3
g
3
%
Protein
 
25
g
50
%
Vitamin A
 
600
IU
12
%
Vitamin B1
 
0.2
mg
13
%
Vitamin B2
 
0.3
mg
18
%
Vitamin B3
 
5
mg
25
%
Vitamin B5
 
1
mg
10
%
Vitamin B6
 
0.4
mg
20
%
Vitamin B12
 
2
µg
33
%
Vitamin C
 
5
mg
6
%
Vitamin E
 
1
mg
7
%
Vitamin K
 
5
µg
5
%
Calcium
 
120
mg
12
%
Iron
 
3.5
mg
19
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!