Mutton biryani or Lamb Biryani is an aromatic, spicy, and flavorful non-vegetarian dish made with basmati rice or Seeraga samba rice along with Indian spices. The recipe I have shared here explains to you how to make a perfect Mutton Biryani also called Lamb biryani with easy step-by-step instructions. This mutton biryani is juicy, tasty, and easy to make one-pot biryani at home. It tastes best with raita or any non-veg curries like chicken gravy for lunch and dinner.
Jump to:
What is Mutton(Lamb) Biryani?
It is a rice dish in which the Mutton or lamb meat gravy is mixed or layered with flavored basmati rice in one pot under Tandoor or pressure cooked in steam. The word biryani or biriani is from the origin of the Persian language. Different parts of people have their own versions based on their culture and cuisine.
How to make Mutton(Lamb) Biryani?
In this mutton biryani, tender goat meat(lamb) is slow-cooked with onion, tomato, and Indian spices. This mutton gravy is then cooked with seeraga samba rice in low-medium heat. This rice is rich in its aroma which results in flavorful biryani.
The goat meat chosen here is very tender, so it does not require pressure cooking. If the meat chosen is not tender, then it should be pressure cooked for at least 4 whistles.
Please find the detailed steps with images in the recipe card below.
Serving Suggetions
This Seeraga samba mutton biryani is a rich, tasty, juicy, and aromatic rice dish and can be a perfect meal for lunch and dinner along with raita. And it tastes great with Chettinad Mutton Chukka, Lamb Vindaloo, Rogan Josh, or Chicken Sukka Varuval. This dish can be a perfect party meal or for any festive day.
Related Recipes
Please find similar recipes below. Click Biryani Recipes for more.
- Chicken Biryani
- Ambur Biryani
- Mughlai Biryani
- Shrimp Biryani
- Fish Biryani
- Mushroom Biryani
- Vegetable Biryani
- Biryani Rice (Kuska Rice)
Looking for different chicken recipes at one place to cook for your next meal or a party? Then you could also check this collection of Best Biryani Recipes and Indian Chicken Dry and Semi Gravy Recipes to accompany your main dish and to enjoy with your family and loved ones.
Mutton(Lamb) Biryani Recipe video
I have also shared the detailed video instructions of this recipe below and I believe it will help you to prepare this delicious meal at home. You could also find the Mutton Biryani Recipe in story format for a quick reference.
📖 Recipe
Mutton Biryani (Lamb Biryani)
Ingredients
- 2.25 lb Mutton, goat/lamb (tender pieces), ½ to 1 kg ideal
- 1 cup Seeraga Samba Rice, soaked for 15 mins and drained
- 1 Onion, thinly sliced
- 1 Tomato, chopped
- 2 Green Chili, slit
- 2 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
- ¼ cup Onion Paste, pearl onion preferred
- 1 tsp Chili Powder
- 2 tsp Coriander Powder
- 1 tsp Biryani Masala
- ¼ cup Curd
- ¼ cup Mint Leaves
- ¼ cup Coriander Leaves
- ½ cup Oil
- 1 Cinnamon Stick, crushed
- 4 Cloves
- 4 Cardamom
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 1 Star Anise
- 1 Javitri
- 2 Kalpaasi
- Salt, as needed
- 1½ cup Water
Instructions
To Prepare Lamb/Mutton Biryani
- In a wide bottom pan with medium heat, pour oil, add cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, javitri, black stone flower, kalpaasi, bay leaves, green chili, onion, and onion paste
- Saute everything well until the onion turns soft
- Add ginger-garlic paste, chili, coriander, biryani masala, turmeric powder, and salt and mix well
- Add tomatoes and add give a nice mix
- Add curd, mint leaves and saute until the tomatoes turn mushy
- Add the mutton pieces and give a nice mix until all the masala are well incorporated
- Close the pan with the lid and cook for 15 minutes
- Open the lid and give a mix
- Allow the mutton to cook until soft for about 15 minutes
- The mutton gravy turns thick reddish-brown in color
- At this stage add water and allow it to boil
- Once it starts boiling, add the seeraga samba rice to the mutton gravy and mix well
- Let the rice to cook 70%
- Simmer the heat and add coriander and mint leaves
- Close the pan with the lid and cook the biryani in steam for about 10 to 15 minutes
- Open the lid and fluff the biryani
To Serve
- Serve the delicious mutton biryani with curd raita or gravy of your choice
Video
Notes
- The key for perfect juicy and moist biryani is choosing the best tender goat meat and the right water ratio for the rice
- Here in this recipe oil is used for cooking biryani, it can also be replaced with ghee
- Cooking the biryani in steam or dum for 15 minutes gives the best flavor to the biryani
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Mutton dum biryani is a rice dish in which the aromatic basmati rice is layered with goat meat and cooked with caramelized onion, tomato, curd, and Indian spices.
In Dum biryani, the rice and meat are layered alternatively and cooked by following the process called Dum. Whereas in one pot biryani, rice and meat are cooked together. Both are unique in their taste.
Usually, young lamb or goat meat is best for mutton biryani. If the meat is not tender it can be marinated with curd, papaya, and spices overnight or for at least 2 to 3 hours before making biryani.
Mutton biryani is high in calories which could be taken in moderate quantity. If you have an underlying condition or are diet conscious, it would be great to count on the calories and seek for the recommendation from medical experts.
India has many states with different cultures and traditions so as the style of food making. Hence, even though few biryanis are widely popular and known worldwide, there are many more types throughout India which are equally tasty and popular.
Some of the famous biryanis are Hyderabadi biryani, Kacchi biryani, Ambur biryani, Thalapakatti biryani, Malabar Thalaserry biryani, Lucknow biryani, and so on. Each of them is different in their taste and origin and popular due to its uniqueness.
Seeraga samba is organically grown and naturally, aromatic rice traditionally used for biryani in South India, particularly in the state of Tamilnadu. It is a tiny oval like shape which resembles the size of seeragam/jeera(cumin). The biryani prepared with this rice is called Seeraga samba biryani and has a unique taste due to its natural aroma and flavor.
Yes, it is one of the styles of making biryani. In this style, the cooker is closed with the lid which has a whistle inserted on it. Usually, it is cooked for 2 whistles.
If the rice is soaked for 15 minutes, the ratio is 1:1.5. If the rice is not soaked the ratio is 1:2. This ratio gives perfect fluffy biryani. But it is always recommended to soak the rice to get better results.
Yes, it can be prepared with Basmati rice.
I really hope you enjoyed the recipe that I have shared here and I would love to hear from you on how it turned out for you. Please let me know.
If you have any other questions, feel free to post them in the comment section below and I will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
Happy Cooking!
More Recipes: Vegetable Dum Biryani / Veg Pulao
Sushrutah
Can you share biryani masala recipe?
Sangeetha Vel
Hi Sushrutah,
Unfortunately we don't have the biryani masala recipe up on the blog right now. But we may add it in the future. So, if you are interested in subscribing to our email notifications, we will be able to notify you when we post it!