Authentic Lamb Biryani Recipe - Indian Rice Dish

Authentic Indian Lamb recipe — Lamb Biryani. Imported from TheMealDB.

Medium
Updated March 14, 2026
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4

servings

Medium

Difficulty

Authentic Lamb Biryani Recipe - Indian Rice Dish

Ingredients

Servings:
4
  • 2 cups Basmati rice (soaked for 30 minutes)
  • 1 ½ pounds lamb, cut into chunks (use shoulder or leg)
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced (for frying)
  • 2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 2 teaspoons biryani masala (or garam masala)
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
  • 4 cups water (for cooking rice)
  • 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
  • 1 bunch fresh mint leaves, chopped (for garnish)
  • 3 tablespoons ghee or cooking oil
  • 3 whole green cardamom pods (slightly crushed)
  • 3 whole cloves
  • 1 stick cinnamon (broken into pieces)

Instructions

5 steps

  1. Prepare the Marinade

    In a bowl, combine lamb, yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, biryani masala, turmeric, and red chili powder. Mix well and marinate for at least 1 hour.

    For best flavor, marinate overnight.
  2. Fry the Onions

    Heat ghee or oil in a large pot. Add sliced onions and fry until golden brown. Remove half for garnishing later.

    Ensure onions are crispy for better flavor.
  3. Cook the Lamb

    Add marinated lamb to the pot with remaining onions. Cook on medium heat until the lamb is browned and tender.

    Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  4. Cook the Rice

    In a separate pot, boil water and add soaked basmati rice. Cook until rice is 70% done, then drain.

    Do not overcook the rice as it will finish cooking with the lamb.
  5. Layer and Cook

    Layer the partially cooked rice over the lamb in the pot. Add cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, chopped cilantro, and mint. Cover tightly and cook on low heat for 25-30 minutes.

    You can use a heavy pan on top to create steam.

💡 Tips & Tricks

Tags: Curry,Meat

Storage & Reheating

❄️

Refrigerator

Up to 3 days in an airtight container

🧊

Freezer

Up to 2 months — thaw overnight in fridge

🔥

Reheat in a skillet or microwave until heated through.

What to Serve With

Complete your indian meal with these perfect pairings:

🍽️Naan bread or basmati rice
🍽️Raita
🍽️Mango chutney

About This Dish

Authentic Lamb Biryani Recipe - Indian Rice Dish is a beloved dish from Indian cuisine.

Indian cuisine reflects the country's incredible diversity, with flavors and techniques varying dramatically from north to south, east to west. The masterful use of spices is the hallmark of Indian cooking.

This recipe is rated medium difficulty and uses 15 ingredients. Intermediate cooks will enjoy the balanced challenge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, chicken or beef can be used for variations.

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Nutrition Facts

4 serving(s) per recipe

Serving size1 serving
Calories520kcal
Total Fat22gg
Sodium600mgmg
Total Carbohydrates50gg
Dietary Fiber2gg
Total Sugars2gg
Protein30gg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients used.

Recipe Details

CuisineIndian
CategoryRice Dishes