Mutton Biryani
Layers of spiced mutton and fragrant basmati, steamed together until the rice is fluffy and every grain smells of saffron.
- Time2 hr 45 plus marinating
- LevelHard
- Costabout £2.58 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Estimated nutrition per serving
- 878kcal
- 66.7gcarbs
- 7.5gof which sugars
- 51.9gfat
- 20.4gsaturates
- 36.4gprotein
- 4.3gfibre
- 2.3gsalt
A rough estimate worked out from the ingredients, for the serving size above. It is a guide only and not medical advice. If you count carbs or manage diabetes, check with your own tools and your care team.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Mix the mutton with the yoghurt, ginger and garlic paste, chilli, turmeric, half the garam masala and 1 tsp of the salt. Cover and leave in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
- 2
Heat the oil in a large heavy pan and fry the onions for 20 minutes until deep golden. Lift out half onto a plate for layering.
20 min - 3
Add the marinated mutton, tomatoes and green chillies to the pan. Cook for 10 minutes, then cover and simmer on a low heat for 1 hour 15 minutes, until the mutton is tender and the sauce is thick, not watery.
75 min - 4
Meanwhile, soak the saffron in the warm milk. Bring a large pan of water to the boil with the cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, bay, cumin seeds and the remaining 1 tsp salt. Add the rice and boil for 5 minutes only, until just under cooked, then drain.
5 min - 5
Stir half the mint and coriander and the lemon juice into the mutton. Spread the mutton flat, then pile the rice on top. Scatter over the fried onions, the rest of the herbs and garam masala, and dot with the ghee. Drizzle over the saffron milk.
- 6
Cover with foil, then a tight lid. Cook on the lowest heat for 25 minutes so the rice steams through. Do not lift the lid.
25 min - 7
Rest for 5 minutes, then fold the layers gently from the bottom so you get rice and mutton in every spoonful. Serve with raita.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
