Main course 🇮🇳 Indian

Vegetable biryani

Fragrant basmati layered with spiced vegetables, fried onions and mint, then steamed until everything melds together.

Rate this recipe Be the first to rate it
  • Time1 hr 10
  • LevelMedium
  • Costabout £0.79 a head

Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.

4 servings

Ingredients

Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.

Method

  1. 1

    Soak the rice for 20 minutes, then boil in plenty of salted water with the bay leaves for 6 minutes until 70 percent cooked. Drain.

    6 min
  2. 2

    Heat the oil in a wide pan. Fry the onions for 15 minutes until deep golden and crisp at the edges. Lift out half and set aside.

    15 min
  3. 3

    To the rest of the onions add the garlic, ginger, spices, carrot, potato and cauliflower. Cook for 5 minutes.

    5 min
  4. 4

    Stir in the yoghurt and 100 ml water and simmer for 10 minutes until the vegetables are nearly tender. Add the peas.

    10 min
  5. 5

    Layer the rice over the vegetables. Scatter over the reserved onions, mint and coriander.

  6. 6

    Cover tightly with foil and a lid. Cook on the lowest heat for 20 minutes until the rice is fluffy.

    20 min
  7. 7

    Gently mix and 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.

More Indian recipes

See all Indian recipes

More main course