Lucknowi Mutton Biryani

A rich, aromatic layered rice dish from Lucknow, featuring tender mutton and fragrant spices.

Preparation Time

• Prep: 2 hours 30 minutes (including marination)
• Cook: 45 minutes
• Total: 3 hours 15 minutes
• Servings: 4

Ingredients

For Rice

• 500g basmati rice, washed and soaked
• Water (4-5 times rice quantity)
• 2-3 cinnamon sticks
• 1 black cardamom
• 3 green cardamoms
• 4-5 cloves
• 3-4 black peppercorns
• ½ tsp ginger-garlic-green chili paste
• Salt to taste

Spice Mix

• ½ tsp black peppercorns
• 1 tbsp fennel seeds
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4-5 cloves
• 3-4 green cardamoms
• ½ nutmeg, chopped
• 1 tbsp cumin seeds
• Mace (javitri)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tbsp red chili powder
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic-green chili paste
• 2 tsp yogurt (from 250g total)

For Marinating Meat

• 500g goat meat
• Prepared spice mix
• Remaining yogurt
• Salt to taste

For Final Assembly

• 3 onions, sliced
• 4 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp ghee
• Bay leaf
• ½ cup full-fat milk
• 2 tbsp fresh cream
• Saffron strands
• Rose water
• Kewra water
• Orange food color
• Yellow food color
• Additional ghee for layering

Instructions

1. Marinate meat:

   • Mix meat with spice mix, yogurt, and salt
   • Marinate 2-24 hours

2. Prepare rice:

   • Soak rice 20 minutes
   • Boil water with whole spices
   • Cook rice 75% done
   • Drain and set aside

3. Cook meat:

   • Sauté sliced onions until translucent
   • Add marinated meat
   • Cook until water separates
   • Add 1 cup water
   • Cover and cook 40 minutes

4. Layer biryani:

   • Add milk, cream, saffron to meat
   • Cook 3-4 minutes on high
   • Layer with rice
   • Add colors, rose water, kewra water
   • Top with ghee
   • Cover and cook on low 15 minutes

Notes

• Use long-grain basmati rice
• Don’t overcook rice (should be 75% done)
• Marination time affects flavor
• Seal pot well during final cooking
• Let rest 10 minutes before serving
• Serve with raita or salan

Source

Lucknowi Mutton Biryani Recipe