Indian Lamb Biryani is a casserole of tender lamb curry and fragrant saffron rice. Two outstanding dishes combined into one company worthy casserole. Serve with cooling cucumber raita on the side.
I had a very biryani week. Biryani is an Indian curry and rice casserole that I've been hearing about, thinking about, maybe even dreaming about - for a long time. Finally, this past week, I immersed myself in it. It started when I was invited by a friend to take a cooking class at Whole Foods and I got to choose the dish we cooked. I picked biryani. We learned to make a very tasty, quick biryani with boneless chicken and precooked rice.
After that I came home and pulled every international cookbook and Indian cookbook off my shelves... I scoured the internet....and the cooking began. My (poor? lucky?) family had Biryani for dinner three nights in a row - lamb, chicken, lamb. The lamb biryani was the unanimous winner. This is definitely not of the "quick and easy" genre of recipes, but it's SO worth the effort!
This lamb biryani recipe consists of two distinct dishes - succulent lamb curry and aromatic rice. Each component is delicious in its own right, and then the two are layered together in a casserole and baked.
Saffron is one of the key flavors in Indian Lamb Biryani. It's a beautiful, aromatic spice, that consists of the delicate stigmas of a crocus flower. It's a very popular spice in Indian cuisine.
In this dish, saffron is used to infuse the rice with a beautiful yellow-orange color and that unique and exotic saffron flavor that words can't describe. (Some say it tastes like a combination of honey and straw, but I don't think that description does it justice.)
Saffron is one of the world's most expensive spices but luckily it only takes a little bit to flavor the whole lamb biryani casserole.
This Lamb Biryani recipe is packed with deep and exciting flavors and a good amount of heat. It's definitely dinner-party worthy!
I think it's important to serve Lamb Biryani with a cooling, creamy, cucumber-mint raita to complement the heat of the dish. Your palate will thank you!
Here are a few more delicious Indian Recipes to try:
- Indian Chicken Biryani
- Saag Aloo: Indian Spinach and Potatoes
- Chicken Tikka Masala
- White Chicken Korma
Here's the Indian Lamb Biryani Recipe. If you try this recipe, I hope you'll come back to leave a star rating and a comment. I'd love to know what you think.
Indian Lamb Biryani Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 mins
- Yield: 6-8 1x
Description
Adapted from many sources but mostly from 600 Curries by Raghavan Lyer
Sumptuous casserole of tender lamb curry with saffron spiced rice with cucumber-mint raita on the side.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless leg of lamb, fat trimmed off, cut into 1-inch cubes
- MARINADE INGREDIENTS for the lamb:
- 5 tablespoons peeled and roughly chopped fresh ginger root (5-inch by 2 inch piece or something comparable.)
- 6-7 large garlic cloves, roughly chopped (about 3 tablespoons)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- A few grinds of fresh ground black pepper
- SOAKING THE RICE Ingredients:
- 2 cups basmati rice (Indian is best)
- CURRY SAUCE Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 medium red or yellow onions, peeled, halved and thinly sliced
- 2 15-ounce cans tomato sauce
- ¼ to ¾ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (depending on how hot you like it)
- 1 tablespoon paprika (sweet, not hot)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- Ingredients for PRE-COOKING THE RICE
- 2 tablespoons ghee or butter
- 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
- 4 cardamom pods
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 red onion, peeled, halved and thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon (heaping) of saffron threads (about 1 gram or .04 ounces)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- CUCUMBER RIATA
- 2 cups plain yogurt
- 1 cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeds scraped out with a spoon, and grated or finely chopped.
- ½ cup chopped mint leaves (plus some for garnish, if you like)
- 1 garlic clove, pressed or finely minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, toasted in a dry pan over high heat for a few seconds, until fragrant (if you're short on time, you can use ½ teaspoon ground cumin)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- MARINATE THE LAMB: Put the chopped ginger and garlic into the bowl of a food processor and pulse a couple of times. Scrape down the sides. Add 3-4 tablespoons of water. Pulse until you get a paste, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. (If you do this in your blender, add the water right away - expect lots of scraping down the sides) In a medium sized bowl mix the lamb with the garlic-ginger paste, salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for a half hour or so. (more is fine)
- RINSE and SOAK the RICE: Put rice in a large bowl. Fill the bowl halfway with cold water. Swish rice around for a few seconds and pour off the cloudy water. Repeat 3 or 4 times, until the water is fairly clear. Cover rice with cold water by 2 inches and set it aside to soften for an hour. Drain.
- START THE SAUCE: While the lamb is marinating and the rice is soaking, start the sauce. In a large heavy pot or a deep skillet with a cover, heat the 3 tablespoons of oil over medium high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are nicely browned and caramelized - about 15 minutes. Regulate the heat so they don't burn. Sprinkle them with a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Transfer them to a large plate or bowl and set aside. (no need to clean the pot yet - keep it out to brown the lamb)
- Mix the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl: tomato sauce, cayenne, paprika, salt, turmeric and garam masala. Set aside while you brown the lamb.
- BROWN THE LAMB: In the pot you used for the onions, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium high heat. Add half the lamb with its garlic-ginger coating, and cook for about 5 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the pieces are browned on all sides. Transfer to the plate with the onions. Brown the rest of the lamb, adding more oil, if necessary. Once the second batch of lamb is browned, return the other lamb and the onions back to the pot. Pour in the sauce. Stir, scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to release the browned bits of lamb into the sauce. Bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 25-30 minutes, until the lamb is nice and tender. Remove from the heat.
- PRECOOK THE RICE: While the lamb is simmering, heat 2 tablespoons of ghee or butter in a medium sized saucepan. Add the spices: cumin seeds, cardamom pods, bay leaves, and cinnamon sticks. Cook until they sizzle a bit and you can smell the cumin toasting - about 30 seconds. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, for 3-4 minutes, until it starts to brown. Add the saffron and cook stirring, for about 30 seconds, until the saffron releases its color and aroma. Add the drained rice and toss to coat. Pour in 2 cups cold water and 2 teaspoons salt. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer and cook for 5-6 minutes, uncovered - until all the water has evaporated. Remove from the heat.
- ASSEMBLE THE BIRYANI for baking Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spread half the lamb curry in the bottom of a medium-sized casserole dish. Cover with half the rice. Repeat the layers. Cover the casserole with the lid or with a double layer of foil. Bake for 35-40 minutes. Serve with cucumber raita (see below)
- CUCUMBER RAITA: Combine all the ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
- *Note: The bay leaves, cinnamon sticks and cardamom pods are not meant to be eaten. Remove them or tell people to be on the lookout for them.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course - Dinner
- Method: stove top, oven
- Cuisine: Indian
Ak
I tried this recipe I loved the flavours. It tasted just like briyani i remember from back home Durban, South Africa. I over cooked the rice thou 🙈. Overall my friends & I loved it will be making it again.
Evu
Just made this today. Its so delicious! I made it with lamb shank, cooking it with pressure cooker in the curry sauce for about 1 hour (until the meat fall apart). Pulled the meat out, mix in sauce before putting in oven with the rest of the ingredients. Perfect recipe! Thank you, I really enjoy it.
E
Just made this today. Its so delicious! I made it with lamb shank, cooking it with pressure cooker in the curry sauce for about 1 hour (until the meat fall apart). Pulled the meat out, mix in sauce before putting in oven with the rest of the ingredients. Perfect recipe! Thank you, I really enjoy it.
Melat
I made this dish for a dinner party and it came out absolutely delicious! Everyone loved it! It had a balance of flavors and the lamb was tender. Definitely keeping this on my recipe list.
Emmanuel
Amazing recipe. Limited the amount Cayenne pepper to about the minimum, and it is was enough for the kids to feel and enjoy the chilli-ness.
Only one change. The effectiveness of a marinade is often improved by adding something acidic (e.g. yoghurt, lemon...). I added a good splash (about 1/4 of a cup) of cider vinegar to the marinade. Great result for a bit more tanguiness and sweetness.
Lisa
I'm so glad you enjoyed the Biryani, and thanks for the tips about the marinade - I'll give it a try with cider vinegar next time!
T.R.
I love how you lay out all of the steps to making this somewhat complex dish I am looking forward to
making it soon. I am also so glad that I came across your site. I really enjoy foods from around the world.
Thanks
Ed Clarke
I tried this recipe recently and, frankly, I was disappointed. Not because of the individual recipes and instructions for the lamb curry and the basmati rice were less than excellent, but because they each for my tastes tasted better separately than combined. Separately both the curry and the rice were fabulous. The curry had a deep, complex flavor and a long finish, something that I always look for in a curry. And the rice was aromatic like a good basmati rice should be with all the grains fluffy and separate, plus the added complexity of the spices.
But together I thought that the whole was less than the sum of its parts. Layering and baking the two ingredients seemed to dry them out, particularly the rice, (perhaps I baked them too long, although I don't remember baking them for more than 35 minutes). But the flavors, which were rich and distinctive separately, seemed to become less vibrant and more subdued. And I thought that the combined dish looked dull when compared with the separate bright red of the curry and the contrast between the curry and the white of the rice. Oh well, I'm looking forward to making the recipe again but this time I'll have the curry and the rice separately. I would be curious if anyone who has tried it also preferred the ingredients separately.
And I also thought that the texture of the cucumber raita was too thick, at least when compared with the raitas that I have in Indian restaurants. But perhaps, since the flavor was very good, it's just that I prefer what I am used to rather than what's more authentic. I tried thinning it with some milk but it was still too thick for my taste. But, like I said, that's just a personal preference.
Thanks very much for the recipe. I can't wait to serve the individual components to an Indian friend of mine and see what she thinks.
Lisa
Ed, I so appreciate the time and thoughtfulness you put into this review. I'm sorry you were disappointed in the dish as a whole but I'm happy you enjoyed the individual components. I'm thrilled that you're going to make it again and share it with your Indian friend. I hope you stick with the recipe and find your own favorite way to enjoy it. And I hope you'll keep me posted if you try any other Panning The Globe recipes.
Reji
I use to love Biryani soo much before but after my marriage every gathering I went to served Biryani and got so bored eating it but now after reading ur blog I am craving for it again...
Lisa
I'm glad to hear that! I hope you'll cook it and enjoy!!
sarah
Hi do I put tomato sauce or tomato paste.
Wendy
Took my 11 year old nephew to the local spice shop to get all the spices and to the market for all the groceries. The lamb is marinating in the fridge marinating. He is psyched out of his mind to cook and eat this tomorrow!! Thanks much!!
Lisa
How fun to shop for spices and ingredients with your nephew and then cook together. Is he a budding chef? I hope you all enjoyed a scrumptious dinner!
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
This is one of my favorite Indian dishes - your recipe looks fantastic!
Jan
Awesome recipe - not too hard, yet absolutel delicious. The only minus is that it always takes me three hours to make, otherwise I'd eat it all the time
Paul
I have had this and it is probably my favorite recipe.
Dave K
I made this biryani for my family this evening. It came out absolutely delicious. This is easily my favorite biryani recipe yet. Even the raita came out great. My family says "restaurant quality, dad...restaurant quality".
Thanks for putting this recipe together. It is a winner for sure.
Lisa
Thanks for your comment Dave! I'm so glad you and your family enjoyed the Biryani. It's one of our family favorites! My son Paul requests it all the time.
JOHANATHAN PILLAY
Hi LISA WHAT WILL IT COST TO MAKE LAMB BIRYANI FOR A FAMILY OF 6 I'M GOING TO TRY IT WHILST MY WIFE IS AT WORK THE ONLY REASON I'M ASKING BECAUSE I'M UNEMPLOYED
Mumtaz
Lamb, if you go to a butcher shop will cost you about 10/11 dollars per pound. But if you are lucky enough to have a halal butcher in your area it is much cheaper. The other ingredients can be quite expensive. But if you go to a fredmeyers Wal-Mart winco etc stores they have bulk spices making it much cheaper
Chris Crooks
Deb and I had this last night. Incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl
This is absolutely stunning! My husband and I love lamb - definitely going to try this recipe...love all of those spices.
Carol at Wild Goose Tea
Some fun artsy photos. I like them. I also like the recipe. I live about 2 hrs away from an Indian restaurant. I am in craving mode big time. Good thing I am spending the weekend in Seattle in about 10 days AND my friends were groovin' with having Indian food too. Your post just whets my appetite.
Marnie
ohhhhh i love Lamb Biryani. It's the rice. And the sauce. And maybe the lamb. I don't know if I will attempt to make this at home but I love reading the recipe to appreciate what goes into make such a beautiful dish.
Rachel (Rachel's Kitchen NZ)
Oh, I love biryani and especially lamb and this looks like a great recipe - was just wondering what to have for dinner tonight and I think you have solved the problem:)
Lisa Goldfinger
Glad to help, Rachel 🙂
Chris Crooks
This looks amazing. Deb and I are big Indian food fans. I have my Sunday night meal now. Can't wait.
Lisa Goldfinger
Eddie and I love Indian food, too. Happy eating to you and Deb!