Homemade Spicy Prawn Biryani with Saffron, Fried Onions and Fragrant Basmati Rice
Ingredients
- Swad Basmati Rice - 3 Cups
- Raw Prawns (peeled & deveined) - 2 lbs.
- Fried Onions - 2 cups
- Tomatoes - 2 medium size (pureed)
- Yogurt - 1/2 cup
- Cilantro + Chilli Paste - 2 Tbs
- Ginger/Garlic Paste - 1 1/2 Tbs
- Black Cumin Seeds (Shah Zeera) - 1 tsp
- Green Cardamom - 3-4 pods
- Black Cardamom - 1 pod
- Cloves - 5-6 Pieces
- Cinnamon stick - 1 inch
- Red Chili Powder - 1 1/2 tsp
- Coriander Powder - 2 tsp
- Garam Masala Powder - 1 tsp
- Nutmeg & Mace Powder - 1/2 tsp
- Fish Biryani Masala (any brand) - 1 1/2 tsp
- Salt - 2 tsp
- Oil - 4 Tbs
For Boiling Rice:
- Water - 7-8 Cups
- Bay leaves - 1
- Black Cumin seeds (Shah Zeera) - 1 tsp
- Green Cardamon - 2-3 Pods
- Black Cardamom - 2 Pods
- Cinnamon stick - 1 inch Piece
- Cloves - 3-4 Pieces
- Star Anise - 1 1/2
- Salt - 4 tsp
For Layering and Garnish:
- Chopped Cilantro and Mint leaves - Hand full
- Green chilies - 4
- Fried Onions - 1/2 cup
- Zaffron - 2 pinch
- Red/Yellow Food Color (optional) - 1-2 pinches each.
- Butter/Ghee - 2 Tbs
- Lemon Juice - 3 Tbs
Prawn Biryani is a flavorful seafood biryani made with tender shrimp, fragrant basmati rice, fried onions, tomatoes, yogurt, fresh herbs, and warm whole spices. The prawns are cooked in a rich masala with red chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala, nutmeg, mace, and biryani masala, giving every bite a bold and comforting flavor.
This recipe is layered with partially cooked basmati rice, prawn gravy, mint, cilantro, green chilies, saffron, fried onions, lemon juice, and ghee, then finished on dum until the rice is fluffy and aromatic. Serve this Shrimp Biryani with raita and salad for a satisfying meal that feels special enough for gatherings but simple enough to enjoy at home.
Watch our recipe video for step by step instructions on how to make Prawn Biryani. We’ve included demonstrations and pro tips to help you out in the kitchen! For our shrimp biryani recipe calories and nutrition information, see the recipe card below.
Instructions
1) Wash and soak the rice for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
2) Blend the fried onions with a little water until smooth. Set aside.
3) Blend the green chilies and a handful of cilantro with a little water until smooth. Set aside.
4) In a pot, heat the oil. Add the whole spices: black cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, green cardamom, black cardamom, and cloves. Cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
5) Add the ginger/garlic paste and fried onion paste. Cook for 1–2 minutes.
6) Add the green chili and cilantro paste. Mix well and cook for another 1–2 minutes.
7) Add the pureed tomatoes and cook for a few minutes, until the oil starts to separate.
8) Add the red chili powder, garam masala powder, coriander powder, nutmeg and mace powder, fish biryani masala, and salt. Mix everything well and cook for 2–3 minutes.
9) Add the yogurt, mix well, and cook until the oil starts to separate again.
10) Add the cleaned prawns and mix until they are fully coated with the masala. If the masala is too thick, add 1/4 cup of water.
11) Cover the pot and cook the prawns for 5–6 minutes, or until they turn light pink and curl into shape.
PRO TIP: Do not overcook the prawns, or they may become hard and chewy.
Directions for Boiling Rice and Layering:
12) In a pot, add 8 cups of water and the whole spices. Bring to a boil.
13) Add the basmati rice and salt. Cook until the rice is about 3/4 done.
14) 0Drain the water from the rice.
15) Add 1 tablespoon of oil to a pot and spread half of the drained rice in an even layer.
16) Layer the prawn gravy over the rice.
17) Add fresh cilantro, mint, 3–4 slit green chilies, and some fried onions.
18)_Layer the remaining rice on top.
19) Drizzle with lemon juice, saffron, red/orange food color, and butter or ghee.
20) Cover the pot tightly with aluminum foil.
21) Place the pot on a tawa over medium-high heat for 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the biryani cook for another 20 minutes.
22) Before serving, gently mix the rice and prawn gravy together. Enjoy with salad and raita.
Prawn Biryani is a flavorful seafood biryani made with tender shrimp, fragrant basmati rice, fried onions, tomatoes, yogurt, fresh herbs, and warm whole spices. The prawns are cooked in a rich masala with red chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala, nutmeg, mace, and biryani masala, giving every bite a bold and comforting flavor.
This recipe is layered with partially cooked basmati rice, prawn gravy, mint, cilantro, green chilies, saffron, fried onions, lemon juice, and ghee, then finished on dum until the rice is fluffy and aromatic. Serve this Shrimp Biryani with raita and salad for a satisfying meal that feels special enough for gatherings but simple enough to enjoy at home.
Watch our recipe video for step by step instructions on how to make Prawn Biryani. We’ve included demonstrations and pro tips to help you out in the kitchen! For our shrimp biryani recipe calories and nutrition information, see the recipe card below.
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