Prawn Biryani Recipe
Prawn Biryani is a flavorful and aromatic seafood dish made with juicy prawns, fragrant basmati rice, and a blend of traditional spices. Unlike meat-based biryanis, this dish cooks quickly, making it perfect for a delicious and special meal. The prawns are marinated in rich spices, cooked with caramelized onions, tomatoes, and yogurt, then layered with saffron-infused rice for a mouthwatering experience. Serve it with raita or a simple salad for a complete and satisfying meal.

Prawn Biryani Recipe
Ingredients
For Marination
- 500g prawns (cleaned and deveined)
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
For Rice
- 2 cups basmati rice (soaked for 30 minutes)
- 4 cups water
- 2-3 cloves
- 2-3 green cardamoms
- 1-inch cinnamon stick
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon salt
For Cooking
- 3 tablespoons oil or ghee
- 2 onions (thinly sliced)
- 2 tomatoes (chopped)
- 2 green chilies (slit)
- ½ cup yogurt
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon biryani masala
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ cup mint leaves (chopped)
- ½ cup coriander leaves (chopped)
- A pinch of saffron (soaked in 2 tablespoons warm milk)
- 1 tablespoon kewra water (optional)
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Prawns
- In a bowl, mix turmeric, red chili powder, salt, lemon juice, and ginger-garlic paste.
- Add the cleaned prawns, coat well, and marinate for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Cook the Rice
- Boil 4 cups of water in a pot. Add cloves, cardamoms, cinnamon, bay leaf, and salt.
- Add the soaked basmati rice and cook until 70% done (the rice should be firm when pressed).
- Drain and set aside.
Step 3: Cook the Prawns
- Heat 2 tablespoons oil or ghee in a pan.
- Add marinated prawns and sauté for 2-3 minutes until they turn pink. Remove and set aside.
Step 4: Prepare the Biryani Masala
- In the same pan, add 1 tablespoon oil/ghee and sauté the sliced onions until golden brown. Remove half for garnish.
- Add green chilies and chopped tomatoes, cook until soft.
- Stir in yogurt, garam masala, biryani masala, cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric, mint, and coriander leaves.
- Add the cooked prawns back into the pan and mix well.
Step 5: Layer the Biryani
- In a large pot, spread a layer of prawn masala at the bottom.
- Add a layer of cooked rice on top.
- Sprinkle the reserved fried onions, saffron milk, and kewra water over the rice.
- Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used.
Step 6: Dum Cooking (Slow Cooking)
- Cover the pot with a tight lid or seal with dough to trap the steam.
- Cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let it rest for 10 minutes before opening.
Step 7: Serve & Enjoy!
- Gently mix the biryani before serving.
- Serve hot with raita, salad, or a squeeze of lemon for a delicious meal!