The Indian Cookbook Series

Instant Pot Dishes

Mutton Biryani

Tender mutton and fragrant basmati rice, layered and slow-cooked with warm spices for a rich, deeply flavorful biryani. A special-occasion favorite worth the extra time.

By Sai Balaji·PREP 30 MINUTES + OVERNIGHT MARINATION·COOK ~30 MINUTES·SERVES 6

Watch it made

Ingredients

  • bone-in mutton chunks, defrosted1.3 kg
  • turmeric1 tsp
  • salt1 tbsp
  • black pepper½ tbsp
  • chili powder1 tbsp
  • garam masala1 tbsp
  • fresh mint leaves½ cup
  • green chilies5
  • fresh coriander¼ cup
  • ginger-garlic paste2 tsp
  • dahi (yogurt)½ cup
  • oil½ cup
  • oil¼ cup
  • bay leaves2
  • cinnamon stick1
  • black cardamom1
  • star anise1
  • fennel seeds1 tbsp
  • green cardamom pods3
  • whole onion, diced1
  • green chilies2
  • water3 cups
  • washed rice3 cups
  • water2½ cups
  • salt1 tbsp
  • rose water1 tbsp
  • kewra water1 tbsp

Instructions

  1. 1Marinate the mutton: Add 1.3 kg bone-in mutton to a large bowl. Add 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tbsp salt, ½ tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp garam masala, ½ cup mint leaves, 5 green chilies, ¼ cup coriander, 2 tsp ginger-garlic paste, ½ cup dahi, and ½ cup oil. Mix thoroughly until the mutton is evenly coated.
  2. 2Rest overnight: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to allow the mutton to marinate.
  3. 3Bloom the whole spices: The next day, set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode with the lid off. Add ¼ cup oil, followed by 2 bay leaves, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 black cardamom, 1 star anise, 1 tbsp fennel seeds, and 3 green cardamom pods. Sauté briefly until fragrant.
  4. 4Cook the aromatics: Add 1 diced onion and 2 green chilies. Sauté for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. 5Add the mutton: Add the marinated mutton to the Instant Pot and mix well with the onions and spices.
  6. 6Pressure cook the mutton: Add 3 cups water, close the lid, and pressure cook for 16 minutes.
  7. 7Add the rice: Once the mutton has cooked, add 3 cups washed rice, 2½ cups water, and 1 tbsp salt to the pot. Add 1 tbsp rose water and 1 tbsp kewra water.
  8. 8Pressure cook the biryani: Close the lid and pressure cook for another 6 minutes.
  9. 9Serve: Carefully release the pressure, fluff the rice gently, and serve the biryani hot.