Delicately spiced, aromatic and full of flavour Hyderabadi Mutton Kofta Biryani is a treat to taste buds. In this recipe, soft meatballs are simmered in spicy gravy and then layered with aromatic rice. If you are a biryani lover, then you must try this this mutton kofta biryani recipe. Serve this with raita and ambade ki bhaji or dalcha.
More Biryani Recipes To Try – Andhra Mutton Biryani, Chicken Dum Biryani, Afghani Chicken Biryani, Paneer Biryani, Safed Biryani and Soya Dum Biryani.
About This Recipe
Mutton kofta biryani is a delicate and delicious combination of two different recipes. One is kofta korma and other is flavourful basmati rice. Kofta is spicy meatball, usually prepared with goat mince and spices. Korma is spicy, flavourful and aromatic thick silky gravy, usually prepared with onion, tomato, curd and few spices.
My mom prepares the best mutton kofta biryani. There is an amazingly unique taste in the biryani, which she specially prepares during Bakrid (Eid-ul-Adha). May be because, it is Eid and having surrounded by loving family makes everything feel good, right?
This festive season pamper your senses with this delicious, flavour-rich one pot biryani recipe.
Eid-ul-Adha
Bakrid | Bakreed | Bakra Eid | Badi Eid are the other names of Eid-ul-Adha. The day of Eid-ul-Adha falls on the tenth day in the final (twelfth) month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar; Dhu-al-Hijjah. The day that celebrations fall on is dependent on a legitimate sighting of the moon. It also marks the completion of the annual Holy Pilgrimage of Hajj, which is one of the important Five Pillars of Islam.
Eid is time to bond with family and friends and also a good time to worship and seek blessings from elders. It is also the time to feast on the special meat delicacies.
Eid is always celebrated with much joy and tranquility. Unlike, Eid-ul-Fitr namaz, Eid-ul-Adha namaz will be early. Men in the family who are giving ‘qurbani’ (sacrifice) will go out to tabela (stable) or to open grounds where the entire process of qurabi will go on.
The qurbani meat is divided into three portions, where the family retains one third of the share. Another one third is given to relatives, friends and neighbors. The other one third is given to the poor and needy. By the time this whole process completes it will be evening. Eid-ul-Adha will be celebrated for 3 days.
To use up the qurbani meat, we prepare many varieties of meat delicacies . You can read more about this in my EId-ul-Adha Meal Guide.
Mutton Kofta Biryani Main Ingredients
Mutton Mince | Keema – I prefer using goat mice. You can use lamb mice too. Keema (Kheema) or Qeema is Urdu (Persian) word for meat mince. These days, keema is easily available in any online meat store. You can also make keema at home. Check my post, Mutton Shami Kabab to know how to make mutton mince at home.
Rice – You can use basmati or sona masoori. Basmati rice adds aroma and flavour to biryani. Sona Masoori is healthy choice in comparison to basmati. If I am making biryani on weekend, then I use sona mosoori rice only.
Birista – The heart of any biryani recipe is birista. Deep fried, crispy golden brown slices of onion is called Birista. These add texture, taste and flavour to biryani.
Curd – Balances the flavours and brings in a unique sour taste in biryani.
Ginger-Garlic Paste – For any Indian meat recipe, ginger-garlic paste is the main ingredient. This will add flavour and cuts down the smell of meat.
Garam Masala – Adds heats, spice, aroma and flavour.
Ghee – I use half ghee and half oil for frying onions. Use desi ghee and flavourless oil.
Spices – Apart from garam masala, we also add bunch of whole spices like cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, bay leaf and nutmeg.
Herbs – Mint and Coriander leaves. These add aroma and flavour.
Mutton Kofta Biryani
This is truly a classic biryani recipe. Kofta are juicy, tender and flavourful mutton meatballs. You can either shallow fry them on tawa | pan or bake them in oven. I prefer shallow frying. These are later dunked in silky smooth gravy, korma.
Curd, onion, tomato, cashews and few Indian spices go into making this rich and creamy gravy, korma (khorma | qorma).
Unlike any other Hyderabadi dum biryani recipe, kofta biryani is also a layered delicacy. Layer of rice with layer of korma masala. Top the layer with koftas, coriander and mint leaves. Leave this on DUM for at least 30-40 minutes. Tada! Mutton kofta biryani is ready to serve.
Serving Mutton Kofta Biryani
Biryani is complete meal in itself, you may not require any side dish to go along with it. But, during partys and celebrations, biryani is usually served with side-dish recipes like raita, dalcha, mirchi ka salan, etc. Here are few my favorite side-dish recipes, which fit perfectly with kofta biryani,
Mirchi Ka Salan – Classic Hyderabadi mirch ka salan, green chilli curry. Mildly spicy and tangy side dish recipe, which pairs perfectly with any biryani, pulao, naan, roti, etc.
Bagare Baingan – Authentic Hyderabadi Bagare Baingan Recipe is thick, smooth, spicy and tangy gravy based vegetarian (vegan) curry.
Bagare Tamatar – Yet another classic Hyderabadi recipe, often served in weddings along with biryani.
Mutton Dalcha – No Andhra Muslim Wedding is complete without this finger lickingly delicious dalcha.
Ambade ki Bhaji Gosht | Gongura Mutton – Delicious combination of Roselle leaves and mutton.
Raita | Dahi ki Chutney | Buryani – A must-have side dish for any biryani and pulao.
Stay Connected
Mutton Kofta Biryani Recipe
Delicately spiced, aromatic and full of flavour Hyderabadi Mutton Kofta Biryani is a treat to taste buds. In this recipe, soft meatballs are simmered in spicy gravy and then layered with aromatic basmati rice. If you are a biryani lover, then this mutton kofta biryani recipe is for you. Serve this with raita and ambade ki bhaji or dalcha.
Ingredients
FOR RICE:
- ¾ kg. Basmati Rice, wash and soak for ½ hour
- 1½ tbsp. Ginger-Garlic paste
- 5 Cardamom, 5 Cloves and 2 1” inch pieces of Cinnamon
- 1 Badi Elaichi | Black Cardamom, 1 Star Anise and 1 Bay leaf
- Salt
TO SOAK:
- ½ tbsp. Saffron
- 3 tbsp. lukewarm Milk
FOR GARNISH:
- 3 tbsp. minced Coriander leaves
- 2 tbsp. minced Mint leaves
OTHER INGREDIENTS:
- ½ cup Ghee
- ¼ cup Oil
- 2 Onions, finely sliced
- 1 Cardamom, 1 Clove and 1 1’inch piece of Cinnamon
- 4 tbsp. fresh Lemon juice
- 1 tbsp. Garam Masala
Instructions
How To Make Mutton Kofta Biryani
Step by Step Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Kofta Gravy
- Follow my recipe of Kofta Korma and prepare kofta and gravy.
Step 2: Prepare Fried onions (Birista)
- In a heavy bottom cooking vessel, add ghee, oil along with cardamom, clove and cinnamon.
- When the spices start to leave aroma, add in finely sliced onions.
- Fry till crisp and nice brown. (Be careful, fry on low flame, stirring frequently).
- Now carefully using a slotted spatula separate fried onion slices from ghee. Carefully collect ghee-oil in a cup and set aside.
Step 3: Cooking Rice
- Ina heavy bottom cooking vessel (used for cooking rice) add 10-12 cups of water (if more also no problem, as we will drain off the water).
- To this add salt, ginger-garlic paste, 3 cardamom’s, 3 cloves, 2 sticks of cinnamon, nutmeg, star anise and bay leaf.
- Bring water to boil. When the water starts to boil add soaked basmati rice and cook till rice is just done.
- Drain and collect the water using a sieve in a cooking vessel. Drain well and set aside.
Step 4: Layering
- Now in a heavy bottom cooking vessel add little ghee-oil (the one in which we fried onions), spread it evenly. Add half of cooked basmati rice. Spread evenly.
- On the rice layer, add korma (only gravy not the kofta’s), garam masala, kesar (soaked in lukewarm milk), deep fried onions, 2 tbsp. lemon juice, fresh minced coriander and mint leaves.
- Cover it up with another layer of basmati rice. If you have more korma then layer it on rice and so on.
- Now add remaining ghee-oil, kesar, fried onions, garam masala, 2 tbsp. lemon juice, fresh coriander and mint leaves.
- Arrange the kofta’s on top delicately in a circle leaving little gap in between each kofta. Cook on a low flame by covering with a lid.
- Keep the strained water on top of the lid or seal with foil.
Step 5: Cooking On 'DUM'
- Cook for nearly 20-25 minutes on low flame.
- Turn off the flame and leave the vessel on the stove for another 20-30 minutes.
- Alternatively you can bake in a pre-heated oven at 200°C (400°F) for 20 minutes.
NOTE: For baking, you need to layer the rice, korma and kofta in an oven proof baking dish.
Step 6: Serving
- When you are ready to serve, very gently take out the kofta’s in a bowl.
- Mix the biryani slowly and gently. Take biryani in a serving plate and top with koftas, minced fresh coriander and mint leaves.
- If you want you can add fried cashews on top.
- Serve hot with raita. Read the post for more serving suggestions.
- Add love to make this mutton kofta biryani taste 'Yummy'.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 450Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 175mgCarbohydrates: 45gFiber: 3gSugar: 2gProtein: 5g
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
Eid Memories
I posted this recipe in October, 2013. When I was editing this post today, I was recollecting all the fond memories of Eid at mom’s place. So, I thought not to delete this paragraph from the post. I always thought my blog as my online cooking journal and memories like these are a true treasure. Nostalgia!
Eid is always a special time to bond with loved ones. This year I had great time celebrating both the Eid’s at mom’s place. Though I usually go to my In-laws place to celebrate Eid, this time due to rain and Andhra-Telangana issue, I thought of staying back at mom’s place. Its been long time I stayed at mom’s place for Bakrid/Bakreed (Eid-ul-Adha) and I am so happy.
Sapana Behl says
Lovely presentation !
Finla says
Love love them I am going to try this and also going to check out the other recipe you mantioned from your mom.
Happy to hear you had a good festival time in your mom's place.
madiha shafi says
Eid Mubarak to you too !!!never had a kofta biryani before would love to try as this looks really delicious:)
Rekha Vengalil says
This is awesome . Looks really delicious 🙂
Yes Cook says
Eid Mubarak to you and your family.
Love the recipe. Delicious.
Thanks for sharing.
Yow may want to come join the group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Halal.Food.Recipe.Hub/
Shama Nagarajan says
happy eid dear….tempting biriyani
Priya Suresh says
Eid Mubarak wishes to u and ur family.. Wat a fantastic,flavourful and irresistible kofta briyani, actually am waiting to make them since a long..Dunno when am gonna make them.
easyfoodsmith says
A very tempting post Lubna. And Happy Id-ul-Adah
The Cooking Doctor says
hope its not too late to wish u and fsamily Eid Mubarak! We had lovely time with qurbani too, and bookmarking this to finish up our meat storage!
Meena Kumar says
That is such a beautiful biriyani.Love the koftas sizzling on the gas and so cute is Lil M's baby kofta :))