Biryani is a popular and flavorful dish that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It is a one-pot rice dish that is cooked with aromatic spices, fragrant basmati rice, and a combination of vegetables or meat. Biryani is known for its rich and complex flavors, making it a favorite among food enthusiasts.

Traditionally, biryani is cooked on a stovetop or in an oven, which can take a lot of time and effort. However, with the advent of the instant pot, cooking biryani has become much easier and faster.

The instant pot is a versatile kitchen appliance that combines the functions of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, and more. It is especially great for cooking biryani as it helps to retain the flavors and aromas of the spices, resulting in a delicious and aromatic dish.

In this article, we will guide you on how to cook biryani in an instant pot, step-by-step. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced cook, you will find this recipe easy to follow and the end result will be a mouthwatering biryani that is sure to impress your family and friends.

Preparation for cooking

Before you start cooking biryani in an instant pot, there are a few things you need to do to prepare:

  • Ingredients: Gather all the ingredients required for the biryani recipe, including basmati rice, chicken or vegetables, spices, onions, tomatoes, yogurt, and any other additional ingredients you may need.
  • Wash the rice: Rinse the basmati rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch and prevents the rice from sticking together.
  • Marinate the chicken or vegetables: If you’re using chicken or vegetables, marinate them with spices, yogurt, and any other desired flavors. Allow the marinated chicken or vegetables to sit for at least 30 minutes to enhance the flavor.
  • Slice the onions: Thinly slice onions to be used in the biryani. Golden fried onions add a delicious flavor and texture to the biryani.
  • Prepare the spice blend: Roast and grind the required spices to create a homemade spice blend for the biryani. This ensures that you have fresh and flavorful spices for the dish.
  • Chop the tomatoes: Dice the tomatoes into small pieces, removing any seeds or excess moisture. Tomatoes add a tangy taste to the biryani.
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By completing these preparation steps, you’ll be ready to start cooking biryani in your instant pot and ensure that you have all the necessary ingredients and flavors for a delicious meal.

Gathering Ingredients

Before you start cooking biryani in your instant pot, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients. Here is a list of what you will need:

  • 2 cups basmati rice
  • 1 pound chicken, cut into pieces
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 tomatoes, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon biryani masala
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup chopped mint leaves
  • 1/2 cup chopped coriander leaves
  • 1/4 cup fried onions (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons ghee or vegetable oil
  • 3 cups water
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Make sure you have all the ingredients measured and ready to use before you start cooking. This will make the process much smoother and prevent any delays while you’re cooking.

Cutting vegetables and marinating chicken

One of the first steps in preparing biryani in an instant pot is cutting the vegetables and marinating the chicken. This step is crucial as it helps in infusing flavors into the dish.

Start by washing and chopping the required vegetables such as onions, tomatoes, and green chillies. Make sure to dice them evenly for even cooking.

Next, marinate the chicken with a mixture of yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, and salt. This helps in tenderizing the chicken and enhancing its taste.

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After marinating the chicken, cover it and let it rest for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to seep in.

Meanwhile, you can prepare other ingredients like soaking the rice and gathering spices to ensure everything is ready before starting the cooking process.

Remember, cutting vegetables and marinating chicken is an important step towards achieving a delicious and flavorful biryani using an instant pot.

Cooking process

1. Rinse the rice: Start by rinsing 2 cups of basmati rice in cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove any excess starch from the rice.

2. Soak the rice: Once rinsed, place the rice in a bowl and cover it with water. Let it soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Soaking the rice helps in achieving long and separate grains.

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3. Sauté the onions and spices: Set your instant pot to the sauté mode and heat some oil. Add sliced onions and cook until they turn golden brown. Then, add whole spices like bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, and cardamom pods, and sauté for another minute.

4. Add the marinated meat: If you are making a meat biryani, marinate the meat with yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, and spices of your choice. Add the marinated meat to the instant pot and sauté for a few minutes until it starts to brown.

5. Layer the rice and meat: Drain the soaked rice and add it to the instant pot, spreading it evenly over the meat. Gently press the rice down to make sure it is in contact with the liquid.

6. Pressure cook: Add water or broth to the pot, making sure that the liquid is just enough to cook the rice. Close the lid of the instant pot and set it to pressure cook for about 5 minutes on high pressure.

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7. Natural release: Once the cooking time is complete, let the pressure naturally release for about 10 minutes. This helps in evenly cooking the biryani.

8. Fluff and serve: After releasing the pressure, carefully open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Garnish with fresh cilantro or mint leaves. Serve hot with raita or any desired side dish.

Sautéing ingredients

To cook biryani in an instant pot, it’s important to start by sautéing the ingredients. This process helps to develop the flavors and adds depth to the dish. Here’s how to sauté the ingredients:

1. Heat the instant pot on the sauté mode and add cooking oil. Allow the oil to heat up for a minute.

2. Add sliced onions, garlic, and ginger to the instant pot. Sauté them until they turn golden brown and fragrant.

3. Next, add the spices such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, and red chili powder. Sauté the spices for a minute to release their flavors.

4. Add the marinated meat or vegetables to the pot and sauté for a few minutes until they are lightly browned.

5. Finally, deglaze the pot by adding a splash of water or broth and scraping the bottom to remove any stuck-on bits. This will prevent the dish from getting a burn message during pressure cooking.

Once the sautéing process is complete, you can proceed with adding rice, liquid, and other ingredients to cook the biryani in the instant pot. Sautéing the ingredients beforehand ensures that the biryani has rich and flavorful layers of taste.

Adding Rice and Water

Once the sautéed ingredients are cooked and fragrant, it’s time to add the rice and water to the Instant Pot. Follow these steps to ensure perfectly cooked biryani:

  1. Measure out the desired amount of basmati rice and rinse it well under cold water. This helps remove excess starch and prevents the rice from turning sticky.
  2. Add the rinsed rice to the pot and gently stir it to combine with the sautéed ingredients.
  3. For every cup of rice, add 1.5 cups of water. This ratio may vary depending on personal preference and the type of rice used.
  4. Give everything a final stir to ensure the rice is evenly distributed and submerged in the water.

It’s important not to exceed the maximum fill line on the Instant Pot to prevent any overflow during cooking.

Once the rice and water are added, it’s time to lock the lid and set the Instant Pot to the appropriate cooking function and time.

Pressure cooking

Pressure cooking is a cooking technique that involves cooking food in a sealed container, such as an Instant Pot, under high pressure. This method allows for faster cooking times and can help retain the nutrients and flavors of the food.

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Advantages of pressure cooking

  • Time-saving: Pressure cooking can significantly reduce the cooking time compared to traditional cooking methods. It can cook food up to 70% faster, making it a convenient option for busy individuals.
  • Nutrient retention: The high pressure and shorter cooking time in a pressure cooker help to preserve the vitamins and minerals in the food. This makes it a healthier cooking option.
  • Energy efficient: Pressure cookers use less energy compared to other cooking methods, as they cook food faster and require less water.
  • Flavor enhancement: Foods cooked under pressure tend to have more intense flavors and aromas due to the sealed environment. This can enhance the taste of dishes like biryani.
  • Tenderization: Pressure cooking can tenderize tougher cuts of meat, making them more flavorful and easier to chew.

How to pressure cook biryani in an Instant Pot

  1. Start by rinsing the basmati rice until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in water for at least 30 minutes, then drain.
  2. Meanwhile, marinate the chicken or meat with yogurt, spices, and herbs. Allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Turn on the Instant Pot and select the sauté function. Add oil or ghee and sauté the onions, ginger, and garlic until golden brown.
  4. Add the marinated chicken or meat and cook until it changes color.
  5. Next, add the soaked rice, water, and seasonings to the Instant Pot. Close the lid and set the pressure cooker to manual or rice mode.
  6. Cook the biryani under high pressure for about 5 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before releasing the remaining pressure.
  7. Open the lid and gently fluff the rice with a fork. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Pressure cooking biryani in an Instant Pot is a convenient and efficient way to prepare this flavorful dish. Follow the steps above to enjoy delicious biryani in no time.

Q&A

What is biryani?

Biryani is a flavorful and aromatic rice dish that originated in the Indian subcontinent.

What ingredients do I need to cook biryani in an instant pot?

You will need rice, meat or vegetables, spices, onion, ginger, garlic, yogurt, and oil.

How long does it take to cook biryani in an instant pot?

It usually takes around 30 minutes to cook biryani in an instant pot.

Can I use frozen meat to make biryani in an instant pot?

Yes, you can use frozen meat, but make sure to increase the cooking time accordingly.