Delicious Mushroom Biryani: Easy One Pot Recipe Worth The Relish

A vegetarian version of the classic biryani recipe, mushroom biryani is a simple and quick one-pot recipe that can be prepared within a few minutes. Native to the south of India, the Kalan biryani or mushroom biryani recipe is prepared from fragrant rice, which is cooked along with mushrooms, whole ground spices and herbs. A staple in South Indian restaurants and households, mushroom dum biryani is a flavourful and aromatic dish with umami flavours. Extremely simple to prepare at home, with the most basic mushroom biryani ingredients, check out this best mushroom biryani recipe to get the authentic flavours of South India in your home.

What is mushroom biryani?

Traditionally biryani is made with one’s choice of meat, marinated with spiced yoghurt layered with boiled rice, and cooked in dum for the proper infusion of flavours. Mushroom biryani, on the other hand, is extremely similar to the classic biryani recipe, but is only a vegetarian version of the same. The mushroom biryani recipe is mainly prevalent in the South Indian states. The Kalan or mushroom biryani recipe is prepared from mushrooms, rice and ground spices and has its own unique taste and flavour, depending on the spices and variety of rice used. 

Mushroom biryani recipe variations

There are many variations in the mushroom dum biryani recipe. The mushroom biryani recipe varies depending on the ingredients used and region. Each mushroom biryani is one of a kind. Here are some of the variations in mushroom biryani recipe:

Chettinad-style mushroom biryani

Native to the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu, this mushroom biryani is a little different as compared to the regular mushroom biryani. The uniqueness of this dish comes from the use of coconut milk and curd as the major mushroom biryani ingredients.

Ambur biryani

A vegetarian version of the popular Ambur biryani, this mushroom biryani is also a variation in the mushroom dum biryani recipes. Originating from the Vellore district in Tamil Nadu, Ambur biryani is prepared from mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, curd, spices and herbs. An interesting detail that makes Ambur biryani what it is happens to be the rice variety used. The Seeraga Samba rice cooked in subtle flavours is a delight like no other.

Dindigul biryani

Another vegetarian and spicier version of the classic biryani recipe, Dindigul biryani is made popular by the Dindigul Thalappakatti restaurant. Made from mushroom biryani ingredients, consisting of button mushrooms, cooked with rice, aromatics, curd and ghee, this mushroom biryani variation makes for a hearty meal.

Check out this one-pot, basic mushroom biryani recipe to prepare at home

Ingredients for mushroom biryani

You will need the following mushroom biryani ingredients to prepare easy mushroom biryani at home: 

1. 1 cup aged basmati rice
2. 2 cups white button mushrooms, sliced into thick pieces
3. 1 small onion, thinly sliced
4. 1 medium tomato, deseeded and chopped
5. 2 tbsp coriander leaves, finely chopped
6. 2 tbsp mint leaves, finely chopped
7. 1 green chilli, slit
8. 1 and ½ tsp ginger-garlic paste
9. ¼ to ⅓ tsp red chilli powder
10. 1 bay leaf
11. 1 star anise
12. ½ tsp shahi jeera
13. 3-4 cloves
14. 1 cinnamon
15. 2-3 green cardamom
16. ⅓ tsp sea salt
17. ⅛ tsp turmeric
18. ¾ garam masala
19. 3 tbsp curd
20. 2 tbsp oil
21. Water

Mushroom biryani recipe instructions

Follow the given steps to prepare mushroom biryani home cooking style:

1. Rinse and soak the rice and set aside to prepare for the other mushroom biryani home-cooking steps. 
2. Heat a pressure cooker, and in it add the bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, star anise and shahi jeera.
3. Once these mushroom biryani ingredients begin to sizzle, add in the onions and chillies. 
4. Saute and then add the ginger-garlic paste. Stir and saute again till the raw smell is no longer there.
5. Add in the chopped tomatoes, turmeric and salt. Saute till the tomatoes turn soft and mushy.
6. Add the garam masala powder, mint and coriander leaves, and saute for a minute approximately.
7. Add in the curd and mix well to deglaze the ingredients.
8. Thereafter add the mushrooms and saute for about 2-3 minutes.
9. Drain the rice that you had set aside and add to the ingredients in the pan.
10. Stir and add salt and water as per requirement. 
11. Pressure cook the mushroom biryani on a medium flame for 1 whistle. 
12. Let the mushroom biryani cool for 4-5 minutes, then garnish with coriander leaves and lemon juice. Serve with raita.

Pro tip: This mushroom biryani recipe uses button mushrooms, however, if you desire an enhanced umami flavour, you can also use dried shiitake mushrooms.