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    Home » Breakfast / Tiffins » Idli Biryani

    Idli Biryani

    Posted on April 10, 2019 · Last Updated on September 18, 2024 · By Srividhya G · 22 Comments

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    Idli biryani Recipe

    When we can make upma and Manchurian with idli why not biryani? Here is a quick, flavorful biryani recipe with leftover idlis and vegetables with detailed step-by-step pictures.

    top angle idli biryani with raitaIdli, the savory rice cake as they call it here in the west is a simple breakfast recipe which is quite popular in South India. You can always find idli batter in my fridge. I can have idli for breakfast, lunch and even dinner.

    There are different varieties of idlis like millet idli, rava idli, mixed vegetable idli. You can make idlis more exciting by serving it with exotic sides like tiffin sambar, sodhi, kadappa, and different chutneys. Or you can also transform it into upma, Manchurian, fried idli, or this biryani. Now you know why I don’t get bored with idlis.

    top angle of idli biryani with raita

    I had Iranian biryani on my list, but on a whim, I prepared this idli biryani one day with leftover idlis and carrots. We all liked it. So made it again with mixed vegetables and now here I am sharing the same with you all. Leftover idlis work best for this recipe. But if you are using fresh idlis, make sure the idlis are cool. Hot/warm idlis will lose the shape as you mix them.

    You don’t need a pressure cooker or Instant Pot for this recipe. :-) All you need to do is prepare the biryani masala and add the cooked and chopped idlis and mix well. That’s it. You can slightly pan-fry the idlis before adding it to the biryani masala, but I did not do that.

    Ok, let me share how I made this idli biryani.

    idli biryani closeup look on a plate with raita

    Ingredients:

    • To Grind:
    • 1-inch cinnamon stick
    • 3 cloves
    • 3 cardamom
    • Other Ingredients
    • 1 tbsp oil
    • ½ onion, chopped
    • 2 tsp dried mint
    • 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
    • ¾ cup mixed vegetables (I used beans, carrot, and potatoes)
    • 1 tsp red chili powder
    • ½ tsp garam masala
    • ¾ tsp salt
    • 5 idlis cut into cubes
    • 2 tbsp chopped cilantro

    Steps:

    • Coarsely grind the cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon.
    • Heat a pan or kadai and add oil.
    • When the oil is hot, add the onion and cook until it turns translucent.
    • Then add the coarsely pulsed whole spices and dried mint leaves — Cook for a minute.

    idli biryani adding ground whole spices

    • Next add the mixed vegetables, tomatoes, red chili powder, garam masala, and salt.

    idli biryani adding spices, tomatoes and vegetables

    • Mix thoroughly and cover and cook over medium-low heat for 4 to 5minutes.

    idli biryani veggies after cooked

    • Then remove the lid and cook until the moisture is all absorbed and the veggies are soft and tender.

    idli biryani adding idli pieces

    • Add the idli pieces and mix well.

    idli biryani after adding idli

    • Cook for two to three minutes and turn off the heat. Garnish it with chopped cilantro and serve hot with raita.

    idli biryani final step

    Recipe Notes-

    • Make sure the idlis are not too sour.
    • You can microwave the vegetables before adding it to the biryani masala, and in that case, you can first cook the tomatoes along with spices until they are soft and mushy and then add the vegetables.
    • Adjust the veggies according to your preference. According to the vegetables and their cut, the cooking time might vary. I cut them into small pieces.
    • As always adjust the salt and spices according to your preference.
    • You can also pan-fry the idlis before adding it to the biryani masala.
    • I used dried mint but you can use fresh mint leaves too. A ¼ cup of loosely packed mint leaves should be sufficient for this measure.
    • Leftover idlis are best, but if you are using fresh ones, allow it to cool and then chop.

    idli biryani in a copper handi

    PS: If you try this idli biryani recipe, don’t forget to comment and rate the recipe. Also, follow my YouTube Channel for new video recipes.

    📖 Recipe

    idli biryani recipe
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    5 from 3 votes

    Idli Biryani

    A quick and flavorful biryani with vegetables and leftover idlis. A great way to transform the humble idli.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time20 minutes mins
    Total Time30 minutes mins
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: TamilNadu
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 128kcal
    Author: Srividhya G

    Ingredients

    To Grind:

    • 1 inch cinnamon stick
    • 3 cloves
    • 3 cardamom

    Other Ingredients

    • 1 tbsp oil
    • ½ onion chopped
    • 2 tsp dried mint
    • 2 tomatoes finely chopped
    • ¾ cup mixed vegetables I used beans, carrot, and potatoes
    • 1 tsp red chili powder
    • ½ tsp garam masala
    • ¾ tsp salt
    • 5 idlis cut into cubes
    • 2 tbsp cilantro chopped

    Instructions

    • Coarsely grind the cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon.
    • Heat a pan or kadai and add oil.
    • When the oil is hot, add the onion and cook until it turns translucent.
    • Then add the coarsely pulsed whole spices and dried mint leaves — Cook for a minute.
    • Next add the mixed vegetables, tomatoes, red chili powder, garam masala, and salt.
    • Mix thoroughly and cover and cook over medium-low heat for 4 to 5minutes.
    • Then remove the lid and cook until the moisture is all absorbed and the veggies are soft and tender.
    • Add the idli pieces and mix well.
    • Cook for two to three minutes and turn off the heat. Garnish it with chopped cilantro and serve hot with raita.

    Notes

    • Make sure the idlis are not too sour.
    • You can microwave the vegetables before adding it to the biryani masala, and in that case, you can first cook the tomatoes along with spices until they are soft and mushy and then add the vegetables.
    • Adjust the veggies according to your preference. According to the vegetables and their cut, the cooking time might vary. I cut them into small pieces.
    • As always adjust the salt and spices according to your preference.
    • You can also pan-fry the idlis before adding it to the biryani masala.
    • I used dried mint but you can use fresh mint leaves too. A ¼ cup of loosely packed mint leaves should be sufficient for this measure.
    • Leftover idlis are best, but if you are using fresh ones, allow it to cool and then chop.
    •  

    Nutrition

    Calories: 128kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 468mg | Potassium: 268mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 2485IU | Vitamin C: 13.3mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

    I am not a nutritionist. The nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It varies depending upon the product types or brands.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @vidhyasvegetariankitchen or tag #vidhyasvegkitchen
    For Video RecipesCheck out My YouTube Channel

     

     

     

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    Filed Under: Breakfast / Tiffins Tagged With: Blogging Marathon, idli biryani, idli biryani recipe, vegetable biryani varieties, vegetarian biryanis

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Swati says

      May 28, 2019 at 9:11 pm

      This is a very creative recipe!! We all know about Idli Manchurian or chilli Idli.. this looks so flavourful and inviting!! Loved this one!!

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        May 29, 2019 at 3:54 pm

        Thanks a lot.

        Reply
    2. Renu says

      May 10, 2019 at 8:52 am

      5 stars
      This is innovative. A biryani with Idli, I read the post title twice If I am not mistaken. Interesting.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        May 10, 2019 at 9:06 am

        :-) :-) Thanks

        Reply
    3. Pavani says

      May 07, 2019 at 9:56 am

      5 stars
      Wow, that is an amazing biryani and a good twist. It must of tasted very good! Thank you for sharing

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        May 07, 2019 at 1:15 pm

        Thanks Pavani.

        Reply
    4. Sharmila Kingsly says

      April 14, 2019 at 6:27 am

      What not to try !! Biryani with Idli .. Seriously never expected this… Perfect for a quick lunch box!!

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 14, 2019 at 4:16 pm

        he he thanks da.

        Reply
    5. harini says

      April 12, 2019 at 3:06 pm

      5 stars
      wow! What a delicious makeover our humble idlis got here. I am hoping I can entice my idli hating kids to give this one a try :)

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 12, 2019 at 3:41 pm

        I am sure they love this new idli avatar. Thanks Harini.

        Reply
    6. Gayathri Kumar says

      April 12, 2019 at 6:15 am

      That is a fantastic biryani with our humble idlis. Love your idea. Such an amazing recipe to use up left over idlis.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 12, 2019 at 4:11 pm

        Thanks much Gayathri.

        Reply
    7. Srivalli Jetti says

      April 11, 2019 at 11:40 pm

      This is a good twist and must have tasted too good.. We never have leftover idlis so maybe I need to make extra ahead and try this one..

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 12, 2019 at 4:22 pm

        :-) Thanks Valli.

        Reply
    8. Suma Gandlur says

      April 11, 2019 at 1:58 pm

      Yes, why not idli biryani? You have given left over idlis a delicious makeover. A couple of extra steps than the upma version resulted in totally another dish. Good one.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 11, 2019 at 4:43 pm

        :-) Thanks

        Reply
    9. Sushma Pinjala says

      April 11, 2019 at 11:23 am

      Mouthwatering dish, am sure people who hate idly will definitely love this dish. Great way to use left over idly’s too. Yummy

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 11, 2019 at 11:42 am

        Thanks Sushma. :-)

        Reply
    10. Kalyani says

      April 10, 2019 at 11:32 pm

      you had me at the name, Vidhya ! My idli-hating elder one wud love this flavour packed makeover.. yum!

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 11, 2019 at 9:59 am

        oh good. :-) Glad I posted this.

        Reply
    11. Vaishali Sabnani says

      April 10, 2019 at 8:42 pm

      Idli Biryani ? Ha ha nice twist of name ;)) we call it Idli masala .
      And we love it too , though I never have leftover idlis , Will look forward to your Irani Biryani .

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 10, 2019 at 10:33 pm

        :-) Thanks Vaishali. I used the spices that we use for biryani, hence the name. :-)

        Reply
    5 from 3 votes

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