Onion Biryani – A simple biryani loaded with onions, shallots and with a subtle flavor of coconut made in the pressure cooker. Check out the onion biryani recipe with step-wise pictures.
I will be the only one to share a no onion pulav recipe yesterday and share a biryani recipe with just onions and no vegetables today. :-) I think it is common when you are participating in the A-Z marathons.
When I was exploring different biryanis, I came across the ullipaya biryani. Ullipaya means shallots/onions in Telugu. As I already had a pulav ready for U, I decided to call it as onion biryani and here I am, posting it under “O”. If you love onions, then don’t forget to check my simple onion rice recipe too.
Onion Biryani with Coconut:
This biryani is unique, and it’s my favorite too. Are you wondering what makes it so unique? The shallots and coconut. I found different versions of this onion biryani on the internet but decided to make my version with coconut. I love coconut and adding coconut or coconut milk to pulav and biryanis enhances the flavor to a whole new level. (PS – I have one more biryani recipe coming up with coconut)
Even though I used store-bought dry spice powders, I blended it with coconut and shallots and then sauteed it. This ground masala infuses the flavor very well. The masala reminded of the theeyal masala but of course without fenugreek seeds.
Ingredients:
- To Grind
- 2 Shallots
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- 1-inch cinnamon
- 2 cloves
- 2 cardamom
- ¼ cup grated coconut
- 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- 3 tbsp water
- Other Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 bay leaf
- 10 shallots
- 1 onion
- 20 mint leaves
- 1 tbsp cilantro, finely chopped
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 cup basmati rice, washed and soaked in water for 15 mts
- 1 ⅓ cup water
Prep-Work:
- Chop the onion and peel the shallots and cut them to two.
- Grind all the ingredients given under “to grind” by 3 tbsps of water into a coarse paste and set it aside.
- Wash the basmati rice and soak it in water for 15 mts and drain the water.
Steps:
- In a pressure cooker or pan, heat the oil. When the oil is hot, add the bay leaf, chopped onion, and the shallots.
- Cook until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Then add the mint and cilantro and cook until they wilt.
- Next, add the ground paste and salt. Mix thoroughly.
- Cook for four to five minutes or until the raw smell goes off.
- Now add the water and the basmati rice. Mix gently and scrape the bottom if needed.
- Close the pressure cooker and put the weight on and cook for one whistle.
- Allow the pressure to release naturally and open the lid.
- Let the biryani to cool for 5 minutes and fluff it with a fork.
Recipe Notes-
- Adjust salt and spices according to your preference.
- Instead of basmati rice, you can use seeraga samba rice as well. Soak the rice for 20 minutes and pressure cook for the same time.
📖 Recipe
Onion Biryani
Ingredients
To Grind
- 2 Shallots
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- 1- inch cinnamon
- 2 cloves
- 2 cardamom
- ¼ cup grated coconut
- 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- 3 tbsp water
Instructions
Prep-Work:
- Chop the onion and peel the shallots and cut them to two.
- Grind all the ingredients given under "to grind" by 3 tbsps of water into a coarse paste and set it aside.
- Wash the basmati rice and soak it in water for 15 mts and drain the water.
Steps:
- In a pressure cooker or pan, heat the oil. When the oil is hot, add the bay leaf, chopped onion, and the shallots.
- Cook until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Then add the mint and cilantro and cook until they wilt.
- Next, add the ground paste and salt. Mix thoroughly.
- Cook for four to five minutes or until the raw smell goes off.
- Now add the water and the basmati rice. Mix gently and scrape the bottom if needed.
- Close the pressure cooker and put the weight on and cook for one whistle.
- Allow the pressure to release naturally and open the lid.
- Let the biryani to cool for 5 minutes and fluff it with a fork.
Notes
- Adjust salt and spices according to your preference.
- Instead of basmati rice, you can use seeraga samba rice as well. Soak the rice for 20 minutes and pressure cook for the same time.
Nutrition
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.
Onion Biryani with coconut!! A very different and interesting one!! coconut grinded with the masala must have added a nutty and spicy touch to it. Lovely share.
I love to add coconut in all my biryanis :-)
Another stunning Biryani. This one is just awesome, with simple ingredients available at home.
Thanks Renu
Ok it means you saved up the onions for today and used all the veggies for yesterday’s simple..heheheh..this one is a great choice Srividya. Sounds so yummy with that paste.
Lol… Yup true. :-) Thanks Valli.
I love that masala with coconut. It sounds so full of flavour. With so much of onions, the rice is fabulous Vidya.
Thanks Gayathri. :-)
Wow.. biryani with shallots n onions.im so curious to taste now.. should try it out soon ..
Please do try da. I am sure you will love it.
The spicy powder base sounds yummy and love that the garam masala spices went in there instead of tempering. Onions do add loads of flavor and this is a great one pot meal sans vegetables.
Thanks, Suma.
Awesome , the onion Biryani sounds delicious , I was somehow expecting whole onions with stuffing , but this ground spice pte sounds so flavourful ! Iam sure this one is my kinds . Love all flavours in it .
Thanks, Vaishali. I didn’t make any stuffed biryani this time. :-)
this biryani with just onions must be so flavourful .. very well made, Vidhya
Thanks Kalyani.
Interesting and aromatic masala in there. I am sure my older one will love this.
:-) Thanks
Even I came across about Ullipaya biryani recipe while researching for this theme. Your dish looks absolutely delicious. Shallots give very nice flavor to the dish
Very true. Thanks Sushma.