Festive

Diwali Recipes: Festive Biryani Menu

Biryani is a favorite centerpiece for festive gatherings because it serves a crowd from one pot and much of the work can be done ahead. Below are biryanis for every kind of table, plus the sides that complete the meal.

Planning a menu? See our printable festive biryani menu with a make-ahead timeline. Open the festive menu →

13 recipes

Photo: Prchi Palwe on Unsplash

Vegetarian centerpieces

VegetarianIndian

Vegetable Biryani

2 hr 15 min Medium Serves 5

Bowl of yellow spiced rice with peas, carrots and soft cubes of paneer

VegetarianIndian

Paneer Biryani

1 hr 50 min Medium Serves 5

Showstopper biryanis

Bowl of saffron-orange biryani rice topped with a chicken leg, with small bowls of raita and curry behind

Non-vegIndian

Chicken Biryani

2 hr 45 min Medium Serves 5

Non-vegIndian

Hyderabadi Chicken Biryani

6 hr Hard Serves 5

White plate of spiced rice with pieces of meat and potato on a dark cloth

Non-vegIndian

Lamb Biryani

4 hr 20 min Medium Serves 6

Stainless steel pan filled with layered yellow and white biryani rice and herbs

Non-vegIndian

Instant Pot Chicken Biryani

1 hr 30 min Easy Serves 5

Platter of meat biryani with boiled eggs, potatoes and cucumber slices on a red cloth

Non-vegIndian

Mutton Biryani

5 hr 40 min Medium Serves 6

Contains eggIndian

Egg Biryani

2 hr Medium Serves 4

Clay pot of biryani garnished with mint beside a bowl of raita, whole spices and green chillies on a red cloth

Non-vegIndian

Lucknowi Dum Biryani

2 hr 55 min Medium Serves 5

Copper bowl of meat biryani with herbs and fried onions on a linen napkin

Non-vegIndian

Goat Biryani (Pressure Cooker)

2 hr 55 min Medium Serves 6

Wide white plate of spiced rice topped with prawns in a thick masala and fresh coriander

Non-vegIndian

Shrimp Biryani

1 hr 45 min Medium Serves 5

Sides

Bowl of thick yogurt garnished with fresh herbs, with a wooden spoon

VegetarianIndian

Cucumber Raita

27 min Easy Serves 6

Fresh green and red chillies on a white table

VeganIndian

Mirchi ka Salan

55 min Medium Serves 6

Frequently asked questions

Can I make biryani ahead for a party?

Yes. Marinate meat and fry the onions a day ahead, and you can cook the masala ahead too. Cooked biryani can also be refrigerated and reheated, covered, with a sprinkle of water until steaming hot.

How much biryani do I need per person?

Our biryani recipes list their servings; as a rough guide, plan on about ⅓ to ½ cup of uncooked rice per adult when biryani is the main dish, and use the servings adjuster on each recipe to scale the ingredients.