- August 12, 2025
Low-Oil Biryani Recipe – Healthy, Nutritious & Delicious
When you think of biryani, you imagine fragrant basmati rice, aromatic spices, and succulent meat or vegetables cooked with plenty of oil or ghee. But what if I told you that you can enjoy the same royal flavors with a low oil biryani recipe that is equally delicious, healthier, and lighter on your stomach? This guide will show you how to make a healthy low oil biryani recipe at home without compromising on authentic taste.
Whether you’re a health-conscious foodie, someone looking for a weight loss low oil biryani recipe, or just want a low fat low oil biryani recipe that works for everyday meals, this article covers everything in detail. We’ll also include variations like low oil chicken biryani recipe, low oil vegetable biryani recipe, low oil egg biryani recipe, low oil prawn biryani recipe, and even low oil mutton biryani recipe.
🌟 Why Choose a Low-Oil Biryani Recipe?
Healthier Choice: Reduces calorie intake while still keeping biryani tasty.
Diet-Friendly: Perfect for people following a calorie-controlled diet.
Light on Digestion: A nutritious low oil biryani recipe avoids the heaviness caused by excess ghee/oil.
Everyday Friendly: Suitable for lunch or dinner without guilt.
This makes the healthy low oil biryani recipe a perfect balance between indulgence and nutrition.
📝 Ingredients for Low-Oil Biryani Recipe
Here’s a list of ingredients for a homemade low oil biryani recipe that serves 4 people. You can tweak it depending on whether you want a vegetable, chicken, egg, prawn, or mutton biryani.
For Rice
2 cups basmati rice (soaked for 30 minutes)
4 cups water
2 bay leaves
4 green cardamoms
3 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1 tsp salt
For Masala Base
1 large onion, thinly sliced
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
2 green chilies, slit
1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
½ cup low-fat yogurt
2 tsp biryani masala powder
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp coriander powder
Fresh coriander and mint leaves (½ cup each, chopped)
2 tsp oil (yes, only 2 tsp!)
1 tsp ghee (optional for aroma)
Protein or Veggies (Choose One)
For Chicken: 500 g skinless chicken pieces
For Vegetables: 2 cups mixed veggies (beans, carrots, peas, cauliflower, potatoes)
For Egg: 6 boiled eggs
For Prawn: 400 g cleaned prawns
For Mutton: 500 g lean mutton (pressure-cooked until tender)
For Garnish
A few strands of saffron soaked in ¼ cup warm milk
Fresh mint and coriander leaves
Optional: roasted cashews (without much oil)

👩🍳 Step-by-Step Low Oil Biryani Recipe
Here’s the step by step low oil biryani recipe to achieve that authentic flavor without drowning in oil.
Step 1: Prepare Rice
Boil water with whole spices and salt.
Add soaked rice and cook until 70% done.
Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Masala
Heat just 2 tsp oil in a heavy-bottomed pan.
Add sliced onions and sauté until golden brown. (You can use an air fryer or oven to roast onions with less oil for a healthier touch.)
Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté.
Add tomatoes, green chilies, and dry spices.
Stir in yogurt and cook until masala thickens.
Step 3: Add Protein or Veggies
For low oil chicken biryani recipe: Add marinated chicken and cook till 80% done.
For low oil vegetable biryani recipe: Add blanched veggies and cook with masala.
For low oil egg biryani recipe: Add boiled eggs and coat with masala.
For low oil prawn biryani recipe: Add prawns and cook until just pink.
For low oil mutton biryani recipe: Add pre-cooked tender mutton and simmer in masala.
Step 4: Layer the Biryani
In a biryani pot, spread half the cooked rice.
Add the masala layer with chicken/veggies/eggs/prawns/mutton.
Sprinkle coriander, mint, and saffron milk.
Add remaining rice on top.
Garnish with herbs and a drizzle of ghee (optional).
Step 5: Dum Cooking (Steaming)
Seal the pot with a tight lid.
Cook on low flame for 25–30 minutes.
Alternatively, bake in an oven at 180°C for 20 minutes.

Step 6: Serve Hot
Fluff the layers gently.
Serve your diet friendly low oil biryani recipe with raita or salad.

🍲 Variations of Low-Oil Biryani
Low Oil Chicken Biryani Recipe: Use skinless chicken breast pieces for lean protein.
Low Oil Vegetable Biryani Recipe: Rich in fiber, perfect for vegetarians.
Low Oil Egg Biryani Recipe: High in protein, budget-friendly, and easy.
Low Oil Prawn Biryani Recipe: Coastal twist with coconut milk for flavor.
Low Oil Mutton Biryani Recipe: Use lean cuts and pressure cook to reduce cooking time and fat.
Paneer Pulao Recipe,Mint Rice Recipe(Pudina Rice),Masala Rice Recipe,Kashmiri Pulao Recipe,Jeera Rice Recipe
🌿 Pro Tips for the Best Low Oil Biryani
Always use a non-stick or heavy-bottomed pan to avoid sticking, since oil is minimal.
Use yogurt to keep masala moist without oil.
Add saffron milk or ghee sparingly for fragrance.
Avoid excess fried onions—roast them in an air fryer instead for a healthy twist.
Use aged basmati rice for the perfect texture.
🥗 What to Serve with Low-Oil Biryani
Cucumber Raita or Boondi Raita
Green Salad with lemon dressing
Roasted Papad
Pickle for an extra kick
❓ FAQs on Low Oil Biryani Recipe
Q1: Does low oil biryani taste as good as regular biryani?
Yes! If made correctly with fresh spices and herbs, the flavor remains authentic and rich.
Q2: Can I make low oil biryani in a pressure cooker?
Yes, it’s a great option for a quick low oil biryani recipe. Just layer and cook for 1 whistle on low flame.
Q3: Is this suitable for weight loss?
Yes, it’s a weight loss low oil biryani recipe, but portion control is key.
Q4: Can I make low oil biryani without ghee?
Yes, it becomes an oil free biryani recipe, but adding a teaspoon of ghee enhances aroma.
Q5: Can beginners try this recipe?
Absolutely! This is a low oil biryani recipe for beginners—easy and fuss-free.
📌 Interesting Facts
The low oil biryani recipe is proof that indulgence doesn’t always have to mean guilt. With minimal oil, fresh ingredients, and smart cooking, you can prepare a healthy homemade low oil biryani recipe that satisfies your cravings without compromising your health. From the low oil chicken biryani recipe to the low oil vegetable biryani recipe and even festive versions like the low oil mutton biryani recipe, there’s a lighter version for everyone.
So, the next time you crave biryani, try this tasty low oil biryani recipe and enjoy a wholesome, guilt-free meal.
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