- August 12, 2025
Prawn Biryani Recipe – A Flavorful Seafood Biryani to Delight Your Taste Buds
If you love biryani but want a seafood twist, then the prawn biryani recipe is the perfect dish for you. With aromatic basmati rice, juicy prawns, and fragrant spices, this biryani captures the rich essence of coastal cuisine while staying true to traditional Indian flavors. Whether you’re searching for a prawn biryani recipe Indian style, a quick and easy prawn biryani recipe at home, or even a Hyderabadi dum prawn biryani recipe, this guide covers it all.
In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into how to make the best prawn biryani recipe with variations like Kerala style prawn biryani recipe, Andhra prawn biryani recipe, Tamil Nadu style prawn biryani recipe, and Malabar prawn biryani recipe. From step-by-step instructions to useful cooking tips, you’ll find everything you need to master this traditional prawn biryani recipe.
Why Choose Prawn Biryani?
Prawns cook quickly, absorb flavors beautifully, and add a delicate seafood richness to biryani. Unlike chicken or mutton, prawns don’t need long marination or cooking, making this a quick prawn biryani recipe that can be ready in less than an hour.
Many regions of India have their own take on the prawn biryani recipe South Indian style – from the coconut milk–based Kerala Malabar prawn biryani recipe to the fiery spicy Andhra prawn biryani recipe, and the layered Hyderabadi dum prawn biryani recipe. Each version carries a unique balance of spices, making this dish both versatile and irresistible.
Ingredients for Prawn Biryani
Here’s a list of ingredients to make an authentic prawn biryani recipe at home:
For the Rice:
2 cups basmati rice (you can also use seeraga samba rice for a prawn biryani recipe with seeraga samba rice)
4 cups water
2 bay leaves
3–4 green cardamoms
1 cinnamon stick
3 cloves
Salt to taste
For the Prawns:
500 g medium-sized prawns, cleaned and deveined
1 cup thick yogurt/curd (prawn biryani recipe with curd)
1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
1 tsp turmeric powder
2 tsp red chili powder (adjust for spicy prawn biryani recipe)
2 tsp biryani masala (prawn biryani masala recipe)
Salt to taste
For the Biryani Gravy:
3 tbsp oil or ghee
2 onions, thinly sliced and fried golden brown (prawn biryani recipe with fried onions)
2 tomatoes, chopped
2 green chilies
1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
1 tsp coriander powder
½ tsp cumin powder
½ tsp garam masala
¼ cup coconut milk (prawn biryani recipe with coconut milk)
Fresh coriander leaves and mint leaves, chopped
Optional:
Saffron strands soaked in warm milk (prawn biryani recipe with saffron)
Boiled eggs or fried prawns for garnishing (dum style prawn biryani recipe)

Step-by-Step Method – How to Make Prawn Biryani
Follow this detailed guide for a prawn biryani recipe step by step.
Step 1 – Cooking the Rice
Wash the basmati rice thoroughly and soak for 30 minutes.
Bring 4 cups water to boil with salt and whole spices.
Add soaked rice and cook until 70% done (the rice should have a bite left).
Drain and keep aside.
This forms the base for the restaurant style prawn biryani recipe or even a prawn biryani recipe in pressure cooker (if you prefer a one-pot version).
Step 2 – Marinating the Prawns
Mix prawns with yogurt, turmeric, red chili powder, biryani masala, and salt.
Let it marinate for at least 20 minutes.
This step ensures that the prawns soak up all the spices, just like in a traditional homemade prawn biryani recipe.
Step 3 – Preparing the Masala
Heat oil/ghee in a pan.
Add sliced onions and fry till golden.
Stir in ginger-garlic paste and green chilies.
Add chopped tomatoes and cook till soft.
Add coriander powder, cumin powder, and garam masala.
Stir in marinated prawns and cook for 5–6 minutes (do not overcook prawns).
Add coconut milk (for Kerala Malabar prawn biryani recipe) and simmer.
Now your flavorful masala is ready for layering.
Step 4 – Layering the Biryani
For dum style prawn biryani recipe:
In a heavy-bottomed handi, layer half the rice.
Add prawn masala and spread evenly.
Layer remaining rice on top.
Sprinkle saffron milk, fried onions, and fresh coriander.
Seal with a tight lid and cook on low flame for 15–20 minutes (dum cooking).

If you want a prawn biryani recipe in pressure cooker, just layer rice and masala in the cooker, close the lid, and cook for 1 whistle on low heat.

Regional Variations of Prawn Biryani
Hyderabadi Dum Prawn Biryani Recipe – Known for its layers, saffron aroma, and use of fried onions.
Kerala Style Prawn Biryani Recipe – Enriched with coconut milk and curry leaves.
Andhra Style Prawn Biryani Recipe – Spicier and fiery with red chilies.
Tamil Style Prawn Biryani Recipe – Uses seeraga samba rice for an authentic Tamil Nadu touch.
Malabar Prawn Biryani Recipe – Coastal version with coconut oil, curry leaves, and roasted spices.
Each of these authentic prawn biryani recipes showcases how diverse this dish can be while keeping prawns as the star.
Paneer Pulao Recipe,Mint Rice Recipe(Pudina Rice),Masala Rice Recipe,Kashmiri Pulao Recipe,Jeera Rice Recipe
Tips for the Best Prawn Biryani Recipe
Always cook prawns on low heat to avoid them turning rubbery.
Use basmati rice for long-grained fragrance or seeraga samba rice for Tamil Nadu flavors.
Coconut milk adds richness, but you can skip it for a lighter prawn biryani recipe without coconut milk.
For a quick version, make one pot prawn biryani recipe in pressure cooker.
Add saffron or kewra water for restaurant-like aroma.
Serving Suggestions
The best prawn biryani recipe tastes heavenly when paired with:
Onion raita or cucumber raita
Mirchi ka salan (for a Hyderabadi touch)
Green salad and papad
Boiled egg or fried prawns on top for a Sunday special prawn biryani recipe
This dish works well for festivals, family gatherings, or even a prawn biryani recipe festival special dinner.
Healthier Version
If you’re health conscious, try a prawn biryani healthy recipe by:
Using less ghee/oil
Replacing basmati rice with brown rice or quinoa
Reducing spice levels for a lighter version
This transforms it into a low-calorie prawn biryani recipe that still tastes delicious.
Final Thoughts
The prawn biryani recipe is a true celebration of seafood and spice. From the authentic South Indian prawn biryani recipe to a quick prawn biryani recipe for beginners, this dish adapts beautifully to any kitchen. You can enjoy it as a homemade prawn biryani recipe on weekdays or impress guests with a restaurant style prawn biryani recipe during special occasions.
So the next time you crave biryani, skip the usual chicken or mutton and try this flavorful, traditional prawn biryani recipe instead. With every spoonful, you’ll taste the magic of the sea and the spice of India.
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