Biryani Masala Recipe : How to Make Biryani Masala at Home

Prepare this aromatic powder at home using whole spices. The spiciness in the Indian Cuisines is basically due to various whole spices or spice blends which are added. The aromatic Biryani masala also called as pulao masala is one of them. This biryani masala recipe is usually added to make the rice dishes more flavourful and fragrant.  It has the dual use, as it can be added to biryani as well pulao. All the various whole spice are blended into one powder mix.

Biryani Masala

  • Author:
  • Recipe Category: Spices & Powders
  • Cuisine: Indian

Description: This biryani masala recipe is usually added to make the rice dishes more flavourful and fragrant. It has the dual use, it can be added to biryani and pulao.

Biryani Masala Recipe

Let’s learn how to make Biryani Masala Recipe step by step.

Ingredients for Biryani Masala Recipe:

  • Cumin Seeds (Jeera) – 3 tbsp.
  • Mace Strands (Javitri) – 1 tbsp.
  • Coriander Seeds (Dhania) – 3 tbsp.
  • Green Cardamoms (Elaichi) – 15 pieces
  • Caraway Seeds (Shah Jeera) – 3 tbsp.
  • Indian Bay Leaf (Tej Patta) – 8 leaves.
  • Nutmeg (Jaiphal) – 1 piece.
  • Cloves (Lavang) – 1 tbsp.
  • Dry Red Chillies (Sukhi Lal Mirch) – 4 units.
  • Cinnamon Sticks (Dalchini) – 5 units
  • Black Cardamoms (Black Elaichi) – 3 units.
  • Black pepper – ½ tbsp.

Note: If you have nutmeg powder, then use 1 tbsp. of nutmeg powder. You may also add 1 tsp. turmeric powder as well.

Steps for Biryani Masala Recipe:

It is very easy to prepare the Biryani Masala at home. First thing before you begin to grind the whole spices is to check them for impurities. Then you have to naturally dry them and finally you can grind all of them together to a powder form.

Preparation for Biryani Masala:

Remove Impurities from Whole Spices:

  • Take all the spices from the separate container.
  • You can take each spice in a different plate or bowl.
  • Take the spices one-by-one and clean each of them.
  • Remove stones and other impurities from them.
  • Also, check for hidden mold or insects.
  • Discard unwanted pieces of them as well.

Note: Do not use the spices which are bitten by worms. Immediately throw them away.

Dry the Whole Spices:

  • Now, take a big plate.
  • Add all the spices in the plate and spread it throughout.
  • Now, cover the plate with transparent glass lid or thin cloth.
  • Keep this plate under sunlight for 3 days.
  • Change the direction of the plate as per the sunlight.
  • Keep the plate inside during the night time.
  • After 3 days, check if there is any moisture trace in the spices or not.
  • If you find moisture trace in them, keep the plate out for more 1 day.
  • As the moisture is gone and the spices become dry, take the plate inside.

Note: Let the spices dry naturally but you can also dry them under a fan or in the oven. You can also roast the spices in the pan.

How to Make the Biryani Masala:

  • Take a mixer-grinder jar and add spices in it.
  • Begin with grinding the whole nutmeg first. (skip this step if you are using nutmeg powder)
  • Crush the whole nutmeg and grind it coarsely.
  • Transfer this grounded nutmeg powder to a small bowl.
  • Break the cinnamon stick before you add it to the grinder.
  • Now, grind the all whole spices into fine biryani masala powder.
  • Transfer this biryani masala to another bowl.
  • Grind all the batches into fine biryani masala.
  • Then, mix this grounded masala with the nutmeg powder.
  • Once again sieve the mixture and grind it.
  • The final mixture should be the smooth powder. (No tiny particles should exists)
  • Now, transfer all the biryani masala into a plate.
  • Let the biryani masala powder cool down.
  • As the biryani masala cools down, transfer it into an air-tight container.
  • Store the biryani masala in the refrigerator.
  • Use when needed.

Note:  If the jar is small, grind the spices in separate batches.

Additional Information:

  • Calories: 11 calories
  • Total Time: PT10M
  • Serves: 75 Grams
  • Date Published:

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It comes in handy when you want to prepare the biryani with the restaurant style taste and flavours. Just a sprinkle of biryani masala and it enhances the taste of the whole dish. The fresh whole spices are roasted or sun dried and then they powdered. This spice mix is especially for the biryani dishes. It infuses both flavours and aroma to the rice. For the perfect biryani, the most important are the strong fragrance and the appealing taste. This hot spice-mix adds both these factors to the biryani dish.

It is not much spicy but a little pungent in taste. You can give all new twist to your traditional biryani with this flavourful spice mix. It would enhance the taste to the dish and take it to another level. You can immediately feel the difference in the taste of biryani and pulao before and after the sprinkle of masala powder. But, it must be added in correct proportions to the rice dish. If you add it more than required, then it would overpower the original taste of the biryani. It is important to balance each spice in the masala in the right manner.

The addition of Biryani masala powder to your biryani will give it give a nice taste and enhance its flavours. Nowadays these spice powders are readily available in the market. You can easily buy them and make biryani instantly. But preparing the biryani masala at home is both healthy and hygienic. It is very easy to follow the Biryani masala recipe. Within minutes you can prepare the biryani masala in bulk and store it for future use. You can freeze or pack in different containers.

Remarks:

  • After you dry the spices, make sure they are completely dry.
  • The dried spices would become slightly crispy.
  • If you think there is little of moisture left, again keep them to dry.
  • You can use also star anise for the biryani masala recipe.
  • After sieving, the left over coarse powder can be used for making masala tea.
  • Refrain from adding coarse masala to your biryani. It would spoil your dish.
  • The drying and roasting of the spices prevents them from insects. It also enhances the aroma and fragrance of the spices.
  • You can skip the roasting if you are going to refrigerate the biryani masala powder.
  • If you like the flavour of fennel seeds, you can increase their proportion in the masala.
  • You can store the biryani masala powder in small packets to retain its aroma.

Serving:

The basic use of the biryani masala is to flavour luscious veg biryanis. You can combine this biryani masala with any other rice dish as well. Its sprinkle over the normal pulao simply enriches the taste and flavours.

Biryani masala can be used for making any kind of biryani, such as spicy Hyderabadi biryani or tangy tomato biryani. A dash of this biryani masala powder and your biryani dish becomes aromatic and flavourful.

At times, people also use this masala to flavour their curries or gravies if they do not have homemade Garam masala. Below mentioned is the exact proportion to add for maintaining the taste, flavour and fragrance of the various rice dishes.

  • If you are making pulao for 3 to 4 people, then add 1 tsp. biryani masala.
  • If you are making biryani for 4 to 5 people, then add 2 tsp. biryani masala.
Quick Tip:
  • The fresh bay leaf would be lighter in colour.
  • The dried bay leaf would have darker shade.
  • Check the freshness of the spices before roasting.
  • Store the powder in the airtight container.
  • Always use a dry spoon to take masala out.
  • It is advised to make it in small batches.

Few Suggestion for the Homemade Biryani Masala:

  • You must take each and every whole spice in separate plate.
  • It is very important to check the impurities in these whole spices.
  • Discard the spices with worms or insects.
  • The whole spices used must not be old or expired.
  • Drying the spices is must. You can dry in sun, oven or roast them.
  • Always use the true cinnamon.
  • Also, take care about the few things while making biryani masala.
  • If the grinder gets hot, then stop the grinding. Start it after a while.
  • If you are making the biryani masala in bulk, then it must retain the aroma.
  • Transfer it in small packets or jars for everyday use.

What is biryani masala?

The spicy, tasty and flavourful Biryani is one of the most favourite rice dish for many people. It is highly popular north Indian food which is available in all the restaurant as well. Any of the biryani recipe you prepare, you would need to add biryani masala powder in it.

This delicious Biryani Masala Powder is a flavourful blend of aromatic whole spices. The lightly roasted spices are grounded are added to biryani.

If you have biryani masala powder, then you do not need whole spices while making it. You just need to sprinkle this biryani masala is your rice and stir it. But if you want, you can add certain whole spices like bay leaf or cloves.

What spices are in biryani?

There is always the major role of tempering in flavours of any dish. The kind of spices used for tempering is what makes it special. The whole spices and the spice powders that goes into the making of dish enhance its taste.

The spices such as cumin seeds, coriander seeds, caraway seeds and cardamom are used in making of aromatic masala for biryani and pulao. Even the cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, bay leaf and red chillies are added to the biryani masala.  The fennel seeds and star anise are added to make it more flavourful.

Biryani Masala in Microwave:

An aromatic Biryani Masala can also be made in the microwave.

  • Dry all the spices in the oven
  • Dry roast each of them separately
  • Cool the roasted spices
  • Take them to jar
  • Grind them to the powder
  • Store in an airtight jar

How to Select the Spices?

If you are planning to make the biryani masala at home, then use must use the fresh spices. Check and ensure that the spices are fresh. Scan for the impurities in these whole spices before using them. Check for their freshness, clean them, and dry them before roasting them.

How to Buy the Fresh Biryani Masala?

If you are purchasing the Biryani Masala from the market, then follow these tips:

  • Get the biryani masala of the best brand
  • Check the manufacturing date
  • Note the expiry date
  • Ensure the packet is sealed
  • Smell the freshness of the masala

How to Store Biryani Masala?

  • You must store the homemade biryani masala in an air tight container. Keep this container or jar of biryani masala away from moisture.
  • For the everyday use, take some portion of biryani masala in a small jar. Whenever you take the biryani masala from this jar, ensure that your spoon is dry.
  • To keep the biryani masala fresh and aromatic, make it in small batches. The fresher the biryani masala, the better it would taste.