Recipe: Seafood and Saffron BiryaniDescription: A fragrant and flavorful biryani featuring shrimp, mussels, and calamari layered with saffron-infused basmati rice.Serves: 4 people Total Time: 65Difficulty: Easy to follow Ingredients needed: 2 cup basmati rice, 0.25 teaspoon saffron, 3 tablespoon olive oil, 2 large onions, 2 medium tomatoes, 1 teaspoon turmeric, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, 200 grams shrimp, 200 grams mussels, 200 grams calamariInstructions: Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak it in water for 15 minutes and then drain. In a small bowl, soak saffron threads in 3 tablespoons of warm water and set aside. In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and the soaked, drained rice. Cook until the rice is 75% cooked, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook until golden brown. Remove half the onions and set aside for topping. To the skillet, add chopped tomatoes, turmeric, paprika, and salt. Cook until the tomatoes are soft and the oil separates from the mixture. Add the seafood to the skillet: shrimp, mussels, and calamari. Cook until the seafood is just cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. In a heavy-bottomed pot, layer half of the partially cooked rice. Sprinkle half of the saffron water over the rice. Layer the seafood mixture over the rice, followed by the remaining rice. Drizzle the remaining saffron water on top. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid or seal the pot with aluminum foil and place the lid on top to ensure no steam escapes. Cook on low heat for 25-30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together ('dum' technique). Remove the pot from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes. Fluff the biryani with a fork and garnish with the reserved fried onions before serving.Perfect for: Meal planning, weekly preparation, home cooking Tags: Indian, Seafood, Main CourseThis Seafood and Saffron Biryani recipe is designed for easy meal planning and preparation. It serves 4 people and can be made in 65 minutes. Great for weekly meal prep and family dinners.
Indian
Seafood
Main Course

Seafood and Saffron Biryani

A fragrant and flavorful biryani featuring shrimp, mussels, and calamari layered with saffron-infused basmati rice.

0.0(0)
Prep: 20 min
Cook: 45 min
Serves: 4
September 24, 2025
Seafood and Saffron Biryani - delicious recipe with step-by-step cooking instructions
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Ingredients
For 4 servings
2 cupsbasmati rice

soaked and drained

0.25 teaspoonssaffron

threads

3 tablespoonsolive oil
2 largesonions

sliced

2 mediumstomatoes

chopped

1 teaspoonturmeric
1 teaspoonpaprika
1 teaspoonsalt
0.4 poundsshrimp

peeled and deveined

0.4 poundsmussels

cleaned and debearded

0.4 poundscalamari

cleaned and sliced into rings

Instructions
Follow these steps to create your dish
1

Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak it in water for 15 minutes and then drain.

2

In a small bowl, soak saffron threads in 3 tablespoons of warm water and set aside.

3

In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and the soaked, drained rice. Cook until the rice is 75% cooked, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.

4

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook until golden brown. Remove half the onions and set aside for topping.

5

To the skillet, add chopped tomatoes, turmeric, paprika, and salt. Cook until the tomatoes are soft and the oil separates from the mixture.

6

Add the seafood to the skillet: shrimp, mussels, and calamari. Cook until the seafood is just cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.

7

In a heavy-bottomed pot, layer half of the partially cooked rice. Sprinkle half of the saffron water over the rice.

8

Layer the seafood mixture over the rice, followed by the remaining rice. Drizzle the remaining saffron water on top.

9

Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid or seal the pot with aluminum foil and place the lid on top to ensure no steam escapes. Cook on low heat for 25-30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together ('dum' technique).

10

Remove the pot from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes. Fluff the biryani with a fork and garnish with the reserved fried onions before serving.

Nutrition Information (per serving)
Approximate values based on ingredients
702
Calories
14.9g
Fat
98.5g
Carbs
39.2g
Protein
Ali

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