Degi Beef Biryani Recipe That Will Become Your Favorite

• September 12, 2021
• aysha ahmed
• 4 comments

Since childhood, Biryani was a staple holy dish in my house that was saved only for special occasions such as Eid or family gatherings that happened once in months. Well, say hello to marriage in a household where Biryani is oxygen, you don’t just want to eat it, you definitely need it to survive life.

I thought life couldn’t get any harder but I was soon proven wrong with my son becoming a Pro Biryani addict. You ask him what he wants, and his immediate answer is Biryani. He comes running downstairs if he so much as smells Biryani being made in the downstairs kitchen.

Anyway, so my life began revolving around making Biryani and no matter what I tried, I could never get that same taste, smell & look that we Karachites get from a Degi Biryani even on the streets.

Multiple tried and tested recipes led me to this final recipe that has become a MAJOR HIT in my family that tastes, smells and looks exactly like Market Degi Biryani. It has got that chatpata taste that will make you want to eat more of it and it’s extremely easy to make.

Serving : 6 to 8 persons. 

Here is what you need for this recipe.

1 KG MeatLo! Beef Biryani Cut
1/2 KG peeled tomatoes OR 1/4 kg yogurt.
1 KG Basmati Rice soaked for 20 minutes.
1/2 KG potatoes (optional)
1/2 cup oil.
1 tbsp. ginger garlic paste.
3 tbsp. fresh chopped coriander (dhaniya).
1 tbsp. fresh chopped mint (podina).
1/4 tsp cumin seeds.
1/4 tsp garam masala.
Tamarind (Imli0 as per taste.
Orange color.
1 packet any branded Biryani masala mix

If you don’t want to use Biryani masala mix, (which honestly I recommend because they have their spices all balanced), the spice mix is mentioned here.

Red chilly powder.
Turmeric.
Coriander powder.
Whole black pepper.
Whole clove.
1 stick of cinnamon.
Salt to taste.

Make the gravy.

In a large pot put 1/4 cup oil, add ginger garlic paste, cumin seeds and Biryani Masala mix or the spice mix. Stir fry for a minute on medium heat then add sliced tomatoes or you can add yogurt. I like tomatoes as it has natural glutamate property. Then add MeatLo! Beef Biryani Cut and stir for a minute or two until the beef changes color. Add tamarind (imli) with a cup of water, close the lid and let it cook.

I always use cooker for beef as it takes about 25 minutes to completely cook the beef. If you are not using the cooker, then it should take about 45 to 50 minutes. Seriously, use a cooker and save the rest of the time for a movie or something.

When the beef is completely cooked, you should have a good looking thick gravy. You can add your optional potatoes now. Add chopped coriander and mint leaves. Add salt as per taste. Remember if you are using a branded Biryani Masala Mix, it already contains salt. Give it a really good mix. It should look as if you are trying to do a dance step but completely failing at it.

When your Beef Biryani Gravy is ready, sprinkle orange color over your gravy. Don’t go crazy. Its not “Holi Hai”. Just a few pinches here and there.

Make the rice.

In a separate pot, put about 6 to 7 cups of water, cumin seeds, bay leaves, black pepper, cloves and salt. When it comes to a angry boil, just like the face your husband has when you ask him to take you shopping, add in the soaked  rice.

Now you know how everyone talks about “one kani two kani” when it comes to biryani. I absolutely give no effs to the kani. The kani can shove itself wherever the hell it wants.

When the rice become milky color all over but they are still hard upon pressing its time to pour them into a sieve.

Ready for layering or as the ammi says “Biryani ko dam laga do.”

Put your gravy on a medium flame, put all the rice over the gravy. You will need to put about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of water all over the rice. Then pour remaining 1/4 cup oil on the rice and close the lid. Turn your flame to full for one minute then turn it to low flame.

Let the Biryani cook for 10 minutes. In these 10 minutes, you can think about your life choices and all the bad decisions that you made. Do not pick up the phone because then you might forget about the Biryani and I dare not say what happens next.

After 10 minutes, check your Biryani. It’s ready when

• The rice is fully cooked.
• There is no excess water on the base.

Congratulations.
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You are now THE CHOSEN ONE who has stepped into the dark world of “Bhabi Beef Biryani toh aapke haath ki hi achi lagti hai,” which is code red for Biryani shall always be made by you.

Take care and do comment back if you try it with your experience. Are you THE CHOSEN ONE?