🍛 Ambur Mutton Biryani Recipe (Authentic Tamil Nadu Style)
Ambur Biryani is one of the most famous biryanis from Tamil Nadu. It originated in the town of Ambur in the Vellore district. This biryani is known for its simple ingredients, aromatic seeraga samba rice, and spicy flavour. Unlike many other biryanis, Ambur biryani uses fewer spices but delivers a rich taste.
Traditionally, it is cooked in dumdum style and served with brinjal curry (ennai kathirikai) and raita.
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🥩 Ingredients
For Cooking the Mutton
Mutton – 500 g
Ginger garlic paste – 2 tbsp
Turmeric powder – ½ tsp
Salt – as required
For the Biryani
Seeraga Samba rice – 2 cups
Onion – 3 large (thinly sliced)
Tomato – 2 medium (chopped)
Green chillies – 4
Dried red chillies – 6 (soaked and ground into paste)
Ginger garlic paste – 2 tbsp
Curd – ½ cup
Mint leaves – 1 handful
Coriander leaves – 1 handful
Cinnamon – 1 small piece
Cloves – 3
Cardamom – 2
Oil – 4 tbsp
Lemon juice – 1 tbsp
Salt – as needed
👨🍳 Preparation Method
1️⃣ Cook the Mutton
First, wash the mutton pieces well.
Add in a pressure cooker:
Mutton
Ginger garlic paste
Turmeric powder
Salt
Add a little water and pressure cook for 3–4 whistles until the mutton becomes soft.
Keep the mutton stock aside. It will be used for cooking the rice.
2️⃣ Prepare the Chilli Paste
Soak dried red chillies in warm water for 10 minutes and grind them into a smooth paste.
This paste gives Ambur biryani its signature colour and flavour.
3️⃣ Fry the Onions
Heat oil in a large biryani pot.
Add:
Cinnamon
Cloves
Cardamom
Then add sliced onions and sauté until golden brown.
4️⃣ Add Ginger Garlic Paste
Add ginger garlic paste and cook for 1 minute until the raw smell disappears.
5️⃣ Add Tomatoes and Chilli Paste
Add chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft.
Now add the red chilli paste and sauté well until the oil begins to separate.
6️⃣ Add Curd and Herbs
Add:
Curd
Mint leaves
Coriander leaves
Mix everything well.
7️⃣ Add the Mutton
Add the cooked mutton along with some mutton stock.
Cook for 5 minutes so the masala absorbs into the meat.
8️⃣ Add the Rice
Wash seeraga samba rice and soak it for 20 minutes.
Add the rice to the mutton mixture and pour enough mutton stock/water.
Cook on medium flame until the rice is almost done.
9️⃣ Dum Cooking
Close the pot tightly and cook on low flame for 10 minutes (dum method).
This helps the rice absorb all the flavours.
🍽️ Serving Suggestion
Ambur Mutton Biryani is traditionally served with:
Brinjal curry (ennai kathirikai)
Onion raita
Lemon slices
Boiled egg
💡 Tips for Perfect Ambur Biryani
✔ Always use seeraga samba rice for authentic taste.
✔ Do not add too many spices; Ambur biryani uses minimal spices.
✔ Use mutton stock for cooking rice to enhance flavour.
✔ Cook on dum for the final stage.
✅ Quick Summary:
Ambur Mutton Biryani is a famous Tamil Nadu dish made with tender mutton, seeraga samba rice, red chilli paste, and simple spices. It is known for its spicy flavour and rich aroma and is one of the most loved biryanis in South India.
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