Instant Pot Salmon Biryani

Have you always wanted to try cooking Indian food but have been intimidated? When I first started to cook, I always wanted to cook Indian cuisine but was so scared about all the complex spices and flavours. I was really just afraid of messing it up!

I have made this biryani for awhile now and recently adapted it to an Instant Pot version to make things even easier.  (You are welcome, friends!)  You have to give it a try! It is full of flavours and so so easy, you won’t believe it!

The dish Biryani is essentially a rice pilaf. It is layered with many rich spices and you can add chicken, salmon, shrimp, beef, mutton or even veggies or tofu if you are not a meat eater.  It’s best to marinate the meat or veggies ahead of time to fully get the flavours infused into this dish.

Here is my quick and flavourful biryani! Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Ingredients: 

• 10 oz salmon fillet
• 3 cloves of diced garlic
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• Dash or salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon of finely chopped mint leaves
• 1 tablespoon turmeric powder (or fresh if you can find it)
• 1 tablespoon red chili flakes
• 1 inch piece of grated ginger
• 1/2 tablespoon cumin
• 1/2 tablespoon crushed coriander seeds
• 1/2 tablespoon crushed cardamon seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg grated
• 1 medium sized onion diced
• 2 cups Basmati rice
• 3 cups stock or water
• Fresh chopped cilantro for garnish (optional)

Directions: 

• Add all ingredients up until rice and stock into a bowl and marinate for at least 1 hour (even better if you can do this step overnight)
• Rinse basmati rice under cold water and remove as much starch as you can (Tip: You can rinse the rice in the instant pot so you have one less bowl to wash)
• With the rice on the bottom of the instant pot, add your marinated salmon along with all of the remaining marinate on top of the rice
• Add 3 cups of stock or water
• Put instant pot cover on and set it to sealing. Set it to manual, high pressure for 5 minutes.
• Quick release the pressure once it is done cooking
• Remove lid and stir together all the ingredients inside the instant pot.
• Garnish with chopped cilantro and YOU ARE DONE!

Now wasn’t that easy as promised? No more fears of conquering Indian cuisine!

You can also add a little yogurt into the dish while you marinate the meat if you like but it is completely optional especially if you like to keep it dairy free.

I am so excited for you to try this recipe! Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Don’t have an Instant Pot still? What are you waiting for? Buy one here now!