Hyderabadi Biryani vs Lucknowi Biryani – The Biryani Battle Gets Spicier

A big-shot in the culinary world, Biryani needs no introduction. This dish is the people’s all-time favourite known by various names. Whether you call it Biriyani, Briyani, Biriani or Birani, this devilishly relished dish never ceases to evoke nostalgia and a sense of belonging all across the nation. Biryani has become a widely savoured serving in the Indian subcontinent with a unique mix of flavours that offer an incredibly gratifying gastronomical experience.  

The Two Widely Appreciated, Flavoursome Biryanis Of India

If you are a true Biryani lover, you must have tried the diversity of regional Biryani preparations in the country, the two most famous being Lucknowi Biryani, popularly known as Nawabi Biryani and Hyderabadi Biryani, often referred to as Nizami Biryani. 

These are the two Biryani versions which every ardent Biryani enthusiast has savoured. Most people belong to one of these two Biryani groups. It is just too tempting for one to not pick a side. 

Biryani lovers mostly get reeled in the debate due to their strong liking to a specific regional Biryani and hence, the infamous battle of biryanis begins in which Lucknowi Biryani and Hyderabadi Biryani are stacked against one another for a fierce face-off. 

Letting you in on a secret – it is the diverse cooking technique, developed over centuries and with diverse cultural influences, that makes all the difference. The distinct preparation method and unique ingredients award these two relished Biryanis their distinct flavour which tantalises the taste buds of the masses. 

Although, for those who have novice culinary skills and yet want the authentic taste in their home-cooked Biryani, CURRYiT ready to cook Biryani Masala poses as an easy-to-cook way of preparing a sumptuous Biryani serving. 

Biryani is the most succulent of cuisines, introduced to us by Mughals, that makes the ultimate delicacy for the Indian platter and has its distinctive, privileged spot, as that of a royalty, reserved in menus of all Indian restaurants and abroad.

Let’s dive into the nuances Hyderabadi and Lucknowi Biryani differ on and let them battle it out for the title of the Biryani that has conquered Indian taste buds! 

Also Read: 9 Different Types of Biryani in India That You Should Definitely Try

What’s the difference between the Hyderabadi Biryani and Lucknowi Biryani?

Hyderabad and Lucknow are the two cities which vastly differ in their culture and thus, the regional influences extend to their cuisines. Both are famous for their specific, exceptionally delectable taste. 

The Biryani of Nawabs, Lucknowi Biryani, possesses a smooth texture and medium spice. It utilises marinated meat, flavoured with a unique blend of spices, herbs & yogurt and is prepared with lots of saffron. Hyderabadi Biryani, from the kitchens of Nizams of Hyderabad, is in contrast, spicy and meaty, having a strong spice blend with, mint and saffron. 

Having Turkish, Mughalai and Arabic influences, Hyderabadi Biryani has meat pieces in big chunks and Basmati rice with long strands, seasoned with strong spices that make it taste pungent and spicy in flavour which is comforting to the taste buds.

This appetising delicacy is dum-cooked (meaning using internal pressure of a sealed vessel) and is prepared with two exquisite methods that gives uniqueness to Hyderabadi Biryani. 

• It is prepared as Kacchi Biryani in which meat is marinated in hot spices and soaked in yogurt for long hours, only to be cooked together with rice later on; 
• Also, prepared as Pakki Biryani (well-cooked version) in which rice and meat are prepared separately first and then cooked together to render it with exploding flavours of garlic, ginger, mint, coriander, fennel seeds, garam masala and more. Pakki Biryani requires much less marination time and is served with a luscious gravy. 

Also Read: The Historic Tale of Biryani Told

On the other hand, Lucknowi Biryani, which is well-known as Awadhi Biryani, is one of the oldest forms of the dish that’s cooked using the pakka method (well-cooked). The Lucknowi Biryani version is pleasantly soothing to the stomach as it has medium spice and employs controlled use of ingredients in its recipe. 

The method of cooking Lucknowi Biryani is its distinctive feature as in its preparation, meat and other ingredients of the dish are partially cooked separately and then layered and cooked in the classic dum-pukht style, being sealed in a pot over a low flame. 

This ensures that aromatic and juicy chunks of meat with fragrant Basmati rice gives a satisfying mouthfeel in every bite. Lucknowi Biryani also has floral notes, coming from kewra and rose water and carries the richness of cashews and milk. 

You can relish the heavenly taste of Hyderabadi and Lucknowi Biryani with full fervour and get their authentic Biryani taste in your servings by cooking it in an easy manner with instant biryani paste. 

Which Biryani wins the ultimate Biryani battle – Hyderabadi or Lucknowi?

Biryanis are mainly assessed on the basis of their flavour, aroma, meat quality and spice blend.  The assortment of ingredients employed in the two Biryanis plays a significant role in deciding which comes out to be more scrumptious and finger-licking good.

The people whose general preference lies toward experiencing a well-balanced taste in the cuisines would find the rich fragrance and the delicate flavour of Lucknowi Biryani winning while for the Biryani lovers, who have an inclination toward strong spice blends and loves it hot and spicy, would tell you that Hyderabadi Biryani is the most exclusive of the Biryani varieties they have savoured.

Thus, the Biryani battle still rages on!