Thalassery Fish BiryaniCook

Thalassery Fish Biryani

Also known as Moplah Fish Biryani · Non-veg · Biryani & Pulao, Rice dishes

Biryani & PulaoRice dishesOne-pot mealsGluten-free

Total60 min
Prep15 min
Cook45 min
Serves2
Per serving1226 cal
Spicemedium

Good for: Ramzan, Party

Thalassery Fish Biryani

Cook along

21 steps, each one filmed

A short video for every step, so your hands never have to leave the pan.

Thalassery fish biryani: seer fish and seeraga samba rice layered with mint masala, fried onions and cashews. Medium-spicy, serves 2, an hour, with video.

Ingredients

27 items
Cooking for2 servings
  • SaltSalt1.5 tsp
  • Turmeric PowderTurmeric Powder¾ tsp
  • GingerGinger1 inch
  • GarlicGarlic8 cloves
  • Green ChilliGreen Chilli3
  • Small Onion (Shallots)Small Onion (Shallots)6
  • Sunflower OilSunflower Oil3 tbsp
  • GheeGhee4 tbsp
  • Cashew (half)Cashew (half)10
  • RaisinsRaisins10
  • OnionOnion, Thinly Sliced1.5 cup
  • Coriander PowderCoriander Powder2 tsp
  • Red Chilli PowderRed Chilli Powder1 tsp
  • TomatoTomato, Thinly Sliced0.50 cup
  • Mint LeavesMint Leaves, Chopped3 tbsp
  • Coriander LeavesCoriander Leaves, Chopped3 tbsp
  • CurdCurd0.50 cup
  • Biryani MasalaBiryani Masala1 tsp
  • Green CardamomGreen Cardamom4
  • Bay LeavesBay Leaves2
  • ClovesCloves5
  • CinnamonCinnamon2 inch
  • MaceMace0.50
  • WaterWater, Hot1.50 cup
  • SugarSugar¼ tsp
  • Seer FishSeer Fish250 grams
  • Seeraga Samba RiceSeeraga Samba Rice1 cup

Contains: milk, cashew or other tree nuts, fish.

Nutrition

One serving, and the whole batch of 2. Worked out from the ingredients, so treat it as a close guide.

NutrientPer servingAll 2
Energy1226kcal2452kcal
Protein42g84g
Carbohydrate126g251g
Fat64g128g
Fibre13g25g
Sugar14g28g

Cookd masalas for seer fish

Method

  1. 1

    Marinate the fish in salt and turmeric powder. Marinate for 15 minutes.

    SaltTurmeric PowderSeer Fish

  2. 2

    Wash the rice and soak for 20 minutes.

    Seeraga Samba Rice

  3. 3

    Make a paste of the ginger, garlic, green chilli and shallots, using water if needed.

    GingerGarlicGreen ChilliSmall Onion (Shallots)

  4. 4

    In a pot, heat ghee and oil. Fry the cashew nuts until golden brown. Set them aside.

    Sunflower OilGheeCashew (half)

  5. 5

    In the same oil, fry the raisins until they puff up. Remove from the oil and set aside.

    Raisins

  6. 6

    Add the sliced onions and fry them until they are golden brown. Remove them onto a plate lined with paper towels.

    Onion

  7. 7

    Remove 3 tbsp of the oil from the pan. Set this aside to cook the rice.

  8. 8

    Fry the marinated fish for 2 minutes on each side. It should not be completely cooked, only about 80% through.

  9. 9

    To the same pot, add the onion and saute until it softens. Add the previously prepared paste (ginger, garlic, shallots, green chillies). Saute until the raw smell disappears.

    Onion

  10. 10

    Add the red chilli powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder and salt. Saute again till the raw smell of the spices disappears, around 5 minutes. Add a splash of water if it gets too dry.

    Coriander PowderTurmeric PowderRed Chilli PowderSalt

  11. 11

    Add the sliced tomatoes and cook until it has softened and the masalas are completely cooked, around 5 minutes.

    Tomato

  12. 12

    Add the curd, mint leaves, coriander leaves and Biryani masala. Mix well and cook for 3 more minutes. The masala is ready.

    Mint LeavesCoriander LeavesCurdBiryani Masala

  13. 13

    To cook the rice, add in the oil and ghee mixture that was removed from the pot earlier.

  14. 14

    Add cardamom, bay leaves, clove, cinnamon and mace. When it starts to release its aroma, add in the rice and saute on medium heat for 3 minutes or until it starts to turn opaque.

    Green CardamomBay LeavesClovesCinnamonMace

  15. 15

    Add in the hot water and season with salt and sugar.

    WaterSaltSugar

  16. 16

    Cover and cook for 15 minutes on a low flame.

  17. 17

    To layer the Biryani, remove half the masala into a bowl.

  18. 18

    Add in half the rice. Add half of the fried onions.

  19. 19

    Add in the remaining masala and then arrange the fried fish slices.

  20. 20

    Add in the rest of the rice. Sprinkle the fried onions, cashew nuts and raisins on top. Cover tightly with a lid.

  21. 21

    Place on a low heat for 8 minutes.

Before you start

How long does Thalassery Fish Biryani take?
1 hour from start to finish. That is 15 minutes of preparation and 45 minutes of cooking.
How many people does Thalassery Fish Biryani serve?
2. The ingredient quantities on this page rescale if you are cooking for a different number.
Is Thalassery Fish Biryani vegetarian?
No, it contains meat or fish.
Is Thalassery Fish Biryani spicy?
It is medium: 2 on our scale of 3. Chilli scales gently when you change the servings, so doubling the recipe does not double the heat.
What do I need to make Thalassery Fish Biryani?
250 grams Seer Fish, 1 cup Seeraga Samba Rice, 1 tsp Biryani Masala, ¾ cup Onion, 0.50 cup Tomato, 0.50 cup Curd, and a few more listed on this page.
Do I need a pressure cooker for Thalassery Fish Biryani?
No, it is cooked in an open pot.
How many calories are in Thalassery Fish Biryani?
About 1226 a serving. The full nutrition table is on this page, per serving and for the whole batch.

Tips from other cooks

4 notes
  • Shakthi Anguraj

    Shakthi AngurajSeptember 2025

    taste was excellent

    A cook's photo of Thalassery Fish Biryani
  • C

    A Cookd cookFebruary 2024

    🤤

    A cook's photo of Thalassery Fish Biryani
  • C

    A Cookd cookJune 2023

    It was so damn good... My family loved it.

  • S

    snehaDecember 2021

    It was awesome.

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