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    Home » Recipe Index » Instant Pot Recipes

    Crab Biryani | Instant Pot Crab Biryani

    Posted on Oct 20, 2021 · Last Updated on Oct 20, 2021 by Sharmila Kingsly

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    Crab Biryani or Nandu Biryani in the Instant Pot is a delicious and easy one pot recipe with the goodness of fresh crab and spices.Perfect for a weekend lunch or dinner.

    Crab Biryani

    Crab biryani is a lovely one pot meal. If you are a seafood lover this is definitely a to try. Perfect for the Thanksgiving meal table. It is unique and this will definitely surprise your friends and family. I made them in the Instant Pot, so you can keep them warm until the serving time.

    Jump to:
    • Crab Biryani in Pressure Cooker
    • Ingredients
    • FAQ's
    • How to Prepare Crab Biryani
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storage Options
    • More Biryani Recipes Instant Pot:
    • 📖 Recipe

    Crab Biryani in Pressure Cooker

    We can cook the same recipes in the stovetop Pressure cooker too. For a pressure cooker version use 1.25 cups of liquid for every 1 cup of water. Add the water and close the pressure cooker, when the steams comes out vigorously put on the whistle. Cook in a high flame for 3 mins and switch off. Wait till the pressure subsides naturally and then open the pressure cooker. Nandu biryani is ready.

    Ingredients

    Crab - Use good quality cleaned crab for the biryani. Blue Crab is the most common crab variety we use for cooking. You may use any edible crab.

    Whole Spices - We usually temper the biryani with the whole spices, as we fry them in oil or Ghee the spices turn fragrant.

    Onion, Tomato, ginger, and garlic paste - These are the basics we add thinly sliced onions and finely chopped tomato in the biryani. We can never cook biryani without ginger garlic paste.

    Spice Powders - Basic spice powders like chili powder, Garam Masala Turmeric powder, and salt go into the biryani.

    Mint, cilantro, and Green Chilli - Again Mint and Cilantro bring in lots of flavors to the biryani. You can also blend them to a paste and add them to the biryani.

    Coconut Milk - This gives a very lovely taste to the biryani and I highly recommend using it. You can adjust the amount of coconut milk added to the biryani. Make sure the total liquid quantity is as given in the recipe card. Increase or decrease the coconut Milk and compensate the rest with Water.

    Curd or Yogurt, Lemon - Both Curd and Lemon balance the flavors in the biryani and they are mandatory addition.

    FAQ's

    Which variety of crab is suitable for biryani?
    Blue crab is the most common variety and it is widely used in cooking.
    How to clean crab?
    I usually buy cleaned crab. They break the legs and body as they clean. Wash well and we can use it directly for the biryani.

    How to Prepare Crab Biryani

    1.Turn on the Instant Pot in saute mode. Wait till it shows on and then add in 3 tbsp of Coconut Oil or Ghee. Once it's hot add in 1 tsp Fennel Seeds, 1 Bay leaves, 1-inch cinnamon sticks, 2 cloves,3 cardamom, and 6 Cashew nuts, Star Anise 1, saute and they will turn fragrant.

    2. Now add in the sliced Onions. I am using 1 cup of sliced Onions. Saute till it's soft and pink. Next, add 3 or 2 green chilies.

    3. And then add ⅓ cup of Loosley packed Mint leaves and ⅓ cup of finely chopped Cilantro. Saute till they shrink

    4. Add 2 finely chopped big tomatoes which are approximately 1 cup. Cook till they turn soft.

    5. Now add in 1.5 tbsp of ginger garlic paste. Cook till the raw smell leaves

    6. Now add in the spice powders. I am using 1.5 tbsp of Red Chilli powder, 1 tsp of Garam Masala, ¼ tsp of Turmeric powder, and the needed Salt.

    7. Combine everything so that the spice powders blend. Next, add in the cleaned crab.

    8. Combine everything.

    9. Wash the Basmati Rice 3 or 4 times and then keep it soaked in water. Let the basmati rice soak for at least 30 mins. Drain the water and add the basmati rice to the Instant Pot now.

    10. Now add in the measured coconut Milk and water. The ratio is for 1 cup rice add 1.5 cups of Liquid. So for 2 cups of Rice add 3 cups of Liquid. I am adding 2 cups of coconut milk and 1 cup of water. Combine well. Also, add in ¼ cup of Thich Curd or Yogurt and 1 tbsp of Lemon Juice. Combine everything and check for salt and spice and add if anything is less.

    Cook the biryani

    11. Now Close the Instant pot and turn the pressure value in sealing position. Press the pressure cook option and set 5 mins in high pressure

    12. After 5 mins and do a quick release and open the Instant pot. Fluff the Rice once gently and turn off the Instant Pot. Close the Instant pot and leave it undisturbed for 30 mins. After 30 mins open the IP. Instant Pot Crab Biryani is now ready. Fluff the rice gently and it is now ready to enjoy.

    Serving Suggestions

    The best pair for biryani is Raita and boiled egg always. You can also serve it with biryani brinjal gotsu, papad and pickle too.

    Storage Options

    Briyani tastes the best only when served hot. Storing and reheating lose their charm and freshness. So I do not recommend storing, biryani for the best taste. However, you may store up to 2 days and then reheat on stovetop or microwave and serve the biryani.
    If you are storing it, store it in a clean storage box.

    More Biryani Recipes Instant Pot:

    • Shrimp Biryani
      Instant Pot Shrimp Biryani ( Prawn Biryani )
    • Instant Pot Chicken Biryani
      Instant Pot Chicken Biryani | OnePot Chicken Biryani
    • Instant Pot Paneer Peas Pulao
      Instant Pot Paneer Peas Pulao
    • Ghee Rice
      Ghee Rice | Ney Choru (Instant Pot & Stove Top)

    ★ Did you enjoy this recipe? If you happen to try it out, I would love to hear from you! I’d appreciate it if you could rate and leave a review below in the comments. Your reviews help others know the recipe better too. Thanks for your time ? You can also follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Youtube and Twitter for more updates from me.

    📖 Recipe

    Crab Biryani
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    5 from 1 vote

    Crab Biryani | Nandu Biryani

    Crab Biryani or Nandu Biryani in the Instant Pot is a delicious and easy one pot recipe with the goodness of fresh crab and spices.Perfect for a weekend lunch or dinner.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time25 minutes mins
    Total Time35 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Indian
    Servings: 5
    Calories: 471kcal
    Author: Sharmila Kingsly
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Standard 1 cup measures 240 ml

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot
    • Instant Pot

    Ingredients

    • 3 tbsp Coconut Oil
    • 1 tsp Fennel Seeds
    • 1 Bay Leaf
    • 2 Clove
    • 3 Cardamom
    • 6 Cashew Nuts
    • 1 Star Anise
    • 1 inch Cinnamon Stick
    • 3 Green Chilli
    • 1 cup Onion sliced
    • ⅓ cup Mint Leaves
    • ⅓ cup Coriander Leaves
    • 1.5 tbsp Ginger garlic paste
    • 1 cup Tomato chopped
    • 1 kg Crab
    • 1.5 tbsp Red Chilli Powder
    • 1 tsp Garam Masala
    • ¼ tsp Turmeric Powder
    • Salt as needed
    • 2 cups Basmathi Rice
    • 2 cups Coconut Milk
    • 1 cup Water
    • ¼ cup Yogurt or Thick Curd
    • 1 tbsp Lemon Juice

    Instructions 

    • Turn on the Instant Pot in saute mode. Wait till it shows on and then add in 3 tbsp of Coconut Oil or Ghee. Once it's hot add in 1 tsp Fennel Seeds, 1 Bay leaves, 1-inch cinnamon sticks, 2 cloves,3 cardamom, and 6 Cashew nuts, Star Anise 1, saute and they will turn fragrant.
    • Now add in the sliced Onions. I am using 1 cup of sliced Onions. Saute till it's soft and pink. Next, add 3 or 2 green chilies.
    • And then add ⅓ cup of Loosley packed Mint leaves and ⅓ cup of finely chopped Cilantro. Saute till they shrink
    • Add 2 finely chopped big tomatoes which are approximately 1 cup. Cook till they turn soft.
    • Now add in 1.5 tbsp of ginger garlic paste. Cook till the raw smell leaves
    • Now add in the spice powders. I am using 1.5 tbsp of Red Chilli powder, 1 tsp of Garam Masala, ¼ tsp of Turmeric powder, and the needed Salt.
    • Combine everything so that the spice powders blend. Next, add in the cleaned crab.
    • Combine everything.
    • Wash the Basmati Rice 3 or 4 times and then keep it soaked in water. Let the basmati rice soak for at least 30 mins. Drain the water and add the basmati rice to the Instant Pot now.
    • Now add in the measured coconut Milk and water. The ratio is for 1 cup rice add 1.5 cups of Liquid. So for 2 cups of Rice add 3 cups of Liquid. I am adding 2 cups of coconut milk and 1 cup of water. Combine well. Also, add in ¼ cup of Thich Curd or Yogurt and 1 tbsp of Lemon Juice. Combine everything and check for salt and spice and add if anything is less.
    • Now Close the Instant pot and turn the pressure value in sealing position. Press the pressure cook option and set 5 mins in high pressure
    • After 5 mins and do a quick release and open the Instant pot. Fluff the Rice once gently and turn off the Instant Pot. Close the Instant pot and leave it undisturbed for 30 mins. After 30 mins open the IP. Instant Pot Crab Biryani is now ready. Fluff the rice gently and it is now ready to enjoy.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 471kcal | Carbohydrates: 25.8g | Protein: 23.5g | Fat: 28.9g | Saturated Fat: 24.2g | Cholesterol: 123mg | Sodium: 205mg | Potassium: 560mg | Fiber: 3.4g | Sugar: 5.8g | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @happietrio or tag #happietrio
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    Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist , the nutrition value provided here is an estimate.It will vary based on the quantity and brands of the products used.

    More Instant Pot Recipes

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      Instant Pot Kung Pao Chicken
    • Instant Pot Hot Chocolate
      Instant Pot Hot Chocolate
    • Instant Pot Beans and Rice
      Instant Pot Beans and Rice
    • Chicken Lettuce Wraps
      Chicken Lettuce Wraps

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    Sharmila Kingsly

    Hi, I'm Joshie!

    Food Blogger, Biryani Lover , Software Engineer .. In no particular order.I love to cook and that is why I am here!! Welcome to my space!!. 

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