Discover the vibrant world of Keto Biryani, a sumptuous, low-carb alternative to the traditional Indian dish that you can easily prepare in the comfort of your own home.
One of my favorite keto Indian dishes is the Keto Biryani with Shrimp. Traditionally, Biryani is a flavorful and complex meat-and-rice dish that hails from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. It's beloved around the globe, but the traditional recipe is high in carbs and can be a hassle to prepare.
Good news for keto lovers, though! Our keto biryani recipe is a game-changer. We've swapped out the carb-heavy rice for cauliflower rice, so you can enjoy all the delicious tastes and textures of this dish without sacrificing your low-carb diet. Get ready for a tasty and guilt-free experience!
This Keto Biryani with Shrimp is packed with veggies and tons of flavor!
Jump to:
- Chef's note
- Ingredients in Keto Shrimp Biryani
- Ingredient substitutions
- Cooking tools required
- How to make Keto Shrimp Biryani: step-by-step guide
- How to make Keto 🍤 Biryani in a few simple steps!
- How to make it healthier
- Time saving tips
- What can I prepare ahead of time
- Leftover storage and reheating
- Recipe wrap up and conclusion
- Frequently asked questions
- 📖 Recipe
Chef's note
As a lover of Indian food and a keto diet follower, I've found that Indian cuisine is a treasure trove of inspiration for nutritional keto meals. With its vibrant spices and fresh ingredients, Indian food provides endless possibilities for creating low-carb, high-fat meals that are both satisfying and delicious.
Like cauliflower rice, broccoli rice is another great low-carb substitute for traditional rice in Indian cuisine. To make broccoli rice, simply pulse broccoli florets in a food processor until they resemble the texture of rice. You can then use broccoli rice as a base for dishes like curries, biryanis, and even fried rice.
For more inspiration check out our Asian recipe.
Ingredients in Keto Shrimp Biryani
Don't be intimidated by the long ingredient list! I promise, most of the ingredients are pantry staples like spices and just a few fresh ingredients that you likely already have.
Here's what you'll need:
Shrimp
Rice
Raita
Toppings
Ingredient substitutions
Cooking tools required
Tools substitute options
Instead of a large skillet, use a wok or a wide, deep pan. A food processor can be used for chopping and mincing ingredients.
How to make Keto Shrimp Biryani: step-by-step guide
Cooking methods
How to make Keto 🍤 Biryani in a few simple steps!
- In a medium bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the shrimp. Mix well and marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Make the raita by combining all of the ingredients in a small bowl, and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Add 2 tablespoons of the butter to a 10" or larger cast-iron skillet, add the shrimp and the marinade to the skillet, and cook the shrimp for 2 minutes per side on medium-high heat. Remove to a plate and set aside.
- Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet along with the onion, garlic, ginger, and jalapeno. Cook for 3 minutes until starting to soften.
- Add in the tomato and cauliflower rice, and cook until the rice is softened about 7 minutes.
- Add the shrimp back to the skillet and cook for a minute longer just to reheat.
- To serve, top with raita, sliced cucumber, and chopped herbs.
Chef's pro tip
One common mistake when making Biryani is not using enough aromatic spices or agents to achieve the quintessential Biryani aroma.
While preparing the dish, adding some whole spices like cardamom, bay leaf, cinnamon, chili powder, and cumin seeds can help enhance the aroma.
Additionally, one can also use browned onions, mint, coriander, and even halved lemons to achieve the perfect aroma.
How to make it healthier
- Butter: Instead of using butter, you can use ghee or coconut oil for a healthier fat option.
- Full-fat Greek yogurt: If you're looking for a dairy-free alternative, you can use coconut yogurt or a plant-based yogurt made from nuts like almonds or cashew.
- Jalapeno: If you prefer a milder flavor, you can substitute jalapeno with bell pepper.
Time saving tips
- Use pre-packaged cauliflower rice.
- Prepare the raita and toppings ahead of time.
What can I prepare ahead of time
- Freeze cauliflower rice: Did you know you can freeze cauliflower rice? In fact, freezing cauliflower rice is a great way to extend its shelf life and have it on hand for future meals.
To freeze cauliflower rice, first, spread it out on a baking sheet and freeze for an hour or two. Once frozen, transfer the cauliflower rice to a freezer-safe container or a zip-lock bag and store it in the freezer for up to 8 months. When you're ready to use it, you can cook it frozen in a skillet with some oil or butter or microwave it until it's heated through.
Leftover storage and reheating
Don't let your delicious Keto Biryani with Cauliflower rice go to waste! You can store your leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. And when it's time to reheat, don't worry - you can easily bring it back to life with just a few simple steps.
To reheat your Biryani, grab a skillet and heat it up over medium heat. This will ensure that the dish heats evenly and that all the flavors come back to life. Remember to give it a stir occasionally to prevent any sticking or burning.
With these tips, you can enjoy your leftovers just as much as the first time you made them. So go ahead and make a big batch - you'll have delicious leftovers for days! Indian cuisine is rich in flavor and history, and with this dish, you can experience the authentic taste of India in a keto-friendly way. Enjoy!
Recipe wrap up and conclusion
If you're looking for a low-carb way to indulge in the vibrant and exciting flavors of Indian cuisine, then the Keto Biryani with Shrimp is the perfect dish for you! By substituting traditional rice with cauliflower rice, you can enjoy all the fragrant spices and tender, juicy protein of biryani without compromising on your health goals.
This recipe is just one example of how you can enjoy the vibrant world of Indian cuisine while staying true to your dietary needs. With so many creative substitutions available, there's no reason why you can't enjoy a wide variety of delicious and nutritious Indian dishes while following a low-carb or keto diet. So don't be afraid to experiment and try new things – you might just discover your new favorite dish!
If you are an avid reader of CIK you may already know about our love of Indian food, (i.e., Keto Butter Chicken, Tandoori Chicken, Curry in a Hurry, Keto Chicken Tikka Masala Meatballs, Keto Chicken Tikka Masala Soup, Keto Vegan Tofu Vindaloo, and Keto Halloumi Fries [Indian Style]). This recipe is arguably our Indian-inspired favorite, but we know you will love our other keto friendly indian food recipes.
Frequently asked questions
📖 Recipe
Keto Biryani
Ingredients
Shrimp:
- 12 ounces peeled and deveined shrimp
- 2 tablespoons full-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon Garam masala
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
“Rice”:
- 4 tablespoons butter divided
- ½ red onion thinly sliced
- 1 jalapeno thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 roma tomato chopped
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 6 cups cauliflower rice
Raita:
- ½ cup full-fat Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons minced cucumber
- 1 tablespoon minced cilantro
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon cumin
Toppings:
- 1 cucumber thinly sliced into rounds
- ½ cup herbs mint + cilantro
Instructions
- In a medium bowl combine all of the ingredients for the shrimp. Mix well and marinate at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator. Make the raita by combining all of the ingredients in a small bowl, refrigerate until ready to use.
- Add 2 tablespoons of the butter to a 10" or larger cast-iron skillet, add the shrimp and the marinade to the skillet and cook shrimp 2 minutes per side. Remove to a plate and set aside.
- Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet along with the onion, garlic, ginger, and jalapeno. Cook 3 minutes until starting to soften. Add in the tomato and cauliflower rice, cook until the rice is softened about 7 minutes. Add the shrimp back to the skillet and cook a minute longer just to reheat.
- To serve, top with raita, sliced cucumber, and chopped herbs.
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