Biryani Lab · Decision tree
Find your biryani
Three questions sort all 319 recipes into 8 groups. Each question is about one of the ingredients recipes disagree on most, and splits the recipes in front of it at their own median, so each answer keeps about half of them. Every group ends with its median recipe in grams and the real recipes nearest it.
The questions
Question 1
More mint and coriander than most, or less?
Leaves layered with the rice. Light by weight, and many recipes ask only for a handful.
All 319 recipes: median 0.7% of the uncooked rice weight, 3 g per 400 g of uncooked rice; middle half 0% to 2.4%; 37% use none.
Question 2
More yogurt than most, or less?
The marinade, and in a kacchi biryani the liquid the raw meat cooks in under the rice. A third of recipes use none.
All 319 recipes: median 29% of the uncooked rice weight, 115 g per 400 g of uncooked rice; middle half 0% to 50%; 25% use none.
Asked within each answer to question 1, split at the median of the recipes that gave it.
Question 3
More meat, fish or egg than most, or less?
Chicken, mutton, fish or eggs, weighed with the bone. Often more meat than rice; a vegetable biryani has none.
All 319 recipes: median 133% of the uncooked rice weight, 535 g per 400 g of uncooked rice; middle half 0% to 198%; 26% use none.
Asked within each answer to question 2, split at the median of the recipes that gave it.
The key
Read left to right: pick an answer to question 1, then one of the answers beside it for question 2, and so on to a group. Each cell gives the answer, its bound in grams per 100 g of uncooked rice, and how many recipes give it.
| 1. Mint and coriander | 2. Yogurt | 3. Meat, fish or egg | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| More0.7% or more163 | Moreover 31%81 | Moreover 135%43 | A43 |
| Little or none135% or less38 | B38 | ||
| Less31% or less82 | Moreover 100%40 | C40 | |
| Little or none100% or less42 | D42 | ||
| Little or noneunder 0.7%156 | Moreover 25%77 | Moreover 154%38 | E38 |
| Less154% or less39 | F39 | ||
| Little or none25% or less79 | More125% or more40 | G40 | |
| Little or noneunder 125%39 | H39 |
The 8 groups
Each median recipe is the median of every ingredient over the group's recipes, scaled to 400 g of uncooked rice, beside the typical pot of all 319. Bold rows are the ingredients the questions asked about.
Group A · 43 recipes · 13% of all
More mint and coriander, more yogurt and more meat, fish or egg
Mint and coriander 0.7% or more, yogurt over 31% and meat, fish or egg over 135% of the uncooked rice weight.
| At 400 g uncooked rice | Group A | All |
|---|---|---|
| Rice | 400 g | 400 g |
| Meat, fish or egg | 735 g | 535 g |
| Yogurt | 175 gabout 3/4 cup | 115 g |
| Onions | 240 gabout 2 cups | 235 g |
| Ghee or oil | 70 gabout 1/3 cup | 55 g |
| Mint and coriander | 11 gabout 2/3 cup | 3 g |
| Spices | 23 gabout 3 tbsp | 18 g |
| Potatoes | none | none |
| Salt | 5 g | none |
Nearest the middle of group A
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Chicken Dum Biryani | Chicken Dum Biryani Recipe | Hyderabadi Chicken Dum Biryani Recipe · yummytummyaarthi.commint and coriander 2.7% · yogurt 37% · meat, fish or egg 150%
- Fish biryani recipe · indianhealthyrecipes.commint and coriander 1.6% · yogurt 66% · meat, fish or egg 180%
- The Best Shrimp Biryani Recipe (Prawn Biryani) · cubesnjuliennes.commint and coriander 1.7% · yogurt 33% · meat, fish or egg 135%
- Mutton Biryani | Lamb Biryani · indianhealthyrecipes.commint and coriander 1.3% · yogurt 66% · meat, fish or egg 135%
- Sri Lankan Chicken Biryani · hungrylankan.commint and coriander 2% · yogurt 61% · meat, fish or egg 188%
Group B · 38 recipes · 11% of all
More mint and coriander, more yogurt and little or no meat, fish or egg
Mint and coriander 0.7% or more, yogurt over 31% and meat, fish or egg 135% or less of the uncooked rice weight. 24 of the 38 use no meat, fish or egg.
| At 400 g uncooked rice | Group B | All |
|---|---|---|
| Rice | 400 g | 400 g |
| Meat, fish or egg | none | 535 g |
| Yogurt | 175 gabout 3/4 cup | 115 g |
| Onions | 245 gabout 2 1/4 cups | 235 g |
| Ghee or oil | 85 gabout 1/3 cup | 55 g |
| Mint and coriander | 10 gabout 1/2 cup | 3 g |
| Spices | 20 gabout 2 1/2 tbsp | 18 g |
| Potatoes | none | none |
| Salt | 6 g | none |
Nearest the middle of group B
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Jackfruit Biryani · foodnetwork.commint and coriander 2.4% · yogurt 44% · meat, fish or egg 0%
- Soya Kheema Biryani · kannammacooks.commint and coriander 2.4% · yogurt 33% · meat, fish or egg 14%
- Kathal Biryani · gutekueche.atmint and coriander 3.3% · yogurt 40% · meat, fish or egg 0%
- Egg biryani · indianhealthyrecipes.commint and coriander 1.4% · yogurt 33% · meat, fish or egg 61%
- Hyderabadi Kacche Gosht Ki Biryani · haalasdastarkhaan.commint and coriander 3.6% · yogurt 49% · meat, fish or egg 0%
Group C · 40 recipes · 12% of all
More mint and coriander, less yogurt and more meat, fish or egg
Mint and coriander 0.7% or more, yogurt 31% or less and meat, fish or egg over 100% of the uncooked rice weight. 10 of the 40 use no yogurt.
| At 400 g uncooked rice | Group C | All |
|---|---|---|
| Rice | 400 g | 400 g |
| Meat, fish or egg | 570 g | 535 g |
| Yogurt | 65 gabout 1/4 cup | 115 g |
| Onions | 165 gabout 1 1/2 cups | 235 g |
| Ghee or oil | 60 gabout 1/4 cup | 55 g |
| Mint and coriander | 9 gabout 1/2 cup | 3 g |
| Spices | 18 gabout 2 1/2 tbsp | 18 g |
| Potatoes | none | none |
| Salt | 6 g | none |
Nearest the middle of group C
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Chettinad Biryani · indianhealthyrecipes.commint and coriander 2.4% · yogurt 8.3% · meat, fish or egg 135%
- Chicken Biryani Recipe · indianhealthyrecipes.commint and coriander 2% · yogurt 29% · meat, fish or egg 135%
- Lucknowi Murgh Biryani · haalasdastarkhaan.commint and coriander 1.6% · yogurt 15% · meat, fish or egg 109%
- Lamb Biryani · cubesnjuliennes.commint and coriander 1.1% · yogurt 20% · meat, fish or egg 125%
- Hyderabadi Biryani · foodnetwork.commint and coriander 1.6% · yogurt 14% · meat, fish or egg 164%
Group D · 42 recipes · 13% of all
More mint and coriander, less yogurt and little or no meat, fish or egg
Mint and coriander 0.7% or more, yogurt 31% or less and meat, fish or egg 100% or less of the uncooked rice weight. 25 of the 42 use no yogurt. 29 of the 42 use no meat, fish or egg.
| At 400 g uncooked rice | Group D | All |
|---|---|---|
| Rice | 400 g | 400 g |
| Meat, fish or egg | none | 535 g |
| Yogurt | none | 115 g |
| Onions | 240 gabout 2 cups | 235 g |
| Ghee or oil | 55 gabout 1/4 cup | 55 g |
| Mint and coriander | 11 gabout 2/3 cup | 3 g |
| Spices | 19 gabout 2 1/2 tbsp | 18 g |
| Potatoes | none | none |
| Salt | none | none |
Nearest the middle of group D
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Paneer Biryani Recipe · archanaskitchen.commint and coriander 2.7% · yogurt 0% · meat, fish or egg 0%
- Kuska Rice Recipe | Kuska Biryani · vegrecipesofindia.commint and coriander 1.5% · yogurt 0% · meat, fish or egg 0%
- Mushroom Biryani · cookwithmanali.commint and coriander 4.5% · yogurt 0% · meat, fish or egg 0%
- Chettinad Biryani Recipe (Vegetarian) · vegrecipesofindia.commint and coriander 4.5% · yogurt 23% · meat, fish or egg 0%
- Chicken Keema Biryani Recipe · archanaskitchen.commint and coriander 0.7% · yogurt 0% · meat, fish or egg 72%
Group E · 38 recipes · 11% of all
Little or no mint and coriander, more yogurt and more meat, fish or egg
Mint and coriander under 0.7%, yogurt over 25% and meat, fish or egg over 154% of the uncooked rice weight. 29 of the 38 use no mint and coriander.
| At 400 g uncooked rice | Group E | All |
|---|---|---|
| Rice | 400 g | 400 g |
| Meat, fish or egg | 900 g | 535 g |
| Yogurt | 245 gabout 1 cup | 115 g |
| Onions | 295 gabout 2 1/2 cups | 235 g |
| Ghee or oil | 55 gabout 1/4 cup | 55 g |
| Mint and coriander | none | 3 g |
| Spices | 18 gabout 2 1/2 tbsp | 18 g |
| Potatoes | none | none |
| Salt | none | none |
Nearest the middle of group E
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Chettinad Chicken Biryani Recipe · simpleindianmeals.commint and coriander 0% · yogurt 53% · meat, fish or egg 203%
- Biryani d'agneau traditionnel : la meilleure recette · cuisine.journaldesfemmes.frmint and coriander 0.1% · yogurt 83% · meat, fish or egg 167%
- Biryani d’agneau · cuisineaz.commint and coriander 0% · yogurt 63% · meat, fish or egg 225%
- Cape Chicken Breyani · withablast.netmint and coriander 0.1% · yogurt 88% · meat, fish or egg 292%
- Lemon Chicken Biryani · theviewfromgreatisland.commint and coriander 0% · yogurt 38% · meat, fish or egg 297%
Group F · 39 recipes · 12% of all
Little or no mint and coriander, more yogurt and less meat, fish or egg
Mint and coriander under 0.7%, yogurt over 25% and meat, fish or egg 154% or less of the uncooked rice weight. 28 of the 39 use no mint and coriander. 8 of the 39 use no meat, fish or egg.
| At 400 g uncooked rice | Group F | All |
|---|---|---|
| Rice | 400 g | 400 g |
| Meat, fish or egg | 400 g | 535 g |
| Yogurt | 225 gabout 1 cup | 115 g |
| Onions | 245 gabout 2 1/4 cups | 235 g |
| Ghee or oil | 47 gabout 3 1/2 tbsp | 55 g |
| Mint and coriander | none | 3 g |
| Spices | 19 gabout 2 1/2 tbsp | 18 g |
| Potatoes | none | none |
| Salt | none | none |
Nearest the middle of group F
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Chicken Dum Biryani Recipe · indianhealthyrecipes.commint and coriander 0% · yogurt 66% · meat, fish or egg 135%
- Burmese Biryani Recipe (Danbauk) · clubrangoon.com.hkmint and coriander 0% · yogurt 66% · meat, fish or egg 135%
- Keema Biryani · nigella.commint and coriander 0.3% · yogurt 52% · meat, fish or egg 100%
- Awadhi Mutton Biryani · nigella.commint and coriander 0.1% · yogurt 60% · meat, fish or egg 100%
- Mutton Biryani Recipe - How to Cook Mutton Biryani at Home (Video) · hinzcooking.commint and coriander 0% · yogurt 33% · meat, fish or egg 90%
Group G · 40 recipes · 12% of all
Little or no mint and coriander, little or no yogurt and more meat, fish or egg
Mint and coriander under 0.7%, yogurt 25% or less and meat, fish or egg 125% or more of the uncooked rice weight. 35 of the 40 use no mint and coriander. 15 of the 40 use no yogurt.
| At 400 g uncooked rice | Group G | All |
|---|---|---|
| Rice | 400 g | 400 g |
| Meat, fish or egg | 775 g | 535 g |
| Yogurt | 33 gabout 2 tbsp | 115 g |
| Onions | 200 gabout 1 3/4 cups | 235 g |
| Ghee or oil | 37 gabout 2 1/2 tbsp | 55 g |
| Mint and coriander | none | 3 g |
| Spices | 16 gabout 2 tbsp | 18 g |
| Potatoes | none | none |
| Salt | none | none |
Nearest the middle of group G
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Ambur Star Biryani · indianhealthyrecipes.commint and coriander 0% · yogurt 8.3% · meat, fish or egg 180%
- Riz biryani aux crevettes avec un thermomix · ptitchef.commint and coriander 0.1% · yogurt 0% · meat, fish or egg 167%
- One-Pot Chicken Biryani · ajinomoto.com.mymint and coriander 0% · yogurt 0% · meat, fish or egg 220%
- Biryani met kip · 15gram.bemint and coriander 0% · yogurt 0% · meat, fish or egg 240%
- Biriyani express : la meilleure recette · marmiton.orgmint and coriander 0% · yogurt 17% · meat, fish or egg 135%
Group H · 39 recipes · 12% of all
Little or no mint and coriander, little or no yogurt and little or no meat, fish or egg
Mint and coriander under 0.7%, yogurt 25% or less and meat, fish or egg under 125% of the uncooked rice weight. 29 of the 39 use no mint and coriander. 31 of the 39 use no yogurt. 23 of the 39 use no meat, fish or egg.
| At 400 g uncooked rice | Group H | All |
|---|---|---|
| Rice | 400 g | 400 g |
| Meat, fish or egg | none | 535 g |
| Yogurt | none | 115 g |
| Onions | 220 gabout 2 cups | 235 g |
| Ghee or oil | 55 gabout 1/4 cup | 55 g |
| Mint and coriander | none | 3 g |
| Spices | 13 gabout 1 1/2 tbsp | 18 g |
| Potatoes | none | none |
| Salt | none | none |
Nearest the middle of group H
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Mushroom Biryani Recipe · whiskaffair.commint and coriander 0.6% · yogurt 0% · meat, fish or egg 0%
- Linsen gemuese biryani · ichkoche.atmint and coriander 0.1% · yogurt 0% · meat, fish or egg 43%
- Instant Pot Paneer Biryani · ruchiskitchen.commint and coriander 0% · yogurt 0% · meat, fish or egg 0%
- Riz biryani · cuisineaz.commint and coriander 0% · yogurt 0% · meat, fish or egg 0%
- Biryani Rice · chefkunalkapur.commint and coriander 0% · yogurt 0% · meat, fish or egg 0%
How the questions are chosen
Each ingredient is ranked by how much recipes disagree on it: the width of the middle half of recipes (25th to 75th percentile) divided by the median, less 4% for each place it sits down this lab's list of ingredients, so the ones that define the dish win near ties. For biryani the order is mint and coriander (3.43), yogurt (1.71), meat, fish or egg (1.49), ghee or oil (1.04), onions (0.92) and spices (0.88), and the first 3 are asked. Salt is never asked about: recipes differ on it mostly by brand and taste. Potatoes is left out because most recipes use none.
Every split is at the median of the recipes in front of it, rounded to the amount shown. Recipes exactly at the median go to whichever side leaves the two halves more even. No answer may keep fewer than 5 recipes; a group that could not be split further says so.
The recipes listed under each group are the 5 nearest its median on every ingredient at once, each scaled by how much recipes vary on it. Every recipe page links to the original for the method.