Biryani is a fragrant and flavorful rice dish from the Indian subcontinent. It pairs beautifully with a variety of delectable side dishes. From cooling raita & chutney to refreshing salads & curries, these accompaniments enhance the biryani experience by combining spicy and cooling flavors.
I highly recommend trying my easy vegetable biryani and chicken biryani recipes. Here, I will share a variety of 15 amazing side dishes that complement the flavors of biryani.
Table of Contents
Raita & Chutney
Cucumber Raita
This easy homemade Indian Cucumber Raita is so refreshing. It is a perfect, easy side dish made with grated cucumber and yogurt and flavored with spices. You can also add onion and tomato to this raita to make onion tomato cucumber raita. Serve this cooling raita as an accompaniment to biryani.
Get the Cucumber Raita recipe.
Boondi Raita
This easy traditional Indian condiment, Boondi Raita, is crispy and creamy. Made with whisked yogurt and flavored with spices. It is gluten-free and goes very well with spicy biryani.
Get the Boondi Raita recipe.
Mango Lassi
Fresh Mango Lassi, made with just a few ingredients, is so creamy and refreshing. This Mango Lassi, a favorite to enjoy at Indian restaurants, can be easily made at home in no time! This sweet lassi pairs perfectly with spicy biryanis.
Get the Mango Lassi recipe.
Mint Cilantro Chutney
A cool, spicy, and tangy green chutney. This no-cook mint cilantro chutney is a must-try accompaniment to Indian foods.
Get the Mint Cilantro Chutney recipe.
Dahi Bhalla
Dahi Vada or Dahi Bhalla is made of soft lentil fritters drenched in creamy yogurt and topped with sweet and spicy chutneys. This popular Indian street food is loved by all and is a perfect side for biryani!
Get the Dahi Bhalla recipe.
Salad
Indian Onion Salad
This popular Indian salad – sliced onion rings tossed in a tangy, spicy dressing and fresh herbs- perfectly accompanies your biryani. This is not only gluten-free but a no-oil salad. Perfect for Vegetarians and Vegans!
Get the Indian Onion Salad recipe.
Kachumber
This healthy, satisfying kachumber salad is so easy and refreshing. Made with chopped veggies and seasoned with spices, serve it as a side with any Indian food. It is vegan, oil-free, and gluten-free.
Get the Kachumber recipe.
Sprouts Salad
A nutrition-packed Sprouts Salad made with mung beans, crunchy onions, tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, and spices. This refreshing salad has fresh and tangy flavors and can be enjoyed as a great protein-rich breakfast or snack.
Get the Sprouts Salad recipe.
Fruit Chaat
Fruit Chaat is a famous Indian-style fruit salad made with fresh fruits tossed in a tangy – spicy dressing! This refreshing chaat can be enjoyed as a side along with biryani.
Get the Fruit Chaat recipe.
Snacks
Papad (Papadum)
Papad is a thin crispy flatbread or cracker typically made with lentils. Papad can be fried or roasted. It is a perfect crunchy accompaniment to biryani.
Onion Bhaji
This traditional fried Indian snack, onion bhaji, is crispy onion fritters made with gram flour, onions, and spices from your pantry. These vegan and gluten-free onion pakoras are delectable!
Get the Onion Bhaji recipe.
Chicken Kebab
Chicken Tikka Kebab is a delicious appetizer or side packed with flavor. It starts with chicken pieces marinated in yogurt, lime juice, and aromatic spices, then threaded onto skewers and grilled. Serve this as a side for biryani for an authentic experience.
Get the Chicken Kebab recipe.
Samosa
Crispy, flaky Samosa is the perfect side for biryani. Filled with a spicy potato filling, this Samosa is also vegan!
Get the Samosa recipe.
Curry
Salan / Mirchi Ka Salan
Mirchi Ka Salan is an Indian curry recipe that’s served with Hyderabadi Biryani/rice. This exotic vegan curry is creamy, spicy, and delicious. It can be made in 45 minutes.
Get the Salan / Mirchi Ka Salan recipe.
Bagara Baingan
This Bagara Baingan Recipe is a rich, flavorful, and authentic Hyderabadi eggplant curry often served as a side dish with biryani, rice, or Indian bread.
Get the Bagara Baingan recipe.
Aloo Gobi
Aloo Gobi is a simple and delicious cauliflower potato stir fry cooked with onions, tomatoes and aromatic spices. This is a delicious veggie side to biryani.
Get the Aloo Gobi recipe.
Aloo Baingan
Aloo Baingan Masala is an easy one-pot curry made with potatoes, eggplants, and aromatic spices in an instant pot or stovetop. A vegan and gluten-free potato and eggplant Curry that is a perfect side to any rice dish.
Get the Aloo Baingan recipe.
Desserts
Gulab Jamun
Gulab Jamun’s are deep-fried donut-like balls soaked in sweet rose-flavored syrup. They are so delicious and taste absolutely heavenly.
Get the Gulab Jamun recipe.
Fruit Custard
Made with custard powder, milk, and a variety of fresh fruits, this Fruit Custard is a delightful, vibrant dessert. This cooling custard is a perfect dessert to serve with biryani.
Get the Fruit Custard recipe.
Shahi Tukda
Shahi Tukda is a traditional royal Mughlai sweet dish made by deep-frying bread slices that are dunked in sugar syrup and followed by the topping of rabdi or milk cream. A simple, easy, delectable Indian dessert that you must try!
Get the Shahi Tukda recipe.
Final Thoughts
Enjoy the spicy and flavorful biryani with these accompaniments for a wonderful Indian meal. The best accompaniments for biryani are raita, pickle, chutney, and salan.
No mention of bagara baingan and Shahi tukde?
Hi Emmanuel – Great feedback. I have added those recipes the list 🙂