Main Course · Dinner · Asian ·

Succulent Nepalese Yak Biryani with Himalayan Spices

Name: Succulent Nepalese Yak Biryani with Himalayan Spices
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 180 min
Total time: 240 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 500g yak meat, cut into cubes; 1 cup plain yogurt; 2 teaspoons garam masala; 1 teaspoon turmeric powder; 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste; Salt to taste; 2 cups basmati rice; 4 cups water; 4 green cardamom pods; 1 cinnamon stick; A pinch of saffron strands, soaked in 2 tablespoons warm milk; 2 large onions, thinly sliced; 3 tablespoons ghee; 1 teaspoon cumin seeds; 2 bay leaves; 3 cloves; 1 teaspoon red chili powder; 1 cup chopped tomatoes; Fresh coriander leaves, chopped; Fried onions; Toasted cashews

Experience the rich flavors of Nepal with this traditional Yak Biryani, a delightful blend of Himalayan spices and fragrant basmati rice.

4.3(362 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·January 6, 2026

Succulent Nepalese Yak Biryani with Himalayan Spices — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

1 h

Cook

3 h

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Yak Marinade

For the Rice

For the Biryani

For Garnishing

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 544 kcal
Protein: 28.67 g
Carbs: 61.33 g
Fat: 18.5 g
Fiber: 3 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 3266 kcal
Protein: 172 g
Carbs: 368 g
Fat: 111 g
Fiber: 18 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
500g yak meat cut into cubes	958	124	0	48	0
1 cup plain yogurt	149	9	17	4	0
2 teaspoons garam masala	12	0	2	0	1
1 teaspoon turmeric powder	8	0	2	0	1
1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste	16	0	4	0	0
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0
2 cups basmati rice	1360	28	292	2	4
4 cups water	0	0	0	0	0
4 green cardamom pods	8	0	2	0	1
1 cinnamon stick	7	0	2	0	1
A pinch of saffron strands soaked in 2 tablespoons warm milk	18	1	1	1	0
2 large onions thinly sliced	88	2	22	0	4
3 tablespoons ghee	360	0	0	42	0
1 teaspoon cumin seeds	8	0	1	0	1
2 bay leaves	2	0	0	0	0
3 cloves	6	0	1	0	1
1 teaspoon red chili powder	6	0	1	0	0
1 cup chopped tomatoes	32	2	7	0	2
Fresh coriander leaves chopped	1	0	0	0	0
Fried onions	40	1	5	2	1
Toasted cashews	157	5	9	12	1

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Yak

1
Mix marinade
In a bowl, mix yogurt, garam masala, turmeric, and ginger-garlic paste.
2
Coat meat
Add yak meat cubes, ensuring they are well coated.
3
Marinate
Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

Preparing the Rice

1
Rinse rice
Rinse basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
2
Soak rice
Soak rice in water for 30 minutes.
Tip: Do not skip the soaking process for the rice.
3
Drain rice
Drain and set aside.

How to Make Succulent Nepalese Yak Biryani with Himalayan Spices

Total time: 4 h · Yields 6 servings

1
Yak Cooking
Fry marinated yak cubes in ghee until browned and cooked through.
2
Rice Cooking
Boil water with cardamom and cinnamon, add rice, cook until 70% done, then drain.
3
Layering Biryani
In a large pot, layer rice and cooked yak, adding saffron milk and fried onions between layers.