Difference between Biryani and Pulao
Biryani , in its simplest form is an preparation in which rice and meat/vegetables are cooked together in a sealed container over very slow flame.
Biryani is an aromatic and rich rice-based food made with spices and meat/vegetables that is cooked on very slow flame in a sealed container( known as Dum).
Biryani and pulao are somewhat similar if we look at them from a distance, but there are some differences. There are different techniques of preparation and there are differences in their texture, taste and Aroma.
Pulao is made by cooking the ingredients together,
Biryani is used to denote a dish where the rice is first cooked separately them layered and cooked/matured on low flame with other ingredients.
Apart from this there are several differences between Biryani and Pulao:
Biryani
Biryani generally has layers
Rice is cooked ¾ separatelly, then layered and dum cooked
Biryani is very rich compared with pulao
It is cooked by DumPukt
Biryani takes more time to prepare.
Pulao
Pulao does not have layer.
Rice is sauteed with other ingredients and cooked together.
Pulao is comparatively light.
It is sauteed then cooked by absorption method.
Pulao takes less time to prepare.
It is comparatively less aromatic and nutritious.