If you’re following Noom and craving something more exciting than grilled chicken and salad, shrimp biryani can be a surprisingly good fit.
This Noom shrimp biryani recipe uses plenty of vegetables, lean shrimp, fragrant spices, and a moderate portion of rice to keep the meal satisfying without sending the calorie count through the roof.
It’s flavorful, filling, and easy enough for a weeknight dinner. Here’s today’s featured sign up offer (view more!) plus our Noom shrimp biryani recipe.
Noom-Friendly Shrimp Biryani
Servings: 4
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Estimated calories: About 350–400 per serving
Ingredients
- 1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro for serving
- Lemon or lime wedges
How to Make Shrimp Biryani
1. Cook the vegetables
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the onion and bell pepper and cook for about 4–5 minutes, until they begin to soften.
- Stir in the garlic and ginger and cook for another 30 seconds.
2. Add the spices
- Add the curry powder, garam masala, turmeric, cumin, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
- Stir for about 30 seconds so the spices become fragrant.
- This little step makes a surprisingly big difference in the final flavor.
3. Add the rice
- Stir in the basmati rice, tomatoes, and broth.
- Bring everything to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover.
- Cook for about 12–15 minutes, or until most of the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is nearly tender.
4. Add the shrimp and peas
- Stir in the shrimp and frozen peas.
- Cover again and cook for another 4–6 minutes, until the shrimp are pink and completely cooked through.
- Fluff the biryani gently with a fork before serving.
5. Finish and serve
- Top with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lemon or lime.
- Serve immediately.
Why Shrimp Biryani Can Work Well With Noom
Traditional biryani can be fairly calorie-dense because recipes often include large amounts of rice, oil, butter, or ghee.
This lighter version shifts the balance.
Shrimp provides lean protein, while tomatoes, peppers, onions, and peas add volume and nutrients. Using a controlled amount of rice and just one tablespoon of oil helps keep the overall calorie density more reasonable.
That means you can still get the spicy, savory flavor of biryani without turning dinner into an accidental 1,000-calorie event.
Related: How much does Noom cost?
How to Make This Shrimp Biryani Even Lighter
If you’d like to reduce the calories further, there are several easy changes you can make.
Try using 3/4 cup of rice instead of a full cup, or replace part of the rice with cauliflower rice.
You can also add extra vegetables such as zucchini, cauliflower, spinach, carrots, or mushrooms. Increasing the amount of vegetables gives you a larger portion without adding many calories.
For more protein, simply add a little extra shrimp. Also, did you know that you can try Noom for free?
Is Shrimp Good for Noom?
Shrimp can be a great protein choice for people following Noom because it is relatively low in calories while providing plenty of protein.
A 3-ounce serving of cooked shrimp contains roughly 80–100 calories, depending on preparation.
The biggest calorie difference usually comes from how shrimp is prepared. Grilled, boiled, baked, or sautéed shrimp is much lighter than breaded or deep-fried shrimp.
What Goes With Noom Shrimp Biryani?
You really don’t need much because biryani is already a complete meal.
If you’d like something on the side, try:
- Cucumber and tomato salad
- Steamed vegetables
- Roasted cauliflower
- A small serving of plain Greek yogurt
- Fresh fruit
- Simple green salad
A spoonful of Greek yogurt mixed with cucumber and herbs also makes an easy lighter alternative to a traditional creamy sauce.
Can You Meal Prep Shrimp Biryani?
Yes. Shrimp biryani works well for meal prep and can be portioned into individual containers for quick lunches or dinners.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container and reheat thoroughly before eating.
Because shrimp can become rubbery when repeatedly reheated, I prefer making enough for just a few meals rather than preparing an enormous batch for the entire week.
Noom Shrimp Biryani: Final Thoughts
Eating healthier doesn’t mean every meal has to taste like punishment.
This Noom-friendly shrimp biryani combines lean protein, vegetables, rice, and plenty of spices into a filling meal that still keeps calories reasonable.
You can also easily adjust the recipe by adding more vegetables, reducing the rice, or turning up the spices.
If you’re following Noom, it’s a good example of how you can make small changes to traditionally heavier meals rather than giving them up completely.
Have you tried cooking this shrimp biryani recipe? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for stopping by Pretty Sweet!
I’m a dad of four, including 3 kids and a Hungarian Vizsla who is my partner about 22 hours a day. I’m a Philly sports fan and enjoy writing about wellness, saving money, and personal finance. Thanks for reading!